Dooley Online tag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-1620374 2011-10-05T07:04:22-04:00 Connect Learn Teach - Parsing Life in Practical Ways - Online Community and Web Analytics point person at World Resources Institute. TypePad #BBCon - BlackBaud Conference for NonProfits 2011: Day 3 tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e551a4e0f3883301539214fd0b970b 2011-10-05T07:04:22-04:00 2011-10-05T07:04:22-04:00 BlackBaud Conference for NonProfits 2011: Day 3 Laura Lee Dooley
http://dooleyonline.typepad.com/dooley_post/2011/10/bbcon-blackbaud-conference-for-nonprofits-2011-day-3.html #BBCon - BlackBaud Conference for NonProfits: Day 2 tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e551a4e0f38833014e8c02cfd9970d 2011-10-04T06:35:29-04:00 2011-10-04T06:35:29-04:00 BlackBaud Conference for NonProfits 2011: Day 2 Laura Lee Dooley

http://dooleyonline.typepad.com/dooley_post/2011/10/bbcon-blackbaud-conference-for-nonprofits-day-2.html #BBCon - BlackBaud Conference for NonProfits: Day 1 tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e551a4e0f38833015435dcbd94970c 2011-10-03T08:49:31-04:00 2011-10-04T06:34:40-04:00 BlackBaud Conference for NonProfits 2011: Day 1 Laura Lee Dooley

http://dooleyonline.typepad.com/dooley_post/2011/10/blackbaud-conference-for-nonprofits-day-1.html 5 Simple Reasons You Need to Use Social Media ... NOW! tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e551a4e0f3883301543502c86f970c 2011-08-31T20:09:24-04:00 2011-08-31T20:09:24-04:00 FINALLY! Finally, people are beginning to realize that social media is no longer optional. Social media has become: as necessary as email, as informative as a website, and as connective as a cell phone. There are many reasons people get involved in social media, but for those still hesitant to join the bandwagon, here are 5 simple reasons to integrate social media into your daily activities. Reason 1: Everyone is doing it. Well, not EVERYone. But a recent Pew Research Center study says that 65% of online adults use social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and MySpace. That's about half of all U.S. adults! And it's not your college student's facebook anymore - according to a Pew Internet study in August 2010, half (47%) of internet users ages 50-64 and one-in-four (26%) users ages 65 and older now use social networking sites. Finally, if you aren't present in social media, you are absent - meaning that your expertise and your voice aren't contributing to the ongoing conversation about the issues and people you care about. Reason 2: Immediate news and information. In his Dot Earth post "The No(w)sphere" New York Times columnist Andrew Revkin introduced me to the term "noosphere" - the "sphere of human thought." I have followed and participated in many a workshop, seminar and conference via social media - enriching my notes and comments. And ayone who experienced the recent 5.8 earthquake in DC knows that the earthquake quickly dominated social media immediately after the ground shook. NOOSPHERE from Tatiana Plakhova on Vimeo. Reason 3: Tools for social change. In the 2008 elections in the United States, Barack Obama's team leveraged social media to build community then provided online resources so community members could take action. In 2011, social media is identified as a major organizing tool supporting the Arab spring. Angry Twitter Birds Topple Arab Dictator in French TV Ad Reason 4: Tools to build knowledge for innovation. You can learn a lot about people by what they post. You can learn a lot more about the issues you care about by listening to what others are saying and sharing on that topic. Together, this is what makes up your community - and the more focused you are on listening and engaging with your community, the more knowledgeable everyone becomes. Common knowledge shared helps lead people to play with ideas and explore ways to innovate. TED's Chris Anderson: How web video powers global innovation (July 2010) Reason 5: Many flavors and sizes. Not everyone has to jump wholeheartedly into social media with the enthusiasm of a dachshund in a dog food factory. Want to track the latest news? Use Twitter to follow key news sources (both people and organizations). Want to connect with colleagues? Use LinkedIn to highlight your professional experience and topic expertise and to connect with coworkers and partners. Want to develop existing friendships (personal and professional)? Use Facebook to share day-to-day news about what you are interested in and what is going... Laura Lee Dooley

FINALLY!

Finally, people are beginning to realize that social media is no longer optional.

Social media has become:

  • as necessary as email, 
  • as informative as a website, and 
  • as connective as a cell phone.

There are many reasons people get involved in social media, but for those still hesitant to join the bandwagon, here are 5 simple reasons to integrate social media into your daily activities.

Reason 1: Everyone is doing it. Well, not EVERYone. But a recent Pew Research Center study says that 65% of online adults use social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and MySpace. That's about half of all U.S. adults! And it's not your college student's facebook anymore - according to a Pew Internet study in August 2010, half (47%) of internet users ages 50-64 and one-in-four (26%) users ages 65 and older now use social networking sites. Finally, if you aren't present in social media, you are absent - meaning that your expertise and your voice aren't contributing to the ongoing conversation about the issues and people you care about.

1711-1

Reason 2: Immediate news and information. In his Dot Earth post "The No(w)sphere" New York Times columnist Andrew Revkin introduced me to the term "noosphere" - the "sphere of human thought." I have followed and participated in many a workshop, seminar and conference via social media - enriching my notes and comments. And ayone who experienced the recent 5.8 earthquake in DC knows that the earthquake quickly dominated social media immediately after the ground shook. 

 http://dooleyonline.typepad.com/dooley_post/2011/06/140conf-nyc-day-one.html Union of Concerned Scientists Launches "Clean Air Act Ticker" tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e551a4e0f3883301538ddfd716970b 2011-04-15T11:34:40-04:00 2011-04-15T11:37:58-04:00 Recently, Congress has convened hearings around whether the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is able to use the Clean Air Act to limit emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants associated with climate change. Under the Clean Air Act, the EPA is required to regulate emissions that are considered to be pollution and that "endanger public health and welfare." The Union of Concerned Scientists has just released a Clean Air Act Ticker which calculates the benefits, in U.S. dollars, of the implementation of Clean Air Act regulations since 1970. Get the Clean Air Act widget and many other great free widgets at Widgetbox! Not seeing a widget? (More info) Laura Lee Dooley

Recently, Congress has convened hearings around whether the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is able to use the Clean Air Act to limit emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants associated with climate change.

Under the Clean Air Act, the EPA is required to regulate emissions that are considered to be pollution and that "endanger public health and welfare."

The Union of Concerned Scientists has just released a Clean Air Act Ticker which calculates the benefits, in U.S. dollars, of the implementation of Clean Air Act regulations since 1970.

 http://dooleyonline.typepad.com/dooley_post/2011/04/union-of-concerned-scientists-launches-clean-air-act-ticker.html Networked Nonprofits: "I've Found My Free Agent - Now What?" (#11NTCfa) tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e551a4e0f388330147e353f9af970b 2011-03-19T17:09:13-04:00 2011-03-21T12:52:58-04:00 According to Beth Kanter, there are two different types of nonprofits: Fortressed Nonprofits. These type of organizations try to maintain total control of medium, message, spokespeople. They limit their audiences to a small of constituents identified by the organization. And they don't necessarily get social media. Fortressed organizations. Source: Rob Cottingham. Networked Nonprofits. Consider everyone inside and outside of the organization resources for helping them to achieve their goals. Beth believes nonprofits can unleash the power of social good by transitioning from stand-alone fortressed institutions to networks energized by abundant resources in their ecosystem. In order to do this, they need to work with free agents. Free agents are individuals working outside of organizations to organize, mobilize, raise funds, and communicate with constituents. They are hyper-connected people passionate about social change without being an employee of the organization(s) they support. Free agents use social media channels like Facebook and Twitter, and can create social movements in the palms of their hands. Leading a session at the annual NonProfits and Technology Conference, Beth brought together organization representatives who had learned first-hand the opportunities and challenges of working with free agents. The relationship between the organization and free agents is sort of like marriage. The partnership has to be mutually beneficial and not coercive. Important characteristics of this partnership includes: Trust. Free agents must be worth trusting and able to support in mutually beneficial ways. Transparency. Trust and honesty are important for organizations to have to make the relationship work. It is important to build a relationship that doesn’t change based on what free agents do. Empathy. Organizations and free agents need to understand each others’ motives. Enthusiasm. This helps to sell a concept. In thinking about "economy" between organizations and free agents, both have to get value from relationship. What's valuable for your free agents? Free agents like Shawn Ahmed (@uncultured) are promiscuous for good! Free Agent. Source; Rob Cottingham. To take this metaphor a bit further, Beth set up her panelists as “couples” in a newlywed game format First couple - Kat Johnson (100KHomes) and Mark Horvath (Free agent and founder of @invisiblepeople.tv) Kat and Mark were aware of each other’s existence via Twitter; they met in person when Mark interviewed the Executive Director of 100k homes. Mark describes free agents as "the marketing plan that the organization can’t afford. They want to help you tell your story, and they are connected with stakeholders you would otherwise not reach." When asked, "How do you resolve conflict?", they responded "You commit and work through it." Mark explained, “The worst thing you can do to me is censor me. Free agents share goals and won't intentionally hurt the organization." Based on their experience working together, Kat and Mark believe that organizations need to empower free agents. "Take a leap of faith. Encourage your staff...create Evangelists." said Mark. It helps if the organization is ready to reach out and embrace the free agent. Kat said, "I am lucky to work for a director... Laura Lee Dooley

According to Beth Kanter, there are two different types of nonprofits:

  • Fortressed Nonprofits. These type of organizations try to maintain total control of medium, message, spokespeople. They limit their audiences to a small of constituents identified by the organization. And they don't necessarily get social media.

Fortress Organizations
Fortressed organizations. Source: Rob Cottingham.

  • Networked Nonprofits. Consider everyone inside and outside of the organization resources for helping them to achieve their goals.

Beth believes nonprofits can unleash the power of social good by transitioning from stand-alone fortressed institutions to networks energized by abundant resources in their ecosystem. In order to do this, they need to work with free agents.

Free agents are individuals working outside of organizations to organize, mobilize, raise funds, and communicate with constituents. They are hyper-connected people passionate about social change without being an employee of the organization(s) they support.  Free agents use social media channels like Facebook and Twitter, and can create social movements in the palms of their hands.

Leading a session at the annual NonProfits and Technology Conference, Beth brought together organization representatives who had learned first-hand the opportunities and challenges of working with free agents.

The relationship between the organization and free agents is sort of like marriage. The partnership has to be mutually beneficial and not coercive. Important characteristics of this partnership includes:

  • Trust. Free agents must be worth trusting and able to support in mutually beneficial ways.
  • Transparency. Trust and honesty are important for organizations to have to make the relationship work. It is important to build a relationship that doesn’t change based on what free agents do.
  • Empathy. Organizations and free agents need to understand each others’ motives.
  • Enthusiasm. This helps to sell a concept.

In thinking about "economy" between organizations and free agents, both have to get value from relationship. What's valuable for your free agents?

Free Agent

Free agents like Shawn Ahmed (@uncultured) are promiscuous for good!
Free Agent. Source; Rob Cottingham.

To take this metaphor a bit further, Beth set up her panelists as “couples” in a newlywed game format

First couple - Kat Johnson (100KHomes) and Mark Horvath (Free agent and founder of @invisiblepeople.tv)

Kat and Mark were aware of each other’s existence via Twitter; they met in person when Mark interviewed the Executive Director of 100k homes. Mark describes free agents as "the marketing plan that the organization can’t afford. They want to help you tell your story, and they are connected with stakeholders you would otherwise not reach." When asked, "How do you resolve conflict?", they responded "You commit and work through it." Mark explained, “The worst thing you can do to me is censor me. Free agents share goals and won't intentionally hurt the organization." Based on their experience working together, Kat and Mark believe that organizations need to empower free agents. "Take a leap of faith. Encourage your staff...create Evangelists." said Mark. It helps if the organization is ready to reach out and embrace the free agent. Kat said, "I am lucky to work for a director of a campaign...that is willing to take risks."  Mark added that organizations are good at "navigating his passions" to focus his agenting.

Beth Kanter, Kat Johnson, and Mark Horvath (#11NTCfa)
The Newlywed Game! Beth Kanter with Kat Johnson (100KHomes) and Mark Horvath discuss the relationship between organizations and free agents. Source: Michael Dougherty

Second couple (triple?) – Ettore Rossetti (Save the Children) and Matt Morgan (Red Cross) and Shawn Ahmed (Free agent @uncultured)

Shawn describes himself as a "Former Notre Dame grad student who dropped everything to start an unplanned, unexpected, & 'uncultured' journey to help the poor." He heard good things about Save the Children, so he investigated and liked their work so much he sought out ways to promote the organization. "A free agent is a bridge maker for nonprofits," explained Shawn. "American people want to KNOW who they are giving money to." He added, "The last aspect of bridge making is bridging cultures." To demonstrate, he showed the following video about "The Boy Who Lived."