Hey Folks!

We’ve got a special treat! A Tweep and blogger, Fiona Cullinan, is traveling to SXSWi and couldn’t pass up on the chance to visit the other “Birmingham” while she was in the states. Since she’s just passing through, she’ll only be here Sunday, March
7th. We’re going to meet up at On Tap Sports Bar starting at about 5pm (Google Map Here)

This is really a great opportunity to have a chance to see how our friend in “Brum” (Birmingham, UK) are using blogging, twitter, and other Social Media tools! Can’t wait to see you there!!!

Yesterday, I took part in something special.

The Women’s Fund is an organization that fund different projects and organizations that support domestic violence programs here in the greater Birmingham area as well as the state. Yesterday, they partnered with NBC 13 HD to sponsor a “blog-a-thon”. They made an open call to bloggers in the area to come in and talk to those on the front lines fighting domestic violence. Judges, survivors, officers, directors and fundraisers all gathered together not only to raise funds for the Women’s Fund but to raise awareness about Domestic Violence.

Having all these resources together in one place was a great because you could trace the progression of domestic violence as it escalates through the system. From disputes to investigations, judges to rehabilitation, survival to prevention, there were many stories told in the NBC 13 conference room. Here are just a few that I was able to capture…

Officers Kareem Easley and Coleecia Cainion – These officers are just a couple of the men and women who put their lives on the line every day. Domestic Violence accounts for over 70% of all police calls, which are the most dangerous calls that are received. Why? Sometimes, remorse turns to reaction and causes the accuser to lash out. Going into a strange environment, officers must be aware of hidden weapons and bring no less that 2 officers to any of theses calls. If the dispute has escalated to bodily harm, the aggressor is arrested and is held for a minimum of 12 hours. This is enough time for the victim to gather enough belongings and leave the scene. Once charges are pressed, they cannot be dropped. These officers prepare a “docket”, consisting of incident reports, photos, and a body chart describing the physical harm that is turned over to…

Investigators Kenneth Walton, Kieron Floyd, and Chris Lampley – past and present members of the Birmingham Domestic Violence Unit – These investigators do the followup interviewing the witnesses and getting warrants for both misdemeanor and felony cases. Each individual see over 90 cases of domestic violence a year. The work that they do is the groundwork for…

Judge Locke Donaldson, Jefferson County Family Court – Judge Locke is just one of the many judges in the Birmingham area that deal with domestic violence cases. While he deals exclusively with cases involving children, he has the ability to issue PFAs and restraining orders, which he never orders without actually meeting with the victim. He reads the body language and the physical look of the victim. He recalled one woman who asked for help and followed through, saying that she looked 2,000% better from when they first met. She simply said to him, “I feel safe”.

Wes Goodenough, Gateway Family and Child Services – Some offenders are ordered by the court to seek help. Gateway provides a program called the Violence Intervention Program. This program is designed to hold offenders accountable for their actions, not just the abuse. Depending on the type and severity of the abuse, there are programs ranging from weekly meetings to on-site rehabilitation.

Tahiera Brown, survivor – I don’t want to speak too much for Tahiera because I promise you her words are much more moving than mine. The fact that she is alive is living proof that there is hope for those who feel like helpless victims of Domestic Violence.

Joan Sulzman, Alabama Coalition against Domestic Violence – Having worked in just about every facet of advocacy for Domestic Violence for the last 25 years, Joan is currently working to inform employers and their employees about domestic violence in the workplace. It’s esitmated that employeers across the country lose about 3-5 billion in revenue each year because of absences, medical costs, and distractions during hours. Building a culture of safety at work is just the right thing to do.

Please head over to NBC 13 and read more from the other local bloggers about domestic violence and consider making a donation to The Women’s Fund.

So, I’ve decided to eat the $25 that I spent to go to the Politics4All.com Social Media Workshop and spend another $35 to head over to Vulcan for the “More Clients = More Money” .

As I attested to in an earlier post, I’m not a huge fan of politics. I guess I was looking for a legitimate excuse to not drive down to Montgomery (though I hate that I’ll be missing Paul Chaney speak, again). And I’m thinking more and more that a gathering of Media Professionals will be a touch more interesting.

I’m also looking forward to hearing Phyllis Neill and Andy Ford, two great entrepreneur here in town. Not to mention Tammy Hart…

Going to be great people, don’t wanna miss it!

(PS – if anyone wants my ticket to the Political Social Media Workshop in Montgomery email me)

David Griner and crew over at Luckie are hosting a great panel over at the Virginia Samford Theatre on (you guessed it) Marketing to the Modern Mom. David and crew have brought in blogging moms and marketers to help you and your business connect with web savy Moms.

And I hear that if you put in the code “FRIENDOFWADE” you get $10 off… and a hug from local blogger/writer/editor Wade Kwon (made that last part up, no hug guaranteed)

http://bhammag.com/bhammag/index.aspx or bhammag.com

Birmingham Magazine’s website is on it’s way, but it’s not there yet. It has the feel of a website done by someone who kinda understands about Social Media, but just hasn’t grasped the finer points, yet.I’m looking forward to seeing how this site grows because it could become one of the leading magazines in the social media space. Please, bhammag.com, remember that social media is about the engagement of your niche, not yelling at them with the bullhorn (Thanks, @acnatta).

If you have a site you would like reviewed for our Monday Web Spotlight, email socialmediabirmingham@gmail.com

We finalized it (via twitter, mind you!), but Social Media Birmingham will be presenting about podcasting at the third Barcamp which will be held at the Innovation Depot in downtown Birmingham, AL.

More info and signup (which is free, mind you) over at http://barcampbirmingham.org/

http://birminghamonline.ning.com/

First off I wanna say great idea! I love the fact that people are recognizing that online (as well as offline) are great ways of networking and doing business. Social Networks like this give a sense of legitimacy that many professionals stuck in the ways of yesterday must have. One would hope that these professionals would then be exposed to some of the fresh ideas of the next generation and be more willing to accept, but hey, can’t get too greedy.

My only hesitation about this site is the growth rate. I’m just not sure if it will grow into the hotbed of networking and communication before people lay it to the wayside. I hope that’s not the case, but we’ll see soon enough.

If you have a site you would like reviewed for our Monday Web Spotlight, email socialmediabirmingham@gmail.com

Our state department could learn a thing or two from social media about information accessibility. Some already have. I have a permanent vision of Gov. Riley on a motorcycle via twitter. Artur Davis is making his bid for the governer’s seat with Twitter as a tool of communitcation. And don’t even get me started about the elected Birmingham officials on Myspace and Facebook.

But I’m not talking about access to our officials. They are supposed to be accessible to the public to give lip service. No, I’m talking about your local branch of the DMV.

Yes. Here recently I went to the Centerpoint branch to get my tag transfered from my poor old wrecked car to my bright shinny new one. I went 3 times and spent a total of 4.5 hours in line. Now, don’t get me wrong. I kept my cool. But it would have been a lot better if I could have actually found the information I needed about who should sign what, the dreaded and/or disaster, and what wreckage papers are needed.

Now, I don’t think SM is the end/all, be/all to this problem. Simply having someone go through the line every 20-30 minutes making sure people have the exact paperwork exactly how it needs to be filled about would be the best solution if the Great State of AL is going to be so damn picky. But an actual website that explains everything (and not the vaugeness that is there now) would be really appreciated. Ideally, (which means it will never happen) would be a twitter/AIM/google talk account that would be manned that people could ask specific questions. Like the dreaded and/or on the title. Grr.

@ashleejean: I am going to do the Birmingham Folk Festivals taxes today….why did I wait this long? Hopefully I have everything I need!

@ageekgirl: they were finished and electronically submitted Monday evening. Worst part was tracking down several documents

@ufmusic: Done

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