Network Sparks: August 11

Network Sparks

Inspiration and Important Info from the Code for America Brigade Network

Welcome to our third edition of Network Sparks. This is a space for you to get updates on Brigade Network events, project spotlights, and important announcements. Have something you’d like added to the next edition? Head on over to the #network-sparks Slack channel to submit your idea, or email it to brigade-info@codeforamerica.org.

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This is our announcement area! Here are things you should know:

  • This year’s National Day of Civic Hacking (NDoCH) is on September 12. People Over Paperwork: Strengthening the Social Safety Net is an event for our entire Network! We have projects you can join to strengthen the safety net in your community. You’re welcome to join us, even if you’re not yet a volunteer with a Brigade.
  1. Register for the keynote event today !
  2. Find more info on planning your Brigade’s projects using the organizer toolkit.
  3. If you’re organizing a local event, make sure your Brigade has a Meetup event created. You can check out Code for DC’s example event here.
  4. Want to Read and share this blog post promoting NDoCH!
  • Are you looking for a project you or your Brigade can adopt? Check out our newly created project canvases for projects in the Rapid Response Priority Action Area.

CEO Notes

Sharing updates and thoughts from Code for America CEO Amanda Renteria

August is a busy month this year as we all prepare for a new kind of fall and for those of us who are parents, a new kind of school year. The current times are certainly testing us in new ways and strengthening our resilience every single day. I am inspired by everyone in the network stepping up to help all across the country. That’s why I am excited to invite you to a Meet and Greet on August 31, at 8pm ET/ 5pm PT. My goal is to listen and learn from you, and have a thoughtful conversation about our future. I hope to meet you there! You can RSVP here .

I wish that all of you are healthy and safe in these times. - Amanda

Upcoming Events

Brigade.codeforamerica.com/events

August 12: Monthly Brigade Workshop: Measuring Impact

7pm ET / 4pm PT

Register

For our August workshop, we’re talking about measuring impact! Learn about how Code for America tracks our impact using Objectives and Key Results (OKRs), and about how Brigades are increasing their potential impact by using Project Canvasses to promote project replicability.

August 17: Social Safety Net Workshop
7pm ET/ 4pm PT

Register

Get ready for this year’s National Day of Civic Hacking. This workshop features a discussion with members of Code for America’s safety net team about the current social safety net landscape and continued efforts in the space to help families access basic needs during the pandemic.

August 23: South Region Call

4pm ET/ 1pm PT

Agenda Zoom

Join a call of Brigades in the Southern region to check in, catch up, and share about what your Brigade is up to!

August 31: Meet and Greet with Amanda Renteria

8pm ET/ 5pm PT

Register

Get to know Code for America’s new CEO, Amanda Renteria at this open meet and greet for Brigade volunteers. Come to learn more about Amanda, ask questions, and share your experience. We hope to see you there!

Project Spotlight

Bay Area Pandemic Dashboard by Code for San Francisco, Open Oakland, and Code for San Jose | GitHub

A great collaborative and open source Brigade effort, the Bay Area Pandemic Dashboard was adopted from a project by Code for Japan. While data in each county is released in California, the Bay Area Pandemic dashboard recognized that residents in the Bay Area cross county lines often, even on a daily basis. Stats on this dashboard pull in data from all nine Bay Area counties.

Jobs and Contracts

  • The Center for Inclusive Democracy at the University of Southern California is hiring for two Research Specialist roles, each benefitting from experience in web mapping, open source tools, and collaborating with government and community leaders. View the first and second research specialist listings.
  • National Expungement Week is hiring organizers! We partnered with National Expungement Week on the 2019 National Day of Civic Hacking and are proud to support their work. Learn more about these stipend organizing positions by emailing destiny@cagefreerepair.org.

News

  • Maryland Daily Record: Code for Baltimore and HACK Baltimore announce a new partnership
  • GCN: The ‘magic’ of open source: better, faster, cheaper — and trustworthy
  • North Forty News: Fort Collins Awarded Code for America 2020 Community Fellowship

Quick Links