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Videos
May 13, 2013 By Kristy Fifelski
Transparency in government is a very hot topic right now. Mark Parker, President of GovGirl sponsor, SansWrite, met up with me in a Google Hangout to tell me about the #1 thing governments simply must get right.
Spoiler alert! We're talking about systems that accurately collect information and publish it to the internet in a timely manner. This "smart form" concept replaces paper forms with uber-smart forms that are like fillable forms, but also include interactive elements that help the user comprehend and complete the form. Transparency in government starts with accurate data collection, and smart form technology can help.
Watch as my office gets a makeover, and Mark does his best not to dance for us! Learn more about Sanswrite at Sanswrite.com.
May 8, 2013 By Kristy Fifelski
This week, I spoke to state and local government employees at the Oregon Digital Government Summit about “cool government."
My talk proposed that government could benefit from the larger and more engaged audience that comes along with being considered “cool." (See the photo below? It's from that day -- of me with with Jack Mortimer from Government Technology magazine ... who I’m trying to talk into being actor Ben Kingsley for Halloween.)
I started producing GovGirl videos because I wanted to show the cool side of government. The fun, geeky, techie and amazingly passionate side of government that I saw and loved during the 10 years I served as a govie is something that needs to be shared.
You see, I think there is a sizable disconnect between the material that the public sees (brochures, Web content, at the counter) and the passion and energy that government staff has in what they do. Ask a program coordinator to tell you what they’re working on, and they’re engaging and excited. Read the brochure that explains the program, and you’re bored to tears.
So, I make videos that are partly goofy, mostly informative, but always from the heart.
I capture moments like dancing at NASCIO and talking to my family about Texas.gov to keep people watching and interested. But I also get to be a part of some of the big issues going on in government technology, like mobility, social media, responsive design and open data -- and that makes me happy.
If you want to hear me talk about “cool government” in person, register for one of the digital government events near you. Make sure to stop by and let me know how your agency is keeping citizens watching and interested!
May 1, 2013 By Kristy Fifelski
My trend of reviving tired dance moves got a boost this week at NASCIO's mid-year conference. High profile technology leaders in state government got together to discuss hot topics like collaboration and cybersecurity.
I asked Cathilea Robinett, EVP of Government Technology's parent company, e.Republic., to co-host a segment with me called Random Questions. Our goal was to get these tech leaders out of their comfort zone with some off-the-wall questions. But their answers surprised us!
April 24, 2013 By Kristy Fifelski
My layover in Fort Worth gave me the perfect chance to chat with tomorrow's leaders (okay, my niece and nephews) about the new Texas.gov website redesign. It's off to a great start with an html 5 and CSS3 foundation, and we loved the responsive design. The new site handled well on my iPad, and they've added a touch of color to what used to be a boldly white design.
As a reminder to always try and have a bit of fun, we attempted to revive the Harlem Shake. What I learned here is that some trends should stay gone…
April 23, 2013 By Kristy Fifelski
Big news today from GovGirl sponsor, Accela, Inc. The government solutions company is unveiling a new business model, citizen reporting app, and a new tagline: Civic Good.
Accela CEO Maury Blackman announces a new Civic Cloud program and the beta version of Civic Hero, a citizen-reporting mobile app for community issues such as graffiti, potholes or damaged public property to local government.
Learn more about Accela's announcement: http://bit.ly/15Ftp76
Kristy is known as "GovGirl" in the government technology industry. She is a former city government web manager who has a passion for social media, technology and the lighter side of government life.
Catch weekly GovGirl videos here on GovTech and follow hashtag #GovGirl on Twitter for more conversation.
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