Supporting tech for good meetups: Net Squared Midlands

NetSquared Midlands is a regular free event for people interested in using web or mobile technology for social good around the Midlands.

Organisation

It is currently co-organised by Pauline Roche and Ted Ryan and in the past we had another colleague with whom we have co-operated with on other tech for social good projects, Paul Webster. Paul was previously the UK and Europe Ambassador for NetSquared.

The NetSquared group gives us opportunities to hear great speakers, try out new concepts and network with colleagues in the charity, tech and activism fields.

Monthly sessions

Up to 2019 we ran our monthly sessions at Impact Hub Birmingham (usually) where were members of the collaborative social impact community there. Unfotunately Impact Hub Birmingham has now closed so sessions have been halted until we find a new venue or venues.

Topics

Sessions so far have included:

  • Agile working

  • Using your smartphone

  • Benefits and barriers to digital use by charities

  • Accessible design

  • Open sources software for charities

  • E-newsletters

  • Cyber security

and

  • our bi-monthly session on social media.

Who is it for?

Whether you are a charity, community group or nonprofit organisation in the traditional sense, a venture capitalist, a programmer, an individual with a great idea, or a social changemaker, NetSquared Midlands is here to help you make connections and be part of creating a community around innovating for good in the Midlands.

These events are great opportunities to learn what others are trying, see successful projects and platforms, hear about developing technologies, make new friends and collaborate on new projects.

Programme

Our programme is a varied mix of open mic unconference sessions, speakers on topics relevant to the sector, show and tell sessions and one to one surgeries.

NetSquared Midlands is part of a global NetSquared movement of innovators in more than 135 groups in 80+ cities around the world – NetSquared Midlands ‘About’ page.

Supporters

Some organisations support us in kind e.g. by hosting our meetups, advertising our meetups on their website etc. This support is very welcome and helps us bring the charity and tech communities together to use technology for social good

Impact Hub Birmingham hosted most of our meetups and was a place to collaborate and discuss, challenge and be challenged, provoke and be provoked; a place where paradox and contradictions cohabited with ease. It was a platform where we met like minded creators and disruptors and where we continually challenged ourselves and others.

RnR Organisation covers our Meetups on social media and adds our listings to their website and their newsletter Digital WM News

WHAT YOU’LL GET OUT OF NETSQUARED MIDLANDS MEMBERSHIP & EVENTS*

Voluntary sector/charity staff, volunteers & board members will find a friendly, welcoming atmosphere for those not experienced with technology, and many chances to put questions to tech-experienced charities and experts.

Techies/Developers will find opportunities to hear the real-world stories of voluntary sector/charity clients, and put their own expertise to social good — as well as the potential for lasting relationships (be they paid or volunteer) with leading organisations in our communities.

Activists and community organisers will see and be given the chance to present on successful uses of technology for social change. We’ll explore how technology can help support activism and where activism can push it forward.

* With acknowledgment to PDXTECH4GOOD for a version of the above wording

Updated 27/3/20