What are people saying about you online?

The Social Media Policy Toolkit You’ve set up your Facebook page and Twitter account, maybe a Tumblr, pinned your interests on Pinterest, and connected with the professional world on LinkedIn. How do you make sure that once your presence is out there, it doesn't get you into any trouble? That’s where a social media policy can come in handy. A social media policy is a document that outlines for you and your entire staff what belongs on social media--and what does not. No matter what size your organization is, developing your own policy can be an extremely worthwhile exercise, but there are a lot of questions to ask, and it’s often difficult to find the right answers on your own. Let us help. A well-defined policy can help you better understand your social media presence, create a voice that exemplifies your organization’s values, and protect you from questionable content. Starting February 19, we are offering The Social Media Policy Toolkit, a three-week course designed to help you create a social media policy in real time with plenty of support from Idealware’s experts. Over three weeks, we’ll break down all the critical elements of a social media policy and help you create your own. We’ll take our time discussing how you can create a policy that suits your organizational values, what to do if someone says something negative about your organization online, and how you can navigate that tricky intersection between the personal and professional that is a reality for the social media environment. Along the way, you’ll use Idealware’s Nonprofit Social Media Policy Workbook to make sure your policy is comprehensive and easy to use. At the end of the class, you’ll walk away with a clear vision for your organization’s online presence, and have a document to show for all your hard work. Want to hear more about the course? Check out this promotional video with your teacher, Andrea Berry, discussing a few topics from the session. Watch the video here>>> Ready to register? Click here. This course is our lowest cost intensive toolkit of the spring, and there's never been a better time to check out our online seminars. ________________ You received this email because you signed up for Idealware updates. If you are no longer interested in hearing from us,click here to unsubscribe. Idealware | 1 Pleasant St., Suite 4E | Portland ME | 04101

Tumblr: When You Work at a Nonprofit

http://workingatanonprofit.tumblr.com/

New Webinars to Start Summer Off Right from NYCON

April Showers Bring May Flowers and lots of NEW Webinars! New Webinars All Month Long!

Know Thy Self: Assessing Organizational Readiness When Taking on the World of Restructuring [Lunch & Learn Webinar] Presented by Doug Sauer, CEO,  New York Council of Nonprofits, Inc. Tuesday May 7th, 2013    11:00am to 12:30pm    Register Now      Affiliation discussions are a discovery process - uncovering and clarifying motivations, interests, organizational facts and circumstances, strengths and weaknesses. It is a process where potential partners learn about each other and yes, learn about themselves as well. Successful affiliation talks depend largely on each party being prepared, as transparency starts internally first. The more clarity your board and staff leadership can get as to the organization's true operational, fiscal, and "mission" health, the better positioned the organization will be in type of restructuring or collaboration. This webinar, led by our seasoned restructuring expert, Doug Sauer CEO, will guide attendees as to the questions that you should first ask yourselves and then extend to your potential partner.  Register Now Flexible Spending Account Program Through NYCON New York Council of Nonprofits, Inc. Tuesday May 9th, 2013    11:00am to 12:00pm    Register Now      Did you know that an  FSA (Flexible Spending Account) is a great way for you can help your employees  save money on day care and health care services as well as over-the-counter items for themselves and their family members. When you put an FSA in place at your organization, your employees can contribute money deducted from their salary, before taxes are withheld and use this money to pay for eligible expenses. This also means that your nonprofit pays less in payroll  taxes along with the wonderful benefit to your employees. Join us on May 9th to hear more about how this benefits your nonprofit, including all the plan details, the process of enrollment, plan features - including debit card, and more about NYCON's services as administration Register Now NYCON Membership Benefits Orientation [Webinar] Good for Prospective, New & Returning Members! May 17th or June 14th - Your Choice Register Now  In our "Get to Know Us" Sessions, NYCON staff will tell you a lot more about our membership benefits - and answer all the questions you have regarding our process, costs and what you get for FREE.  We will be talking about these benefits. Nonprofit Training, Education and Professional Assistance  Cost Savings Solutions for Nonprofits The Nonprofit Voice in New York State    Register Now  Life Insurance Program Through NYCON Presented by Eric Laughlin, Licensed Representative, Council Services Plus The New York Council of Nonprofits, Inc. Tuesday May 23rd, 2013    11:00am to 12:00pm    Register Now      NYCON is pleased to bring an affordable, accessible Life Insurance option to the employees of our Member organizations through MetLife. MetLife is the leader in Group Life Insurance and is in a unique position to help provide the right plan for you as employers - not just today, but over time - to meet the changing needs of businesses and your employees. Many employees purchase life insurance through their workplace, it's a critical part of a company's benefits package - helping employees achieve financial security for their families. You can help employees feel that security by adding Life insurance to their suite of benefits.Join us on May 23rd to hear more about how this benefits your nonprofit, including all the plan details, the process of enrollment, cost and more. Register Now Social Media Myth Busting: If You Build It, Will They Come? [Lunch & Learn Webinar] Presented by Andrew Marietta, Regional Manager, Central NY Office, NYCON and Valerie Venezia, Vice President, Membership & Marketing, NYCON June 14th, 2013 11:00am to 12:30pm  Register Now  Sometimes it seems like there's a new hot social media tool launched every day of the week. Figuring out what these tools do, how our nonprofit should use them, and frankly, if you need to use these tools can boggle anyone's mind. As busy nonprofit staff and board members we need to know what specific tool do we use for our specific goals? How do we measure success? This webinar will help cut through the clutter of social media mayhem and help you simplify, refocus, and target social media tools based on organizational needs and a focused message (and maybe even some actual metrics!)   Register Now

Social Media a Tool for Area Groups

Social Media a Tool for Area Groups

By Mark Boshnack

Facebook, Twitter — those are some of the social media platforms popular in today’s society. 

Most area organizations and people interviewed about the subject said that at least some form of this interactive style of communications is important to their efforts.

“We can’t be face-to-face with everyone,” but this can create the next best thing, Vibrant Creative President Chris Quereau said. The company is a brand development and advertising agency with offices in Oneonta and other locations. 

“For a membership organization it is a must,” he said.

Social media provides an opportunity to share information and communicate online, he said. Beyond Facebook and Twitter, LinkedIn is used to make make professional connections, as well listservs that allow members to share articles and comments.

To be successful on one of these platforms, an organization or business has to focus its content, Quereau said. Some make the mistake of thinking they need different material for each, he said, but sometimes the same information that appears in a newsletter can be used on Facebook. If something doesn’t work, the idea is to find the right mixture, he said.

Whatever happens in terms of popularity of a particular platform, “this type of communication is not going anywhere,” Quereau said. It’s important for businesses and other organizations to have have a “comfort level” with it. It’s not a replacement for other media. Instead, “it’s another tool in the tool box,” he said.

Kim MacLeod, State University College of Technology at Delhi director of communications and new media, said the college started working with Vibrant Creative several years ago to find better ways to use social media. It has become an important part of the college’s communications.

When it started, the college wanted to better reach alumni and increase participation in their events, MacLeod said. It now is used to reach prospective students.

The college needed some plan to reach out to alumni beyond the traditional newsletter, she said. Starting with a postcard invitation to the alumni Facebook page, it now has more than 2,000 “likes” — or followers.

Social media provides more of a “conversation” than traditional methods. She sees it as “an enhancement to what we were doing.”

The most popular form is Facebook — that was where most of the alumni and students were when the effort started. It now uses such forms as Twitter and LinkedIn.

A web engagement intern works with her to keep social media “relevant,” she said. Currently Corey LaMonica fills the post. He did a survey of incoming freshmen that showed that Instagram, that shares pictures, is very popular. “We are trying to find ways to incorporate that into our strategy,” she said.

The one person who said the newer forms of communication were not useful for her purposes was Gilbertsville and Butternuts historian Leigh Eckmair.

While she uses the Internet extensively, “I do not use any social media,” she said. She is active in historic preservation and local history but keeps in touch with contacts through phone calls and email.

“When I contact people it’s about a specific request. I’d rather talk on the telephone, I get a much better feel with the personal contact.”

Otsego Chamber Executive Director Barbara Ann Heegan said social media is an important part of the mixture of tools her organization uses to promote its activities and message. Traditional media, including newspaper and radio, will always be an important way to reach people. However, she is also using newer ways such as Facebook and LinkedIn.

As director of marketing at the Plains of Parish Homestead for five years she learned to use social media as a means to help reach people. She brought those skills to the chamber when she started last year.

Sustainable Otsego started in 2007 over a concern over environmental issues, moderator Adrian Kuzminski said. When fracking became a point of focus a year later it was a natural issue for the group to oppose.

Through its listserv, it built up a group of 700 subscribers to present news and information important to its members. The organization is tied together by the social network that allows people to share information.

He is not a Facebook user and said it was less useful for this type of organization that is more “word of mouth” and fostered by the listserv.

One of the reasons that a community effort got so big last year to help the Unatego Central School deal with tough budget issues was its Facebook page, co-chairman Florian Reyda said.

The organization had a Facebook page with 550 members. There is 41 this year.

If he had to do it all over again, Reyda said he would have made sure that ground rules were in place so negative language used on the page would have resulted in a person being removed. 

Without that, a small group polarized the discussions, and the page was taken down last spring. When it was restored this year, there were fewer people involved. That may have contributed to reduced participation this year, he said.

For the online article click here.

Ideal Ware:Best February 2013

Best of the Web: February 2013

The Idealware “Best of the Web” is a monthly roundup of the top nonprofit resources from the Idealware blog, our Facebook page, and our Twitter feed to help you make the right technology decisions.

Infographic: Social Media’s Impact on Giving in 2012 (Nonprofit Quarterly) 

A look at how social media has affected online giving.

How-to: Quickly Optimize Your Website for Mobile Devices (NTEN)

How do you get the most bang for your buck when investing in the mobile web?

On Demand Tactical Technology Planning (Idealware)

All your tactical technology planning needs in one on-demand package to solve your organization's current problems and avoid future issues.

Secrets to Finding Out What You Need - Good Questions to Ask During a Technology Assessment (The Data Bank)

When you start by asking the right questions, your organization will be in the best place to plan for the future.

Getting Started With Data-Driven Decision Making: A Workbook (Idealware/NTEN)

Could you use more help thinking through how to use data to help your organization make decisions? This workbook Idealware prepared for NTEN is the perfect place to start.

I Could Be Your Next Monthly Donor. So Call Me, Maybe? (NTEN)

Tips on how to recruit, retain, and upgrade monthly donors.

5 Smartphone Apps for Nonprofits (About.com)

Use these apps to keep up with the rapid growth of mobile.

The eMail Guide Email Marketing Glossary (The eMail Guide)

The 325 email marketing terms everyone needs to know.

Power through schedules with 21 Google Calendar tricks (PC World)

Save time and increase your organization's productivity by becoming a Google Calendar whiz.

A Guide to Synagogue Management: Research and Recommendations (Idealware)
We looked at a variety of donor and constituent management systems to create an overview for a complex and niche market

Pew Report: How internet and social media have transformed the arts

How internet and social media have transformed the arts
By: Peggy McGlone/The Star-Ledger

Social media has become a new way for arts organizations to promote their work, attract new audiences, as well as advertise themselves. Audiences have become more diverse, attracting younger people to the organizations.

For the full story click here

Idealware's Upcoming June Trainings: Technology and Social Media Tools for Your Nonprofit

June 2012

Idealware's Upcoming Online Training

Have you heard about "the Cloud" but don't know what it is? Or are you just not sure how it compares to traditional software? Idealware has you covered with TWO seminars this week. Tomorrow, Idealware and NTEN present the findings from their "2012 State of the Nonprofit Cloud" report in a free seminar, The State of the Nonprofit Cloud. On Thursday, delve deeper into online software and see how it stacks up with Comparing Google Apps to Outlook. 

Later this month, expand your tech knowledge with some Idealware crowd favorites. Learn how to monitor your website traffic with Google Analytics, AWStats and more in Introduction to Website Analytics, or learn the best practices of creating online surveys with the free Online Survey Tools and Techniques seminar.

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TOMORROW: The State of the Nonprofit Cloud: Results of the Study
May 30, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Eastern. $0.00
Consultants and advertisements alike are urging nonprofits "to The Cloud," but how many have heeded the call? Are organizations actually using it? To answer these questions and more, NTEN and Idealware surveyed 780 nonprofits nationwide about how they used hosted software.
Read more or register > 

THIS WEEK: Comparing Google Apps With Outlook
May 31, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm Eastern. $40.00
Google Apps provides a compelling set of features -- from email to calendars to a organizational portal to shared documents -- that gives Outlook a run for its money at a fraction of the  cost. We'll demo the main components of Google Apps, talk about administrating it as an organization, and show how it compares to Microsoft Outlook. This session is geared for those familiar with Outlook who want an introduction to Google Apps.
Read more or register > 

Choosing a Volunteer Management System
June 7, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm Eastern. $40.00
How do you keep track of your volunteers? Do you still use pen and paper? Should you buy a new tool for tracking volunteers, or use one that you already have?
Read more or register > 

FREE: Online Survey Tools and Techniques
June 14, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Eastern. $0.00
We'll talk through the tools (and demo a few) that can help you create online surveys, from low cost options to more robust ones. We'll wind up with best practices on designing a solid and reputable online recruiting participants and analyzing the data.
Read more or register > 

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Have you been asked to take a lot of online surveys and always thought you could make a better one? Learn how with the free seminar, Online Survey Tools and Techniques.

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Branding Through Social Media
June 21, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm Eastern. $40.00
In this session we will dive into the concept of branding through the lens of social media. Taking a detailed look at how you can create, refine and manage your brand message and personality through social media, this class will explore how what you say and how you say it impacts people's impressions of your organization.
Read more or register > 

Introduction to Website Analytics
June 28, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm Eastern. $40.00
How many people visit your Web site? What are they doing there? Through demos of AWStats and Google Analytics, we’ll look at what analytics packages can tell you about your site.
Read more or register > 

Telling Your Story with Blogs, Photos, and Videos
July 12, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm Eastern. $40.00
How do you convey the great work your organization is doing with blogs, photos and videos? These tools are powerful ways to share the difference you're making in the world.  We’ll cover the principles of good storytelling, look at examples and research about what’s working for nonprofits, and then discuss the tools that can help you put them online.
Read more or register > 

New Mapping Tool Fosters Strategic Grantmaking in Education

New York, NY — October 12, 2010. The Foundation Center has launched Philanthropy In/Sight®: Education, an innovative data visualization tool that helps grantmakers maximize their investments in education. The tool is available through the organization's Foundations for Education Excellence web portal, a knowledge hub for funders researching best practices and funding opportunities in the field. Through support from the C.S. Mott and JPMorgan Chase foundations, education funders can register to use the tool free of charge at the project web site.

"Foundations are driving fundamental change in our system of education," said Foundation Center president, Bradford Smith. "Now more than ever, they are looking to be more strategic and to increase the impact of their grantmaking. Philanthropy In/Sight: Education, gives them a virtual GPS for tracking the flow of education funds, whether it's across the country, around the world, or in their own backyards."

Philanthropy In/Sight: Education, a customized version of the Foundation Center's Philanthropy In/Sight® mapping tool, is the only resource of its kind to offer comprehensive data on who is giving and who is getting grants across all areas of education, from pre-K learning to preparation for college and career. More than 1,100 grant subject terms can be chosen to hone in on programmatic areas. In addition, a menu of geo-targeting tools allows grantmakers to map the locations of organizations and determine funding gaps in countries, states, cities, counties, metropolitan areas, and ZIP codes — as well as in school and congressional districts. By combining the Center's data with Google maps, grantmakers can quickly view information on funding relationships and giving trends in engaging visual formats.

According to product manager, Dave Clark, "Philanthropy In/Sight: Education is a powerful tool that can help grantmakers better target their programs. The ability to overlay dynamic grants information with a wide array of demographic, socio-economic, and other data will help shine a light on areas of greatest need." The data — including population, income, housing, and education-focused statistics — are drawn from authoritative sources such as the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. Department of Education, and the American Human Development Index.

Videos guide funders through real-world scenarios that show how to use Philanthropy In/Sight: Education to best advantage, including how to identify potential funding partners and grantees. "A key benefit of the tool," said Clark, "is its ability to foster collaborations between individuals and like-minded organizations. It's an effective way to connect the dots for a more vivid picture of the funding landscape in education."

About the Foundation Center
Established in 1956 and today supported by close to 550 foundations, the Foundation Center is the leading source of information about philanthropy worldwide. Through data, analysis, and training, it connects people who want to change the world to the resources they need to succeed. The Center maintains the most comprehensive database on U.S. and, increasingly, global grantmakers and their grants — a robust, accessible knowledge bank for the sector. It also operates research, education, and training programs designed to advance knowledge of philanthropy at every level. Thousands of people visit the Center's web site each day and are served in its five regional library/learning centers and its network of 450 funding information centers located in public libraries, community foundations, and educational institutions nationwide and beyond. For more information, please visit foundationcenter.org or call (212) 620-4230.

Leatherstocking AEA Steering Committee August 25 minutes

Present: Dan Maskin, Opportunities for Otsego; Debra Marcus, Planned Parenthood of South Central New York; Susan Kenny, Roxbury Arts Group; Lori Solensten, Board Member; Michael Wesolowski, Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States (MHAUS); Andrew Marietta, NYCON

Discussed next program meeting, originally set for September 8th.
• Focus on board relationship with ED
o Need to cultivate relationship
o Be able to deal with board member that has own agenda
o Nominating committee plays very important role
o Takes time to develop board
o Sometimes board forgets or loses focus on why they are involved
 Board focus
• Wealth, Wisdom or Worker
• Doer, Donor or Door Opener
o ED needs to be very clear about board’s role in work to avoid micromanagement
o Support board with full info in advance
o Clarify role of ED, especially regarding fund development
o Similar to running a business
• Program will offer panel and breakout discussions
o Panel will consist of ED and board president
o Panel will focus on this discussion
 Possible panelists include
• Tina Utley Edwards, ED and Debra Marcus, Board President for Chenango Health Network
• Dan Maskin, ED and Alan Donovan, Board President for Opportunities for Otsego
• Susan Kenny, Roxbury Arts Group, and Board President
• Janet Erway, Cooperstown Art Association
• Girls on the Run, Paula Huntsman
• M-ARK Project, Peg Ellsworth
• Rescheduled for October 20th at 10am


Also discussed Otsego County social safety net
• Defining what this means and what makes it up.
• Resource that already exists: http://www.parenthandybook.com/Handybook2008.pdf

June 30th Program: Online Tools for Volunteer Management and Communication

Continuing the ED Group's focus on volunteer management, the June 30th program meeting will held in a computer lab and focus on various online tools that will help manage and support volunteers, including board members, general volunteers and interns. Come join in this facilitated discussion and demonstration of potential tools for your nonprofit to put in place, and share your own ideas. Proposed topic areas include:

•Communication
•Evaluation and feedback
•Volunteer recruitment (signing them up)
•Orientation and training
Something missing you would like to see? Let us know!

Date: Wed, June 30th, 2010
Time: 9:00am - 10:30am
Cost: Free
Location: To be announced (SUNY Oneonta computer lab)

REGISTER HERE

April 8 Networking Breakfast & Seminar at Fenimore Art

Where:
Fenimore Art Museum
5798 State Highway 80 (Lake Road)
Cooperstown, NY 13326

When:
April 08, 2010 at 08:00 AM
-to-
April 08, 2010 at 09:30 AM
Add to my calendar

Cloud Computing Tools for Your Business - Should your business software live in the cloud?

All businesses have processes that are best managed using software, such as accounting, contact management, and document management. But do you need to buy the software, manage installation and upgrades, and worry that the failure of your computer means loss of critical business information? An increasing number of valuable software applications are now available via the Web, sometimes referred to as "Cloud" computing, applications, or storage.
The best part is that many of these applications are free, can enable multiple users (and access from anywhere), and have backup and data recovery built in. But is it secure and reliable? We will look at examples including business applications from Zoho, office applications from Google, and several online storage providers and discuss the pros and cons. Continental breakfast and networking opportunities included.

Funding to support the Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce 2009/10 Business Seminar Series is provided in part by Otsego County Office of Economic Development.

Register Now!

Please feel free to contact me if you should have any questions. Thank you for your continued interest! I hope to see you on the 8th!

Sincerely,

Susan O'Handley, Executive Director
Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce
susan@cooperstownchamber.org
607 547 9983

March 18th Cooperstown Chamber Seminar: Using the Internet for Meetings, Calls, and Chat

March 18 Networking Lunch & Seminar at Tunnicliff Inn

Where:
Tunnicliff Inn, Pioneer Street, Cooperstown
34 Pioneer Street
Cooperstown, NY 13326
When:
March 18, 2010 at 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Please join us for the next installment of our 2010 Networking Seminar Series.

Using the Internet for Meetings, Calls, and Chat
Did you know that you can talk to almost anyone on the planet that has a computer for free? Have you ever needed to share a presentation and collaborate on documents without expensive or time-consuming travel? Do you understand how "chat" is different from e-mail and why chat is a considered a great customer service tool? We will look at web-based communication tools, like Skype, DimDim, and various chat platforms. We will discuss how to use them, what's free and what's not, and how they can support customer, employee, and partner communication. Lunch and networking opportunities included.

The presenter for the series is Chamber Member, Devin Morgan, a dynamic local attorney and founder of Three Blazes Innovation which provides business and entrepreneurial guidance. Devin is an enthusiastic user of web 2.0 technologies and lends real world advise on applications that can support businesses.

Funding to support the Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce 2009/10 Business Seminar Series is provided in part by Otsego County Office of Economic Development.

Click Here for Registration!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (607) 547-6015.
Thank you for your interest, I look forward to seeing you in March!

Sincerely,

Susan O'Handley, Executive Director
Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce
susan@cooperstownchamber.org
607 547 6015

Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce 31 Chestnut St. Cooperstown NY 13326

Suny Delhi Launches New Social Media Site

The Daily Star focused on SUNY Delhi's launch of their new alumni website. Grafiqa Creative Services designed, built and launched the social-media powered website at http://www.sunydelhialumni.org/ for the SUNY Delhi Alumni Association. Read more here. Learn more about Grafiqa here. NYCON members receive a discount on services.

Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce Networking Seminars 2009-2010

How to Use Web 2.0 for Your Business

October 29, 2009 – Creating Your Website on a Budget

8am-9:30am at Howard Johnson Inn & Suites, Hartwick Seminary

$14 member/$18 non-member

When potential customers search the web for your business what do they find? (Try it.) Without a website, you are entirely at the mercy of what others say about your business or, worse, your business may simply not exist. A website is an important part of letting customers know who you are, what you do, and how to find you. In this breakfast seminar we will look at the importance of being on the web and provide step-by-step instructions to get you started. We will look at the basics of domain names, web hosting, and design options, from DIY to professional design firms. We will talk about selecting content, such as text, images, and links. Finally, we will look at easy-to-add bells and whistles like blogs, video, downloads, and e-commerce. Food and networking opportunities included.

December 17, 2009 – Building Your Business Network Online

11:30am-1pm at Otesaga Resort Hotel, Cooperstown, NY

$20 member/$24 non-member

Businesses need other businesses to survive and thrive. The Web provides excellent opportunities to find suppliers, business partners, business advice, and other resources. We will look at online directories, communities of practice, and business networks as resources for your business. Specific examples will include the Chamber website, LinkedIn, and PartnerUp. We will also talk about how to find and participate in niche online communities that fit your needs. Food and networking opportunities included.

January 21, 2010 – Does Your Business Need Facebook Fans or Twitter Followers?

8am-9:30am at Templeton Hall, Cooperstown, NY

$14 member/$18 non-member

There is a lot of buzz around Facebook and Twitter. Some business owners, family members, and friends may already be using one or both services to socialize, share pictures, and play games. But are they more than a diversion? Can they really help you brand your business, attract new customers, and turn them into repeat buyers and advocates for your products or services? We will explore the basics of what these social media platforms are and how businesses are using them. We will also provide a step-by-step guide for getting started and guidelines for use. Food and networking opportunities included.

March 18, 2010 – Using the Internet for Meetings, Calls, and Chat

11:30am-1pm at Tunicliff Inn, Cooperstown, NY

$18 member/$22 non-member

Did you know that you can talk to almost anyone on the planet that has a computer for free? Have you ever needed to share a presentation and collaborate on documents without expensive or time-consuming travel? Do you understand how “chat” is different from e-mail and why chat is a considered a great customer service tool? We will look at web-based communication tools, like Skype, DimDim, and various chat platforms. We will discuss how to use them, what’s free and what’s not, and how they can support customer, employee, and partner communication. Food and networking opportunities included.

April 8, 2010 – Web-based Tools for Your Business

(tentative) at Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown, NY

$14 member/$18 non-member

All businesses have processes that are best managed using software, such as accounting, contact management, and document management. But do you need to buy the software, manage installation and upgrades, and worry that the failure of your computer means loss of critical business information? An increasing number of valuable software applications are now available via the Web. The best part is that many of these applications are free, can enable multiple users (and access from anywhere), and have backup and data recovery built in. We will look at examples including project management from Zoho, office applications from Google, and online storage from Mozy. Food and networking opportunities included.

September 16, 2010 – Web 2.0 Series Finale, Best Practices on the Web

8am-9:30am at Otesaga Resort Hotel, Cooperstown, NY

$20 member/$25 non-member

Wrap up event for the Web 2.0 seminar series. The event will focus on sharing best practices and success stories of member businesses. Food and networking opportunities included.

Members Only: Pre-register today for all six sessions for $90!

Funding to support the Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce 2009/10 Business Seminar Series is provided in part by Otsego County Office of Economic Development.

Catskill Area Hospice Launches New Social Media Website

Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care has completed a new website featuring social media tools, including Flickr, YouTube, and FaceBook. They shared that they they have had great feedback, and board members are thrilled with the new capabilities. Hospice feels this new website will give them more exposure and provide better access to their services and programs. They are also able to post events, reach the community in new ways, and raise money online.

Interested in learning more about web 2.0 tools, and how they can help your nonprofit? Contact us and learn more about what to consider and our endorsed corporate vendors who provide this assistance. Catskill Area Hospice's website was implemented by GrafiQa Creative Services, an endorsed NYCON corporate member.

Get the Word Out About Your Social Media Efforts

A question people always ask is how do you build your social network? As nonprofits move into the social media world, publicizing their blog, Facebook page, or YouTube videos are the challenges they confront.

A recent e-mail from Catherine Tweedie at the Arc of Delaware County illustrated for me one of the easiest ways to get out the word. At the bottom of her e-mail, she had her contact info listed, but also Delarc's YouTube link and Flickr link (see below). By following this example, each staff person for Delarc can contribute to drawing more attention and increasing connections for the organization with each e-mail they send out.

Catherine Tweedie, Director of Community Relations
The Arc of Delaware County http://www.delarc.org
See Delarc's Videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/ArcDelaware
See Delarc's Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/delarc
34570 State Hwy 10, Walton, NY 13856
Ph: (607) 865-7126 Fax: (607) 865-7129

Non Profits Lack Social Media Strategy

Social Meda Today offered in a recent post by Sally Falkow that although a growing number of non profits are aware of social media and are using it, there is a clear lack of strategy. This finding is based on a new study from Talance, a Boston-area web development firm.

The 2009 Massachusetts Non-Profit Social Media Report polled non-profits in Massachusetts with budgets ranging from under $1m to over $100m annually. Most (69%) operated on budgets under $1m and 28% operated on budgets ranging from $1m to $5m.

Here’s what the survey showed:

• Non-profits know about social media
• Most respondents are using social media as a networking tool but are not yet leveraging it as a tool to engage with donors
• 55% are already using social media
• 25% are planning to use social media
• 80% are unfamiliar with microblogging tools such as Twitter
• Only 7% are currently using a microblogging service
• Strategy is the missing element. More than 75% did not have a marketing plan

In another study, the Community Philanthropy 2.0 survey, found that there is an opportunity for nonprofits to participate as trusted providers of credible information and ultimately cultivate the next generation of major donors through the social web. Read more here.

Podcast: How Is National Public Radio Using Online Networking Tools?

March 06, 2009 - Philanthropy Today - Daily Update from The Chronicle of Philanthropy

How is National Public Radio using online social-networking tools to spread its message and connect with its audience?
In the latest installment of Social Good, The Chronicle’s free monthly podcast about online networks, our host Allison Fine talks with Andy Carvin, the network’s social-media chief, about its strategy and about how smaller nonprofit groups can incorporate online tools into their outreach efforts.

How much time to commit to social networking

Received the following message from friend today:
Hi Michael,
“You know the thing that I am most confused about is how you find the time to engage in the development and maintenance of the pages? Do you do this as part of your work time or do you do it as part of your free time? Please let me know so that I can share the information with my Board of Directors and gain their support.”

Response:
While social network is free, the time it takes to keep content fresh is definitely not. I spend 10 hours each week maintaining Facebook relationships as part of my job; I might add that I have a very supportive executive director and board who have agreed with my strategies, so far.

In the year I have been communicating on Facebook I would say that that a small group of [directed] volunteers could get the same effect or better; but the key would be in matching volunteers to the task, establishing communication guidelines, and regularly monitoring activity.

I am working on this matter now to handle our growing FB presence. The following idea is fluid and evolving; but my objectives are to build volunteer buy-in in order to take on more FB communication, and my targets are volunteers from throughout the US, and my time horizon is four to six weeks.

The effort started as a work around to help me post information on more than 70 FB medical group walls. You see FB tracks if you type or cut and paste, and how fast you can do either. Move too fast and you will receive a warning to cease spamming or risk termination of your profile. The first time I received the warning I was terrified, which wore offer after the third warning. But I sent a mass messaged to the Cause and Group using friendly language and got two responses. Then I went to the Cause Hall of Fame to identify the most supportive people and asked them individually to help. Now there are two-dozen people across the US cutting pasting messages I send to them, to group walls that I have assigned to them; and no more termination warnings from FB.

In a few weeks I plan to ask these people to join a private message board or list serve to talk about what they are doing with each other, and to see what ideas emerge. I am hoping those outcomes will grow into localized chapter groups or similar, communicating with each other to benefit themselves and MHAUS.

Blogs in, badges out as Girl Scouts modernize

MSNBC.com featured an article by Washington Post reporter Megan Greenwell that discusses how Girl Scouts is trying to rebrand and modernize. As the article relates:

Long associated with images of dorky vests and singalongs around the campfire, the 97-year-old Girl Scouts of the USA is trying to become cool. Or at least cooler. With enrollment dropping sharply, the organization is experimenting with a total makeover of the Girl Scout experience.

What's in: books and blogs written in girls' voices on topics such as environmental awareness and engineering; troops led by college students; videoconferencing with scouts in other countries. Read more here.

Social media and web 2.0 tools are clearly playing an important role in these efforts.