In case you haven’t heard, The Point is a website that uses the power of collective action to “organize, fundraise, or persuade”. I had the pleasure of speaking with Andrew Mason, founder of The Point at Netroots Nation in July. You can see my post and video interview with him on the See3 blog.

Recently, Andrew has been pumping out all kinds of funny and informative videos about The Point (check out his latest video told from the future in 2013). Below is my favorite video which shows how the website can be used to help workers gain benefits through collective action:

Check out the The Point’s blog at http://makesomethinghappen.net/

Chris Tackett at Treehugger just sent me this article about a guy who is getting rid of his SUV but wants your help to decide what to do with it. So, whether you think he should blow it up, take it apart, cover it in graffitti or throw it off a cliff, let him know at onefewer.com.

By now you’ve probably heard of colony collapse disorder but it’s not on your major list of things to freak out about (like the economy, climate change and food shortages). BUT the disappearance of honey bees is such a serious matter that it might actually effect all those things. In an effort to raise awareness, Haagen Dazs (why them?) has created helpthehoneybees.com, a sweet interactive flash site and a companion viral marketing video:

No, bees do not wear pants. And if you think this is weird check this shit out.

The Sierra Club, in partnership with green blogs EarthFirst and Ecorazzi are hosting hundreds of house parties across America on Thursday, July 17 to help send the message that to really solve global warming, we need to change more than lightbulbs — we need to change our leadership. Look for a house party near you at LightbulbstoLeadership.org or sign up to host your own. The Sierra Club will provide you with a step-by-step House Party Guide and other materials that will help you plan a successful and fun event.

On Father’s Day a lot of articles and blog posts focus on what gifts to give dad but often the more important message of spending quality time with family is overlooked. Father’s Day is a great reminder that we all should take a moment out of our busy day to call or hang out with our parents or children. In our stressful and consumer-based lifestyle, a little time spent with loved ones goes a long way.

This weekend, in an effort to get out the message that dads play a critical role in their children’s lives, the Ad Council, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance and the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse have all joined forces to release PSA’s online.

Created pro bono by Campbell-Ewald, the new PSAs emphasize to fathers that “the smallest moments can have the biggest impact on a child’s life.” The PSAs conclude with the tagline, “Take time to be a dad today” and direct fathers to visit www.fatherhood.gov or call 1-877-4DAD411 for parenting tips and additional resources for fathers.

DID YOU KNOW:
• An estimated 24 million children (34%) live absent their biological father.
• Nearly 20 million children (27 percent) live in single-parent homes.
• Children who live absent their biological fathers are, on average, at least two to three times more likely to be poor, to use drugs, to experience educational, health, emotional and behavioral problems, to be victims of child abuse, and to engage in criminal behavior than their peers who live with their married, biological (or adoptive) parents.
• Children with involved, loving fathers are significantly more likely to do well in school, have healthy self-esteem, exhibit empathy and pro-social behavior, and avoid high-risk behaviors such as drug use, truancy, and criminal activity compared to children who have uninvolved fathers.

The Nike Foundation just released this sweet video to promote social and economic change brought about when girls have the opportunity to participate in their society. More info at http://www.girleffect.org.

Plus, watch documentaries about girls around the world on the Girl Effect YouTube channel.

‘Tis summer and apparently that means it’s time for lots of video contests - including two chances to win a Flip Video camera!

1) Activate wants to feature your citizen journalism photos and videos for a chance to win a Flip Video camera and other prizes:

News shouldn’t be a spectator sport. The best stories engage you with the world. They are a call to activate. To celebrate our 100th Issue, we are stepping out of the mainstream-media box. We want to showcase the stories that activate your universe. Enter here to win some great prizes by sharing your story on our Flickr ™ group.

2) WE Can Solve the Climate Crisis wants suggestions for their “Unlikely Alliance” series:

You may have seen the ads already. Nancy Pelosi and Newt Gingrich. Al Sharpton and Pat Robertson. Complete opposites. But there they are, together, on a couch. Addressing climate change brought them together. Now it’s your turn to come up with the next pairing for the couch. Tell us what famous pairs would motivate the rest of America to put aside differences to solve the climate crisis. Click here to watch the ads and nominate the next “Unlikely Alliance.”

Here’s one they’ve already done with Al Sharpton and Pat Robertson. Personally, I’d like to see Bill Gates and Steve Jobs appear together…

3) Americans for Informed Democracy is offering a chance to win a Flip Digital Camcorder through their Rights Camera Action Video Contest:

“For the past six months, student groups across the country have been organizing innovative campaigns around global human rights issues and documenting their experiences on film. From labor rights to access to essential medicines, and from fair trade to divestment, these campaigns have touched upon a myriad of pressing human rights issues. Vote for your favorite video here and be entered to win a free Flip Digital Camcorder!”

I’m a big fan of the MediaRights e-newsletter created by New York-based Arts Engine and these days I’m particularly excited about their Media That Matters Film Festival which will be coming out with a new batch of short films this June. Until then, you can view last year’s winners on their YouTube site which is ranked the #8 all-time most viewed non-profit channel.

To get you started, check out the winner of the 2007 media literacy award, “POPaganda: The Art and Subversion of Ron English” about an artist who challenges capitalist messages by posting alternative billboards: