OPEN UNIONISM

http://openunionism.wordpress.com

20.11.10
 Presentation...
• How can greater grassroots engagement
be advanced in Unionism? What is the
best means to set the agenda?
 Three questions...
• How can the blog stop being a publisher
(of comment) and start to become an
active player?
• Is there is a gap for unionist think tank
that can agenda set via grassroots
engagement?
• Can a blog fill that gap, and if so how?
 What is Open Unionism?
• http://openunionism.wordpress.com
• Created a year ago - forum to get
unionists talking and promoting ideas
• 9 bloggers
• 42,265 views all-time – ranging from low
of 1,200 p/m to high of 7,000 p/m
• Attract all shades
 Context
• Disconnect – political elite is closed /
holding an internal discussion
• Total unionist vote has declined
• How can online integrate better with
other tools to promote more activism?
 How to become a player?
• Structure: non-profit / charitable /
private?
• Revenue: receive donations from public;
funding model; services?
• Provide focus groups / crowd source
ideas?
• Road-test manifesto policies?
 Outcomes
• Feedback document on open edit @
google docs / inviting contributions
• Access to Party membership databases
• Fringe event at conferences
• Email & organise a follow up meeting