The Raffstar Blog

Great new article by Kristina Loring on how online activism can make a difference in the world:

Ideally, internet-led social movements would form a symbiotic relationship with their “on-the-ground” counterparts. Using social media outlets to propel a social cause cannot merely be a two-way dialogue—online and offline activism should not exist as diametrically opposed efforts. Think of online and offline activism efforts working towards the same goal as a meta-coalition, bringing solidarity and strength to a movement by providing consciousness, protection, connection, and documentation.

Creating an awareness and consciousness around an issue is the first step in building and articulating a movement’s demands and priorities. Blogging and micro-blogging serve as digital fliers or zines, while the social networks provide both a virtual printing press and a soapbox upon which activists can stand, free of the sponsorship and ratings constraints shackling the mainstream media.

Read the Full Article at GOOD

By popular request we have rebuilt the Community Forums from the ground up, providing you with new tools and functionality to help you get answers to common questions, report bugs, and communicate with other members.

Of particular note is the Technical Support forum, where you can open new issues and see which have been resolved by Raffstar Team Members. Additionally throughout all of the forums you can now create polls, subscribe to topics, and sort by popular keyword tags.

As always, if there are any extra features you’d like to see, let us know!

August was declared National Children’s Vision & Learning Month in 1995. The goal of this national observance is to help educate parents and educators about the critical link between vision and learning.

COVD thanks Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals 2008 NFC West Champions’ wide-receiver and Pro Bowl MVP, for helping us promote our 2009 campaign. According to Fitzgerald, “The public doesn’t realize that you need over 17 visual skills to succeed in reading, learning, sports, and in life. Seeing ‘20/20’ is just one of those visual skills.” says Larry Fitzgerald.

In 2008, the COVD public awareness campaign for National Children’s Vision & Learning Month generated a record number of State and City Proclamations. COVD continues the success with new Proclamations for 2009.

Visit http://www.covd.org/ for more information on how to get involved.

Below is an article written several years ago that I thought was very interesting.

Why Profit May Belong in the Charity Business
Aaron Steinberg | October 26, 2006

Before Google went public, founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page informed potential investors that they wouldn’t be seeing all of the company profits. A small percentage of it would be set aside for a charity project to be determined later. Last month, Brin and Page finally revealed what they planned to do with those company funds when they announced the founding of Google.org, a charity operation designed—modestly, humbly—to solve all the world’s problems and provide us all with awesome electric cars besides.

That rich internet entrepreneurs would want to start a charitable organization is about as surprising as Bill Gates’ wardrobe. The corporate form Brin and Page chose for their new charity, however—that was something completely different.

Read the entire article at ReasonOnline »

We’re introducing a brand-new format that will give everyone an equal chance at winning big. The All-Member Giveaway is a weekly drawing in which all eligible members of Raffstar are automatically entered. We do the work for you — you don’t have to get a single ticket! The only catch is that you must claim the prize in 15 minutes, or it will go to the next person in line!

We’re launching the very first giveaway as we speak: a $25 Target E-Gift Card! We’ll continue to host new giveaways every week through June, ending each Saturday. Check the leaderboard before watching those cartoons to find out if you’ve won!