No one can fix, avoid or prepare for all possible reasons why a group cannot purchase the solution to their problem, whether it’s software or shelter or support. There is an endless list of reasons why projects are halted or great ideas are quieted, from budgets to natural disasters to mismanaged funds, but the ‘open movement’ understands their energy cannot be placed in the task of trying to stop the inevitable. So often, problems are not resolved because credit (which can take many forms) is due to a person, party or company and for some reason cannot be paid. The obstacles created by party lines are simply taken out of the equation by adjusting their perspective on the bigger picture… bypassing the sputtering machine we seem to have in Congress. And there isn’t a politician or citizen they don’t strive to bring into the conversation. And in their communities, they empower others to participate and share their skills. Within their working groups, they redefine structures and tasks as projects evolve. These ‘open activists’ are tech-savvy and creative, they understand business and are some of our greatest multi-taskers.
DESIGNBOX DOWNTOWN RALEIGH FREE
The take-away is they volunteer - free of charge, for change - and it’s this type of participation that is the new answer to the question, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” They are motivated by this understanding, and made passionate by it, too. I’ve realized these tasks generally fall on the shoulders of those who understand that if they want a great place to live, they have to be an active part of tending to that fluid process. An open approach asks all members of the community, and of the city, to be a part of that.
This is best done by dialing in the right mix of (among other things) what can be accomplished using the Internet, social media, marketing copy, and good ole fashioned conversation. To make better the lives of people living anywhere, together, there is a need to communicate what the issues are, the options to solve them, and get a consensus on what should be done. The catalyst for it is the methodology behind ‘the open source’ way of approaching problems. Regular citizens are being pulled into a new process for change that is speeding up the pace at which real solutions are being put to use. Take Raleigh, North Carolina for example. And yet, it still astonishes me how quickly ‘open’ ideas are being accepted, built and implemented into city governments from the east to west coast. Change tends to be delivered slowly, as evident during President Obama’s re-election campaign this year when many of us had to remind ourselves that though some change has trickled down over the past four years, much of it has yet to come to pass due to the inherent processes of government bodies. Follow her on Twitter or you can contact her at open government movement in our country is well underway, though still brand new in terms relative to the pace of the workings of government. Jen also helps other businesses develop their content strategies and blogs about growth in downtown Raleigh, NC where she lives. Jennifer Wike is an Editor and contributor for, a community service website of Red Hat dedicated to highlighting the ways in which the ‘open source movement’ is shaping government, law, education, science and technology, and other areas of life. Sunlight Foundation is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information within the guest blog.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the guest blogger and those providing comments are theirs alone and do not reflect the opinions of the Sunlight Foundation or any employee thereof.