Everything we're up to. Spoiler: it's a lot

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** News and updates
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** September 2023
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people
Genevieve Maitland Hudson


** We've got a new Chair!
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Since you last heard from us, Genevieve Maitland Hudson has joined our board as our new Chair of Trustees — and we couldn't be more pleased.

Discover more about Gen and why she's such a good fit for mySociety, in our welcome post ([link removed]) .

Insights for you


** Tap into TICTeC's rich archive of information
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Three TICTeC participants look at post-it notes on a flip chart

Have you seen the new TICTeC Knowledge Hub?
We've gathered together videos and resources from nine amazing years of TICTeC conferences.
The result? A massively rich archive for anyone working in or researching civic tech, with insights from practitioners all around the globe. Start browsing here ([link removed]) .


** New angles on democracy
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Blue mountains against a yellow sky and the caption: repowering democracy

Our weekly Repowering Democracy series continues, with recent guest authors posing questions such as, "Does watching MPs make them behave better?" and "What do we need to know to judge our representatives?"

There's plenty more to dig into, too. See the whole series here ([link removed]) , where you can also sign up to receive future posts.
transparency


** As time goes by
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A frankly sinister collection of grandfather clocks in a darkened room

We've noticed a certain pattern in Freedom of Information requests to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office - and it's not a pretty one ([link removed]) .
Climate


** Empowering local change together
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We get more done when we collaborate - so we're very happy to have joined the Blueprint Coalition ([link removed]) .

This sees us alongside local government organisations, environmental groups, and research institutions, all striving to deliver local climate action with a joined-up approach.


** Help from the machines
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Now it's easier to search and skim councils' climate action plans, thanks to a short project around machine learning for CAPE. Discover more ([link removed]) .


** Climate updates
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Our monthnotes series keeps you up to speed with exactly what we're doing in the Climate team, month by month. Here's the latest ([link removed]) , featuring projects we're working on, people we've met and the latest news on the Council Climate Action Scorecards.
mySociety's key services


** Your donations help us run projects like these
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If you're reading this newsletter, the chances are that you see the value in mySociety's work — thank you.

Donations are part of what makes that possible, so if you're able, please consider making a contribution today.
Donate now ([link removed])
Over to you


** Share your memories of mySociety
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It's our 20th anniversary year! Can you spare three minutes to tell us how you see mySociety?

Maybe you've got thoughts about our work and how it impacts you; or maybe you have ideas about where we should go in the future. It's all good: please share your wisdom here ([link removed]) .
Interested in a particular strand of our work? Pick and choose your mySociety newsletters here ([link removed][UNIQID]) .
Community
The Welsh flag (dragonny!) flying against a blue sky


** FixMyStreet is now available in Welsh
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Welsh speakers rejoice — FixMyStreet now lets you report those pesky street issues, from potholes to graffiti, in Cymraeg ([link removed]) . We've explained more — including some of the limitations — in this post ([link removed]) .

All in all, though, we're making progress in Welsh. As you may remember, TheyWorkForYou covers the Senedd ([link removed]) ; and did you know that a good portion of WhatDoTheyKnow ([link removed]) is translated too?


** Super FixMyStreet-ers
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Recently we've been chatting with folk who are really using FixMyStreet for good — and it warms the cockles!

There's Matt Davis, self-described 'litter Womble' ([link removed]) ; Alistair Slade, who knows first hand about the barriers to access for those in wheelchairs ([link removed]) ; and Councillor Anna Railton who likes to post before and after pics of the issues she's helped fix ([link removed]) .

Have a read, restore your faith in humanity, and maybe take a little inspiration!


** What we're reading (and watching)
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* Why it's hard to measure impact ([link removed]) in an complex world
* Like everyone, we have multiple conflicting opinions on the rise of AI. On the one hand: reboot democracy ([link removed]) ? Sounds good.
* On the other - there may be some substantial downsides ([link removed]) . You know, on top of all the other ones people are talking about.
* A short and jaunty video about a man who makes thousands of FOI requests ([link removed]) .
* In London? This looks like a must-see ([link removed]) .


** From our networks
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* Joe Coker is looking for test users for a ChatGPT plugin that pulls information from UK politics sources - visit politicsplugin.com ([link removed]) to learn more.
* Dr. Ben Worthy, an academic at Birkbeck College is looking into who uses the Audit Act 2014, why, and what impact this has on local bodies. If that sounds relevant to you, please fill in his short survey here ([link removed]) . Questions? Ask Ben on [email protected].


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mySociety is a registered charity in England and Wales (1076346) and a limited company (03277032).
Through our trading subsidiary SocietyWorks (05798215) we also provide commercial services.

Image credits: Mountains: ** Marek Piwnicki ([link removed])
; Senedd: ** Senedd Cymru ([link removed])
(** CC by/2.0 ([link removed])
); Cluttered desktop: Myfanwy Nixon; jigsaw mural: ** Ashkan Forouzani ([link removed])
; view across London: ** Kyle Kroeger ([link removed])
(** CC by-nc-nd/2.0 ([link removed])
)
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