February 11, 2021 edition of Sparks: a bi-weekly Code for America Newsletter for the Brigade Network, adapted for Discourse. Want to submit content for the next edition? Email eburnett@codeforamerica.org - or comment on this post. To subscribe to get Sparks in your inbox, go here.
Holding Space and Making Change
Read Code for America CEO @arenteria’s thoughts about meeting the Network in 2020 and some plans for the Network in 2021. Read the blog >>
Announcements 
Network Announcements
- Call for Proposals for the 2021 Code for America Summit! The theme this year is designing an equitable government together. Consider sharing something you’ve learned or showcase a project you’re proud of.
- Run for the National Advisory Council! Formal candidate nominations are now open! The declaration period closes Monday, February 15.
- Updated Code of Conduct Guidance: We have new resources around how to navigate conflict and establish best practices around Code of Conduct for your Brigade.
Civic Tech Community Announcements
Office of New Urban Mechanics Accepting Fellowship Applications
Applications are now open for the City of Boston’s Office of New Urban Mechanics summer fellowship. Learn more and consider applying today.
Call for Action
Take a quick and simple step to advance the fight for automatic record clearance in your community
While automatic record clearance is helping change lives in a number of places across the country, most local and state governments still don’t have the ability to automatically clear criminal records. Join Code for America and National Expungement Week in our work to advocate for automatic record clearance by sending a Letter to the Editor to a newspaper in your community. It’s easy to participate!
- Email veronica@codeforamerica.org to let us know you’re interested in participating
- We’ll send you a letter template, and the contact info for your local publication
- You email the letter to your local publication!
Learn more about Code for America’s work advancing automatic record clearance
News
BetaNYC welcomes new fellows: Learn more about the NYC Civic Innovation Fellowship program and meet Kiona, Vansh, Joseph, Sarah, Aaryan, and Avi.
Dismantling the Invisible Wall: Learn about how Code for America partnered with the California Department of Social Services to deliver cash support to undocumented immigrants.
Defining the Citizen Experience: CEO Amanda Renteria talks about the citizen experience on the Intercom podcast.
Inspiration
“Bringing your full self to work everyday when your work is to deeply understand the root causes of systemic issues, inspire others to rethink what’s possible, and advocate for radical change can be hard.”
Carrying a Legacy, Leading the Field: A conversation with Code for America’s Service Design Director Jazmyn Latimer
Maintenance Window: A series of conversations with government workers about lives spent maintaining critical computing systems.
Shared Governance: A Democratic Future for Public Spaces by Bianca Wylie and Zahra Ebrahim
Events
Wednesday, February 17, at 7pm EST/4pm PST
This month, we’re revisiting the Brigade project standup. Come learn about projects that Brigades across the country are working on!
A Conversation on Leadership, Technology & Innovation in a Time of Transition
February 18, 2021: 1pm - 2pm ET / 10 am - 11 pm PT
Hear from a panel of technologists and public servants on what a new administration can do to effectively and equitably implement policy, the importance of bringing technical leadership in from the start, and other ways we can build a government that meets the needs of the public in the digital age.
March 6 - March 14
Celebrate NYC’s Open Data Law with BetaNYC and the NYC Mayor’s Office of Data Analytics with a curated selection of classes and workshops featuring open data.
May 12-13, 2021
Save the date for Code for America’s annual conference! This year is an all-virtual event. Early bird tickets ($25) open March 1.