I’ve been working on the public launch of this program for a few months, and have known about the program for much longer. The April 20th launch (news conference, etc.) of WeCAN Works was a resounding success. Congratulations to all involved, including the partners:

• Houston Public Library
• City of Houston
• Microsoft Corporation
• Houston Independent School District
• Houston Community College System
• Workforce Solutions
• Greater Houston Partnership

What’s the big fuss? To borrow words from the Library Journal:

The Houston Public Library (HPL) continues to be a major player in the city’s literacy and employment efforts, as it has been awarded a $4.5 million grant from the Microsoft Corporation. The grant benefits WeCAN Works (Wireless Empowered Community Access Network), a literacy and workforce preparedness project launched as part of the Houston Digital Inclusion Initiative (DII), which is managed by HPL. 

The Microsoft Unlimited Potential grant includes $4.3 million in software (listed at bottom) and $200,000 in cash over a two-year period and represents the largest donation on record from the corporation, according to the City of Houston news release. The money will support more digital literacy training opportunities on weekends and evenings, fund additional workplace apprenticeship opportunities for students, and pay for GED certifications over the two-year period.

Not bad. My contribution to the story:

HPL spokesperson Sandra Fernandez told LJ that no extra staff will be hired, but “there may be a need to bring on more computer class trainers to supplement existing staff and deliver the expanded digital literacy training,” especially in Track III implementation. (The DII also is in the process of building free wireless, high-speed connections in ten neighborhoods.)

The launch net stories in the Houston Chronicle, the Houston Business Journal, Library Journal, and local TV and Radio stations. More info on the Digital Inclusion Initiative is available at www.houstonwecan.org.

When you do get to call yourself an expert at something? This question pops into my head as I read one introduction after another of this person or that person as a “social media expert.”

What, exactly, makes him or her an expert at social media? Is it the number of Twitter followers they’ve amassed? The frequency with which they post to their blogs? The rankings Google or Alexa gives to said blogs? The times they’re quotes, retweeted, or linked to on a daily basis?

What makes you an expert at social media? Is there a certificate you get in non-spam email one day when you’ve reached a certain goal? Is it a club membership you receive from an anonymous committee you’ve never heard of before?

Silly me, thinking that it’s more important that I listen to the people I’m following than to get more people to follow me. What a reckless thought, imagining that actually paying attention to what is being said to me is more important than having my words repeated endlessly.

But then, I’m not an expert. Just a woman with the quaint notion that being a good communicator should be the goal.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day. Wish I could say I dressed my blog in green just for today, but you know it’s just my normal color.

Last Saturday I joined @ 300 Hispanic community members, politicians, organizers, members of the media, and representatives from various organizations in the Houston Area Latino Summit. The purpose of the meet was to discuss issues relevant to the community. It was coordinated/led by Houston City Council Member James Rodriguez.

I promised to post my tweets from that day, so here I am (just a few days late):

sandrasays: I don’t know if there’s a hashtag for this, so will use #latinosummit for this. will be here until 1pm.

sandrasays: i have run into a couple dozen people I know including current and former members of the media, city PR staff, #latinosummit

sandrasays: also board members for community organizations, at least one independent filmmaker, and other friends #latinosummit

sandrasays: the room is hot! have been fed, am having starbucks coffee and sitting comfortabky (other than the heat) #latinosummit

sandrasays: remarks by state representative rick noriega #latinosummit

sandrasays: Dr. Stephen Klineberg is discussing the importance of the census #latinosummit

sandrasays: “Houston has a more even distribution of the four great communities than any other city in America” says Klineberg #latinosummit

sandrasays: Dr. Klineberg always does a great presentation about demographic trends in Houston. even if u think u know, it’s remarkable #latinosummit

sandrasays: education, workforce preparation is very important to the future of Houston says Klineberg #latinosummit

sandrasays: “everyone is entitled to their opinions, but everyone isn’t entitled to their own facts” #latinosummit

sandrasays: “houston’s diversity is a tremendous potential asset for this major port in the global economy” Klineberg #latinosummit

sandrasays: current topic “demographic change and districting” #latinosummit

sandrasays: hispanic population is disproportionately *) below 18 yrs old, *) younger adults, *) non-citizen, *) loewr income #latinosummit

sandrasays: “no evidence that hispanic participation is lower than anglos with the same socioeconomic characteristics” #latinosummit

sandrasays: discussion of neighborhoods historically high-hispanic with “new high cost housing” changing the dynamics of the community #latinosummit
v>
sandrasays: “hispanic population growth has begun to concentrate in new, hard to dsitrict areas” #latinosummit

sandrasays: almost as many hispanic students in conrose high school as in jeff davis high school (WOW!) #latinosummit

sandrasays: areas being discussed are West Harris County, Alief ISD, Hiram Clarke #latinosummit

sandrasays: Houston city council districts with high spanish surname registered voters: I, H, F, A #latinosummit

sandrasays: District I 43%, District H 36.5%, District F 18.5%, District A 17.4% #latinosummit

sandrasays: Spanish surname oters in new areas: West Harris County 18.9%, Hiram Clarke 18.3%, Alief 14.1% #latinosummit

sandrasays: Discussion of need for workforce preparation is interesting, especially for me #latinosummit

sandrasays: @houstonlibrary is still in launch mode for Digital Inclusion Initiative, which focuses on digital literacy (computer skills) #latinosummit

sandrasays: Q&A session with Dr. Klineberg and Jerry Wood. Interesting questions. #latinosummit

sandrasays: nearly every meeting I’ve been to in the last two weeks has had census as major discussion. this includes personal lunches. #latinosummit

sandrasays: today is no different, accurate census is important, census is important, census is important #latinosummit

sandrasays: Jerry Wood is trying to answer “political philosophical question” of why we need at large council positions #latinosummit

sandrasays: next is Diana Davila, HISD trustee #latinosummit

sandrasays: @choicestoday is here as well. yeah! have beeninvited to post-summit lunch. #latinosummit

sandrasays: HISD is huge! Interesting to hear what they offer, especially in special programs/educational venues #latinosummit

sandrasays: HISD has early colleges where students graduate with a high school diploma and an associate’s degree #latinosummit

sandrasays: @choicestoday who’s with you at the #latinosummit?

sandrasays: all HISD high schools offer dual credit enrollment #latinosummit

sandrasays: looking at stats for enrollment vs completion for dual enrollment. standard seems to be @ 50% completion rate, +/- 5% #latinosummit

sandrasays: sory, mistyped, 50% compltion is for AP, nearly 100% for dual credit. why the difference? #latinosummit

sandrasays: ss="msgtxt en">HISD drop out tates: hispanics 66% #latinosummit

sandrasays: Ok, of the 22% of the students who drop out, 66% are hispanic. (another example of why I am no good at reading stats) #latinosummit

sandrasays: of the drop outs, only 7% are immigrants. only 18% are liminted english. 66% are hispanic #latinosummit

sandrasays: I am wondering what the overlap is in these stats? how many students are part of all three pools? #latinosummit

sandrasays: educational income comparison: less than high school @ $20-$27K #latinosummit

sandrasays: high school diploma @ $41K; certificate $48K; associate degree $56K; bachelor’s $60K+ #latinosummit

sandrasays: there are national averages. Houston real incomes for these may be less. #latinosummit

sandrasays: info provided by HCC. salaries are based on national average. #latinosummit

sandrasays: Professional note, every presenter so far has done a really good job with their presentations #latinosummit

sandrasays: speaking to a room with 300 active, vocal members of the community is not easy. credit to them for making it look easy. #latinosummit

sandrasays: another note, this is a lot of preachiing to the choir #latinosummit

sandrasays: “el respeto al derecho ajeno da la pa” #latinosummit

sandrasays: “el respeto al derecho ajeno da la paz” means repecting others’ rights (and property) gives way to peace #latinosummit

sandrasays: next topic is immigation reform, presentations due by attorneys from Vinson & Elkings and Foster Quan #latinosummit

sandrasays: 10-year-old reporter for Time Life Kids was just introduced. So cute! #latinosummit

sandrasays: presentation by Foster Quan is the best yet. Great facts, powerpoint, speaking points #latinosummit

sandrasays: “we are not doing enough” for immigration reform, says lawyer presenting now (what’s his name? was distracted) #latinosummit

sandrasays: sensible reforms: secure our borders; create an efficient temporary worker program; create a fast, … #latinosummit

sandrasays: … {{I don’t type fast enough! missed a few good ones}} SENSIBLE ACTIONS: earned media… {{missed more}} #latinosummit

sandrasays: 76% of polled support letting children brought into the country illegally to stay here legelly #latinosummit

sandrasays: 72% of polled think that if you serve in armed forces you should be given chance to become legal/resident #latinosummit

sandrasays: 72%, are the other 28% going to Iraq in theri stead? (asks the lawyer) #latinosummit span>

sandrasays: we need to get involved, it’s our responsiility to make our elected officials accountable #latinosummit

sandrasays: lawyer says check out www.americansforimmigrationreform.com for more info #latinosummit

sandrasays: Anna Nunez is giving info from her seat: nclr.org, americasvoiceonline.org, truthinimmigration.org, mmirr.org #latinosummit

sandrasays: sorry, that was nnirr.org #latinosummit

sandrasays: @choicestoday asked question, lawyer response is “time is now” — didn’t hear the question, sorry @choicestoday #latinosummit

sandrasays: #latinosummit is running @ 40 minutes behind schedule

sandrasays: remarks by state senator Mario Gallegos #latinosummit

sandrasays: we are now running @ one hour behind at #latinosummit

sandrasays: next topic will include Dr. Laura Murillo, Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Leo Vasquez, new tax assessor #latinosummit

sandrasays: Leo Vasquez, Harris County Tax Assessor, is now giving remarks #latinosummit

sandrasays: want to make changes? register to vote, and actually go out and vote, says Leo Vasquez #latinosummit

sandrasays: remarks by Dr. Laura Murillo, CEO of Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce #latinosummit

sandrasays: this latino community is spending $22 billion in the Houston community, says Murillo #latinosummit

sandrasays: “we may not agree, and we may not always like one another, but there are issues where we have to come together,” says Murillo #latinosummit

sandrasays: “sometimes being a leader means you follow,” Murillo #latinosummit

sandrasays: advice to students: “find a mentor” says Murillo #latinosummit

sandrasays: next is Hector de Leon www.hectordeleon.com on “understanding electoral emplowerment” #latinosummit

sandrasays: Understanding electoral empowerment, then closing remarks #latinosummit

sandrasays: the crowd has thinned out a lot, just the die-hards remain (and me). de Leon just started his presentation. #latinosummit

sandrasays: common themes: community needs to organize better, become a voter, keep informed, help get the word out #latinosummit

sandrasays: a lot of discussion on “let’s stop talking about it and actually do it” in various forms #latinosummit

sandrasays: and we are now running @ 70 minutes behind schedule #latinosummit

sandrasays: and we are now running @ one hour 20 minutes behind schedule #latinosummit

sandrasays: questions from the crowd are interesting. pointed on specific actions to push immigration reform bills, sponsor immigrants #latinosummit

sandrasays: Time for Kids reporter asked “what can kids do to become more involved” — great question from the 10-yr-old reporter #latinosummit

Okay, technically the Houston Public Library is one of the six winners announced for the 2009 John Cotton Dana Library Public Relations Awards

Six libraries are winners of the John Cotton Dana Library Public Relations Award, which recognizes and honors outstanding achievement in library public relations. The John Cotton Dana honor has been awarded continuously since 1946 and is sponsored by the H.W. Wilson Company, the H.W. Wilson Foundation and the Library Leadership and Management Association (LLAMA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA). It is considered to be the most prestigious of all library awards in the field of public relations.

“The judges enjoyed reviewing the many submissions and were impressed by the quality and creativity of the public relations campaigns being executed by libraries of all types and sizes from across the country and Canada,” said award committee Chair Linda Holtslander. “Public relations and marketing efforts are more important now than ever to communicate the many valuable services and programs provided by libraries to meet the increasing needs of their customers in these challenging economic times.”

[snip]

Houston Public Library, Houston Texas, for “A New Chapter,” its public relations campaign for the grand re-opening of the newly renovated Houston Central Library. Recognizing that this event marked “a big step in a new direction” for the library, it leveraged this event into a successful ongoing campaign featuring striking graphics reflecting images of Houston’s diversity, earning significant media coverage, attracting 20,000 people to the reopening event and increasing usage by non-traditional customers.

[snip]

Consider that there are more libraries in this country than McDonald’s. So, pardon me if I pat myself on the back for helping win what is “considered to be the most prestigious of all library awards in the field of public relations.”

Kudos go to Donna Jackson, our branding manager, for the “striking graphics” mentioned, to my colleague Blanca Quezada, who helps me every day (without whom I would be lost, literally) and worked tirelessly and effectively to promote the grand reopening, to my former fearless leader Robin Cavanaugh, who brought in partnerships and coordinated logistics, and to Steve Hill, grants coordinator and architect of the awards submission.

And now, I will cease my boasting and gratitude.

I’m spending the day at FreelanceCamp San Antonio and will be Tweeting from here (for as long as my access & power hold). Will post tweets here later. If you want to follow “live” check out my Twitter stream @sandrasays.

sandrasays: At @freelancecampsa. got a late start, so arrived late. Glad to be here tho. Have seen @marc1919 & @epodcaster

sandrasays: Next session is via Skype on state/federal laws to know as a freelancer. #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: Last presentation was by @trishlambert on freelancing, of course. #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: My attention span is fine, my hearing sucks. #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: Skype presentation is by @eric_b_meyer. #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: Learning that legalese is not one of my languages. #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: discussing the differences between a contracts and an employee. What is one vs the other? rights? #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: wondering how much is different in Texas from other states for freelancers. #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: discussing contracts 2 state that u aren’t an employee 4 out of state “employers” so u r not liable for state taxes there. #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: speaker (Lawyer) advises that we check with a lawyer for those contracts. #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: Livestream of the current workshop I’m sitting in http://tinyurl.com/bwnvgj (expand) #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: Livestream of the current workshop I’m sitting in http://tinyurl.com/bwnvgj (expand) #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: Current topic is using social media to promote events. #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: discussing benefits of incorporating vs sole proprietorship #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: discussing sales taxes, when to charge, when not #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: build your network _before_ you go freelance #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: did i forget to mention that current topic is “i am a freelancer, now what?” #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: insurance, finding it as a freelancer, is a big concern #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: some recommendations of getting a 9 to 5 just for benefits, do freelance on the side #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: save all your receipts, deduct everything possible #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: join groups, you need live support system, not just online #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: “be bold” says @epodcaster, make “teams” to go after bigger projects #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: @ingridfuller lots of great talent here. am learning good tips in areas I want to strengthen. #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: @shelleyrae I realized that halfway thru the AM. but I figured i should be consistent #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: @shaine is covering great point on going freelance #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: @shaine discussing freelance/collective collaboration models, w/@epodcaster #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: ask questions, what does your customer really need? vs what they’re asking for #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: “residual passive income” #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: “be shameless, be bold” repeats @epodcaster #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: @SheilaS is doing the next session “how social media sent me to China” #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: new speaker going over project creep, delivering what you promised & agreeing to price for new project scope #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: as a freelancer, especially with service bsns, clarity in what’s being delivered vs what will cost money to add is iffy #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: RT @SheilaS: I’ll be speaking about socmed/networking and China NOW at UStream: http://tinyurl.com/bwnvgj (expand) #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: @sheilas says that making connections/network is fun #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: “do what you love and the money will follow” #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: @sheilas says @dsilverman told her to 1) get a blog, 2) get on twitter, 3) get a web enabled phone #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: if you are going to go to an event, as a freelancer, you need to have a takeaway #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: hmmm…. does an increase in twitter followers count as a takeaway? as I sit here I’m seeing numbers increase #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: @sheilas is talking about the need to think strategically as a freelancer. why are you doing X? what’s the impact? #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: interesting to hear @sheilas on how she made the decision to go to China, that the trip and expense was worth it for bsns #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: @shaine will figure that out later. Comment on followers was facetious. I don’t look at that, but was mentioned here today #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: friend and family network is important as a freelancer, says @sheilas #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: @sheilas: “build your networks, make your connections, be your own authentic self there, and good things will happen” #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: @sheilas: “have a backup plan, and have a backup plan for that” #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: @epodcaster is asking @sheilas what she learned in China, reply “entrepreneurial spirit in China is fascinating” #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: new topic is “free tools for freelancers” #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: do you use Utterli? #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: business need to experiment with social media, ppl are consuming content in completely different ways #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: if u are a graphic designer, u can’t have a podcast show where u say “hire me,” need to have design tips & interviews, etc. #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: My comment, there is self promotion and then there is obnoxious. #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: there is a lot of opportunity in being the type of person who helps people, making connections for them #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: @ewkrause sorry you aren’t here. I got to meet @sheilas, @shaine, @trishlambert among many many others. #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: podcasting is a platform to share your knowledge. easy tools include utterli, blog talk radio #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: from me, I think today has wiped out my excuses in why @dicesandra and the planned podcast hasn’t happened. #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: re tools: 1) you need to know they exist, 2) you need to know how to use them, 3) you need to use them #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: @epodcaster says “it doesn’t have to be perfect” — i.e., good enough is good enough. #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: Yes, I did applaud @sheilas, it was funny. #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: Should I mention here that most of what I know about social media I learned from the librarians I work with? #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: other tools mentioned: Grand Central, Mind Meister #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: you want people to know who you are and what you do #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: new topic is re nonprofits #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: online giving has grown/is growing (ex., Obama) #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: go to txnp.org to look up nonprofits and their budgets, says speaker #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: discussion of Raiser’s Edge, Results Plus as databases to use for NPOs, Kintera too #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: links & resources: afpnet.org, chronicle of philanthropy (trade journal) #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: projects for NPOs are “zero to launch” to get them up to speed fast #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: look at USA GIVING for stats on giving #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: google “gift calculator” to estimate how many people need to give to increase donations by x $ #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: push vs pull strategies in how NPOs communicate, initiate action #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: I Just pimped @netsquared and the Houston meetings #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: @marc1919 did a good job on creating buzz on coworking, have been hearing the word all day. #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: or maybe the buzz was already here? will give @marc1919 credit anyway. #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: the largest piece of the pie is individual giving #freelancecampsa

sandrasays: feeling inspired by yesterday’s #freelancecampsa.

We’re two weeks into 2009 — how are your new year’s resolutions doing so far?

I gave up on resolutions a few years ago. Instead, I create goals and break them down into milestones. That’s worked much better for me. It gives me specific goals to meet by specific deadlines, which is always better than the generic resolutions I used to come up with every year.

Wishing you all the best in 2009.

Ed Schipul featured my blog, along with other much more interesting ones, in a short presentation to the American Ad Federation of Houston & Houston Interactive Marketing association. The Slideshare that goes with the presentation is listed below.

Can’t see it? Visit it on SlideShare.

Houston teens are invited to come out to the Houston Public Library’s Central Library this Saturday to make it onto MTV’S hit reality show “MADE:”

Casting for MTV’s MADE

MTV’S “MADE” HOLDS CASTING FOR TEENS

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2008 at 11 a.m.
Central Library

MTV is coming to the Houston Public Library to do a casting call for teens looking to be the one selected for the next season of “MADE,” a teen reality show. Teens in grades 9-12 can try out for “MADE” at the Central Library, 500 McKinney, downtown on November 8, 2008 at 11 a.m. Castings will be happening on the fourth floor. For more details, call the Central Library Teen Room at 832-393-1521.

Applications are available here and at all Houston Public Library locations.

Teens should be prepared to give out the following information:
-First and last name
-Address
-Email address
-Phone number (mobile or other)
-Photo of themselves
-School schedule (work, internship, camps, etc)
-What are their hobbies? What activities are they involved in?
-Why do they want to be made?
-Why do they need MTV’s help?