Amy Sample Ward

Any Milwaukie / SE Portland watch repair (bonus points if they could also fix a music box) that folks recommend? #PDX

A mini investigation into the surveillance pricing ban making its way through Portland City Council. The ordinance is scheduled for a first reading before the full council on November 4.

Just saw Wildwood and they did such a great job with all the little bits of Portland for locals to see and adore while also showing the most impressive level of detail, heart, and humanity. People create incredible things with their hands. Art, love, stories.

If you live in Clackamas County, PLEASE consider running for office. There aren’t nearly enough good folks running out there.

Oregon is the first state to have every Democratic Member of Congress as a cosponsor of Medicare for All! This is a huge step forward towards making universal healthcare a reality in this country. Which state will be next?

On Oct.14, community members rallied at City Hall to oppose PGE’s Harborton Reliability Project, followed by a land use hearing where opposition testimony far outweighed support. The public comment deadline has been extended to 10/21 at 4 p.m. Take action now! birdallianceoregon.org/take-action/...

Please answer this ONE question (by Oct 20) in KATU poll to support daylighting intersections! 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗣𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘁-𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝘂𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆? 403 Votes Oct 16 say: Yes, clear blocked corners 81% Yes, after a safety review 11% No, keep current rules 8% katu.com/news/local/p...

After another shooting and the raid on Ilhan Omar's home, Rep. Delia Ramirez says abolishing ICE isn't enough. She has introduced a bill to "dismantle" the entire Department of Homeland Security.

People are pushing back against Amazon drone deliveries across the country. It's now time for Portlanders to learn about Amazon's drone delivery plans. Amazon's pre-permitting conference with City of Portland is on October 21st. youtu.be/gOu8-ZvvwJY?...

It's World Homeless Day, and I'll just say: Homelessness isn't some great unsolvable mystery. People are homeless because they don't have homes. This suffering persists not for lack of solutions, but because enormous wealth and power are invested in maintaining the very structures that produce it.

Should Portland police test new tech without oversight from the new Office of Data & Privacy? Should they be able to write their own tech policy/procedures? Should they have to send an alert/press release if they plan to pilot new tech? You can have your say - public comment through Oct 31.

Out now: IOI's 2026 State of Open Infrastructure report. 🧵 We’ve analyzed more than US$663 million in open infrastructure grant funding across 1,065 awards and 94 open infrastructures from 2021-2026. What we found is something we can't stop thinking about. 1/3 investinopen.org/blog/the-202...

Have feelings, ideas, dreams about digital equity in Portland? Join for an afternoon to do that dreaming together! We are meeting at a library so it is free, language and other accessibility options available. No qualifications to join - your loved experience is all relevant! #PDX #DigitalEquity

Everything is choices.

Comments are still open for the NIST framework for evaluation of AI systems: nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/ai/...

I want to find folks following, discussing, and invested in local politics in Milwaukie - I know so much of my daily life bleeds into SE PDX generally, but where are the Milwaukie people/friends? Please say hi!

Got covid+flu shots today and grateful for local places like Le Care that both make it super easy and do it with such gentleness that even kiddos feel seen and at ease.

Prepping for a workshop on Wednesday about researching surveillance tech use in Portland & filing public records requests (see next post). I gave a similar talk @pdxhackerspace.org for @pdxhf.org. Here's the tips and resources page I'll share at the workshop: redtailmedia.org/foia/

Calling all #NPTech friends in #Portland - the next #PDXTechClub event is 9/16 & it's community research night: bring reports you've found interesting, research you're tracking, or data you want to think through together. There's no need to prepare a presentation! RSVP: www.nten.org/connect/comm...

The summer issue of Oregon Humanities, "Revolution," is out today, featuring stories by @leahsottile.bsky.social, @voiceofjakethomas.bsky.social, Kathleen Dean Moore, Kristian Williams, Christina DeVillier, and Derek DeForest. oregonhumanities.org/rll/magazine...

Civic tech friends -- you may not know but there's a PIT pop up in the Oculus run by a wonderful CUNY team: nycpitpopup.org

Excited to share @portlandmercury.com 's climate issue, which is out online and in print today. The issue includes stories about personal climate grief and despair, Portland's culpability in the crisis, and the people who want to help. (Plus more!) www.portlandmercury.com/climate-issu...

The world I want to live in prioritizes public transit and ped/bike safety over everything else because those investments help everyone in diverse and accessible ways. I said so in this survey and hope lots of folks will add their voices too!

Does it count for anything if I stand on my porch and shout "I declare bankruptcy" before I give up and archive all the email in my inbox that I seem to never get to?

So grateful for all the Portlanders committed to old school "live tweeting" of city council meetings but especially today's Moda center agenda. On a plane, unreliable wifi, but grateful for all your updates!

Afua and I are on the latest @tonymart.bsky.social #NonprofitRadio podcast discussing a new AI report and what it means for the nonprofit workforce. Despite the show's title, please know we never calls ourselves "experts" :) Listen to the show now: tony.ma/NonprofitRad... #NPTech

Portland area #NPTech folks: it's Tech Club time! Join us tomorrow (Wed, July 15) evening to talk about cybersecurity for nonprofits - it's so scary! And, if we are together then we are less scared and can actually do something about it. 6-8 pm at PCC Cascade; FREE and fun, the best people! RSVP:

Didn't realize how much I needed a good, heart-full cry today. This did it.

Just in time for #Bike Summer, it's the #PCEF -funded Adaptive E-bike Rebate Program! * $8,500 new adaptive e-bikes OR * Up to $2,800 for electric/wheelchair conversions; AND * $300 for approved accessories Learn more and apply: portlandebikerebate.com/adaptive-app...

NTEN and @bridgespangroup.bsky.social have partnered on a survey to help document the diversity of experiences and approaches to #AI in #nonprofits and we want to hear from you! This is a survey to help elevate the diversity of priorities, concerns, and hopes for tech: www.surveymonkey.com/r/5277QR7

One year ago, this administration walked away from a bipartisan commitment to help connect every American, regardless of income, zip code, or language. You can't lead in AI with a workforce locked out of the digital economy. It is time to restore Digital Equity Act funding now.

NEW: Ahead of our meetings with @massgovernor.bsky.social and @massago.bsky.social this week @fightforthefuture.org is sharing a draft of proposed alternative social media legislation. Our model bill cracks down on Big Tech abuses without destroying privacy and throwing LGBTQ+ youth under the bus.

Portland, OR friends - it's time for the next Tech Club event! Join us to talk about concerns, risks, and your biggest questions about AI as we explore PCC's new AI Lab. What is the world we want to create? Let's talk about it together! www.nten.org/connect/comm...

I simply cannot hold it in any longer: We're running a workshop at @facct.bsky.social! 🎉 Alongside @renjieb.bsky.social @ftollon.bsky.social and Christine R. Kirkpatrick, I will be facilitating a workshop at the intersection of futures thinking, dialogue and AI governance 🔮 doi.org/10.5281/zeno...

#NonprofitRadio returns with a two-part podcast: first, Rubin Singh of OneTenth Consulting on human factors in nonprofit tech adoption and management; then @amysampleward.bsky.social, NTEN’s CEO, covers everything about #26NTC.

Can we build a more shared resource in space than we have yet to do on earth? Join me and some incredible guests for an @openlunar.bsky.social conversation tomorrow to explore big questions together. When is the moon truly for everyone? 9 am PT | 6 pm CET openlunar.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

Hey folks, we're hiring an Organizing Director! Location: Portland, OR Position Type: Full-time exempt at 32 hours Salary: $95,000 Benefits: $500 monthly healthcare stipend, generous PTO, flexible schedule, hybrid work options, professional development portlandneighborswelcome.org/hiring

I wrote about the House hearing today, how Congress is trying to strip anonymity from the Internet, and the devastating effects that has for journalists, whistleblowers, LGBTQ ppl, immigrants, civil rights activists, abortion providers and anyone challenging power for @theintercept.com

If there are funders waiting for the "right time" to support us anonymizing participant / service recipient data in vulnerable nonprofits, this is it. Demand for our security cohorts is through the roof but funders are telling me "security isn't something we've heard from our grantees." We're ready.

It doesn't have to be this way. We belong to each other. All of the children belong to all of us. Our responsibility is to each other. My heart breaks open over again every day with grief in service to breaking open to a better world. Let us build from grief toward love.

An article in the NYT today revealed Meta’s plan to take advantage of current political turmoil to sneak facial recognition into their smart glasses without enforcement bodies or privacy advocates noticing. But EPIC has noticed—and is ensuring that enforcers do, too. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/t...

Joseph Gordon-Levitt made a 12-minute response video to people mad at him supporting mass surveillance and censorship, and somehow got even MORE wrong about Section 230 than his original congressional testimony.

30 countries use mail voting

I brought an actual desk out into the snow and gathered a bunch of my neighbors to sing this anti-ICE protest song. On the desk is: -A mug from the North Dakota AFL-CIO I happened to have in my cabinet, containing two (2) pride flags -A photo of Anne Feeney -A sign that reads "Abolish ICE"

Local #PDX area tech + social good friends, there's still time to join us this afternoon to help launch the Portland Nonprofit Tech Club! Come network, help suggest future topics/speakers, and spend some time with good people. www.nten.org/connect/comm...

Thank you @wyden.senate.gov (see thread) - we need everyone joining these efforts. Surveillance tech is fueling violence across our country and communities. Call on your elected leaders to stop it: www.fightforthefuture.org/actions/no-f...

At a time when millions of families are already struggling with the rising cost of living, the FCC should be focused on making connectivity more affordable. Instead, it is erecting new barriers that risk raising phone and internet bills for the people who can least afford it. 🧵