# Sparks: August 27

**URL:** <https://discourse.codeforamerica.org/t/sparks-august-27/884>\
**Category:** Sparks\
**Created:** [September 3, 2020, 4:46pm UTC](https://discourse.codeforamerica.org/t/sparks-august-27/884 "2020-09-03T16:46:09Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![elb](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/discourse.codeforamerica.org/elb/32/484_2.png) [@elb](https://discourse.codeforamerica.org/u/elb)\
**Post date:** [September 3, 2020, 4:46pm UTC](https://discourse.codeforamerica.org/t/sparks-august-27/884/1 "2020-09-03T16:46:09Z")

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### Network Sparks

Inspiration and Important Info from the Code for America Brigade Network

Welcome to our fourth 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](https://cfa.slack.com/archives/C016FHTUWTC) Slack channel to submit your idea, or email it to [brigade-info@codeforamerica.org](mailto:brigade-info@codeforamerica.org). You can view past editions of Sparks [here](https://discourse.codeforamerica.org/c/announcements/Sparks/37).

### Project Spotlight

#### [Land Acknowledgement Bot](https://land.codeforanchorage.org/) by Code for Anchorage

[GitHub](https://github.com/codeforanchorage/land_acknowledgement)

 ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/CYITVDrmy3Klzl30JjQx-kbnSM06HJddTQT6FQPQ-793HbXXhzeYjAl663zH6lmcSHqQk4elGFjYLIkYaImlEslWKhyaUqZVdqfd1zQgNthoibcnAp7iIbraoGjrDU8KmMr3MKs)

Land Acknowledgement is an SMS and Facebook Messenger bot leveraging data from Canadian not-for-profit, [Native Land](https://native-land.ca/). Within two weeks of launching, the bot had over 150,000 texts sent to it and its use has continued to gain traction. You can try it out for yourself by texting 907-312-5085 or by sending a city and state to the [Facebook messenger](https://www.messenger.com/t/LandAcknowledgement).

### Announcements

- This year’s [National Day of Civic Hacking](https://www.codeforamerica.org/events/national-day-of-civic-hacking-2020) (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 event today](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/national-day-of-civic-hacking-2020-tickets-113388393738)!
2. Find more info on planning your Brigade’s projects using the [organizer toolkit](https://docs.google.com/document/d/15smqf4STJXIkhKeEzXDYcIBJNI5g4K7wbY6SXaKTlGI/edit?usp=sharing).
3. Read and share [this blog post](https://www.codeforamerica.org/news/a-day-of-action-to-strengthen-our-social-safety-net) promoting NDoCH!

### CEO Notes

Sharing updates and thoughts from Code for America CEO Amanda Renteria

It’s hard to believe that the summer is nearing a close. Before August ends, I hope to have the chance to meet many of you and to talk about the future of our work together. Please join me for an open listening session on August 31: [Register here](https://codeforamerica.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_shlnN9gpTH-4z08WQNqNkg).

I hope to see you then! - Amanda

### Upcoming Events

[Brigade.codeforamerica.com/events](https://brigade.codeforamerica.org/events)

September 12: National Day of Civic Hacking

[Register](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/national-day-of-civic-hacking-2020-tickets-113388393738)

Join us for the 8th annual (and first virtual!) National Day of Civic Hacking. People Over Paperwork: Strengthening the Social Safety Net is a collective day of action to strengthen our social safety net. [Find more info](http://nationaldayofcivichacking.org/).

September 14: Monthly Workshop

7pm ET / 4pm PT

[Info](https://www.google.com/calendar/event?eid=MnFqcnBzbGw0ZHNndGpvbnFkZ2pjbjFwdGlfMjAyMDA5MTRUMjMwMDAwWiBjb2RlZm9yYW1lcmljYS5vcmdfZTRmdWd2bmpwazRiNWZ2Z2pmZTkxNnNhNmdAZw&ctz=America/Los_Angeles)

Join us for September’s monthly workshop on a relevant topic for Brigade members and leaders.

### Volunteer Opportunities

- GIS/Data: The University of Southern California, is looking for 5 volunteers to assist for 5 hours a week to help with data collection and preparation using GTFS and Open Street Map. They are asking for a commitment of 3 weeks starting immediately. Please reach out to Mindy Romero at msromero@price.usc.edu for more details.
- CSS/ HTML: The TechEquity Collaborative in Oakland CA is looking for someone well versed in CSS to help on a project for 5 hours of work total. [View the project brief](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GR1miBDs-25adgEm1qUaseShm-zPDjMagf5OmajNdgw/edit) to learn more and find contact info to apply.
- General volunteer: Spend a few hours expanding a SNAP eligibility tool to other states. [Learn more and sign up here](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZJLCAqVpIzEDs9vSCEAz0WeyvTiJ39tuqSeFROlcQV0/edit).

### News

- [Technical.ly](https://technical.ly/philly/2020/08/17/code-for-philly-new-technical-fellowship-paid-skills-development-mentorship/): Code for Philly’s new technical fellowship offers paid skills development and mentorship
- [Refresh Miami](https://www.refreshmiami.com/for-civic-tech-with-local-impact-code-for-south-florida-answers-the-call/): For Civic Tech with Local Impact, Code for South Florida Answers the Call
- [BetaNYC Blog](https://beta.nyc/2020/08/14/intro-to-the-apprenticeship-program/): Introduction to the Civic Innovation Apprenticeship Program
- [GovTech](https://www.govtech.com/civic/Whats-New-in-Civic-Tech-National-Day-of-Civic-Hacking-.html): What’s New in Civic Tech: National Day of Civic Hacking

### Partner Note

We’re proud to work with The School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs at Northeastern University for National Day of Civic Hacking. Northeastern is one of only a handful of U.S. universities currently offering a degree in the emerging field of Urban Informatics. Students have the choice of an in-person or online program, or a combination of both. Learn how to use big data to understand and serve cities: [click here for more info on Northeastern’s Urban Informatics degree](https://cssh.northeastern.edu/policyschool/program/ms-urban-informatics/).

### Quick Links

[CfA Discourse](https://discourse.codeforamerica.org/): Find organizing and civic tech resources at the Discourse and sign up to contribute.

[CfA Slack](https://docs.google.com/forms/u/2/d/e/1FAIpQLSfRqy9L8Z5bS8cPHmHrY6BPT5g6K45uo0Z3KicYLB4bsFp2wA/viewform): Join the Code for America Slack community

[Public Interest Tech Job Board](https://jobs.codeforamerica.org/): Find your job in civic tech

[Events calendar](https://brigade.codeforamerica.org/events): See upcoming events

[Brigade Resources](https://brigade.codeforamerica.org/resources): See toolkits and resources for your Brigade here

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**Author:** ![Mari](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/discourse.codeforamerica.org/mari/32/992_2.png) [@Mari](https://discourse.codeforamerica.org/u/Mari)\
**Post date:** [July 1, 2023, 6:59am UTC](https://discourse.codeforamerica.org/t/sparks-august-27/884/2 "2023-07-01T06:59:18Z")

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