The National Archives is more than just the nation's record keeper and protector of records. It is the steward of the American story that preserves the past to protect the future. The records it holds are the original sources of that story, documenting the collective history of our nation through the actions of individuals and institutions.

There are six “go to” topics in the IBM Center’s Resource Center for incoming new political appointees as well as for veteran career executives preparing for the new year ahead Topic 1:  Helping New Leaders Succeed.  The IBM Center has updated its two most popular books for new leaders in government:

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One of the most effective means to diminish the risk is to develop, enforce, and routinely update a social media use policy. By doing so, agencies can greatly decrease the likelihood of highway mishaps. Responding to the Risks

Americans, even before they were Americans, have always practiced participatory government. The Mayflower Compact, one of the most famous examples of citizen participation in governance, was written and signed before its authors set foot on Plymouth Rock. This story continued into the 20th century with constitutional amendments that enfranchised more citizens and carries on today with the explosion of government websites used by citizens to comment on pending rules, or in private companies that enable citizens to send legislators

The combination of the “fiscal cliff”—involving debts, deficits, budgets, taxes—combined with the opportunities facing the administration, as well as the increased power of the Internet, social media, and “Big Data,” place government leaders in uncharted waters that hold the potential for great challenges, but also great opportunities. Now more than ever, stakeholders in the success of government must come forward with creative approaches to solving seemingly intractable problems.

I'm in Seoul, South Korea, this week for a Global e-Government Forum.  Seoul is 13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, so for more than half the day, it's tomorrow.  But that's not the only way that Seoul is in the future.  The smell of kimchi mixes with the omnipresent electronica of smartphone rings and tablet notifications.  The Samsung building is visible from my hotel room, and its logo appears on at a majority of devices I've seen in this city.

Technology and new innovations are changing the world in which we live. The U.S. Department of State has sought to leverage these new innovations in service of its diplomatic and development goals -- leveraging the networks, technologies, and demographics of the interconnected world. In this dynamic global landscape, State has also sought to restructure its organization and how it operates. Advancing diplomacy by pursuing effective knowledge-sharing as well as expanding the use of collaborative technology.

Though informing is the first rung in the public participation ladder, it is the second step, consulting, that two—way communication and the promises it entails become paramount.

There are many roles for social media within government agencies. Joshua Joseph of the Partnership for Public Service is spearheading research into one area: improving operations.  We had a lively, discursive conversation yesterday not only about how social media can be used at various points in an agency’s project life-cycle, but about how the Partnership can use social media in the creation of the report itself.