Below is an announcement about an upcoming event at the University of Minnesota. I am working up my introduction to the two panels and have a few research questions: 1. Wired legislatures - Is anyone aware of studies which compare the use of the Internet in different state legislatures? Has anyone seen a list of legislative chambers that allow laptops to be connected to the Internet while in session? (They do this in Minnesota and in Lithuania for certain.) 2. Online advocacy - There are scores of state-level groups using the net to lobby in MN <http://e-democracy.org/links>. I wonder how Minnesota compares? Has anyone seen a study on online advocacy/lobbying in any state or nation? 3. Online campaigning - Does anyone have any new numbers related to the use of the Internet in election 2002? See the full event announcement below. Please pass it on to anyone you know in Minnesota who might be interested. Steven Clift clift@publicus.net - Reply here. http://publicus.net/fellow Visiting Fellow, Institute for New Media Studies University of Minnesota *** Free and Open to the Public *** What: The Net & Elections and Online Advocacy in Minnesota ---------------------------- An evening for insight and exploration with two dynamic expert panels When: 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Thursday, February 20, 2003 Where: Coffman Memorial Union Campus Club - 4th Floor Conference Rooms A-B-C University of Minnesota Sponsored by the Institute for New Media Studies <http://www.inms.umn.edu> and Minnesota E-Democracy <http://www.e-democracy.org>. RSVP requested by Tuesday, February 18, but not required: E-mail <blietz@umn.edu> or call 612-625-0576 To receive virtual handouts and a notice about the post-event webcast release, e-mail <neoamn-subscribe@yahoogroups.com>. Evening Schedule ---------------- See below for full details and a list of our dynamic panelists. 6:30 p.m. - Reception, including the U.S. premiere of Japanese television news coverage of e-democracy in Minnesota 7:00 p.m. - Panel 1 - The Net & Elections in Minnesota 8:00 p.m. - Panel 2 - Online Advocacy and Lobbying in Minnesota 8:50 p.m. - Video E-Citizens - Share a comment, lesson, or your reactions to the panel on video for our global post-event webcast. Additional *cash* drinks available in the newly renovated Campus Club Lounge <http://www1.umn.edu/cclub/tourbar.html> during and after the event through 10 p.m.. Parking ------- We recommend that you park in the East River Rd Garage: See <http://www1.umn.edu/cclub/map.html> or <http://www1.umn.edu/pts/maps/ebhour.htm> for maps. Enter from E. River Rd/Pkwy or from just after the Washington Ave. Bridge traveling east only. Once parked, *Level A* of the garage is connected by a tunnel to Coffman Memorial Hall. - - - - - - - - - Full Event Details and Panelists -------------------------------- * 7:00 p.m. - Opening - Welcome - Nora Paul, Institute for New Media Studies, School of Journalism and Mass Communications, University of Minn. - Introduction - "The Good Online Life in Minnesota - Promoting High Per Capita Politics Online" - Steven Clift, Visiting Fellow, Institute for New Media Studies and Chair, Minnesota E- Democracy 7:10 p.m - The Net & Elections in Minnesota - Panel 1 In 1994, Minnesota E-Democracy created the world's first election-oriented web site. In 1998, Governor Jesse Ventura create a global Internet buzz when he credited the use of the Internet as crucial to his victory. In 2002, awareness of election use of the Internet was eclipsed by our tragic election season, the post-dotcom hangover, and by the Internet's integration into our political life. This panel will expose important lessons learned and discuss future trends to watch. David Erickson - Panel Moderator - Publisher, MNPolitics.com Bob Collins - Online News Editor, Minnesota Public Radio Bridget Cronin - Former Editor, Minnesota GOP Newsline JC Quirn - Webmaster, Wellstone for Senate Brian McClung - Republican Candidate for Minnesota State House in 2002 Rob Davis - Promotion Pawn, BushBoy.com 8:00 p.m. - Panel 2 - Online Advocacy and Lobbying in Minnesota In 1993, the Minnesota State Legislature opened its "Gopher" server and soon moved content to the web. Minnesota's state legislators, political interest groups, and active citizens got online early and many have integrated the Internet deep into their political activities. A decade later in 2003, with a wired state capitol, connected interest groups, and about 70% of Minnesotans online, how will the high stakes surrounding our $4.5 billion dollar two year budget gap manifest itself through online advocacy and lobbying? Linda Jean Kensicki - Panel Moderator - Asst. Professor, School of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Minnesota Robbie LaFluer - Director, Minnesota Legislative Reference Library Marcia Avner - Public Policy Director, Minnesota Council of Non-Profits - Author, Lobbying and Advocacy Handbook for Nonprofit Orgs. David Strom - Legislative Director, Taxpayers League Brian Elliot - Political Coordinator, Clean Water Action Alliance Christine Nelson - Former Director of Citizen Outreach, Governor Ventura's Office Note: Panelists will present their diverse perspectives for up to five minutes followed by questions. The panels will be recorded for global webcasting at a later date. To be notified when the post-event webcast is available online, e-mail <neoamn-subscribe@yahoogroups.com> Post-Event ~8:50 p.m. - Video E-Citizens Share a comment or your reaction to the panels on video as part of our global post-event webcast. After the official event you can stick around and share your two cents. One minute statements sharing your perspective and specific stories will be a featured section on our post-event website. Help Minnesota tell its politics online story to the world. Until 10:00 p.m. - Extended P2P Interactivity The Campus Club Lounge, overlooking the Mississippi River is open until 10:00 p.m.. Non-club members may purchase drinks on a cash- only basis. Reminder - Please RSVP ---------------------- See you on Thursday, February 20! Please help us estimate attendance by sending an RSVP e-mail to <blietz@umn.edu> or by calling 612-625-0576 Event updates will be posted on the sponsor websites. This event is sponsored by the Institute for New Media Studies, School of Journalism and Mass Communication <http://www.inms.umn.edu> and Minnesota E-Democracy <http://www.e-democracy.org>. -- Steven Clift clift@publicus.net http://www.publicus.net - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Please reply to: clift@publicus.net Steven Clift http://www.publicus.net