#TEDXSanAntonio is back

For the second consecutive year TED is returning to San Antonio in the form of TEDxSanAntonio. If you are unfamiliar with TED talks, I urge you to check out their website and videos at www.ted.com. As an attendee last year I found tremendous value in the speakers, attendees, and sense of community. There tagline is “Ideas big enough to change the world,” and that they are. While the talks were great, some of the most engaging conversations took place outside of the auditorium. Some of the people I met a year ago have grown into friendships and others have turned into colleagues.

This year I am fortunate enough to be able to help plan and organize this iteration of the event. We hope to make this year’s TEDxSanAntonio more accessible to the entire San Antonio community and have both speakers and an audience that is more representative of the population as a whole. The work is hard, but the dedicated, forward-thinking people who form the company of volunteers make it worth it. Also, it’s great to be a part of something so positive and influential within my community. There are plenty of volunteer opportunities available. If you’re interested in volunteering, our next meeting will take place on Thursday, June 16th, 2011 at the Tripont YMCA located at 3233 N. St. Mary’s, San Antonio, TX 78212. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions and I’ll put you in contact with the right people.

Resources:

TED Website: http://www.ted.com

TEDxSanAntonio Website: http://www.tedxsanantonio.com

TED on Twitter: http://twitter.com/tedtalks | http://twitter.com/tednews | @TEDTalks | @TEDNews

TEDxSanAntonio: http://twitter.com/tedxsanantonio |@TEDxSanAntonio | #TEDxSanAntonio

Organizers:

Debbie Curtis	Todd O’Neill	Donna Tuttle	Susan Price	George Riley	Chris McDermott
@kitestringbyday	@toddfromnj	@writeontime	@firecatsue	@griley	@BeardyMcD

Yesterday's Dream, Tomorrow's Reality: Interview With Ross Flags

I first came across Ross Flags about a year ago. Their vision and mission immediately intrigued me. Dedicated to education, quality, and integrity, Ross Flags does much more than design and manufacture flags. They promote social consciousness and conversation. Flags have a way of being bold—making a statement. They encourage dialogue, awareness, and pride.

The only thing more inspiring what they do is their story. The Ross family has overcome tremendous obstacles to both start the business and maintain it. I had the distinct privilege to speak with Maria Ross, founder of Ross Flags, about that story. Find out how Ross Flags used a horrifying event as a catalyst to spread positivity. Prepare to see flags in an entirely new light.

Web: http://rossflags.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/rossflags | @rossflags 

Can Fun Change Behavior For the Better: The Fun Theory

Can we encourage positive behavior by making things fun? The folks over at The Fun Theory do. They held a competition inviting people to provide ideas on how to make everyday tasks such as throwing away trash, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, and recycling more fun. They simply ask the qustion, “Can fun change behavior for the better?” Here are some of their submissions. 

Website: http://thefuntheory.com | Twitter: @thefuntheory

We Need More Taglines Like This. Thanks @griley

Last night I attented the TEDxSanAntonio mixer and was fortunate enough to meet George Riley (@griley), one of the people that makes the official TED happen. At the end of the evening, he passed me his business card. This is the back of that card. If only more businesses had taglines like this. If only more businesses lived this type of philosophy. If only more businesses operated like this. Think of what we could accomplish together.

Other people I lucky to see again included:

@doingmedia
@TEDxSanAntonio
@writeontime
@kitestringbyday
@julianaperez
@benyc440