How do we create structures that allow for innovation in organizations, even large ones like government bureaucracy? In this presentation I share some insights from my career, from the liberal arts to running a civic startup in SF.

1. Build Things
That Matter
(And People Want)
Alex Yule
@Yuletide
USF
10/22/13

2. Who?
Co-Founder & COO

3. Middlebury (VT) - Geography
Esri Mapping Center
Code for America

4. Geographies of the
Holocaust

5. Esri PollMap

8. The fellowship
Jan
Feb
Mar-Nov
Crash
course in
gov’t
Discovery
research
Build, test, iterate
Redeploy

9. (Mayor)
CfA, Philly

10. 40-80% of
Philadelphians have
no broadband

11. Cities and citizens aren’t connecting...
but they want to.
“[Our planners] are
getting eaten alive”
Consultant, New Orleans
“Residents in our
community feel locked out
of planning discussions”
Allston-Brighton CDC, Boston
“More than just the 20 or
so people who show
up at meetings”
Vacant Properties Lead,
City of Louisville KY
“I love the idea that I can
easily respond and have
my voice heard”
To get me and others
more involved in the
public process!”
“I have things to say.”

13. SMS meets citizens where
they are, across access +
attention.
9%
have attended
a meeting
91%+
have SMS
20-60% home internet
46% smartphones
texts are read within 4 secs
Civic Life in America: Key Findings. Corporation for National & Community Service, September 2011. http://civic.serve.gov/assets/resources/CHAFactSheet.pdf
Digital Differences. Pew Internet & American Life Project, April 2012. http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2012/Digital-differences/

14. CITIZEN FEEDBACK FOR THE DIGITAL AGE

15. How Textizen Works
1
2
3
Activate
Engage
Sustain

16. RY
T
ON
UR
YO
NE
HO
P
Would you use rail
transit to get to
downtown Tampa?
Text YES or NO to
(208) 994-3051
See results: http://textizen.com/polls/12

21. Meet People Where They Are

22. SUSTAIN
Follow-up Messages & Surveys
Thanks for your previous
input on SEPTA schedules.
Are you riding any of the new
routes? Reply YES or NO
Yes
Which route number(s)?
47 and 10X
Thanks! Remember to join us
at our next public meeting
Thurs June 2, Good Karma
Coffee Shop at 7pm.

23. Flint
Mansfield CT
Salt Lake City
Chicago
Philadelphia
Monrovia
Nashville
San Diego
Denton TX
Central AR
Tampa
City planning · General visioning · Transportation
Vacant lot ideation · Business corridors · Kid friendliness
Live council meetings · Parks usage · School districts
Customer feedback · Park improvements · Visitor surveys

24. Thanks!
Questions?
Me:
Alex Yule
alex@textizen.com
@yuletide
textizen.com
@textizen