Your Next Awesome Community Manager
For hundreds of friendships and acquaintances, readers near and far, the blessings of my skill set, a loving partner, and free WiFi at Metropolis, I’m thankful. It is, indeed, a very, very good life.
Illinois to Disabled: Quality of Life Is Elsewhere
This month, the Chicago Community Trust’s Persons with Disabilities Forum announced surprising findings regarding the quality of life the disabled can expect to enjoy in Illinois. In short: not much.
2010 Knight News Challenge Deadline December 1st
This year’s Knight News Challenge deadline is December 1st. If you have an innovative idea about disseminating community news online, now is the time to apply for this Chicago Community Trust-managed grant competition.
Chicago Blogosphere, Heal Thyself…Not
Chicago bloggers frequently express interest in creating a local ad network. But until we all get over the rampant tendency to consider each other mortal enemies in the futile quest for the next-big-multimillion-dollar online idea, none of us is getting off the blogger bread line anytime soon.
“The archives will remain online”: The Troubling History of Geoff Dougherty
Media entrepreneur Geoff Dougherty ran two multimedia news ventures into the ground. Now, the embattled Chicago Reader has hired him as associate publisher. Maybe they didn’t read his press. Here’s a look at the track record the Reader’s new owners may have missed.
Are Unpaid Social Media Internships Legal?
Chicago nonprofits and businesses often use unpaid social media interns as a cheap way to gain institutional knowledge about building online community. But according to the U.S. Department of Labor, federal law requires that unpaid internships be for the benefit of the intern–not the company. And now the fed is investigating.
The Economic Damage of Social Media “Internships”
An improving economy is bringing new job openings for graduating collegians. Unfortunately, opportunities in the social media industry remain monopolized by a highly disingenuous job title: social media intern. It’s a title manufactured by the nonprofit sector to squeeze critically needed expertise from college students–without paying them what they’re worth.
Vivian Vahlberg Vs. The Usual Suspects: Why the “Community News Matters” Grantee List Is No Surprise
Yesterday, I asked why the Chicago Community Trust’s recently announced ‘Community News Matters’ grant awards seem to ignore the future sustainability of online local news. It turns out there may be a reason for that.
Chicago Online News: The Best of What’s Left
Last week’s sudden shut-down of Chitown Daily News means one fewer online source for independent community news about the Windy City. If you’re hoping to find a local online news site, here’s a look at the best of what’s left.
BREAKING: Chitown Daily News Shutting Down
As initially reported on Gapers Block, the Windy City’s leading independent local news website, Chitown Daily News, has laid off its reporting staff and is shutting down, to re-tool as a for-profit venture. The surprise news comes in the wake of the C-BOM bloggers meetup called last month to discuss ways to make financial ends meet on the local blogosphere.