Ok people….this groups has been amazing at doing things on the fly, as well as overcoming adversity, beating the odds, and rallying around causes (could I cram anymore clichés in there..I think not). We are scrappy and want to show everyone we can do what they’re doing, and make it bigger, better and definitely more fun.

Just the recap…what is Twestival? Well, here’s the quick and dirty - One in six citizens of the world does not have clean drinking water. The lack of clean drinking water is the source of wars, famine, and disease, and now millions of Twitter users have decided to do something about it. The goal is to raise $5000 at each location. Seems doable right?

That said, cities around the world are scrambling to put on Twestivals. Some example of their efforts are our nemesis in the Net2 world:

Charlotte - http://charlotte.twestival.com/

A raffle for a cruise (compliments of NOLA ex pat @93octane’s employer), gift certificates for local eating and service establishments as well as a Flip Video MiniHD Camcorder giveaway. Tickets to the party are $5, and limited VIP tix run $100 with perks.

Austin - http://austin.twestival.com/

They have folks wresting in sumo suits for entertainment, music by a local band, a presentation by someone who drills wells in Ethiopia, online broadcast of the events, photographer and a silent auction.

There will be media coverage and live streaming of events around the world for this initiative. I think it’s just another opportunity to put New Orleans on the map.

Most folks have found businesses to sponsor the party by donating space, money, giveaways and/or some food. If it’s a bar, drink specials are a nice addition (not looking for freebies necessarily).

So what can we do? Well, if we can secure a spot, find some entertainment (lots of local artist, djs, etc on Twitter now), and some giveaways I think we can make it happen…and of course make a difference. (and connect with some folks who might not know about our little SXSW plan and get some more peeps on the bus).

Come on people…Who’s In?

I wanted to update everyone about my meeting with the Net2NO group. It was an excellent enthusiastic group of people. Granted I was crashing in on their own agenda but they were kind enough to let me mention our drive and efforts on a global scale. I have heard back from the organisers of this global event and it’s rocking! “There will be a tremendous amount of press happening over the next week and a lot of people will be searching for your event and what you are up to. Yesterday we had over 30,000 hits on the website alone.”  I am thrilled to be part of this and would love to give back as a city and a community.

HOW WE WORK

Drilling a well can cost from $4,000 - $ 12,000 and many living on less than $1 a day can not afford one in their community, even if the money is combined.  With the help of exemplary organizations on the ground, we can drill wells and provide people with this basic, essential need. charity: water partners with local organizations in each country where we work, choosing the partners based on expertise and the ability to impact real, sustainable change in the communities they benefit. For more information on how we select our partners, and who we work with, click here.

BUILDING WELLS

The local community is engaged in the well building process, carrying out small tasks for free to reduce labor costs. This also encourages community participation and ensures community ownership after the project is complete. When the well is built, a water committee is formed. It generally consists of 6-8 people, half of them female. In the case of hospitals, the committee will generally consist of nurses and hospital staff. In schools, the committee would likely be comprised of teachers. Since charity: was founded and began activity in August 2006, we have funded the construction of more than 1,247 wells that, when completed, will provide clean drinking water to 650,000 people. We’re just getting started.

$2o can give a person in Africa clean, safe drinking water for 20 years.  100% goes to direct project costs.

Remember, being involved in a bigger cause than your own gives everyone hope and you a legacy!

I sit here on a Saturday morning totally stumped as to what’s next.  Okay I have to be honest this has been more difficult than I thought it would be. Let me explain, when I opened my big mouth on Twitter about New Orleans I had no idea I would be strapped with this huge responsibility. I am actually having second thoughts about doing this. But I am not a quitter, and I have been known to do some crazy things in my life. Make a long story short I have started following as many people from New Orleans as I  could find. Some followed me back and some were indifferent (who could blame them). But forward I march even if it’s to a different tune.

I finally found some movers and shakers in New Orleans (at least on Twitter). Jessica Rohloff, Adele.

They were kind enough to give me the scoop of the New Orleans pulse. Apparently there is a group

( www.net2no.com) that meets the first Tuesday of every month in the back room of the Bridge Lounge. So guess what? I am going to go and see what sort of group this is. Sure they already have their own agenda and I will probably stumble a few times, but what I am hoping is to get some interest for this truly global event. I will let you know what happens, in the meantime please give me as much information regrading what we should do for this event. You can look at all the cities that are participating here and see we are so far behind I would hate for New Orleans to be kicked under the rug, because I did not do my job.

Bottom line is we are in this together. Or so I am told. New Orleans is a great city and I know there are enough of you out there to support this. What would you suggest we do? Maybe some of you have friends in the restaurant/club industry. I was thinking of making a praty out of this. We can have all Twitterlanders meet up and focus on the cause.

Maybe hold a raffle at the door for free tickets. Radio Stations would be a great venue for this. I would love to even see some local artist donate their time or their artwork with “ticket” sales. Look I can create something out of nothing, but I need to hear from you online geeks out there. Can you help? Will you help? What can I do… other than offer you a forum to discuss this.

Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans to the point that many felt we would never recover.  People came from around the nation to help us rebuild, from contractors and companies with know-how, to individuals who just wanted to help.  Now the Big Easy is back into swing and better than it’s ever been; it’s still the best city to dine in, the best place for live music and in the running for top spot in nightlife.

Twitter may still be new to the media locally, but in the city’s defense a lot of us had never heard of twitter unless we watched CNN. All that aside I have noticed in the last couple of months that more and more New Orlenians are on Twitter. From online geeks to local businesses, hear us. We firmly believe we can dive into this great cause for all the right reasons, more importantly we would like to be part of this great movement.

Now it’s time to prove that we can be just as caring and giving.  On February 12th, 2009, over one hundred cities worldwide will be hosting Twestivals, or Twitter festivals.  Our company will be the host for New Orleans.

All those who Twitter, as well as those who just wish to lend a helping hand, are being called together on February 12th for fun, festivities and a great cause – bringing sustainable, clean water to developing and underdeveloped countries.

Here are the facts:

•    1.1 billion people have no access to clean, drinkable water.  One in six people worldwide.
•    80% of all sickness and disease is caused by unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation.
•    More people die from these diseases every year than from all forms of violence, even war.
•    Although many communities have clean drinking water underground, they’re unable to access it.
•    One well can change a lot for a community.
•    One well costs anywhere from $4,000 - $12,000 to drill.
•    100% of the proceeds from the Twestival go to Charity: Water to drill these wells.

So, on February 12th, I’d like to invite you to join Level 343, Twitter and thousands of people around the world in this great cause.

Our first goal is $4,000.  If 100 people contribute $40 each, we’ll reach that goal.  The second goal is $12,000.  If those same 100 people contribute $120, we’ll reach the high goal.

Stayed tuned for further Twestival information, the New Orleans festival specifically, and an update on the goals.  More information about this wonderful cause, as well as a list of participating cities can be found.

I would like to hear from all the local media/advertising agencies, universities, radio stations, TV stations, etc. Therefore after you read this please send it to everyone you know who is online. I hope to see you there!

Please Follow all updates on the Location and EXACTELY what we will be doing on this date here

The Twestival is organized 100% by volunteers in cities around the world and 100% of the money raised from these events will go directly to support charity: water projects.

Lets show them how it’s done in the South. I will contact a business in the French Quarter for everyone to join us and make this a special day.  I wanna hear from all of y’all out there. Sign up and let us show them how it’s done.

By rallying together globally, under short timescales, for a single aim on the same day, the Twestival hopes to bring awareness to this global crisis.

charity: water is a non profit organization bringing clean, safe drinking water to people in developing nations by funding sustainable clean water solutions in areas of greatest need.

Right now 1.1 billion people on the planet don’t have access to safe, clean drinking water. That’s one in six of us.

Unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation cause 80% of all sickness and disease, and kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war.

Many communities in developing nations often have a plentiful supply of clean drinking water just below the ground, but no way to get to it.

This is where charity: water and their partner organizations come in. Drilling a well can cost from $4,000 - $12,000 USD and many living on less than $1 a day cannot afford one in their community, even if the money is combined.

Twestival cities might consider setting a goal to raise enough money from their event to fund a well in Ethiopia which costs $4,000 USD.

We all know that Twitter can be a powerful communications tool. It can connect, mobilize and inform people around the world instantly.

Those of us on Twitter know of its ability to organically create interesting communities from those people who find and follow each other. It is proven from the first Twestival that bringing the Twittersphere together for a special event is not only a memorable night; it has momentum to bring about social change.

This website has been designed as a simple portal where each Twestival city organizer will be assigned a webpage to update their event information, post news, blogs, photo and video content.