Plus: our AI strategy; videos from TICTeC; new features on WhatDoTheyKnow and more

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** Post election special
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** Here are the tools...
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** ...now how will you use them?
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The tower colloquially known as Big Ben (actually Elizabeth Tower), with its clock, shown against a cloudy blue sky.


** Our Democracy services
are ready for you
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Follow your new MP: input your postcode here ([link removed]) and you'll get an email every time they speak or vote in Parliament — a free service from TheyWorkForYou.

Top tip: If you were subscribed before, but your MP changed in the election, make sure you subscribe to the new one!

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Whether you want to change the world, or just get a personal issue solved, your politicians are there to help.

WriteToThem ([link removed]) now contains all the new MPs and it's ready to help you email your representatives — even if you're not sure who they are.


** How we did it,
and what we're doing next
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A General Election kickstarts a spurt of activity here at mySociety: we have to update our democracy sites TheyWorkForYou ([link removed]) and WriteToThem ([link removed]) to reflect the new intake of MPs; this time around, MapIt ([link removed]) had to deal with new constituency boundaries; and, new for us since the last election, there's the MP data on Local Intelligence Hub ([link removed]) to keep up to date, too.

Well, we're glad to say it's all done! TheyWorkForYou displayed the new MPs the day after the election, thanks to hard work from mySociety staff and data from Democracy Club. You can read the background of how that happened in Matthew's post here ([link removed]) ; while Alex gives a guide to the resources that will help you navigate this new government — and our plans for the future — in this one ([link removed]) .
mySociety websites in a fan-shaped array


** Appreciate what we do?
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As we hope this newsletter makes clear, we're very busy all the time, making democracy more accessible to everyone, and providing the tools to help people play an active part in society.

If you can help us out, please do head to our secure donate page ([link removed]) . Every contribution helps us to work harder and faster towards a better, more inclusive society. Thank you.


** We all need to think about AI
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the future is now
Five tin robots in a row

We noticed that a lot of organisations in our sector are beginning to use AI — but we've seen much less public sharing of policy around how to do so ethically and appropriately.

Here at mySociety, we've also started to see ways in which AI can make our work more effective: but of course, we want to do so thoughtfully.

We're doing our thinking in public. Here's where we've started ([link removed]) — we know our stance will evolve alongside the technology itself, so our policy is a live document, on which comments are welcome.
all change


** New mySociety board members
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We're delighted to welcome fresh faces to the mySociety Board, all while wishing a fond and grateful farewell to our outgoing trustees. Discover who's joined us, and all about their backgrounds, in this post ([link removed]) .


** Help us send you the emails you want to read
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seven different people, representing different types of reader

We do a lot of different things here at mySociety, and we appreciate that not everyone will be interested in every single part of it.

So if you've got a minute, please tell us a bit more about yourself ([link removed]) , and we'll work towards sending you the stuff you really want to read.
Delegates at TICTeC gather in the courtyard for a group photo
to add to your watchlist


** Relive TICTeC — in your own time
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Two packed days of our TICTeC conference? That's a LOT to take in.

Fortunately, many of the sessions are now available to watch again at your leisure. From the barnstorming keynotes to the more niche examinations of specialised subjects, and details of fascinating projects from many different countries — you'll find it all on our YouTube playlist ([link removed]) .

Slides and notes are also available for many sessions: find them by clicking on the session details via the schedule ([link removed]) . And finally, you may enjoy browsing photos from the event ([link removed]) , too.
transparency at home and abroad
French newspaper headline: Comment Obtenir La Fiche De Paie De Macron


** Macron's payslip gives FOI a boost
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A fascinating story from our friends Ma Dada over in France, about how the release of the President's payslip educated a nation about their rights under Freedom of Information. Catch up here ([link removed]) .


** New features on WhatDoTheyKnow and Alaveteli
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There's been a flurry of development on Alaveteli ([link removed]) , the platform that runs Freedom of Information sites around the world including our own WhatDoTheyKnow.

The first of these helps display blog posts and case studies on the homepage ([link removed]) . Look out for additional announcements, coming very soon.


** What we're reading
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* The BBC wrote about how it feels to be a new MP ([link removed]) ; and the Spectator looked at what it's like to be leaving ([link removed]) .
* Joe Powell's Open Government Partnership leaving speech ([link removed]) is thoughtful and insightful.
* Public services and infrastructure ([link removed]) : if this book sounds up our street, that'll be because it's written by Richard Pope, who played a significant part in mySociety's earlier days.
* Old-school art class vibe ([link removed]) for the Guardian's election coverage design choices.
* Nominations are open: suggest a subject for a blue plaque ([link removed]) .
* There's a guide dog in Parliament and of course she has her own Twitter account ([link removed]) . And yes, of course we're following it.


** Ever felt you could be using our tools more intelligently?
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We strive to make all our sites as intuitive and easy to use as possible — but there are also a number of more advanced little tips and tricks that aren't so obvious. If you'd like to become an expert at making change with our websites, sign up to our free series of emails ([link removed]) ... and then get ready to change the world!


** Follow mySociety
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Image credits: Big Ben (ok Elizabeth Tower, we know) - ** James Newcombe ([link removed])
; robots - ** Eric Krull ([link removed])
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