vnyc

Month: 2018-09

2018-09-07

thebestsophist 19:51:54
(Stone fruit party my place on Sunday! http://cordeliayu.com/s/e9)
Fun! I'm in Mexico until Tuesday. Thanks for the invite!!
🎉 1

2018-09-08

devin 01:54:05
I return to NYC Monday so can't make it. Sounds like fun tho. And what a beautiful website you have!
dzn 14:07:50
@thebestsophist oh wow!! The dinner party is here 🙂 🎉🍸
dzn 14:07:59
I’m in India sadly
dzn 14:08:03
Next one!!!
1

2018-09-13

katenicholson 22:07:53
Stone fruit party sounds like a blast @thebestsophist— sorry I couldn’t make it!
katenicholson 22:08:19
<!channel>
In other news— the Oslo Freedom Forum is taking place in New York this Monday and a friend passed me a 50% discount code to share with people like yourselves.

I highly recommend it if you’re into the topic— it’s a moving and well-executed event.

Code: “kate”
Registration: https://www.eiseverywhere.com/ereg/index.php?eventid=333984&categoryid=2536233

eiseverywhere.com

2018 Oslo Freedom Forum in New York

thebestsophist 2018-09-14 02:31:02
this looks amazing, i wish i had time to goooo

2018-09-14

2018-09-18

npstorey 07:31:27
Cool event alert: This Thursday - Conversation between Audrey Tang (Taiwan’s Digital Minister in charge of Social Innovation) and Beth Noveck (director of GovLab and the new CIO of New Jersey) at NYU: https://ipk.nyu.edu/events/government-by-the-people-with-the-people/

Institute for Public Knowledge

Government By The People, With the People: How g0v.tw is Transforming gov.tw, Four Years After the Sunflower Occupy Movement

The Future of Democracy Working Group at the Institute for Public Knowledge and the GovLab at NYU invite you to a conversation between Audrey Tang and Beth Simone Noveck. The discussion will explor…

🎉 4
agameofprivacy 22:19:47
@agameofprivacy has joined the channel

2018-09-20

noneck 03:52:31
<!channel> — do you have ideas to improve NYC's democracy? if so, you need to be tuning into the 2019 NYC Charter Revision Commission hearings. I've written up a post about the next three hearings, what is coming this november, and an online town hall you can attend to learn more. https://beta.nyc/2018/09/19/nyc-charter-revision-commission-and-you/

BetaNYC

NYC Charter Revision Commission and You!

  While NYC might not have direct democracy, it does have a Charter Revision Commission. This commission gives the people the power to rewrite the City’s constitution — aka the City Charter. I…

💬 2 🙌 1
noneck 21:02:39
Announcement ⏰ — Join us Thursday, 27 Sept, for an inaugural breakfast event with BetaNYC and the Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer — BetaBagels is an experimental breakfast salon for change-makers and do-ers who have an interest in government & civic technology, data science, and service design. While this is our first one, we are looking to host monthly conversations with change-makers and do-ers who are transforming government from the inside out.

Join us for breakfast and a snapshot presentation on #govtech / #civictech in Amsterdam and lessons we can bring to New York City.

https://betabagels001.eventbrite.com

Eventbrite

#BetaBagels 001 — a breakfast briefing on #govtech innovation in Amsterdam

BetaBagels is an experimental breakfast salon for change-makers and do-ers who have an interest in government &amp; civic technology, data science, and service design. While this is our first one, we are looking to host monthly conversations with change-makers and do-ers who are transforming government from the inside out. We are inspired by our friends in LA who host Data + Donuts <https://datadonuts.la/> &gt; BetaBagels is open to all and hosted by BetaNYC and the Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer. Inaugural Speaker: Tamas Erkelens “Tamas Erkelens has been Program Manager of Data Innovation at Amsterdam Municipality since 2016 and is a true believer in creating public value through data. His work focuses on using data to improve citizen services and connecting business, academia, and local government to citizen’s most pressing needs.” <https://whitehallmedia.co.uk/blog/2018/02/08/interview-tamas-erkelens-amsterdam/> &gt; Amsterdam was awarded European Capital of Innovation in 2017 by the European Commission for its Digital Social Innovation approach. In Amsterdam’s government agile in house software developmers are creating solutions with policy experts and citizens. Overcoming barriers in a traditional organization, Tamas explains how Amsterdam in the past 3 years has created a tech savvy government (&gt;200 civic tech staff) from scratch, why many great ideas have failed too, and what is yet to be done to solve more of citizens real problems. Data science can deliver results for social good, if applied correctly. Time series modeling to address over tourism in the city, machine learning to distribute 311 reports faster, and image recognition to prevent parking nuisance, are a couple of examples in Amsterdam. Combining data science with user centered front ends, teams of in house agile developers create products and services that respect people’s privacy and digital rights. After the presentation there’ll be a discussion how civic tech communities and local governments across the world can unite to create solutions together. This presentation will give us a snapshot of what is happening in Amsterdam and lessons we can bring to New York City. This presentation will be recorded. About Tamas Erkelens Aiming to add public value using data in Amsterdam, Tamas Erkelens heads the Program of Data Innovation for the City of Amsterdam. The program aims to kick start innovation projects, set the conditions for tech innovation, create a fertile civic tech community, and open policy challenges to partners. With a new progressive city government Tamas’ team aims to realize a very ambitious digital program. Previously, Tamas – graduated with honors as Research Master of Quantitative Social Sciences – has worked for ING as a Product Owner. Missing a moral balance in his life, he then started working for a better society, first as co-founder of Data Mission connecting nerds to societal problems, and since 2014 as a public servant. You can find Tamas in his spare time as a stereotypical ‘Dutchie’ riding his bicycle through the city. Location: Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer’s OfficeThe David N. Dinkins Manhattan Municipal Building1 Centre St, 19th Floor, Manhattan Agenda: 8:50 AM - Please cue up at the South Tower's security entrance9:00 - Networking Breakfast — BAGELS, fruit, juice, and coffee9:30 - Presentation10:15 - Question and Answers and/or Additional Networking11:00 - Event Ends About Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer: Gale A. Brewer is the 27th Borough President of Manhattan. Since she took office in 2014, she has successfully passed legislation to reform the deed restriction process, add ‘caregivers’ to the city’s anti-discrimination law, remove criminal history questions from initial employment applications (the “Fair Chance Act”), and enforce requirements for street numbers on buildings in Manhattan (to aid emergency workers). She has also spearheaded community planning initiatives at the South Street Seaport, in East Midtown, and in other neighborhoods to address development and zoning issues. Brewer previously served on the City Council for 12 years, serving as the founding chair of the Technology Committee and leading the Government Operations Committee. There, the Council passed her legislation guaranteeing paid sick leave for most hourly employees, requiring all City data be published online, and protecting domestic workers from abusive practices. Prior to that, she served as Chief of Staff to Council Member Ruth Messinger, NYC Deputy Public Advocate, Director of the city's Federal Office, and Executive Director of the Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women. About BetaNYC: BetaNYC is a civic organization dedicated to improving lives in New York through civic design, technology, and data. We envision an informed and empowered public that can leverage civic design, technology, and data to hold government accountable, and improve their economic opportunity. Founded in 2008 as a “meetup” to discuss open government in NYC, we have evolved to be a key local leader and national partner in civic technology, open data, and open government. Our work empowers individuals and local communities to build a civically engaged technology ecosystem and provide for an honest and inclusive government. We want New York’s governments to work for the people, by the people, for the 21st century. BetaNYC demystifies design, technology, and data to the point where anyone can use it, create it, and participate in the decision making process. RSVP via <https://betabagels001.eventbrite.com>

2018-09-21

bitsybot 23:54:51
Hey folx! If you're around on Sunday PBNYC is doing a kickoff event in Union Square:
bitsybot 23:54:53
https://www.unionsquarenyc.org/events/2018/9/1/participatory-budgeting-launch-in-district-2

Union Square Partnership

Participatory Budgeting Launch in District 2

Share your ideas for improving your community with Participatory Budgeting, launching for the first time in District 2 this September.

bitsybot 23:55:08
would love to see y'all there.
😄 1

2018-09-22

lizbarry 23:04:00
Today in Williamsburg! https://www.meetup.com/theawesomenyc/events/253878758/

Meetup

A Celebration of Awesomeness

Sat, Sep 22, 2018, 1:00 PM: Join us for our yearly Awesome Foundation event, where we showcase the exciting work our grantees have been doing. This year, we'll be having an Awesome Exhibition, showcas

lizbarry 23:04:48
@itsmisscs and I will be presenting on behalf of the whole vNYC crew who both participated in and organized the vTwaiwan facilitation and PO training in June (Awesome Fdn gave some money to make it happen)

2018-09-23

itsmisscs 23:59:15
Was looking this up and thought to share…Next local elections are November 2, 2021

2018-09-24

noneck 22:22:07
@itsmisscs if tish wins the AG's race, there will be a race for the public advocate seat. in the meantime, there will elections for judges, DAs, congress, senate, and gov all within that time period... Also, many of the candidates who are ramping up their city 2021 races are just starting to think about their policy platforms. i know of several candidates who are interested in practices that are MORE participatory... **if you want to bring "v" principles into the conversation, now is the time to do so.**

(sorry if my previous tone was cold...)

Tonight, I'll be hosting a town hall on how YOU can improve the City's charter! We'll be using YouTube Live & the Slido app - #BetaCharter. See you at 7pm ET!

Read more about it at ===>
https://beta.nyc/2018/09/19/nyc-charter-revision-commission-and-you/#Join_Town_Hall

BetaNYC

NYC Charter Revision Commission and You!

  While NYC might not have direct democracy, it does have a Charter Revision Commission. This commission gives the people the power to rewrite the City’s constitution — aka the City Charter. I…

❤️ 1
lizbarry 22:31:33
Hey folks, BetaNYC hosting an online orientation meeting tonight 7pm to help folks prepare to testify at City Charter Revision hearings this week -- especially to express support for participatory democracy methods: https://beta.nyc/2018/09/19/nyc-charter-revision-commission-and-you/#Join_Town_Hall
devin 23:26:08
Folks getting involved with the charter might find this useful: https://nyc-charter.readthedocs.io/en/latest/
👍 3
devin 23:26:22
It's the most usable version of the charter I've seen online
npstorey 23:39:07
Thanks Devin! I’ve been looking for a good online version!
devin 23:46:49
🙂
devin 23:46:56
Also have the admin code and rules here: http://mygov.nyc/laws/

2018-09-25

noneck 01:09:23
💻❤️🗽 — Today, BetaNYC launches its 2018 Community Board Technology Needs Report. This report updates our 2015 report and draws from interviews with community board district managers and staff. This report distills boards’ most salient technology needs and provides broad recommendations and best practices to adopt. This report justifies the need for new technology categories in the District Statement of Needs, and is meant to help community boards tailor their asks in the next District Statement of Needs cycle.

This is the first of two HUGE reports BetaNYC is launching. The second will launch next week and focus on open data & information workflows on community boards. This is #govtech for all!

https://beta.nyc/2018/09/24/community-board-technology-needs-report-2018/

BetaNYC

Community Board Technology Needs Report – 2018

Note — This report is one of two reports we are releasing this Fall, and a follow up to our 2015 report. Please read our executive summaries of both reports, and read our workflow report we will be…

2018-09-26

noneck 23:28:49
<!channel> — The next eight days are going to be a doozie!

Tomorrow morning, BetaNYC is hosting a breakfast with the Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer and kicking off a morning #govtech innovation salon — #BetaBagels! Inspired by our friends in LA who host Data + Donuts, we are hosting an experimental breakfast salon for change-makers and do-ers who have an interest in government & civic technology, data science, and service design. While this is our first one, we are looking to host monthly conversations with change-makers and do-ers who are transforming government from the inside out.

Our inaugural speaker is Tamas Erkelens and he’ll be talking about civic tech innovation in Amsterdam. The event is free but space is limited. RSVP via < https://betabagels001.eventbrite.com >.

Next week, we’ll be hosting two open data trainings at Civic Hall. These workshops are geared toward the open data novice AND open data interested. Monday — 101 will introduce you to key data terms w/out a computer. Thursday — 102 will introduce you to #boardstat & data informed decision making. Come geek w/ us!

Location: Civic Hall, 118 West 22nd Street, 12th FL, Manhattan from 5pm to 7pm. FREE

RSVP to 101 - < https://opendata101-sept2018.eventbrite.com >
RSVP to 102 - < https://opendata102-sept2018.eventbrite.com >

Eventbrite

#BetaBagels 001 — a breakfast briefing on #govtech innovation in Amsterdam

BetaBagels is an experimental breakfast salon for change-makers and do-ers who have an interest in government &amp; civic technology, data science, and service design. While this is our first one, we are looking to host monthly conversations with change-makers and do-ers who are transforming government from the inside out. We are inspired by our friends in LA who host Data + Donuts <https://datadonuts.la/> &gt; BetaBagels is open to all and hosted by BetaNYC and the Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer. Inaugural Speaker: Tamas Erkelens “Tamas Erkelens has been Program Manager of Data Innovation at Amsterdam Municipality since 2016 and is a true believer in creating public value through data. His work focuses on using data to improve citizen services and connecting business, academia, and local government to citizen’s most pressing needs.” <https://whitehallmedia.co.uk/blog/2018/02/08/interview-tamas-erkelens-amsterdam/> &gt; Amsterdam was awarded European Capital of Innovation in 2017 by the European Commission for its Digital Social Innovation approach. In Amsterdam’s government agile in house software developmers are creating solutions with policy experts and citizens. Overcoming barriers in a traditional organization, Tamas explains how Amsterdam in the past 3 years has created a tech savvy government (&gt;200 civic tech staff) from scratch, why many great ideas have failed too, and what is yet to be done to solve more of citizens real problems. Data science can deliver results for social good, if applied correctly. Time series modeling to address over tourism in the city, machine learning to distribute 311 reports faster, and image recognition to prevent parking nuisance, are a couple of examples in Amsterdam. Combining data science with user centered front ends, teams of in house agile developers create products and services that respect people’s privacy and digital rights. After the presentation there’ll be a discussion how civic tech communities and local governments across the world can unite to create solutions together. This presentation will give us a snapshot of what is happening in Amsterdam and lessons we can bring to New York City. This presentation will be recorded. About Tamas Erkelens Aiming to add public value using data in Amsterdam, Tamas Erkelens heads the Program of Data Innovation for the City of Amsterdam. The program aims to kick start innovation projects, set the conditions for tech innovation, create a fertile civic tech community, and open policy challenges to partners. With a new progressive city government Tamas’ team aims to realize a very ambitious digital program. Previously, Tamas – graduated with honors as Research Master of Quantitative Social Sciences – has worked for ING as a Product Owner. Missing a moral balance in his life, he then started working for a better society, first as co-founder of Data Mission connecting nerds to societal problems, and since 2014 as a public servant. You can find Tamas in his spare time as a stereotypical ‘Dutchie’ riding his bicycle through the city. Location: Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer’s OfficeThe David N. Dinkins Manhattan Municipal Building1 Centre St, 19th Floor, Manhattan Agenda: 8:50 AM - Please cue up at the South Tower's security entrance9:00 - Networking Breakfast — BAGELS, fruit, juice, and coffee9:30 - Presentation10:15 - Question and Answers and/or Additional Networking11:00 - Event Ends About Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer: Gale A. Brewer is the 27th Borough President of Manhattan. Since she took office in 2014, she has successfully passed legislation to reform the deed restriction process, add ‘caregivers’ to the city’s anti-discrimination law, remove criminal history questions from initial employment applications (the “Fair Chance Act”), and enforce requirements for street numbers on buildings in Manhattan (to aid emergency workers). She has also spearheaded community planning initiatives at the South Street Seaport, in East Midtown, and in other neighborhoods to address development and zoning issues. Brewer previously served on the City Council for 12 years, serving as the founding chair of the Technology Committee and leading the Government Operations Committee. There, the Council passed her legislation guaranteeing paid sick leave for most hourly employees, requiring all City data be published online, and protecting domestic workers from abusive practices. Prior to that, she served as Chief of Staff to Council Member Ruth Messinger, NYC Deputy Public Advocate, Director of the city's Federal Office, and Executive Director of the Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women. About BetaNYC: BetaNYC is a civic organization dedicated to improving lives in New York through civic design, technology, and data. We envision an informed and empowered public that can leverage civic design, technology, and data to hold government accountable, and improve their economic opportunity. Founded in 2008 as a “meetup” to discuss open government in NYC, we have evolved to be a key local leader and national partner in civic technology, open data, and open government. Our work empowers individuals and local communities to build a civically engaged technology ecosystem and provide for an honest and inclusive government. We want New York’s governments to work for the people, by the people, for the 21st century. BetaNYC demystifies design, technology, and data to the point where anyone can use it, create it, and participate in the decision making process. RSVP via <https://betabagels001.eventbrite.com>

Eventbrite

NYC Open Data 101 — Introducing Open Data w/out computers!

BetaNYC has designed trainings and tools specifically intended to help New Yorkers access, analyze, map and use government data to inform decision-making. We hope you can join us and learn about the data you create. These insights come from a three year partnership with the Manhattan Borough President’s Office Gale A. Brewer. This 101 workshop will introduce the fundamentals, key terms, and processes you need to understand NYC’s open data. This workshop will focus on NYC 311 open data and a few key datasets/tools. Come ready to learn and get right into datasets. Note — you will not need a computer for this class. This is an interactive workshop to build up your literacy in key terms. **Things to bring** a notepad, a pen, or a your laptop, power supply, and be prepared to take notes. **Date &amp; Time** Monday, 1 October 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm **Location** Civic Hall 118 West 22nd Street, 12th FL, Manhattan RSVP - <https://opendata101-sept2018.eventbrite.com>

Eventbrite

NYC Open Data 102 — Unlocking Open Data for Community Boards through data journeys

BetaNYC has designed tools and customized trainings specifically intended to help Community Boards access, analyze, map and use data to inform decision-making. These insights come from a three year partnership with the Manhattan Borough President’s Office.   This 102 workshop will introduce an easy-to-use BoardStat tool to query 311- requests and explore trends in health, safety and quality of life concerns. Additional key datasets/ tools will also be reviewed. Come ready to learn and get right into datasets and graphs. Bring your laptop and be prepared to participate.   **Things to bring** your laptop, power supply, and be prepared to participate. Note, some websites doesn’t work on tablets or phones with iOS or Android devices. We recommend a laptop with Firefox, Internet Explorer, Chrome, or Safari.

2018-09-27

devin 03:11:43
Congrats on that schedule @noneck Looks like a lot of great events!
devin 03:12:22
Folks, this NYS rep might be worth keeping an eye on re: politicians interested in vProcess: https://twitter.com/rontkim/status/1044710432827691010
i know ron. he is a good guy.
is there a gov/elected tracker on who is interested in this stuff?
I can add them as entities into our AirTable
If you have other people post em and I'll add them too and make a nice view of them

2018-09-28

lizbarry 00:04:17
Who's going to the Charter Review tonight?
npstorey 05:33:10
Alas, I cannot go to the Charter Review tonight. I just submitted this testimony today though: http://www.nathanstorey.com/blog/2018/9/27/lets-remake-democracy-in-nyc

Nathan Storey

Let's remake democracy in NYC

As I write on September 27, 2018 democratic institutions are crumbling in Washington, D.C. So much attention (my own included) is focused on the painful circus of federal politics. I do not have anything to add to that discussion. Instead, I’d like to share my testimony to the 2019 NYC Charter Revis

lizbarry 05:54:53
Ok that's awesome! I'm going to make a short improv statement in support of participation technologies on/offline
3
fly 09:40:00
@leo424y has left the channel
lizbarry 23:31:51
Where is discussion about the proposed Civic Engagement Commission that willbe on the ballot here in NYC in November? https://www1.nyc.gov/site/charter/news/charter-commission-approves-proposals-relating-to-campaign-finance-community-boards-civic-engagement.page

2018-09-29

lizbarry 02:31:39
Reporting back from testifying last night: it was after midnight before i got a chance to speak. I made a simple proposal about where facilitation practices might fit in the Charter.
lizbarry 03:04:26
I typed it up and expanded it to 4 pages. I'd be grateful to anyone who can lend some eyeballs / edits / and perhaps co-sign if that makes sense: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xA8UrwBgcpoda3qN3YJuy0W8Nkih7uv5bNNGaLxPQHo/edit#
💭 1
lizbarry 03:26:44
Just kidding, it's almost 5 pages.
itsmisscs 03:37:44
Goooo Liz!!!!!
itsmisscs 03:38:16
I will review after i finish my last meeting
tinabeans 22:09:54
hi all, I just read Nathan’s blogpost and Liz’s doc and agree with all the points! so well written and articulated. what would co-signing entail? i’d be happy to if thats what you need. im working 9-5 now these days but is there any way i can support you all on this?
😍 1
lizbarry 23:25:13
Hi Tina, so great to hear from you! How have you been?
I’ve been well - transitioning back into working for a company 🙂 and still cooking a lot

2018-09-30

npstorey 00:47:34
Thanks for staying late to testify in person Liz! Looking forward to reviewing your testimony (I can review this weekend).
noneck 06:14:00
great testimony!!! i wanna collect all of these and add them to the testimony i gave that brought about the civic engagement commission.

btw, i just got back from inwood where they took my advice and incorporated the PDIS workflow into this!

Image from iOS
1
noneck 06:14:08
Image from iOS
noneck 06:14:14
Image from iOS
noneck 06:15:02
btw, here is my testimony https://beta.nyc/2018/06/21/betanycs-testimony-to-nyc-charter-revision-commission-civic-engagement-hearing-june-2018/

BetaNYC

BetaNYC’s Testimony to NYC Charter Revision Commission Civic Engagement Hearing – June 2018

To: NYC Charter Revision Commission From: Noel Hidalgo, Executive Director of BetaNYC Subject: Civic Engagement and Independent Redistricting Thursday, 21 June 2018 Where we are now: The 1989 Chart…