Right now Jason is probably sitting in coach, enjoying something like Night at the Museum while he sips a diet coke.

For us, the blog must go on. Today, I'll take you through a tour of things already written--namely, our strategy guides. We get requests often on how people are actually using the DIA tools to effectively make change in their communities. There's a ton of guides out there, and we jumped on that bandwagon with --hopefully-- a progressive bend on gettin' things done online.

This photo comes from a set chronicling the January 27 peace march in DC.

Start out by sending your pals an E-Card to show that you care, courtesy of Oceana.

Don't forget the administration! Ask them to lead the way in defending the whales. Whale hunting for commercial purposes must be stopped, calm returned to the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary, and the government of the United States must stand up with its citizens for the whales and the oceans that give them life.

Still not sure what to get your Valentine? How about a special gift that is sure to warm their hearts and cool the planet.

The caption reads "Spray-painted on a sidewalk in Andersonville, Chicago." and was taken from Amanjo's photostream.

We have a brand new group up on Flickr, so join us if you like.

Tangible results. Hmmmm, how sweet you are. Proof that organizations do make change in their communities, presented to you in bite size pieces.

-Due in part of the efforts of DIA community members NCADP and North Carolina Coalition for a Moratorium, North Carolina just imposed a death penalty moratorium. What's a moratorium? A two-year suspension of executions. Death penalty trials and appeals will not be suspended. People can still be sentenced to death. Says Jason, “It's huge for a southern state to do that. NC would be the current odds-on for the first southern state to abolish down the road.” Still a long battle to be won, but great progress nonetheless.

Hmmm, what to get your pals for the holidays? I present to you:

DIA's Alternative Gift Giving Guide

Get something cool this year—there are plenty of organizations selling interesting merchandise

Democracy. It's a Gorgeous Thing. Check out the MMob's democracy-inspired holiday gift ideas.

Be a PEER Undercover Activist, with shorts to match.

Get the War Tapes DVD from IAVA. ASAP.

Do you stand on the side of love? Prove it with a UUA T-shirt.

Order the DVD that shows the solution to our healthcare mess

From Violence To Wholeness, in paperback.

Are you for Safe Access? Get the gear.

Check out the latest DIA QuickTip: Using Social Networking Websites (pdf)

In fact, collect them all.

DIA members Students for a Sensible Drug Policy hashin' it out on Fox News over home drug testing kits.

Piggybacking off Jason (affectionately known to us as JZ), here are my top 4 blogs for a good time.

• Gallery of the Absurd
• Blogging Project Runway
• Pink is the New Blog
• DCist
  

...and one about social networking. I couldn't help myself.

Lately, it seems Myspace.com is becoming integrated into many a nonprofit organization's marketing plan. Well, why not? It's free, and you have the opportunity to reach millions of youngsters and not so youngsters at the same time. With a little effort, your organization's Myspace profile can effectively help grow your list and increase visibility within the progressive community. Here, I've compiled some best practices that have emerged so far.

• Have a sign up box for your newsletter right on your profile.
• Include organizational info, but in a casual tone. You don't have to SpEEk lik Da kIdz, but keep it light.
• Using one of the profile generators to create custom colors and design for your page shows that you know what you're doing. It's really a matter of cutting and pasting some pre-generated html, and you can do that! 
• Your top 8 ( or 12, or 16) shows your organizational allies. Here's where you display your "best buds", issue wise. It gives individuals visiting your profile a good feel of what you're all about. If you're a member-driven organization, just have individuals as top 8.
• Don't overdo the bulletins. If you have something important to say, direct people to your Myspace blog.
• "Thanks for the add" is important. It shows appreciation and allows you to get more visibility on other people's profile pages. 
• Don't add just anyone; numbers are great but keep your organization's integrity in check.
• Myspace groups are a great way to align yourself with like minded individuals. They're not a place to spam about your issue, but casual participation in groups will build rapport. 
• Branding-it's not beneath you. Use your organization's logo as your main picture. You can add fun pictures of a rally you attended and staff members to the rest of your picture area

Oh yeah, add us.