The Podcast Has Evolved!

Hello visitor!  If you like the Bill Quinn Podcast you will love Nonprofit Tangent.  Come over and visit the new iteration of the BQ Podcast.

- Bill

Episode 15: "What Have You Learned?" Collected Wisdom from Nonprofit Leaders

Episode 15
By Bill Quinn

Over the last year, I've compiled thoughts from nonprofit founders, directors and volunteers here in NYC and a few from around the world. That includes innovative educators from Australia, anti poverty leaders in Manhattan and organizations bringing the latest surgical knowledge to the developing world. I remembered to ask (most of them) what they've learned in the course of their work. So, for my first (very belated) anniversary I've lovingly boxed up all their wonderful advice, wrapped it in a big bow and present it to you now. Slice yourself a piece of cake and have a listen!

For your ease and listening pleasure, download here!

Link-Berry

You like what you hear?  Check out every episode--they're all here.

I was going to put links to every organization. But who's got the time?  Search through the post archives by scrolling down or use the links on the right.  You'll find a wealth of links for each episode!

Show Notes

So it's been a while, right??  After a significant delay, we're back. I've got some new episodes headed your way this summer so do the Twitter and Facebook thing to follow all our new shows.

Theme song: Quittin' Time (Patrick Lee) / CC BY-NC-SA 3.0
Additional music: http://www.bensound.com

Beyond Hollywood--The Sunday Film Series

Episode 14

by Bill Quinn

While the upcoming Oscars’ ceremony has been one of the most significant and discussed in its 80+ year history, it reminds us to highlight the voices that do promote diversity in film. In episode six we highlighted one such person: Heather Freudenthall and the Sunday Film Series which showcases some wonderful and beautiful independent films in screenings throughout Brooklyn as well as online. This episode I go back to that interview and unearth some great anecdotes about the more memorable films, directors and audience members that the series brought together. For time reasons they didn't get into the first go-round but are digitally remastered and brought to life in vivid Technicolor for you now!

Download the episode here.

Links--Kinda like DVD Bonus Features.

• Visit the Sunday Film Series home page.
• Microwave some popcorn and pop on the featured film.
• Follow on Facebook and Twitter.
• Contact Heather here.
• Here the other half of this interview here.

Naturally I owe Heather a huge thank you for taking the time to work with me.  Liam, shout out to you bud for connecting us.  And thank you, dear listener and reader, for making it this far in the post!

Music Credits

Theme song: Quittin' Time (Patrick Lee) / CC BY-NC-SA 3.0Additional music: http://www.bensound.com

"She was able to wear her t-shirt with passion, with empowerment"--Project Attica

Episode 13
By Bill Quinn

After an extended break I'm thrilled to finally ring in the new year with the latest interview: a conversation with Project Attica founder and director Anthony Posada. Entering its fifth year, Anthony and I talk about how Project Attica uses t-shirt design workshops to give young people a voice on issues that matter most to them. Chatting in a Union Square cafe, I learned more about the stop-and-frisk that sparked the idea to the empowerment youth feel when given an avenue of expression as well as their plans to work with students displaced by violence in Colombia.

Download this episode here.

A fine assortment of links from which to choose...

• Always a good idea to start with the basics: Project Attica's home page
• Be sure to try the always-popular Facebook and Twitter 
• Get involved yourself and contact them

So I'd like to send a huge "thanks!" out to Anthony Posada who followed cryptic directions to find me tucked into a corner of Manhattan then stuck with me through good times and technical difficulties.  Of course, I need to thank friend-of-the-podcast Angela who you can find in episode 2!  And I was connected to both of these wonderful people through Jaclyn R. tree.  Thanks Jaclyn!

Theme song: Quittin' Time (Patrick Lee) / CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

Additional music: http://www.bensound.com

Development Justice needs more than Development Goals - Nazma Akhter

A very late Happy 2016! With the new year comes resolutions, struggling to write the correct year on checks and, for 2016, the implementation of an ambitious set of goals from the United Nations called the Sustainable Development Goals. In the weeks after the goals were agreed upon last fall, Bangladeshi labor and human rights leader, Nazma Akter (learn more in our NGO Reports series featuring Nazma), penned a response to highlight some of the potential holes and failings she saw in the agreement. After significant delay, I'm happy to repost the article here.

Nazma Akhter
Sommilito Garment Sromik Federation
October 12, 2015

Two weeks ago governments at the UN adopted a new Sustainable Development Agenda. Incorporating 17 goals and 169 targets Agenda2030 promises to ‘eradicate extreme poverty’ and provide a plan of action for ‘people, planet and prosperity’. These goals promise to be an improvement on the Millennium Development Goals and were developed in a more inclusive process. But major concerns remain about their capacity to genuinely deliver the deep reforms our world needs at a time when inequalities are so deep that the richest individuals make more money in a single second than a garment worker makes in a whole year and when 30 million Bangladeshis are likely to be displaced by climate change in the next 15 years.

Having worked and organised in the ready-made garment industry since I was 11 years old, I wonder what the sustainable development agenda means for garment workers. The goals include some important aspirations for garment workers: ending child labour by 2020, achieving full employment and Decent Work, eliminating the gender pay gap, ensure safe and secure work as well as ending poverty, hunger, gender inequality, delivering universal health care, free education for all, tackling climate change and reducing inequalities between rich and poor as well as between countries.

The goals sound wonderful. But, unfortunately, they fail to tackle the root causes of inequality or deliver real system change. Governments agreed to a goal on Decent Work but tied it together with economic growth. Our right to Decent Work cannot depend on growth, particularly when economic growth has not delivered better conditions, wages or rights for workers. Since the Millennium Declaration was adopted 95% of the gains from economic growth went to the richest 40%. You can be sure that this doesn’t include garment workers or other low income workers, particularly in developing countries.

Whilst governments agreed to a target to deliver labour rights and secure working conditions, it makes no mention of a living wage, despite the clear need to address wage inequality for inclusive development and the advantage that a global agreement on living wages would provide for countries like Bangladesh where businesses threaten to go offshore if we increase wages.

Photo courtesy of the LA Times

Governments are still developing indicators that will measure progress toward sustainable development. They are proposing that the right to Decent Work be measured by counting deaths and injuries in the workplace and by the number of conventions signed. In Bangladesh we know too well that counting dead bodies does not result in living wages, in union rights, in social protection, in less discrimination or sexual harassment or in justice for the dead or injured workers and their families.

If there was just one indicator to measure Decent Work it should be the percentage of people, particularly women, who are members of trade unions able to genuinely assert workers’ rights and collectively bargain. The right to independently unionise is the right that unlocks all others. Even the International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently recognised that increasing trade unionism can decrease poverty and inequality.

But it’s not just the lack of commitment to honour labour rights that undermines the development goals. There is no commitment to change the economic systems that allow companies to avoid tax, to hide behind untraceable supply chains, to use offshore bank accounts or to pay for the damages they do to people’s lives and the environment. There’s also no money being committed to help least developed countries to develop the public services, institutions and social protection we need.

There is a growing movement of people around the world of people who are dissatisfied with the way the rich have been able to create rules that allow them to exploit our environments and our labour and make enormous profits. The goals don’t address the need to regulate multinational corporations and their supply chains. Instead multi-nationals are elevated as an implementer of development despite the role they often undermining development through tax avoidance, wealth concentration, environmental degradation, campaigning against regulations and attacks on trade unionists and other human rights defenders.

While governments were welcoming the goals in the UN, I was also in New York talking about ways to achieve sustainable development. I was instead speaking at the People’s General Assembly. I spoke about the experiences of garment workers; working 12 to 14 hours a day, enduring discrimination and sexual harassment, receiving short term contracts to avoid maternity leave rights, getting sick from fumes and chemicals, threatened when we organise and, of course, being killed in buildings we have reported as unsafe.

Now is the time to realise that governments are not governing for us. We can use these development goals as part of our campaign for a global shift in power - a global shift toward Development Justice. But we can’t rely on them. We must continue to organise and to build our movement. But we must also use our power in a global response to these global problems. Corporations and governments have coordinated globally to set the rules that enable them to get rich. We don’t have money, weapons, media or politicians to do our bidding. But we are the majority. We have our labour and our solidarity and we must use them.

Holiday Edition--His Toy Store and Hope for New York

Episode 12
By Bill Quinn

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

In a just few days, kids all over New York City will waking up early and jumping out of bed in search of presents.  Many of those boys and girls will happily find gifts because of the good people at Hope for New York who support 40+ faith-based, anti-poverty organizations across the city (remember Father's Heart?).  Earlier this month, they opened several pop-up toy stores under the banner "His Toy Store."  Their goal was to provide presents to families in "deep financial need."  In this episode, Katherine Evans walks me through how His Toy Store works and recounts some of her fonder memories of the program.

Download the episode here.

Want to know more?  Check out these links to learn about His Toy Store and Hope for New York!

• Hope for New York's page for His Toy Store.
• It's not too late to help--donate here.
• Kids these days with their Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
• Hope for New York's home page.
• Binge watch all of Hope For New York's videos on their Vimeo page.

Here's a quick look at His Toy Story.

And that's it--last episode of the year!  My thanks to Kathrine Evans and everyone at Hope for New York for taking time to speak with me.  Additional thanks and shout outs to Jillian D'Angelo and Abigail Tseng for inadvertently (in one case) and... advertantly? (in the other case) connecting me with Katherine.  Happy Holidays everyone and see you next year!

Music generously provided by: http://www.bensound.com

"You don't teach at students, you do it with them!"--CityScience Extras

Episode 5+ (extra stuff!)
By Bill Quinn

Here at the Bill Quinn Podcast, one of our favorite organizations is CityScience for their role in supporting New York City STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education. We featured CityScience in episode five but I had to cut some interesting stories and highlights due to time constraints.  Recently I went back, deep into the archives, and dug out those stories that got cut our first go-round. A few edits and voila--this week's episode!  You’ll hear the Founder and Director, Thor Snilsberg, talk about his favorite moments and projects including pickling food, advising students who led the first urban forestry study and a kid who hacked into a school's wifi.

Download this episode here.

Liiiiiiiiiiiiiiinks!

• Inspired to give on Giving Tuesday? Here you go!
• Learn more about the nuts and bolts of CityScience in episode five and by visiting their home page.
• Are you a science teacher? You’ll want to check this out.
• Here’s a tour of social media sites: Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin.
• Maybe you’re into donating your time—they’re into that too!

My thanks again go to Thor Snilsberg and all the great people at CityScience who, even five years in, still have such enthusiasm and excitement for their work. Getting to be a part of that, for however briefly, makes running this little operation worthwhile.  And a shout-out to Kristen Cordero for connecting me with Thor. Thanks Kristen!

Theme song: Quittin' Time (Patrick Lee) / CC BY-NC-SA 3.0
Additional music: http://www.bensound.com

Helping Students Learn about Themselves--The Bloom Collective

“Anything goes!” Aaron Densham exclaimed when describing the the Bloom Collective's education philosophy.  Raised in an atmosphere of progressive teaching programs focused on self-reflection, Aaron went on to intern at an orphanage in Rwanda where he implemented similar innovative teaching methods.  Co-founding Bloom in 2014, the organization has brought the approach to communities and schools in Israel, India and of course his native Australia.  Speaking from Melbourne (and a whole day in the future!) we talked about what his young organization has already accomplished and what plans they have going forward.  I also learn why he enjoys spraying shaving cream at students.  You know, outside of the obvious.

During the interview, we refer to the Plato's Allegory of the Cave.  If you need a refresher here's a nice little video courtesy of TED.

Download the episode here.

Links!

• The Bloom Collective's home page goes into even more detail about what they do.
• It turns out I wasn't the first the first to get to Aaron--here is his interview with The Well.
• Their Facebook page is worth a look for some of the pictures alone! 

I was inadvertently dodging Aaron for a while but he stuck with me and I couldn't be happier.  It's always good to talk with and be inspired by a fellow teacher.  Plus it was great getting to know him and Bloom a little better.  My thanks to him for being gracious with his time.  Also, another thanks goes out to Babita Patel (learn more here) for continuing to connect me with exciting and engaging nonprofit leaders.  And I should mention I stumbled across the key to her wonderful connections: the Global Social Impact House in Pennsylvania.  Check out this video to learn more.  Keep an eye out for a cameo from both Babita and Aaron.

Music Credits:

Opening/Closing song:  Tales Of A Dead Fish (The Freak Fandango Orchestra) / CC BY-SA 3.0

Additional music: http://www.bensound.com

Improving the Quality of Surgery in Developing Countries with Mentors--Mission: Restore

Episode 9
by Bill Quinn

Last week I sat with Karina Nagan in a quiet Brooklyn coffee shop to learn about Mission: Restore, an organization dedicated to supporting surgeons around the world with knowledge and skills to improve treatment of their patients.  As Executive Director, Karina has helped to send veteran doctors to Myanmar, Tanzia and Haiti among others where they train and work with local surgeons to manage the complexities of their job.  This episode we learn more about how mentors, like Dr. Kaveh Alizadeh, founder of Mission: Restore, impact local doctors and their community as well as use teleconferencing technology to maintain their mentorships after the trip has ended.  Plus learn about the upcoming "Fall Soiree" and an opportunity for listeners to support the training of one particularly talented doctor in Tanzinia.

Download this episode here.

We just scratch the surface of their work--learn more by following these links:

Start with their home page.

Have a great night at the Mission: Restore Fall Soiree on November 13th!

Follow them on social media like Twitter and Instagram.

Get involved!  Internships, fellowships, volunteering all available by emailing.

MISSION: RESTORE in Myanmar from Lena Rudnick on Vimeo.

Many thanks to Karina Nagin for spending some time talking with me.  And thank you to Babita Patel for introducing us--learn more about Babita's organization the KIOO project here.  And I'm testing out a new theme song--let me know what you think!  

Theme song: Quittin' Time (Patrick Lee) / CC BY-NC-SA 3.0
Additional music: http://www.bensound.com

"What Stories Would They Tell?"--the KIOO Project

Episode 8, October 6, 2015

by Bill Quinn

Humanitarian photographer Babita Patel tells a story of a boy laughing and pointing at the image of himself on the screen of her digital camera.  It turns out that he and other Haitian boys like him rarely if ever get to see what has become ubiquitous here in New York--a picture of themselves.  This small moment has launched an exciting nonprofit called the KIOO Project which runs photography programs for students in some of the world's poorest countries.  They not only teach students new skills but empower young people to express themselves.  This episode Babita shares stories from the work she has done in Haiti and Kenya.  And if you like what you hear, be sure to support the KIOO Project on Indiegogo by October 8th!

(Technical note:  Due to some major computer-related hurdles, this episode is very late in being posted.  Some of the times mentioned, such as two weeks left in the Indiegogo campaign, are considerably off.)

Download this episode on Pod-o-Matic

Learn more about all the great work of the KIOO Project in the links below:

• Help this excellent program on Indiegogo before time runs out on October 8th. Your money will support their work with students in India.

• Here's the KIOO Project's excellent web site with a lot more information plus pictures from Haiti and Kenya. 

• Purchase some of the photographs discussed in this episode, plus other great pictures, to support the organization.

• Follow the project with regular updates from India on Instagram.

• Connect with the KIOO Project through the other usual suspects of Facebook and Twitter.

• Watch videos to see KIOO in action!

• Learn more about Babita Patel by visiting her web site.

A huge THANK YOU and shout out to Julia Firestone for supporting the podcast and connecting me with Babita and the KIOO Project.  And another big thank you to Babita for being a fantastic guest, for patiently waiting for me to figure out technical issues (a reoccurring theme here at the BQ Podcast) and for not openly judging me when I didn't realize my web cam and microphone were broadcasting as I ranted to myself about the less-than intuitive Google On Air controls.   And lastly, thank you NOFX for not bothering me about stealing your song.  However your unresponsiveness to my requests for permission may have finally wore me down.  I will have to find a new song to lead me to the promised land: Itunes.

Music: http://www.bensound.com

"I still feel the roof crashing over me." -- After Rana Plaza

September 17, 2015

Ending this Sunday, September 20th, is a photo exhibit from Bangladesh as part of the Photoville project in Brooklyn Bridge Park. It documents the aftermath of the 2013 Rana Plaza disaster and the ongoing experiences for victims, families and the community. With each photograph comes a carefully documented account connecting the image to the collapse.  The pictures are striking, tragic and touching yet vivid and beautiful.  One of the organizers, Thahitun Mariam, graciously answered several questions about the exhibit.

Update:  If you click on the picture you will be linked to the corresponding story.

Bill:  What is "After Rana Plaza?"

Thahitun:  After Rana Plaza" is a year-long documentary photography project to shed light on the lives of people who remain deeply impacted by one of the world's deadliest industrial catastrophes. It is a collaborative project between Bangladeshi photographer Ismail Ferdous and The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.  

Bill:  How did you get involved?

Thahitun:  I am involved with "After Rana Plaza" because I was one of the main content writers for the stories being told. The interviews and photographs are captured by Ismail Ferdous, and then sent to us writers to understand and explain the narratives of many people who were involved in the collapse - whether it be the survivors themselves, or the organizations that are working to provide services to them even till now.

Bill:  What are some of the more memorable stories to come out of the exhibit.

Thahitun:  Visit the web site here. Feel free to shift through the pictures to get a better idea of the stories being told.

Bill:  When and where can people see the exhibit?

Thahitun:  "After Rana Plaza" is being exhibited during the Photoville festival which happens yearly in Brooklyn Bridge Park in New York City. It is happening from September 10, 2015 — September 20, 2015. The Hours of Operation for the festival can be found on the Photoville website.

Bill:  If someone wants to get involved with your project in one way or another, what should they do?

Thahitun:  They can get involved with the "After Rana Plaza" project by emailing us at afterranaplaza@gmail.com.

Bill:  What have you learned from organizing photography exhibits such as this one that you can pass on to others who might want to do something similar?

Thahitun:  From my experience working with "After Rana Plaza" we have realized that it is always best to have a vision and work towards it slowly. "After Rana Plaza" is a vision of Ismail Ferdous's to follow up and tell the stories of people who may otherwise be forgotten. As a writer, it is important for me to provide dignity and honor to the stories being told as stories of survival, and not as tales of defeat. "After Rana Plaza" was approached to be exhibited during Photoville since Ismail Ferdous and his work was selected as one of the three recipients of the first Getty Images Instagram Grants.

My thanks again to Thahitun for taking the time to answer my questions.  If you miss the last few days of the exhibit be sure to check it out online at the official page for After Rana Plaza where you can click on pictures for their story.  You can also go learn more about photographer Ismail Ferdous's work by visiting his web site.  

How to Build Outstanding Schools in Rural Africa--The Impact Network

Episode 7
August 25^th
by Bill Quinn

From her small office in Brooklyn, NY Reshma Patel is tackling the difficult problems confronting schools and students in Zambia with new technology and innovative teaching methods.  She is the Executive Director of the Impact Network and I was lucky enough to talk with her a couple of months ago in episode three.  In order to keep the episode around ten minutes there were a lot of interesting things I had to cut.  But since I’m currently struggling to find someone to interview, I thought I'd put the whole interview together.  In this episode Reshma talks about the education system in Zambia, what the Impact Network’s schools do differently and how they are able to be so successful for so much less.  If you’re inspired to get involved, Reshma describes many of the available opportunities to be a part of the organization.  One quick note on the recording quality; this was one of my first efforts so I clearly had some issues.  Full apologies and thanks for your patience.

Download the episode here.

The interview was in early June so we didn’t get into much detail about the gala but since November is just around the corner I’ll mention it here.  Expert chefs from around the city come together for one big international culinary blowout to benefit the Impact Network.  And since a child’s education can be funded for $3 a day, the money raised at this event can go very far. 

A overview video of the 2013 event.

Has this only whet your appetite to learn more?  Here are some links for more about the Impact Network and Zambia’s education system.

A good place to start: The Impact Network’s web site.
 
Do you like what the Impact Network does?  Make it official on their Facebook page.

Don’t want to read?  Here’s the Impact Network’s Youtube page.

Learn more about one of New York’s more unique fundraisers—Chefs for Impact.

Get an overview of the education system in Zambia from The Ministry of Education.

Here’s what Wikipedia has to say about education in Zambia.

My thanks to Reshma and the Impact Network for their time and support of the podcast (episode 3 is currently holding the title for most views).  I’ve been out of the loop for a bit between a small vacation and a large cold that took me out of action for a while but I’m back and should have episodes up more regularly going forward.  And there’s this song I like and keep using (pirating apparently) from NOFX.  Thanks fellas!

The Sunday Film Series--Putting a Spotlight on the Underground World of Indie Cinema

Episode 6
August 3, 2015
by Bill Quinn

I live in Brooklyn--a borough alive with artists and filmmakers. Yet their works are too often hard to find. Luckily people like Heather Freudenthal and the "Sunday Film Series" have stepped up to bring films to audiences in intimate settings with moderated discussions. This ongoing series has a broad mission where the selected films "...provide thought-provoking content and engaging stories that highlight a variety of topics, themes and issues, providing the audience with a captivating glimpse into characters and worlds which are underrepresented in traditional film." This episode I talk with Heather about what makes the Sunday Film Series so special. I got an inside glimpse into running a film series as well as what we can expect from the Sunday Film Screening going forward!

Download the episode here.

Visit the web site to learn more about the Sunday Film Series.

The featured film of the month is up here.

If you want to contact heather, find her email address here.

Heather endured technical difficulties and rescheduling to be on this episode so I'm very thankful for her patience and time.  I'd also like to thank Liam Billingham for taking me to a Sunday Film Series screening years ago which ultimately led to this episode.  And NOFX--why you no return my emails?  Thanks for the song all the same.

CityScience--Turning the City into a Laboratory

July 27, 2015
Episode 5
by Bill Quinn

Want to create civic pride through interactive science?  Need ideas and materials for your science classes?  These are two of the many questions this week's ambitious and unique organization wants to help you answer--the Brooklyn-based  CityScience (one word).  I had a chance to visit the office and speak with Thor Snilsberg, the personable and enthusiastic Director who has helmed the organization through it's very successful first five years and is ready to continue innovating New York City's science education.  In this episode we talk about the ways CityScience will help science teachers as well as all the different ways volunteers can get involved.  If you teach science in New York City definitely listen and check out the links below to learn more.

Download episode here.

UPDATE (12/1/15):  Be sure to click here to check out the extra questions and stories that got cut from this episode.

Check out everything CityScience has to offer by visiting their web site.

And they have a Facebook page here.

Thor mentioned the web site "Catch a Fire" which you can find here.

My thanks to Thor and everyone at CityScience for their time.  And how could I forget NOFX, thanks for the song!

Changes since Rana Plaza? Nazma Akter Part 3

July 22, 2015
NGO Report 1 Part 3
by Bill Quinn

I was so honored to speak with human rights leader Nazma Akter I broke our interview into three with this being that third and final piece.  For this part we spoke  briefly about what has happened in Bangladesh since the Rana Plaza factory collapse that claimed well over a thousand lives.  Before this interview I had always seen the improvement of factory conditions as the focus of human and labor rights in Bangladesh and other countries with a history of sweatshops.  But talking with Nazma encouraged me to think of improving the workers' lives beyond the factory.  Listen to hear Nazma make the argument that even safe and fair factories will not improve living conditions.

Download this episode here.

Listen to part one and part two for more of my discussion with Nazma.

Contact the Awaj Foundation with this email address.

Visit the Awaj Foundation's web site here.

I referred to a couple of articles from The Guardian about few corporations acknowledging problems in the supply chain as well as The Gap's reaction to allegations of sweatshop conditions.

And this concludes my three-part interview with Nazma.  My thanks to her for her time and for  earnestly answering every question I had. I look forward to catching up with her again as they continue to improve the lives of millions in Bangladesh.

Nazma Akter and the Awaj Foundation--Helping Hundreds of Thousands of Bangladeshi Workers

July 15, 2015
by Bill Quinn

photo courtesy of GIZ

In part two of my interview with Human Rights advocate Nazma Akter we hear more about the work she and others at the Awaj Foundation are doing to change the lives of hundreds of thousands—if not millions—of people in Bangladesh.  We hear how the foundation is not just trying to improve conditions in factories but holistically trying to improve the lives of those factory workers.  From free healthcare to legal support to safety training, the Awaj Foundation is a major force for change throughout the country.  We hear about the successes, challenges and the future for Nazma and the Awaj Foundation in this part of my interview.

Download this episode here.

Be sure to listen to part 1 to learn more about Nazma’s life as a child worker and transition into the labor movement.

Visit the Awaj Foundation’s web site to learn more about the ways they are transforming Bangladesh.

Check out more highlights of the Awaj Foundation’s work.

If you would like to get in contact with Nazma and the Awaj Foundation, contact them here.

Learn more about Nazma and her award here.

Thank you again to Nazma Akter and the Awaj Foundation for their time.  And thank you to Blessings in Brooklyn, NY who let me sit for hours putting all this together and doing a whole bunch of other things.  If you're in looking for a great neighborhood coffee shop with excellent service you could do a lot worse.

Nazma Akter and the Awaj Foundation--From Child Worker to Powerful Activist

July 13, 2015
NGO Report Episode 1, Part 1
by Bill Quinn

Photo from Cornell's "The Worker Institute"

I was very honored to spend some time speaking with Nazma Akter about her life, work and the future for Bangladeshi garment workers--particularly women.  She has dedicated her life to improving the working and living conditions for workers in Bangladesh as a labor organizer and Executive Director of the Awaj Foundation.  In part one of my interview, Nazma talks about what it was like to start working in a factory when she was 11 years old.  We also hear about her experiences protesting for improved working conditions despite being attacked by hired factory "goons" as well as her transition into becoming a labor leader.

Download the podcast here.

Learn more about the Awaj Foundation by visiting their web site here.

Read up on Nazma Akter here.

Keep an eye out for part two and three of our conversation coming out in a few days by subscribing, and liking the podcast on these sites: Twitter  Facebook

Thank you to Nazma for spending some time speaking with me and thoughtfully answering all my questions.

(Opening song for "NGO Report" provided by Tales Of A Dead Fish (The Freak Fandango Orchestra) / CC BY-SA 3.0)

Episode 4.5--Come Out And Play!

Friday, July 10 2015
by Bill Quinn

Come Out And Play 2015 is only a week away!  I'm excited to be going and even more excited that I was able to speak with Greg Trefry, co-founder of the festival.  In episode 4 we spoke about what to expect and how to get involved.  But we also spoke a little bit about the history of the festival and some of the more memorable moments.  And here it is, my extended interview with Greg:

To download the episode click here.

To learn more about the festival visit their web site.

Check out the real world game designer discussion, "Come Out And Say" at the NYU Game Center.

Want to volunteer? Click here.

Don't want to go alone? Hitch up with my meetup group (no need to RSVP).

Thanks again to Greg for being generous with his time and to NOFX for not complaining that I've been ripping off their song from the beginning.

Oh, and I couldn't resist...

Fledgling Podcast Lands Interview With Major Bangladeshi Labor and Human Rights Advocate, Nazma Akter.

July 9, 2015
by Bill Quinn

I was so worried I actually researched and prepared for the interview.  

I'd like to keep the pretension that this is a professional operation.  But I will take a brief moment to let you know that I somehow landed a big get for the podcast here.  Early yesterday morning I spent some time interviewing one of the most important human rights advocates in Bangladesh.  You see, I have been trying to get in contact with NGOs in developing countries in the hopes of passing on their stories to Americans as part of a new project called NGO Report.  When I first contacted the Awaj Foundation I didn't quite know the size and scope of their work.  However after I scheduled an interview with Nazma Akter, the Foundation's Director, I learned that she is one of the most well-known leaders in Bangladesh and her foundation impacts millions of people.

In 2013 Nazma won the ASTRAIA Female Leader of the Year Award. Channel Four in the UK said she was leading a revolution and called her, "the powerful SGSF union leader who has risen to prominence through her defence of [the] country's female workforce."  Naturally, I was so nervous that I had to stop reading about her before I learned anything else that would ratchet up the pressure of the interview. Luckily, through the magic of audio editing, I have been eliminating much of my nervous stuttering and "ums."  And of course, Nazma was very friendly and open to answering all my questions which helped.

We spoke about her life as an exploited child factory worker, her personal story of being attacked by "goons" for protesting missed payments and the amazing organization that she helped build and lead that came out of those experiences.  I even had a chance to speak with her about the aftermath of the Rana Plaza tragedy, the influence of corporations in Bangladesh and why she won't run for Prime Minister.  Stay tuned--next week I will be posting my interview in three parts.  

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"Come Out And Play"--Maybe The Most Fun You'll Have This Summer!

July 6, 2015--Episode 4

Summer festivals regularly feature a few people performing in front of a mass of passive observers.  But Come Out And Play, hitting New York in mid-July, wants festival goers at the center of the games they have to offer.  In this episode I talk with co-founder and organizer Greg Trefry who walks me through this yearly celebration that turns the city streets and parks into playing fields, game boards and video screens.  Games like "Spaghetti Stand-Off," video games like "Churp Club" and sports like "Circle Rules Football" will be taking over DUMBO and Governor's Island on July 17th and 18th as part of this free event.  The festival will kickoff on July 16 at NYU's Game Center with designers talking about their games, giving attendees an inside view of the creative process.

Download the episode here.

I have to admit, I was pretty excited to do an episode about this festival.  Games are in my DNA as anyone who knows me can attest.  But, as Greg has discovered, they are also a great way to bring together a diverse community.  Moreover, throughout its ten-year history the festival has organized several games with a social conscience.  These include games that find ways of improving a neighborhood, reclaiming public space or educating participants.  For organizations looking to advocate and educate people on social causes, you might find this event has some inspirational ideas.

To learn more about the festival visit their web site.

Check out the real world game designer discussion, "Come Out And Say" at the NYU Game Center.

Want to volunteer?  Click here.

Don't want to go alone?  Hitch up with my meetup group (no need to RSVP).

A huge thanks to Greg for taking time out of his holiday weekend to speak with me.  And as always, a tip of my hat to NOFX for the opener.