How will President Obama keep Americans engaged?

[Pat Coyle]

The crowds and cameras are gone. The tuxedos and dresses tucked away. If history is any indication, many Americans will begin to focus more on their own lives, and less on others; but our new leader's message of hope hinges on our participation, not just our agreement.

So how will President Obama keep America engaged and focused on the "common good," and not drift back to our own special interests?

What strategies do you think he could employ in order to keep Americans not just believing in "change," but actively participating in making change?

And is there anything you are planning to do to make sure you participate in the process today, tomorrow and over the long term?

What can Smaller Indiana do to be part of the continuing solution?

Please share your thoughts here, or better yet, suggest some actions?

[Andrew Ball]

there was a petition going around to create the Secty of the Arts. I signed it. But don't ask me where I found it. I've slept since then.

[David Monroe]

Here is the petition: http://www.petitiononline.com/esnyc/petition.html

I had already signed. It's a step in the right direction in supporting and bringing greater credibility and visibility to the Arts on the national level. Not sure it would work and I'd worry about censorship under a less arts friendly administration Rep. or Dem.

Here's an interesting article: http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0116/p13s03-algn.html

[Matt Theobald]

Barackobama.com became Change.gov which is now the new Whitehouse.gov
Good place to start if you want to get engaged.

[Bill Bean]

Lots of great ideas already but here's what I would add or affirm:

To the degree that President Obama stays involved the new emphasis on service will have an opportunity to develop. Not sure if he will. People participating in extraordinary acts of service is nothing new. It certainly helps to have someone like this as your spokesperson-in-chief. (how much is that endorsement worth?)

The hashtag push is a good way to start bringing to people's attention all those who are already doing so much (like Woody). As I said before, serving the community is nothing new. People just need to be told or reminded of all the great work that is currently happening.

Two big challenges for non-profits: volunteers and funds. Not rocket science. Getting new people involved will make a huge difference as opposed to going to the same well to try and get more.

SI could become a clearinghouse for volunteer opportunities in Indiana. Create a widget. Promote on prime virtual real estate. Create some badges for the SI community. Keep it organic.

Come up with an SI fundraising plan. Make it easy and prominent to contribute via the SI website.

Anyway, exciting potential to show the power of community.

[Amy Stark]

Great Picture, Bill.
Don't you have a Smaller Indiana badge? You can grab it from the main page, and Smaller Indiana is a prime example of organic growth, IMHO

[David Monroe]

That brings back some great Saturday morning memories. I knew the words to all these things. They were amazingly simple and brilliant. "Oh no!" "Oh yes!" :)

[Amy Stark]

Conjunction Junction is fabulous.

[Steve Stuck]

My view is that people need to focus on Congress where the laws/actions are implemented. The President cannot just make a law and sign it. While the President can sign an executive order, many of the new ideas will have to come from Congress. Letters and ideas should go to your current Congressional delegate.

The "Common Good" as stated above is too broadly stated. This also could be deemed "General Welfare" that the Constitution states. In order for us as citizens of the Republics to make government run efficiently, we must revisit current legislation that has been broken for many decades. I understand Americans wanting to always get new ideas on the plate, they still do not fix our current inefficient programs and quite frankly these programs are hurting us financially as a country.

Just my two cents.

[Nicki Laycoax]

In reference to the hashtags being discussed; I have created a poll for you to vote for the hashtag you'd like to use in reference to Indiana: http://answers.polldaddy.com/poll/1301376/

Thanks Amy for initiating the idea!

[Amy Stark]

Thanks Nicki... I am toying with several other options, too. It was a crazy day today... not much time in front of the PC. It was a day better to be forgotten than lived, if that makes sense. I will work on it tomorrow late morning and afternoon. I'll be in touch. Thanks for your kind words and support.

[Nicki Laycoax]

Results of hashtag vote as of ~10 p on 1/22/09

[Jason Bean]

I just tweeted about this vote. If you're following @IChooseIndy on twitter retweet this http://twitter.com/IChooseIndy/statuses/1141009659 Shoot, even if you're not following, retweet it please.