Philanthropy 831 Blog

Three Ideas to Make Your Social Media Inclusive

Thu, 25 May 2017 18:15:23 GMT

[We asked our community foundation colleague and friend Eva Penar, from The Chicago Community Trust, if we could repost and share with you what she wrote about making your social media #accessible. We invite your feedback below.]

Social media is something that I never really thought of as being exclusive, but it is. A tweet or post is not experienced in the same manner by everyone.

About 11% of Illinois’ population has a disability, according to the Disability Statistics Compendium. But social media and technology have not advanced to make complete accessibility for people with disabilities automatic.

After attending a great panel discussion on access and social media at the Nonprofit Technology Network's 2015 Conference in San Jose, I came back to the Trust ready to re-evaluate our practices.

Presented by BJ Wishinsky from Benetech and Chad Leaman from the Neil Squire Society, the session was titled “Accessibility Rocks.” With Mark Fisher from the American Heart Association sitting next to me in the audience, we both found ourselves inspired to rethink our social media habits. Fisher, a change agent working with AHA’s social channels, was a patient guide in answering all my questions and offering sound advice.

Here are three ideas I took away that everyone can do right now to be more inclusive:

1. Include closed captions on all your videos

All videos you share should be closed-captioned. If you post a video without captions to Facebook, it’s difficult to go back and embed them—so do it before you post. YouTube can automatically generate captions, which you can review and improve before you publish.

There are also companies like rev.com that can transcribe for you. You upload your video file, or provide them a link to your video, and they create a caption file for you to add to the video before you share it.

Update: Facebook USA is now generating automatic captions for videos. As a page admin, when you upload a video, you’ll see a button in the video editor labeled “generate” to instantly create captions. Facebook allows you to review and approve their suggested captioning before publishing to your page.

However, something will inevitably come up on social media that isn’t completely accessible—for example, at the time of writing, Facebook Live cannot produce captions in real time.

In these cases, you should acknowledge the limitation and provide a second option that is accessible. In the example of Facebook Live, plan to post a captioned version of the video as soon as possible after the live broadcast, and be sure to mention that it’s coming during the live video and in your description.

2. Use CamelCase for hashtags

In order for a screen reader to read your hashtag out loud correctly, you must use camel caps: capitalizing the first letter of each word you string together. #WeLearnedThisTheHardWay. All our printed material promoting the On The Table initiative included the hashtag #onthetable—and then we found out how it sounded when a screen reader tried to pronounce it as a single word. We had to stop and update all our collateral just before printing with the corrected hashtag, #OnTheTable.

3. Provide image descriptions

If you add a photo to your Facebook post, include a narrative caption of what is going on so someone who can’t see the photo can experience it. Yes, Facebook has automatic image description, but the technology is not very accurate. It can’t get as specific as “A mother and two kids kayaking on Lake Michigan,” for example, and might instead write “Three people by water.” On Twitter, the newest app update allows you to turn on an image description feature. Every time you tweet a photo, you’ll be prompted to provide a description, which has a separate character count.

Becoming more fully accessible is definitely a work in progress for us at the Trust, but there are easy ways that every organization can create a more inclusive social media community.

More Ideas

Find more ideas for making your organization’s communications fully accessible in Chapter 6 of Renewing the Commitment: An ADA Compliance Guide for Nonprofits.

Eva Penar is director for marketing and communications for The Chicago Community Trust. During her tenure, she developed the branding, messaging and marketing for the “We Are Chicago” $1 billion campaign for the Trust’s endowment. In 2009, Time Out Chicago recognized her as a “Super Connector” who goes above and beyond in networking. Eva is a member of NTEN and co-founder of the NTEN Nonprofit Tech Club Chicago Chapter.

Podcasts The Sweet Spot Where Storytelling Meets Reporting

Sun, 23 Apr 2017 22:37:33 GMT

[We're exploring the possibilities of podcasts, as a way for us to get and share audio stories. So, when we saw our friend Crystal Birns' April 7 post on her Facebook page about podcasts, we asked her to expand on it through this guest blog post.]

What's a podcast?

A podcast is a series of online recordings you can subscribe and listen to, whenever.

First mentioned by Ben Mammersley in a 2004 Guardian news article the name is morphed from (Apple’s) iPod, plus radio broadcast, giving us podcast.

There are two ways you can listen. Go to the podcast’s website, press "Play" and listen online (this is called streaming). Or, download and play on your phone, tablet or computer.

Some of the most successful podcasters work with small budgets, producing shows from their garage. Other podcasts come from large media entities like NPR, CNN, or the BBC.

Podcasters typically post shows on varying schedules (i.e., daily, weekly, monthly or occasionally). Many are also radio shows (like NPR’s Fresh Air), available in multiple formats.

I listen to podcasts everyday!

For me, long form interviews are the sweet spot, where storytelling meets reporting.

These longer broadcasts capture my imagination or make me curious about something I otherwise knew nothing about.

Here are three of my recent favorites:

The Axe Files (David Axelrod) - I started listening to this podcast after the 2016 presidential election. I appreciate David's interview style and ability to speak with folks who hold a a variety of viewpoints and positions. Two recent ones I liked were interviews with former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and former Iran Peace Treaty negotiator Wendy Sherman.

WTF (with Marc Marcon) - My recent faves are his interviews with Sam Quinones, who just wrote a book about opiates in America and Raoul Peck, director of "I Am Not Your Negro."

Fresh Air (with Terry Gross) - A few great shows I've recently listened to were an interview with graphic novelist Emil Ferris and an interview with T.R. Reid, who just wrote a book analyzing our tax code compared to other countries, concluding ours is a mess that could be fixed with a few simple steps.

I also sometimes pop into shows that crack me up, like Wait Wait Don't Tell Me and Welcome to Night Vale, which is lovely and very weird. I’ve also been told that S-Town is amazing. Do you listen?

If any of this captures your imagination and you're new to podcasts, here’s some basics:

Cost?

Downloading a podcast is free!

Depending on your device you may want to purchase a specialty podcast app, which cost around $5 or less.

How to get and listen?

For iPhones and iPads, use the Podcasts app. Get it from the App Store (it actually comes installed on newer models). If you have a Mac computer, the Podcasts app syncs to iTunes. Find a podcast you want to try, and click "Subscribe." You can always “Unsubscribe” at any time.

I also found for you this Ultimate Guide to Podcasts on iMore, a step-by-step guide with pictures.

For Android phones and tablets, there are a number of apps that play podcasts. Two that I’ve heard good things about the free Stitcher app from Google Play and Pocket Casts (costs about $4).

How do you find a good podcast?

A good resource I just came across is Eliana Dockterman recent post on TIME, The 50 Best Podcasts Right Now. It's a good list on what's currently popular online.

You can also search within your podcast app. Here's how on an iPhone or iPad:

Launch the Podcasts app from your Home screen.
Tap "Featured" or "Top Charts" at the bottom of the screen to see popular or promoted podcasts.
Tap "Search" to find podcasts by name.

I listen to podcasts mostly for personal enjoyment. But, there are a lot of podcasts out there for professional development as well. Here’s a list from Capterra of 15 nonprofit podcasts.

Do you have a favorite podcast you’d be willing to share with us, that you listen to for work or fun?

Crystal Birns is the grants and technical assistance manager at Arts Council Santa Cruz County. She's also a board member with Coastal Watershed Council and a professional photographer. You can follow her on Instagram @birnsy.

ComNetwork Monterey Bay Ready To Blast Off!

Wed, 01 Mar 2017 21:50:28 GMT

Meetups for Social Sector communications!

I'm a big fan (and paying member) of The Communications Network!

The Network is one of my handful of go-to places for expert help and connections with other communications professionals.

To see what I mean about the value provided check out one example: The Case for Communications, the series running in partnership with the Stanford Social Innovation Review.

I got even more jazzed when the Network rolled out ComNetworkLOCAL. It's a way for Network members to form self-managed local groups under the organization's umbrella.

These locals have sprung up in San Francisco, Denver, Miami, Washington DC and other places.

Last fall, I said to my workmate Kim East, Let's do it! Let's start one here!

We called our communications colleagues at the community foundations for San Benito and Monterey counties, Sharlene VanRooy, Amanda Holder and Cristina Medina Dirksen, and asked them, Want to join us?

We met over lunch last December and settled on a tri-county venture, with plans for at least 3-5 meetups a year to be hosted by one of our three community foundations.

The Network gave us a small stipend for expenses and help from staffer Emma Lister, who set us up and got us rolling.

Now we're asking you, Join us!

a winning formula!

We feel we got it!

The power of The Network

+ Support from our three community foundations

+ You (your voice, skills, ideas and buy-in)

= An energized local network of social sector communications practitioners wanting to learn, grow, have fun and share together!

Seventy people have already found out how easy it is to join ComNetwork Monterey Bay by jumping on board.

And, it's free!

There's no membership costs to be part of our local or to tap into the free online resources offered by The Network. (Though, you may decide, like I did, it's worth becoming a paid member of the Network for event discounts and access to the members-only area.)

We know there are other Monterey Bay area marketing and communications meetups and professional networks that delve into communications.

We believe our formula, with a focus on philanthropy and a three county approach, will compliment what already exists. Yet, if after the first year you tell us the local doesn't deliver we'll happily fold up shop. But, we're banking on that not happening.

March kick-off meetups!

You can RSVP for the first meetup in Santa Cruz County at our community foundation, Wednesday, March 8, 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The after-work agenda includes pizza, beer, social network speed dating and the announcement of our next MeetUp in Santa Cruz County.

You can RSVP for the second meetup in Salinas, at the Community Foundation for Monterey County, Wednesday, March 15, 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

An informal info and recruiting effort is taking place in San Benito County as we plan for their first public meetup.

We hope you find value in this, for you and your communications work.

Got some ideas? Bring them to the one of the first meetups or use the comment field below.

Luis Chabolla is the communications director at Community Foundation Santa Cruz County. You can subscribe to his blog posts and follow him on Twitter. You can also follow ComNetwork Monterey Bay on Twitter.

Does Your Nonprofit's Recipe for Success Include a Heaping Tablespoon of Mobile Thinking?

Thu, 23 Jun 2016 19:51:43 GMT

One of the three ingredients in our recipe for communications success (and my favorite) is promoting a mobile mindset.

Sound like a big dash of jargony gibberish, does it?

Maybe, but after you read what it means for our communications team I hope not.

We wanted a single phrase around which we could frame something we knew was timely and important: creating a better user experience for you when connecting via a mobile device. (Like the smartphone or tablet you probably have sitting nearby right now, yes?)

This has meant research and weekly exercise to build muscle behind promoting a mobile mindset, so it's not just another flabby and hollow expression fit for the jargon jar.

It also helps when we keep our sense of humor navigating the hurdles we, our colleagues or technology throw our way.

How We're Promoting a Mobile Mindset

Invested with Embolden for a responsive designed website and email template to improve your experience when using a mobile device.
Going all in on the practice of less is more, by cutting down on copy, keeping it simple and emphasizing the visual no matter the tool or method used—whether online, print or in-person.
Carving out time every week to do it, plus being available to help and talk with fellow staff and our board about branding, social media, audience personas and avoiding jargon.

Click Me Find Me Tweet Me Love Me

"Mobile technology is the growing communication preference worldwide, whether through simple feature phones, smartphones or tablets.”

We have our own data to back it up: From July 2015 to June 2016, online visits to us from mobile users, tracked through Google Analytics, increased 21.5%, when compared to the previous year.

Don't have the budget to invest in optimizing your online tools for mobile use?

Don't let that stop you. Dig into free resources to find things you can start doing this week with the help of TechSoup, Idealware, NTEN and the Communications Network.

Promoting a mobile mindset is something real for us. Make sense why it's part of our recipe for the future? Have you added it to your mix?

Luis Chabolla is communications director at Community Foundation Santa Cruz County. You can subscribe to his blog posts and follow him on Twitter.

Who Said You Can’t Teach Old Dogs New Tricks?

Fri, 15 Apr 2016 05:42:14 GMT

I'm a middle-aged baby boomer not afraid of technology or its tools.

I use my iPhone, desktop computer and DNN (our website's content management system), as part of our community foundation's communications strategy.

I love Twitter, post on Facebook and LinkedIn and blog. But, when it comes to HTML, fixing a glitch, knowing a keyboard shortcut or fighting spam . . . Duh! Even setting up the DVR at home is a job better done by my wife.

I’m not a techie.

It's like my car. I can drive it, but can’t fix it. I love the car radio, but not much interested in talking about what’s under the hood, how it performs or the latest vehicle trends and models.

I'm more wanting the thing to get me where I want to go without problems.

So, what does that make me? I'll tell you.

I'm an old dog that learned some new tricks to help our digital communications.

Nonprofit Technology Network (NTEN) understands where I'm at.

With their mission on bringing together technology professionals they also offer people like me great stuff around leadership, digital communications and advocacy. Info beyond the tools that we can easily grasp and integrate into our nonprofit world.

That's why I became a paid member of NTEN. And, that's why I attended their latest recent global gathering, #16NTC, in San Jose.

STay Open to the Opportunities

Stay open to the opportunities was a message I heard loud and clear at #16NTC. So, here's two juicy bones this old dog dragged home that I want to share with you.

You Can Be A Google Adwords Hero

Mark Hallman [left] and Jason Shim [right], were great fun in their presentation, showing us how to increase traffic to our websites through targeted keyword messaging and tapping into Google AdWords Grants for Nonprofits.

For eligible nonprofit there's up to $10,000 per month to spend as part of an online strategy you can use to boost campaigns through Google Ads.

It's something that requires time and energy for success. You need a plan. But, if you or your team are ready it's a good opportunity and one that we're going to follow up on here.

The Hidden Secrets of Google Analytics

I'm looking forward to uncovering Hidden Secrets of Google Analytics #16ntcGAsecrets. Last day #16NTC pic.twitter.com/BjCobje2Jz
— Luis Chabolla (@cfluis) March 25, 2016

We use Google Analytics, but it's a complicated beast.

Our Web team at Embolden helped us set up a customized dashboard and tools to track our blog traffic.

There's so much more. Two years ago Ann-Marie Harrington gave me a copy of Advanced Web Metrics with Google Analytics, but I wonder if I'll ever read it.

At the Hidden Secrets of Google Analytics, Devon Smith and Julia Robinson re-inspired me. They clued me into something I've been curious about, goals in Google Analytics.

You can configure goals to determine if visitors are doing what you hope they'll do on your website. The data can also help you create better content. And, setting them up is not as difficult as I thought.

Their dynamic presentation, which they and NTEN generously shared unravels they mystery about goals and illustrates other ways to bite off bits of Google Analytics to improve your work.

I'm sticking with NTEN! Bow-wow!

Luis Chabolla is communications director at Community Foundation Santa Cruz County. You can subscribe to his blog posts and follow him on Twitter.

Tips on Getting Your Story to the Media

Mon, 24 Aug 2015 04:00:00 GMT

[In advance of her free session on August 31, we asked Jondi Gumz, a reporter at the Santa Cruz Sentinel, to answer some basic questions about best practices for nonprofits in sharing their news with the media.]

Q. Our organization sends press releases by email. We put "press release" in the subject line. That works, right?

Imagine your inbox with dozens of subject lines saying "press release." Here's a better strategy: To promote an event, put the date of the event first in the subject line, followed by the name of the event. For example: Nov. 20 Dominican Hospital Foundation benefit. Whether you plan a fundraiser, networking or a press conference, this helps your email stand out in the deluge.

Q. Our nonprofit attaches a copy of the event flier.That's good, right?

Actually, attachments slow down your news. First, the information is not immediately visible to the recipient. Depending on whether the program in your office is compatible with what the reporters use, the attachment may not open. Here's a better strategy: Put the key information, who, what, where, when and cost, if any, to attend in the body of the email where the words are visible to the eye. Include the street address for the event location (so readers can look it up on a smartphone) and a website address (which makes an online link possible for readers).

Q. We're not sure who to email our press release to. Should we email everyone we have email addresses for?

Imagine if someone seeking help sent the very same request to five or six employees at your nonprofit. If each one took time to read and respond, would that be a good use of resources? Here's a better strategy: Most publications have a "contact us" page. Visit www.santacruzsentinel.com and click "Tools" for the "Contact us" list. Still not sure? Call.The Sentinel newsroom is 831-423-4242. Once you know, you can target your message.

Q. When should I email my press release?

For a daily publication, a good rule of thumb is 7 to 10 days in advance. Technology speeds up everything but emailing the day before your event is problematic. So is sending information too far in advance. So much happens in Santa Cruz County—events and fundraisers weekly—so activities a month away are likely to get lower priority than those in the week ahead. Does that make sense?

Jondi Gumz is an award-winning reporter at the Santa Cruz Sentinel, who has seen more press releases during her career than she can count. She hopes these tips will benefit local nonprofits as they do their good work. Follow her on Twitter at @jondigumz or email jgumz@santacruzsentinel.com.

3 Things to Remember About Nonprofit Branding

Fri, 19 Jun 2015 04:00:00 GMT

Branding is Not a Dirty Word

Finding our brand and its role for our #communityfoundation #comnetlive @TheComNetwork - A bridge to the future. pic.twitter.com/tclaWIUfPK
— Luis Chabolla (@cfluis) June 10, 2015

I'm glad I made time last month to join the webinar, The New Brand Imperative, hosted by the Communications Network and led by Elke Dochtermann and Hayley Berlent.

In conversations I've had with colleagues, both within our community foundation and outside with other nonprofits, the topic of branding stirs interest, confusion and anxiety—often mixed together in the same bowl of thought.

In our effort to understand and define branding for nonprofits it's easy to narrowly define it as a business thing, with little or no relation to our work.

Not so. Strong positive branding is a key ingredient to a successful nonprofit.

Branding is More than a Logo

While it's tempting to stop at logo design, colors, taglines, etc., that is not enough.

Great #comnetlive session on #Branding: It's not just what you say; it's what you do (#Communications) pic.twitter.com/8HK7htIMUt
— Marc Moorghen (@moorghen) June 10, 2015

Branding is a Promise You Deliver On EveryDay that Inspires Action

When I look at the Nike swoosh or Apple's bitten fruit, they evoke an emotion and response (sometimes positive, sometimes not) that makes those simple logos so powerful, so much more. Do they stir something in you, too?

Branding is the total sum of our values + our promise + our commitment to deliver + our everyday actions.

Think of brand strategy as a bridge between where you've been and where you want to go #comnetlive
— Blandin Foundation (@BlandinFound) June 10, 2015

Illustration of #brand? Anywhere folks go in the universe, they should encounter the same message about your brand. #comnetlive
— ComNetworkEvents (@ComNetworkEvent) June 10, 2015

Now the hard work, but Ahhh! the rewards.

Branding is something that requires everyone on the team working together to keep those wheels in sync turning every day, delivering on our promise and inspiring action for social good.

Aspirational? Yes.

Possible? Yes.

Yes!

Luis Chabolla is the communications officer at Community Foundation Santa Cruz County. You can subscribe to his blog posts and follow him on Twitter.

Find Your Reason to Tweet!

Tue, 16 Jun 2015 04:00:00 GMT

A recent Charity Digital News post, written for leaders in the U.K.'s social sector, could just as easily be meant for us leading U.S. foundations.

The Foundation Center through its Glasspockets surveyed 1,153 of our country’s largest foundations and less than half (45%) report using social media.

While I’m pleased to learn that 88% of the 522 foundations counted said to be using social media were my fellow community foundations, my guess it’s usually not the CEO that’s online.

I know this because when I’m with colleagues and talk about my recently acquired enthusiasm for tweeting and blogging, I generally get these kinds of responses.

Social media is the work of our communications staff.

I don’t see the value.

Isn’t social media all about celebrities and fluff? What has it got to do with us?

You can’t control it.

You Can't Control Anything Why Start with Social Media?

Sure, we hear and read about the good, the bad and the ugly uses of social media. But, is that any reason to throw out the digital baby with the social media bath water?

Are we blaming the tool for how people are using social media instead of learning what it can do to help us?

Or, is it that many of us older Baby Boomers CEOs who grew up without computers still find the idea of technology a bit confusing, somewhat foreign or even unnecessary?

Help me. I’m trying to figure this out.

There's Value in Being Honest, Professional and Real

When my 99 3/4 year old mom Ethel wants an ice cream cone, she gets an ice cream cone. And it better be chocolate! pic.twitter.com/d9tgem3M42
— Lance Linares (@LanceLinares) April 6, 2015

It's natural to want to show ourselves and our foundations in the best possible light. but people know when we're faking it.

As my communications team reminds me, we want to think of social media more like a game of tennis not golf. And even the best in tennis commit a few unforced errors now and again. That's okay.

Digital isn't optional & it isn't "other" http://t.co/9W8ofDExR1 @p2173 @COF_ @Philanthropy @KellyKborn @PackardFdn @Hewlett_Found
— Lance Linares (@LanceLinares) March 3, 2015

I know I'll make a mistakes as I learn to use Twitter. No matter, I see it as a great way to connect and engage with others foundation leaders and you on a larger stage, one that I never would have the time or resources to do otherwise. The benefits far outweigh the occasional gaffes.

So if you want to start tweeting without guilt, here's a few simple steps that work for me.

Read, listen and follow tips like using lists (like one I just started of the few community foundation CEOs I found on Twitter) that I hope will help me stay connected and engage with them.
Take the top three items of interest that come across your radar today and tweet about one of them.
Discipline yourself to be consistent. A few minutes every day brings positive returns. Plus, its fun and can’t our jobs can’t have some fun in them, too?
Include images and people who may have opinions about the topic and include them in your tweet, like I did by mentioning my friend, Lucy Bernholz.

Our board treasurer on Can Business Profitability and Social Responsibility Coexist? http://t.co/uhOmjCznfo - @p2173 pic.twitter.com/3NHHHMJCYb
— Lance Linares (@LanceLinares) May 14, 2015

Kudos to @elkhornslough nonprofit Elkhorn Slough Foundation for Governor's Environmental & Economic Leadership Award http://t.co/B9kgQcGDGo
— Lance Linares (@LanceLinares) January 23, 2015

Even a simple shout-out to your local food bank or arts council acknowledging their latest accomplishment can strengthen your foundation’s brand and show you are a real person at a local organization, interested and engaged in the community your serve.

Lance Linares is CEO of Community Foundation Santa Cruz County. You can subscribe to Lance's blog posts and follow him on Twitter.

Mom Taught Me About Chewing the Fat

Sun, 10 May 2015 04:00:00 GMT

Stories Are Born to Those That Listen

My mom went to the hospital in Baldwin Park to await my arrival during the 7th game of the 1955 World Series, between the Yankees and our beloved Dodgers.

The first thing she asked as I exited the warm confines of her maternal dugout wasn't, Is it a boy? Or, Is it a girl? But, Did they win?

The birthmark my mom imprinted on me held a love for the Dodgers and a well-spun story.

Don't Let the Facts Get in the Way of a Good Story

Growing up in La Puente, she scorned the barrio and family chismosos, with whispering gossip meant to harm, hurt and hold others down.

But chewing the fat, for her, that was a different ball game altogether.

Antonia Perez Chabolla (1920 - 2006)

"The world is shaped by two things — stories told and the memories they leave behind." - Vera Nazarian

As I'm getting older, I feel life sometimes (I want to say it was Julio Cortazar who wrote this) is all about thinking and remembering.

It's about chewing the fat, thinking and remembering those hundreds of bits and pieces of stories told to me and a million memories, real or imagined.

Stories Open the Door to Other Worlds

In The Hero with a Thousand Faces, Joseph Campbell explored the universal story of adventure and transformation found in every culture, neighborhood and family. It's the story that opens to the wandering path, where the real work begins.

It's the story that takes us outside our safe walls, going beyond the what I want, me first realm to a place where we see the world through another's eyes.

Storytelling, compassion and philanthropy. A simple, perfect and liberating combination.

Thanks mom!

Luis Chabolla is communications officer at Community Foundation Santa Cruz County. You can subscribe to his blog posts and follow him on Twitter.

You Can Buy Likes But Is It Love?

Thu, 23 Apr 2015 04:00:00 GMT

When we first jumped into the social media waters, we were coached on the value of tracking results.

Our Facebook page, the place we most use to connect with local nonprofits, seemed like a good place to start.

Like many newbies we thought it was all about likes. But, as our page fans and post likes grew in number we learned that wasn't enough.

Facebook likes alone now remind me of window shopping, saying more about the responses to the passing images on our screens than any commitment to a cause or action.

Being friends is good but I want I love

To get people to come inside our nonprofit shop and do something via Facebook they need a good reason.

Using Facebook Insights' Pages to Watch we're able to see what's working—or not—at other community foundations, as we stumble forward finding our own way, as poet Robert Creeley taught me.

Who Loves you? I'm jealous!

At the bottom of the screen shot below are ten community foundations we picked to see how we compared using Pages to Watch.

Drawing from other data available to us, we chose a few serving similar populations sizes, of the same asset size and with similar staffing.

We also included the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, because they do such a great job. Plus two of our neighbors, Community Foundation for San Benito County and the Community Foundation for Monterey County.

Why Does KALAMAZOO Get So Much Facebook Love?

Kalamazoo's measures of engagement always ranks high in our tracking, with regular comments and shares on most of their Facebook posts.

Why?

Using Pages to Watch, I can click on their name to see their top posts, like this one sharing a message about their values, a recognizable image and a link to their blog, Love Where You Live.

What's Up in Washington?

Similarly, the Community Foundation of North Central Washington (#7 in the Facebook tracking above) had a high engagement number today and I want to know why.

What's not to love about this story and picture?

Can We Get Some of that Love?

As Ben Jacobson write, with Pages to Watch, you can gain a better understanding of what you can do better, where you have the most potential to improve, how your audience and brand position differs from theirs and what engagement tactics you can tweek to make your own.

Following the tracks of others you can find your own way.

And, if this use of data doesn't generate the results wanted, we always have likes, my friend.

So, now I need to confess.

It's true I want more than likes. Yet, I smile whenever I open Facebook Insights and see our totals inched above our colleagues in Monterey.

I'm sorry. It's that friendly competitive spirit of mine. But, we all know likes don't really mean that much anymore, right?

Luis Chabolla is the communications director at Community Foundation Santa Cruz County. You can subscribe to his blog posts and follow him on Twitter.

Blueprint 2015 Brings Questions for the Future

Wed, 10 Dec 2014 05:00:00 GMT

Last Tuesday, my colleague Kim East and I drove to Salinas to get a sneak preview of Philanthropy and the Social Economy: Blueprint 2015, from its author Lucy Bernholz.

It was a trip in the rain worth making to be at the National Steinbeck Center for the lunchtime event hosted by our colleagues at the Community Foundation for Monterey County, and supported by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation.

This year's edition of Blueprint, released yesterday, is Lucy's sixth annual industry forecast.

For those who don't know her, Lucy is a visiting scholar at the Stanford University Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society and at the Packard Foundation, as well as the author of the blog, philanthropy2173.

Lucy is someone our CEO Lance Linares also likes to tell people spent some of her early years here as a program officer and his first hire. And, equally important to Lance, she's a devoted and knowledgeable baseball fan.

So, if forecasting the trends in philanthropy is anything like the game they love, Lucy is hitting for a solid average on a team with a winning percentage.

Lucy excels at probing the soft spots in the field and turning the seemingly complicated into something even I can understand.

If you think her analysis and focus this year on digital data is a kind of sabermetrics—or, more data analysis and collection to satisfy hungry data wonks—you're wrong. It's not.

As she writes, "This is not about gadgets; it's about complicated (and fundamental) ideas like free association, expression, and privacy in the world of digital data and infrastructure."

Lucy's writing shows her on-field experience, peppered with insights, intuition and a healthy dose of humor that makes it real for me.

I left Salinas, and now as I'm reading my copy of Blueprint 15, I'm thinking about one of her forecasts that governing and managing digital data will be a core capacity for nonprofits and foundations.

On the ride back Kim and I talked that if this is true, then thinking about data is more than something to be managed like financial records or the general ledger. It's about how and why we do things, who we reach, what we gather and how we share information and our stories.

It made us think and gives us something we want to talk about more with you. What are your thoughts?

Luis Chabolla is communications officer at Community Foundation Santa Cruz County. You can subscribe to his blog posts and follow him on Twitter.

He's a Tweeting Fool

Mon, 21 Jul 2014 04:00:00 GMT

"He's a Tweeting Fool!"

That’s what Luis, my communications officer declared the other day.

Well, he’s half right.

Like most of my generation, integrating social media into my work life is not easy.

But, old dogs can learn new tricks.

Don’t forget other MBall lesson All stats not created =. Are we eval right things? @ynpn Analyze NPs like baseball http://t.co/1CwOIcPcfH
— Lance Linares (@LanceLinares) July 11, 2014

Kudos @Hewlett_Found! I'm no fan of local FDNs tackling nat'l issues w/so much need at home, but initiative has promise: http://goo.g/54PhSs
— Lance Linares (@LanceLinares) July 9, 2014

Nonprofits study this chart. Add bequests = 80% of all 2013 giving came from people. Grants are fine but donors rule. pic.twitter.com/v79sRXQ2Tu
— Lance Linares (@LanceLinares) July 1, 2014

Remembering our parents & relatives on the 70th anniversary of D Day. Thanks Dad aka Lt. Col Gerald J. Linares pic.twitter.com/CNkn7A7aIc
— Lance Linares (@LanceLinares) June 6, 2014

Some Tips for You

To all my community foundation colleagues, and other nonprofit CEOs, I offer some tips that helped me and might help you get on the road to becoming a tweeting fool.

Start slow, don't get overwhelmed. Pick a social media tool that works for you and get to it. I dabbled in Facebook and LinkedIn, but find Twitter suits my style and schedule.
Find your voice. Find a topic or issues you're comfortable with in conversation and use them to get content to start tweeting.
Be real. Show you're a real person behind that desk, with individual passions and interests like everyone else.
It's okay not to know it all. Trust the person on your staff you hired to do communications (or find someone) and let them guide and coach you.
It's not about you. Follow people you’d like to have at the same table with you in conversation.
Seriously, it's really not about you. Don't worry about being clever or original in your tweets. I'm learning it's about connecting and exchanging ideas and information, not about being the expert.
Retweeting is not cheating. It shows you're listening and interested in what others are saying. And, BTW, I do it all the time.
Pictures and links are great to include. Relevance and immediacy even better.
The payoff is worth the time and energy invested. Get a routine going that works for you and stick with it. I try to start at least one morning a week reading tweets and sharing posts.
You'll find, like me, you're making new connections you wouldn't have made as easily outside of social media that add true value to you work.

Lance Linares is CEO of Community Foundation Santa Cruz County. You can subscribe to his blog posts and follow him on Twitter.

Third Myth and Mantra about Nonprofit Video Production

Thu, 29 May 2014 04:00:00 GMT

[In this third and final guest blog post Ian Slattery wraps up his exploration into myths (and his mantras) about nonprofit videomaking.]

In my first blog post I explored the myth that because online video is everywhere, you must start cranking them out now. My mantra, identify your target audiences and goals before touching the camera.

In my second post, I took up the myth about too expensive or the flip side, it's a no brainer. My mantras for these are there's no substitute for clear goals, plus a good story, and manage your costs based on your goals.

Myth #3: If People Only knew This Info They'd become Dedicated Supporters

At a recent Community Foundation workshop, I asked the participants to describe the kinds of online videos that grabbed their attention. They said,

a good story
authentic emotion (whether heartbreaking or hilarious)
cats

Not facts or figures. Not mission statements. Not information.

Just, a good story. Emotion. And, cats.

This may seem obvious to you. But, a quick glance at YouTube shows it's easy to forget.

Many nonprofits forget to tell a story and instead rely on facts and figures, mission statements and talking heads telling (as opposed to showing) why their work is important.

So, as you plan your next video project, consider this . . .

Mantra #3: Share a Story • Connect with Emotion • Film some Cats

Share a story. We humans are hard-wired for stories. They form the cognitive scaffolding for our memory, emotion and identity.

In order to create a powerful video, start thinking about characters, motivations and narratives. Like the unbeatable odds that get beaten, the simple reward of quiet generosity or the hope of each new day.

I also say share your story, because good storytelling is collaborative.

Invite your viewer to share your organization's story, to link their identity to yours and to find purpose and fulfillment in a common struggle.

Connect with emotion. Emotion connects people's values to your mission.

Just as we're hard-wired for story, we also have a great ability for empathy. So, you need to know your audience, what breaks their heart, what cracks them up, what makes them feel they belong.

I often refer to the words of Audre Lorde: "There are no new ideas. There are only new ways of making them felt."

Film some cats. Ok, I don't actually mean make a cat video (unless your organization is an animal shelter!).

Here's what I do mean.

Spend some time thinking about the most captivating moments in your organization's universe. What are your cats? They might be hilarious poems read by 2nd graders or images of the forest you're fighting to save.

It's about showing instead of telling. It's about sharing the sights and sounds that help viewers feel the spirit of your organization and its impact in the world.

Sure, it's impossible to plan for spontaneity. But, you can pay attention to the small everyday miracles in your work and to learn to share them with video.

You'll never catch lightning in a bottle if you aren't looking for the spark.

Ian Slattery is a documentary filmmaker and storyteller. He has produced, directed or edited over 70 short videos for Teaching Channel and directed a four-year community engagement campaign for the Emmy-nominated PBS documentary Soldiers of Conscience.

What Homeless Garden Project Learned About Crowdfunding

Tue, 20 May 2014 04:00:00 GMT

[After reading "Santa Cruz Homeless Fundraiser Goes Social" by Jessica York, we asked Naomi Brauner to share their experience with crowdfunding. This guest blog post was written before the end of the campaign, which reached its online goal May 18.]

When I first joined the Homeless Garden Project just over a month ago, I learned there was a crowdfunding campaign in progress.

OK! I thought. Let’s do this!

Using crowdfunding site Indiegogo, the campaign included super-cool videos, Facebook and Twitter shares, a thermometer to measure progress, perks for different levels of giving and periodic updates.

As of this writing, the campaign isn't yet over. But, I can see already the money isn’t coming in the way you might expect.

Here’s what I’ve learned so far:

We need more than an email - We promoted the crowdfunding campaign via our email list, Facebook, and website. But, more than just digital resources, we sent out a postal mail appeal letter as well. Interestingly, it was the snail mail remit envelope which generated the most donations. Through the Indiegogo site we’ve received just 27 out of 103 total donations, accounting for 30% of funds raised.
A reason to give - When we kicked off the crowdfunding campaign, we held an event at our Homeless Garden Project store in downtown Santa Cruz. One of our board members agreed to make a large kick-off donation to inspire the crowd. And it did! We had half a dozen guests waiting in line at our laptop station to make their donation that night, three of which turned out to be major gifts. It felt like one of those classic fundraising moments when you realize people want to give, they just need to be asked in the right way.

Is Crowdfunding Worth It?

I’ll answer a provisional “yes,” if you combine it with other forms of reaching potential donors (e.g., mail, events, face-to-face asks) and (here’s a big one) if you can dedicate the staff time to keeping it alive and updated with fresh content.

That's what I learned.

I’d love to hear what your experiences with crowdfunding have been.

Naomi Brauner is the development consultant at the Homeless Garden Project. She holds a Master in Public Administration and has worked in fundraising, grants and public relations for the past 20 years, including posts with Community Bridges, First 5 Santa Cruz County and Congressman Sam Farr.

Why We Got Glass Pockets

Thu, 15 May 2014 04:00:00 GMT

Glasspockets is a Foundation Center initiative that "champions philanthropic transparency in an online world."

Does the Community Foundation Santa Cruz County Have Glass Pockets? Find Out --> http://t.co/qRQYzCtbFt @CFSantaCruzCo
— Fdn Center, SF (@FCSanFrancisco) May 8, 2014

Yes, we just got our Glasspockets.

Lance Linares, our CEO, said it's "consistent with our values and willingness to share online, in print and in person, who we are, what we do and how we think."

The Glasspockets website was redesigned last fall to make it easier for you to get and use the information.

Still, it took some friendly pestering and hand holding from our friends at the Foundation Center - San Francisco, and particularly Janet Camerena, who's spearheading the effort, to finally get this off our plate and launched online.

Why Glasspockets?

To build your trust in who we are and what we do.
To reach more of you with info about our local leadership and financial stewardship.
We feel it's part of our commitment as a Funding Information Network Partner of the Foundation Center.

It Just Makes Sense in Today's Online World

With help from our friends Beth Kanter, John Kenyon and our Web partner Embolden, we embraced social media, jumping into the waters.

We learned good communications means two-way exchange, not just getting the word out, product marking and promotion.

It's an exciting challenge and one we continue to stumble and struggle with (like I know we all do), trying to not get caught up in our own industry jargon while unraveling, sharing and explaining in simple terms to you (and even to ourselves) the complexities of our work.

Glasspockets helps us do that.

Luis Chabolla

is communications officer at Community Foundation Santa Cruz County. You can subscribe to his blog posts and

follow him on Twitter

You + Us + Giving = Great Things

Mon, 21 Apr 2014 04:00:00 GMT

This year, we join hundreds of community foundations across the nation to recognize the 100^th anniversary of the country's first community foundation, the Cleveland Foundation.

Today, there are more than 750 community foundations operating in urban and rural areas in every state in the U.S.

This includes our own, Community Foundation Santa Cruz County, started in 1982, by area residents looking for a local place to collect and disburse funds to help during natural disasters like the devastating floods of that year.

From Disaster Born a Vision for the Future

We’re not thinking this milestone is just a party time to collectively pat ourselves on the back (though some of that is justified and sure to happen when community foundations gather for a conference in Cleveland in October).

We see the centennial as an opportunity to acknowledge the reason for any success we've had during the last three decades and to cheer for who we're counting on to help us realize an even greater future: You.

So, here’s three things those of you living and giving in Santa Cruz County helped us achieve during the past 32 years:

Grant over $71 million to charitable cause in Santa Cruz County and beyond;
Make gifts small and large that took our total assets over $78.7 million and helped us make grants, provide donor and nonprofit resources and build connections with professional advisors; and
Open the Jack & Peggy Baskin Center for Philanthropy, a place over 7,800 of you visited and used last year for your meetings and events.

We have hundreds more facts and accomplishments we're proud to share, but this story is about you and what we aspire to do in the future.

During the year, we'll share your stories on our website, through social media and in our print materials about how local philanthropy is making our county a great place to live, now and for future generations.

You can join the conversation today, with your comments below. Where do you see philanthropy and the world of giving and community foundations going the next 100 years? What do you hope happens here at home?

Luis Chabolla is the communications director at Community Foundation Santa Cruz County. You can subscribe to his blog posts and follow him on Twitter.

5 Easy Steps to Find Out What Your Website Is Doing for You!

Wed, 26 Feb 2014 05:00:00 GMT

[Embolden, our Web designers helped us and other community foundation use Google Analytics. We asked Ann-Marie Harrington to share some of what she's taught us, with you, in this guest blog post.]

How Do You Measure Website Success?

In the early days of the Internet, a beautiful website was the goal.

That's changed, with emphasis now on learning what readers want from your site and providing it.

Yet, the fundamental question remains, Is your website working for you?

For the answer, outline your criteria for success.

What are you trying to accomplish with your website?
What tools do you use?
How do you measure success?

Exploring these questions helps define your goals and gives you something to work with in measuring your progress.

You can then set benchmarks, with metrics, to get invaluable insight to improve and enhance your online communications to meet (or exceed) those goals.

Why Your Nonprofit Should Use Google Analytics

There’s no better way to measure your goals than Google Analytics. And, it’s free!

Let’s say one of your website goals is to engage donors and raise funds. Google Analytics tells you how visitors are using your site, what’s engaging them and which communication channels are working best to get them there and to click the donate button or to take some other action.

Google for Nonprofits, Beth's Blog and Nancy Schwart's Getting Attention! blog are some online resources that can help you get started, learn more and stay engaged.

Hey, if you already have a Google Analytics account, login and follow along as we go!

Five Things You Can Do Right Now

1. Benchmark

In order for you to know how far the needle is moving you have to start with some baseline data. Figure out where you stand with these ten metrics:

As shown in the screenshot above of a Audience Overview Report, you get a quick assessment of several key metrics.

To show your key metrics, you can create a custom Dashboard for a quick view.

After you begin to track these over time, ask yourself, Are these results what we expected?

A key misunderstanding about Google Analytics is that the numbers will tell you how you are doing. Actually, you look at the numbers and determine if they are reaching or exceeding your expectations.

For example, Nonprofit A might have 2,000 visits in a quarter and Nonprofit B might have 12,000. Nonprofit A, however, was more successful in that quarter because it reached out to 3,500 people and got a large number of returning visitors to the site. Whereas, Nonprofit B reached out to 50,000 and got a much smaller return to the site than anticipated.

The data is the data. You make the meaning.

2. Annotate!

See the little note icons circled in red above? Those are annotations.

Picture this: After a month of work on your online communications (website, e-newsletters, social media, etc.) you log into Google Analytics and see a big spike in visits on the line graph, like above.

You have no idea what generated so many visits. You spend an hour wracking your brain before remembering the email newsletter you sent out a couple of weeks ago.

That kind of sleuthing for every bump or dip in traffic takes time. Lucky for you, you don’t have to do it like that!

Annotations gives you a simple and efficient way to note on a regular basis any of your online and offline activities (e.g., events, newsletters, Facebook or Twitter posts, media mentions, etc.).

Use this guide to using annotations and do one right now!

3. Understand Your Engagement Indicators

Nonprofits often determine success only by the number of Visits, yet fail to consider the engagement metrics behind the number that tell you if you're moving someone to action.

Here are three engagement metrics to track (and, in parentheses, minimum industry standards to aim for):

Pages/Visit – the average number of pages users view during a visit on your site. (2½ - 4 pages/visit);
Average Visit Duration – the average time users spend on your site. (2½ - 3 minutes); and
Bounce Rate – % of visitors who visit only one page on your site during their visit. (below 50% for the whole site).

Engagement is a result of great design, usability and a content strategy. Knowing where you stand with these indicators can help you make improvements in all those areas.

Now, look at your own Audience Overview report. How did you do last month compared to the previous month?

4. Set Goals

The chart above is a Goal completion report of a nonprofit that raised $55,772 from nearly 200 donations through its website.

Wouldn't it be great to be able to do this for your nonprofit?

Google Analytics let's you do that and here are some goals you can track:

Number of donations
Number of event registrations
Total dollars raised
Number of downloads of a whitepaper or presentation
Number of comments or ratings on a piece of content
Length of time one spends on the site
Bounce Rate
Conversions from AdWords

Setting up Goals takes time and testing, but the payoff is worth it!

5. Use Campaigns

Are you the kind of nonprofit that uses all the online marketing channels available to you? Do you try to update your website, send enewsletters, tweet, update Facebook and LinkedIn on a regular schedule? Are you, like many, now using Vine, Instagram and Pinterest?

Yet, do you know which of those are most effective for achieving your organizational goals?

The screenshot above is the report on the nonprofit that raised $55,572 through its website. It shows the majority of the money was raised through traffic arriving via organic search results. This nonprofit's email campaigns were moderately successful in comparison to their search traffic.

Using specially coded URLs, you can create Campaigns to monitor which methods or channels are most or least effective.

This requires you to put a little piece of tracking code on the links you publish on your other channels. Google offers a free tool, Campaign URL Builder, to create them.

After the Campaign, you can see your results in your Acquisitions Report. A good naming convention [PDF 137 KB] will make all the difference to help you differentiate your efforts.

Ready to Dive In?

I hope this helps you get started or improve your use of Google Analytics. If you're a nonprofit using (or thinking about using) it, I'm eager to hear how you're doing, along with any questions or comments you can post below.

Ann-Marie Harrington is president and founder of Embolden, a digital communications group, providing online strategy, web development, web design and content management for community foundations and nonprofit organizations.

Finding Volunteers Another Reason for You to Dive Into Social Media

Thu, 23 Jan 2014 05:00:00 GMT

As I drank my morning cup of coffee with the print edition of the San Francisco Chronicle in front of me last Thursday (January 16), I read about LinkedIn’s new venture to match its users with an interest in volunteering to nonprofit organizations seeking pro bono skilled help.

My initial qualms (e.g., more work with little return for nonprofits, fostering unreal expectations among would-be volunteers, not relevant to locals, etc.) were calmed after reading LinkedIn's blog post by Reid Hoffman and after a quick tour of its partners' websites, specifically the Taproot Foundation.

LinkedIn has also already done some groundwork as described in a 2012 Beth's Blog post.

CAN LinkedIn Entice Younger Generations to Help Your Cause?

Nonprofits can benefit as much and often more from skilled volunteer help than money. There's a greater surplus of helping hands available, potentially more powerful than the 15% of total U.S. giving coming from foundation grants.

While volunteers are needed, wanted and vital, the tough part always seems to be understanding and accepting the work and planning necessary to make a good volunteer program work, including managing expectations from volunteers and the nonprofits.

The generation of my children (and younger peers) were raised with the Internet as a toy, tool and constant companion. With the growth of social media, and our own recognition of its growing role in philanthropy, it seems inevitable that someone would take this on.

We've a LinkedIn page where you can connect with us, as we learn how to make it part of our communications strategy to engage the professionals we know use it.

This venture on this platform makes good sense to me, especially with the partners involved.

Things I Like about This Move

LinkedIn's 260 million members world wide, includes many locally using the site.
82% of LinkedIn users surveyed—about 213 million—stated an interest in volunteering to a community cause.
LinkedIn not flying solo. They've partnered with BoardSource, VolunteerMatch, Taproot Foundation and Catchafire.

There have been other online attempts to go down this path, like BoardNet USA, that haven't gotten much local traction. Plus, in Santa Cruz County, we have the Volunteer Center's online matching service, as well as our own BoardMatch program.

And, while there’s a small fee for organizations in the LinkedIn program—perhaps as little as $20—I’ve come to believe that financial skin in the game usually translates to a deeper commitment.

I'm interested to hear what you think about this.

Have you added volunteer info to your LinkedIn profile?
Found a match or cause to support?
If you're a nonprofit have you jumped in or are you thinking about it?
And, what do you think this new online venture and others that might follow mean for existing volunteer programs?

Share your comments below and let's talk.

While there certainly will be bumps in the road, LinkedIn’s willingness to devote resources to respond to their member’s interest IN the public interest is commendable. Let’s see where this goes.

Lance Linares, CEO of Community Foundation Santa Cruz County, samples Google Glass [left]. You can subscribe to his blog posts and follow him on Twitter.

Second Myth and Mantra about Nonprofit Video Production

Mon, 16 Dec 2013 05:00:00 GMT

[In this second guest blog post Ian Slattery continues his exploration into myths about nonprofit videomaking.]

Another Myth and Mantra About Nonprofit Video Production

In my first post, I explored the myth that because online video is everywhere, you must start cranking them out this very second.

I suggested that nonprofits ought to start by identifying their target audiences and goals before the camera rolls.

Today, here's another myth I want to examine and it has to do with cost.

There are actually two versions of this myth: the overly cautious and the overly optimistic.

Myth #2 (First Part): The Overly Cautious Nonprofit: Video? It Costs Too Much and Takes Too Much Time!

It's true.

If not managed properly, video projects can devour your scarce resources.

But today it’s easier than ever to edit, upload, and share video content with local and global audiences.

Smartphones capture and share high definition video in seconds.

Retail video cameras connect and transfer footage easily to your computer, and basic video editing software comes standard on most operating systems.

But, before we get carried away, here’s the other extreme.

Myth #2 (Second Part): The Overly Optimistic Nonprofit: Video? No Problem!

At your organization you’re an expert at stretching every dollar to achieve incredible results.

But, when it comes to video production unintelligible audio can't be stretched into clear, crisp dialogue.

Shaky, poorly-lit video can't be stretched into eye-catching cinematography.

And, awkwardly forced interviews can’t be stretched into engaging stories.

True, smartphone cameras are great, but they have substantial limitations and require their own learning curves.

There's No Substitute for a Clear Goal and a Compelling Story

Access to video production equipment, whether a smartphone or a fancy video camera, is no replacement for a clear goal and a compelling story.

So, the question is not whether video production is cheap or expensive.

The questions you should be asking are, What kind of video will help us meet our goals?

And, how can we pull together the resources to produce that video?

Mantra #2: The Amount You Spend Depends on the Goal

Be realistic.

Videos will require staff and financial resources.

But if you have a clear end goal in mind (Mantra #1), then you can allocate your resources to reach your end goal (Mantra #2).

Questions for You and Your Team to Consider

Which types of videos will make the biggest impact on your audience?
Can you create effective videos with the resources you already have in-house?
What additional capacity should you develop—or fundraise for— to produce the videos you need?

These are not questions about the best filmmaking approach.

These are questions about the best approach for engaging your audiences and achieving your organizational goals.

My Advice

Stretch every dollar.
Call in favors and tap friends with know-how.
Make the most of the equipment and expertise you have or can borrow.
Be ready to raise money and dedicate staff time when you need to create that top-notch video for a major event, achievement or campaign.

Ian Slattery is a documentary storyteller and filmmaker. He has produced, directed or edited over 70 short videos for Teaching Channel and directed a four-year community engagement campaign for the Emmy-nominated PBS documentary Soldiers of Conscience.

What Will Beth Kanter Do Next?

Mon, 28 Oct 2013 04:00:00 GMT

A major shout-out to the David and Lucile Packard Foundation.

For the past four years, the Organizational Effectiveness program made a place for Beth Kanter as its visiting scholar.

During that time she helped us and many other nonprofits around the globe feel confident about diving into the social media waters.

Now it's time for Beth to move on.

But, not before we celebrate all she's done for us while in-residence at the Packard Foundation..

Tomorrow (October 29 at 3:00 p.m. PST), you can sign up for a Google Hangout, moderated by John Kenyon.

I've been invited, along with Jennifer Morgan (digital editor of the Stanford Social Innovation Review) and Rachel Weidinger (founder and executive director of Upwell), to share stories about ways we've benefited from the #TheBethEffect.

During tomorrow's online celebration, we'll also learn what's next for Beth.

Not knowing myself, I couldn't resist coming up with my own list of top ten ideas (or guesses) on what might be on the horizon for our friend. (Thanks to John Kenyon for his feedback!)

My Top Ten Ideas What Will Beth Do Next?

10. Beth works weekends with John Kenyon fixing the Affordable Health Care website, Healthcare.gov.

9. Beth joins forces with Martha Stewart on her next book, Recipes for the Networked Nonprofit.

8. Beth opens an Internet café somewhere on a beach in Cambodia.

7. Beth decides to really shake it up and accepts post as director of online engagement for Senator Ted Cruz of Texas.

6. Beth leaves her Apple MacBook behind on a year-long cross-country road trip with Bill Gates, but annoyed every time it's her turn to drive he sits in the backseat.

5. Beth hires agent for movie deal, “#The Beth Effect,” to be directed by Sophia Coppola, with funding from the Packard Foundation’s new Organizational Effectiveness and Movie Production program. Only question now, Who will play Beth?

4. Beth stays home unplugged, working nights at the local Radio Shack.

3. Beth’s begins daily endurance bike rides training for Tour de France 2014, but has trouble explaining to followers her weekly express mail packages from Lance Armstrong.

2. Beth goes on global book tour to promote her tell-all memoirs, I Never Measured Anything!

1. Beth takes up Richard Branson's offer to join his “Noah’s Ark” to Mars, wanting to become Earth’s first blogger from the Red Planet.

Luis Chabolla is communications officer at Community Foundation Santa Cruz County. Thanks (or because of Beth) you can subscribe to his blog posts and follow him on Twitter.