Last week I got an email from fellow Idea Camp-er Daniel Li, Senior Developer and Web Strategist for International Justice Mission. He gave me the heads up on a campaign that’s starting this summer. So I thought I’d share it with you today…

A slew of riders from around the country and passionate about the issue of modern slavery will be traveling the underground railroad. Under the guidance of Venture Expeditions, the team is starting from Mobile, AL on June 26th and finishing in Buffalo, NY on July 30th. The tour is designed to bring you along with the riders and experience the thrill ride of emotions of 5 weeks on the road. The crew will be stopping in each city to join up with celebrities and musicians, host rally’s and talk with thousands about how they can make their communities safer against human trafficking.

Why does this matter?

In the summer of 2007 I had no idea that modern day slavery was happening and when I got the news – it was like a load of bricks on my chest. At the age of 31, I felt like I had just found out about Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny in the same minute. Most likely if you’re reading this you’re already aware of trafficking and it’s prevalence around the world and specifically in the U.S. So here’s my challenge/encouragement to you – Awareness is great, and it’s important. But if you’re aware, take steps to make others aware.. and once you’ve got a group together it’s just the beginning of your journey.

What does that look like?

If you live near one of the cities where the tour is stopping make a plan to attend. Bring your friends and while you’re there you’ll meet others who are like minded. We’re doing it in my community of Pasadena and it’s very encouraging.

Make a donation – all I have to do is start to picture myself in the shoes of one of the 27 Million slaves in the world and I find it very easy to give financially. Get Connected – Sign up for email updates, or text updates. Share it with your friends and community on facebook, twitter and tell your Aunt Lorraine.

The last piece, if you’ve got questions about any of this, shoot me an email or facebook message or tweet at me. I’ll be around today and I love meeting people who are passionate about this issue.

So let’s get Active – Check out the links

IJM’s Vimeo Channel – chock full of videos and rider testimonials

Below is a quick interview I did yesterday with Amy Roth from IJM

Big high fives to powerhouses Grafik and Capital Idea Ventures (CIV) for their work on getting everything ready to go in such short order.

PS. I didn’t get paid for this… because that would be lame.

I’m sure I’ll have a longer post with the specifics of what I learned and with a bunch to share. If you haven’t checked out anything from the Idea Camp – please let me encourage you to do so. Next up is Orlando and the next for me is Las Vegas in September.

Please check out The Idea Camp

Check it out and join the Twub!! Click Here

It’s just a few weeks away and I’m literally counting the days to Idea Camp. I think this whole idea has been a bit of a phenomenon. Idea Camp wasn’t even a glimmer of an “Idea” a year ago and to be already posting it’s second event – it’s really unheard of.

Here’s why I like it:

The distance between the facilitators/presenters and attendees is tiny.
This is a lot like the Blog World Expo in Vegas. The guys/gals at the front of the room are talking to relative equals not newbies vs experts. As a result it keeps presenters from giving bad info because they’d be called on the carpet. It also guarantees that with so many good brains in the room everyone leaves with some new knowledge.

The networking is amazing
If there has been one event that has been paramount in making connections during the last year and a half in California – it’s idea Camp. I met organizations, non profits and thought leaders that I would never meet otherwise. On top of that I got to share meals with them and got to have my socks knocked off. This is also a good place to tell you my most embarrassing moment. The very lovely Cynthia Ware (The Digital Sanctuary) lead the Facilitators luncheon, it was going great until she gave some small instructions: “We’re going to go around the room and tell us a little bit about yourself, why your here and really take your time.”

She then looked to her right and I went first… and as it turned out I followed her directions exactly but, in fact, too well. I took the lions share of that time… Looking back I was mortified at my actions and thankfully a few different presenters didn’t let me forget it (You know who you are!!)

The attitude is so different
The best part about the luncheon (and the weekend) was that just about every person was surprised to be counted in the same group with people at the table. It was great servant leadership and I was thrilled to be a part of it. It also doesn’t hurt to be helmed by Charles Lee, if you’ve met him, you know what I mean. He’s so humble and he’s brilliant – so it’s tough to buck that trend.

Workshops, workshops, workshops!!
At the first event the workshops were varied and it was easy to navigate which ones interested me. But for DC, I’m already seeing the lineup and I’m going to have a tough time making choices. The amount of guys who are coming into DC on their own dime to share their expertise in really unheard of.

You get out what you put in
The whole ethos of the 2 day “un-conference” is to hear ideas. Ideas come and go – the genius is there.. and then it’s gone. The beauty about Idea Camp is that if you’re coming to the table with some ideas – there are a lot of people at the Idea Camp who will give your idea a whack and see if it holds up.

It’s FREE
Looking back – I would’ve paid at least $50 for the first Idea Camp, but you don’t have to!

So Dan, what are you doing with it?

So glad you asked! I’ve got the fortunate pleasure of talking about video/film as a device to tell stories better. You know it’s done, you know it’s obvious. The wild thing to me is that although it’s simple.. it’s not easy to do it well. I’ll be sharing some examples I’ve found that show both success and failure.

And the best part about it – I get to set the table. I already know some serious digital storytellers will be in the room and they’ll be bringing a ton of great info. I hope you can make it!

The Idea Camp is taking place in Arlington on August 28th and 29th – Click here to register This installment is all about compassion and social justice and already over 40 organizations will be represented. See you there!

Asha Forum Consultation for North America

Beyond Awareness: Empowering a Response

May 1-3, 2009, Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, California

Conference Schedule
(confirmed at this time, subject to change)
Friday, May 1: (6:00 – 10:00 pm, registration begins at 4:00 pm)
Plenary Session #1: Rob Morris, Co-Founder and President, Love146, “Building a Movement: What Is It Going to Take?”
Special Screening: “Very Young Girls”

Saturday, May 2: (8:30 am – 9:45 pm, late registration 8:00 am)
Plenary Session #2: Dr. Sharon Cooper, National Board for National Center for Missing and Exploited Children “How Many Ways Can I Hurt You?”

Breakout Sessions:

Online Grooming Sharon Cooper, National Board for National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

How to Do Street Outreach Frank Barnaba, Barnaba Institute

Innocence Lost: Child Predators Rajiv Patel, Federal Bureau of Investigation

Making the Connection between Pornography, Prostitution and Trafficking Melissa Farley, Prostitution Research and Education Demand, Tania DoCarmo, U.S. Director of Development, Chab Dai Coalition

Getting to Know the Laws that Should be Protecting Our Children, Robert Flores

Approaches to Rehabilitation/Aftercare Glenn Miles, Director of Prevention, Love146; Mark Crawford, Executive Director, The Garden of Hope; Tania DoCarmo, U.S. Director of Development, Chab Dai Coalition, Charlene Underhill Miller – Panel discussion facilitated by Kathy Maskell, U.S. Advocacy Director, Love146

Primary and Secondary Prevention Strategies with At Risk Children in Lower Socioeconomic Communities Sandie Morgan, Vanguard Center for Women’s Studies Community Liaison and Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force Administrator

Identifying and Understanding the Sexually Abused Child, Vicky Didato, Child Sexual Abuse Institute of Ohio

Plenary Session #3: Lisa Thompson, Liaison for the Abolition of Sexual Trafficking, Salvation Army USA National Headquarters “How We Got Here: A History of the Religious and Political Origins of Our Battle Against Child Sexual Exploitation”

Special Screening: “Demand”

Sunday, May 3: (9:00 am – 12:45 pm; Working Groups 2:00 pm)
Panel Discussion: Empowered Advocacy – Mobilizing Congregations for Prevention, Intervention and Rehabilitation, Lynn Brown, Love Justice Taskforce, Boise Vineyard; Nigel Morris, Compassion Ministries Director, Anaheim Vineyard; Cheryl Pittluck, Human Trafficking Taskforce, Anaheim Vineyard;
Alicia Woodard, Vanguard Center for Women’s Studies Program Assistant; facilitated by Kathy Maskell, U.S. Advocacy Director, Love146

Plenary Session #4: Dr. Beth Grant, Co-Founder and Co-Director, Project Rescue and FAAST Steering Committee Member “Closing Challenge: When God Stood Up!”
Working Groups (by invitation): Prevention Strategies for N. America, Demand, and Publishing Project: Tackling Common Questions