In 2008, the summer solstice will occur at 23:59 hours UT on 20th June (Friday). It is the first time since 1975 that it hasn’t occurred on 21st June. The summer solstice is, as you may know, the longest day of the western hemisphere.
To celebrate, taxgirl, the Business Channel and b5media are having The Great Blog Off on June 20. Here’s the scoop:
1, At taxgirl.com – and all over b5media – we will blog at least once per hour for each hour of the day beginning at midnight our time (I’m EST). Yep, that’s 24 hours straight blogging.
2, NO pre-posting allowed. So, everything that is posted will be fresh – or as fresh as can be whilst sleep deprived.
3, Guest bloggers ARE allowed and are, in fact, highly encouraged.
Yep, that last part means that I’m going to be looking for some guest bloggers. Ideally, you would agree to “cover” for me some time between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. EST on June 20. But even if those times don’t work for you, I’d love to have you participate. Send me an email (look for my email link in the sidebar) if you’d like to be on the guest post list (I’ll get you confirmations, how tos and more details later). You don’t have to be a tax pro or a tax guru – but you do have to write something about tax (even if it’s that you don’t like it) for the Great Blog Off.
And it gets better.
The Great Blog Off is also an opportunity to do something good. The Business Channel will be taking charitable pledges (details forthcoming). If, for example, you want to donate $1 for every hour that I blog on June 20, you would donate $24. Obviously, flat donations are also appreciated. No need to pull out your wallet now – there will be more information about this closer to the date.
The b5media Business Channel will be supporting Accion International as our charity for the Great Blog Off. The mission of Accion is:
to give people the tools they need to work their way out of poverty. By providing microloans, business training and other financial services to poor men and women who start their own businesses, ACCION’s partner lending organizations help people work their own way up the economic ladder, with dignity and pride. With just a little capital, people can grow their own businesses. They can earn enough to afford basics like running water, better food and schooling for their children.
Basically, Accion helps small businesses all over the world to become established through small, manageable loans and business advice. This concept of microlending is fabulous and their payback record is impressive.
Charity Navigator gives Accion their highest rating for, among other things, having a low administrative expenses to donations ratio.
I am really excited about this event. I predict that it will be the most fun day of the year to read my blog! Keep checking by for details…
That sounds like an awesome idea! I probably won’t be reading it every hour but I should do it for most hours I’m awake. 🙂
Kelly, I’m a night owl so I can contribute an item in the wee hours of 6/20. Toward the 1 to 2 a.m. slot would be better, as the hubby will nag me to finally give sleep a try if it gets later than that!
Kay
Kay, you are terrific! Thanks, I will be in touch!