Bill White Gets It
Mayor Bill White, image by David Brown
This past Saturday, I had the esteemed honor of putting on a Social Media Workshop for Houston Mayor Bill White, his staff, and volunteers for his upcoming US Senate Campaign. We discussed Facebook,Twitter, and other social media tools.
We gathered at the Houston Technology Center and specifically discussed the importance of new media tools in politics. Admittedly so, not a student of politics, I invited two of the most capable teachers I know, Ed Schipul and Katie Laird, to help present. Ed and Katie explained the importance of storytelling, how to listen first before engaging, and the art of responding.
You can view their full presentation here.
After Ed and Katie presented, Mayor White got up to share a few words. I was entirely impressed by his understanding of this medium of communication, and more importantly the need for it in politics. He went on to explain that what politics can benefit most from social media is the transparency and honesty that comes along with it. No longer can politicians say one thing to one source, and another to another source.
In the time I’ve spent with both Mayor White and his wife Andrea White I’ve come to know them not only as intelligent, capable leaders, but as eager students who both see the value in community.
Big thanks to all of our volunteers: Julie Pippert, Katrina Esco, Ashley Minor, Laura Mayes, Jenni-Rebecca Stephenson, Grace Rodriguez, Katy Bacon, and Felicity Pereyra.
To David Brown of Spacetaker for playing official photog for the day, and for all of his continued support of Mayor White.
Thanks to the Houston Technology Center for hosting us.
To the city’s best coffee, Coffee Groundz, and to the Kolache Factory, who answered my last minute call via Twitter (while in Colorado nonetheless) and provided us with yummy breakfast.
I look forward to being involved in more of these workshops, and wish the Mayor the best in his campaign for the U.S. Senate seat. I hope he gets it. Because Bill White gets it.