Social media works wonders for nonprofits

Read a recent article about nonprofits and their use of social media. The article explores recent studies and trends about the importance of social media for nonprofit and their fundraising strategies. Read more here.

You. Online.

Just wanted to thank everyone that came out to the National Soccer Hall of Fame today for the Web 2.0 Workshop. Just remember, all of this stuff is not for everyone (organization). First, think of the Mission, then Prioritize, then Plan. We talked about slide.com a little today. Think about what energy and enthusiasm some well timed, fun, engaging, emotional, (insert power word here) photos would have on your next event, program, fundraiser, annual meeting, etc.

P.S. Here is that information regarding blog policies from the Nonprofit Risk Management Center that we discussed earlier today.

Live at the Soccer Hall of Fame!

The Leatherstocking AEA is happy to be at the National Soccer Hall of Fame today. A spacious building featuring a bursting soccer ball is our catalyst for a conversation about a new frontier on the Internet, Web 2.0 (cue dramatic music). What is Web 2.0? Well, if you missed the program today, presented by Valerie Venezia (CCSNYS Web 2.0 Guru and Social Media Officer), there will be a mp3 available shortly for your listening pleasure!

But, really, what is this all about? It is all about the Wonderful Wizard of Oz. That thing or mystical being behind the curtain, which may be a scary, unknown quantity or monster, really is your greatest opportunity. Web 2.0 offers you endless marketing and networking possibilities. Share your information immediately online and get your cause heard. Web 2.0 offers you fundraising opportunities. Raise dollars through your social networks on Facebook or in the virtual world on 2nd Life (Point of Interest: Fenimore Art Museum has launched a virtual exhibit on 2nd Life that mirrors their opening exhibit, Gilded Lions and Jeweled Horses: The Synagogue to the Carousel).

Are you interested yet? How about our conversation right now about blogging and all the ins and outs involved? Blogging offers positives...and negatives...especially in terms of what your staff could be saying. Our conversation just focused on the debate of controlling employee opinions. Is this possible? What organizational blogs? What happens if you receive negative feedback? Join in here and share your opinion and ideas.

Now that you've had a peak behind the curtain, how do you make sense of it all? There is a lot going on here. Start simple. One first step is to use RSS feeds, which can be a good friend to you. Are you tired of visiting CNN or MSNBC online to see what the news is? Subscribe to their RSS feed. You will receive an alert or e-mail anytime a news story is posted. Scan over them at your convenience.

Another first step is set up a Google account. Use Google apps to do daily searches on your nonprofit, which will be e-mailed to you. Set up a Google calendar that you and your staff can share and update together. There are many more apps to explore, so check them out!

How about setting up a blog? It is easy to do. For example, use Blogger to set up a blog just like this one I'm posting to now. Blogs can be great tools and allow to put your ideas and info on World Wide Web immediately.

I'm going to end with social bookmarking, which is one of my favorite ideas. Check out del.icio.us and set up your own account! This tool lets you tag and save your favorite websites, making them easy to access and remember why you saved it to begin with. And there is more. Take a look at other users and their networks.

It is a whole new world, a Web 2.0 world. Thank you Valerie for pulling the curtain back and bringing the Wizard to all of us today!

Food For Thought 2.0

"The organization that provides the greatest access to information, organized in a way that allows it to be displayed and used in ways that are meaningful to the individual user, will be able to get the greatest amount of attention."
-Marnie Webb, Compumentor

I'm having thoughts about the Web 2.0 discussion tomorrow and want to put out this caveat. All of this means nothing without an impact on your mission. Just don't forget, efficiency, too, can mean impact.

Looking forward to the discussion.
~valerie

Why Google? iGoogle!

Do any of you use iGoogle as your homepage? It's a virtual dashboard of your work (or home) life at a glance.

I don't know, maybe I'm just too excited about these kinds of things but I see nonprofits everyday struggle with efficiencies, with project management, scheduling meetings, keeping track of the million things on their 'to-do' list without ever starting a 'stop doing' list (that's Jim Collins' idea, not mine).

Met some people from Google at the Nonprofit Tech Conference in New Orleans...they are GOOD people and want to help you do your job. If you don't know about GoogleApps, come to our workshop next week. Even better, and this is just between you and me, I'm trying to get Google to our Money for Mission Conference on June 24th (yup, at the Turning Stone again).

Want to see what my iGoogle looks like?

Sneak Peek at Web 2.0 and Why You Should Care that the Presenter just Came Back from the NTEN Conference

Quite a few of you have already registered for the upcoming Leatherstocking AEA meeting on April 2nd. Thanks for signing up and joining the Web 2.0 "bandwagon!"

If you were wondering whether or not to attend, I just wanted to give you a little nudge. It will be "the best $10 you ever spent" on your agency's dime. Why?

• First, You will come away with at least three ideas that will make your job easier, help you raise money and help keep your website content fresh with little or no work- starting immediately.
• Second, It will be our first presentation after the NTEN Conference. This is the mecca of technology conferences for nonprofits. If you're not familiar with it, picture this...More than 1,000 techie "do gooders" (yes, we like the term 'geek' too) talking about how nonprofits can maximize free tools, tell their stories, raise money through grassroots/online fundrasing, create awesome websites, communicate with constituents, use social networks, track data, advocate and much, much more...

This ain't your grandmother's conference either. It includes Unique exhibitors, an innovation plaza, a science fair and a wide range of expert speakers and a special keynote speaker:

This year's plenary speaker will be David Pogue, the personal technology columnist for the New York Times. David will be speaking -- dare we hope, singing? -- on Thursday, March 20th at 8:30 am.

I can't pack you all in my suitcase and take you to New Orleans (though I bet it would be fun...) but I can bring everything I learn back from the NTC for you! Consider it the cliff-notes, much more affordable (My trip = about $1,000; AEA lunch = $10) version!

Now are you going to register for the Web 2.0 workshop?

Leatherstocking AEA April 2nd Program

Do You Web 2.0?
Presenter: Valerie Venezia, CCSNYS Vice President of Membership and Marketing
Imagine, social software for your nonprofit that empowers you to be more innovative and helps you execute your mission more quickly by using dynamic networks of co-workers, partners and customers. This is the goal of Web 2.0. Wondering what Web 2.0 is and how it can help your nonprofit? Join us for the first Leatherstocking AEA meeting of 2008, set for Otsego County.

Date: April 2, 2008
Time: 8:30am - 10:30am
Location: To be announced
Program Cost: To be determined

Register Now!