UPDATED – 12/11/11

I’ve been traveling around a lot this year speaking, presenting and working with agencies across Texas and Africa. Yet, it’s been awhile since I’ve done anything in Abilene– where I’ve invested a lot of myself.

So, I was considering scheduling one of my social media workshops locally after the holidays passed. As my early 2012 schedule started getting really busy, I began reconsidering. And I decided that it was time to offer the workshop now so that orgs could be thinking about effective social media use before the new year began– while in that dreaming and planning stage that comes as we end one year and begin a new year.

It is also time to take some of my own advice: try something new and see if it works.

That was a recurring lesson in the webinar series I completed last month. I offer lots of ideas and really try to challenge organizational leaders to try something new and lead on. Now I’m trying my own medicine by offering a flash sale on a workshop!?

For those new to flash sales, these are limited-time sales that are often discounted. In some cases, a minimum number of sales must be made for the item to ‘tip’ and become a real deal. I haven’t heard of a flash sale on a workshop before, but I heard myself saying, “Try something new and see if it works.”

You can learn more about my first flash sale and register for the Igniting Impact with Social Media Workshop to be held in Abilene on December 16 here.

It’s a discounted fee (only $35!) with an opportunity to bring a co-worker at no extra charge. And, only 15 registrations will tip the sale! But, time is already running out. The sale must tip by 5:30 p.m., Friday, December 9. Register now!

UPDATE: The sale did not make, but several signed up and others encouraged looking for a new date because they couldn’t do that date. Maybe I will.

My first encounter was in college literature when we read the short story “Adam’s Peace”. It was about his experiences of leaving the halls of academia to become a caregiver for the developmentally disabled. Later, his article in Leadership Journal entitled “From Solitude to Community to Ministry” became a formative text for spiritual development in my ministry studies– in and out of the classroom. And In the Name of Jesus was a required text for many semesters of my teaching freshmen students.

I was shocked this summer to encounter a quote and footnote referencing a work by Nouwen on fundraising. Fundraising? Nouwen? I made a note of this and waited until I returned to the states to look it up. The link was now dead, but a search found that it was being republished. Yesterday it arrived and I read it. It’s very short and genuinely Nouwen. Which also means he’s right on target, yet pushing me to new understandings.

Nouwen begins:

Fundraising is a subject we seldom think about from a spiritual perspective. We may think of fundraising as a necessary but unpleasant activity to support spiritual things.

True…I hadn’t really thought much about it from a spiritual perspective. And I know plenty of people (many fund raisers included) who put it in the “necessary evil” box — especially faith-based organizational leaders.

What a relief when Nouwen challenges my thinking…

Fundraising is, first and foremost, a form of ministry. It is a way of announcing our vision and inviting other people into our mission. Vision and mission are so central to the life of God’s people that without vision we perish and without mission we lose our way (Prov 29:18, 2 Kings 21:1-9). Vision brings together needs and resources to meet those needs (Acts 9:1-19)… Vision gives us courage to speak when we might want to remain silent (Acts 18:9).

Fundraising is proclaiming what we believe in such a way that we offer people an opportunity to participate with us in our vision and mission.

Fundraising is ministry. A call to conversion. Joining God’s work together. Not begging.

Rather [than begging], we are declaring, ‘We have a vision that is amazing and exciting. We are inviting you to invest yourself through the resources that God has given you– your energy, your prayers, and your money– in this work to which God has called us.’ Our invitation is clear and confident because we trust that our vision and mission are like ‘trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither.’ (Ps 1:3).

As with all ministry to Nouwen, it’s about relationship with God and others. Our visions grow from joining God’s kingdom work. And our fundraising is from people in relationship with us and God. Nouwen’s book isn’t a strategy guide for fundraising, but a reflection on the spirituality of it. Yet, recognizing fundraising as ministry and relationship also nods to effective fundraising: that of personal relationships and inviting others to invest in important work.

When those tasked with raising funds view it as begging or a ‘necessary and unpleasant activity’, we miss out. We miss an opportunity to partner with another to make a difference. As faith-based fundraisers engaging other people of faith, we miss out on an opportunity for connecting deeply in God’s mission, vision and passion.

This mindset can be difficult to accept. It took several years for me to really make the transition to believing and acting as if I’m offering invitations of investment and not begging. Part of that comes from really believing in what you’re doing. But another part comes from getting over our hang-ups about asking people for money (or, perhaps more specifically, our fear of rejection).

Fundraising is a very rich and beautiful activity. It is a confident, joyful, and hope-filled expression of ministry. In ministering to each other, each from the riches that he or she possesses, we work together for the full coming of God’s kingdom.

Cast vision. Invite. Minister. Raise funds.

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Submitted by: Steve Mutiso
Email: smmutiso@aep.com

This prayer still speaks today and, in context, begins a plea by John for God to help him build a house for the poor in his community.

Lord! Teach me to bestow charity willingly, kindly, joyfully, and to believe that by bestowing it I do not lose, but gain, infinitely more than that which I give. Turn my eyes away from hard-hearted people who do not sympathize with the poor, who meet poverty with indifference, who judge, reproach, brand it with shameful names, and weaken my heart, so that I may not do good, so that I, too, may harden my heart against poverty. O my Lord, how many such people we meet with!…

Lord, grant that every charity I bestow be profitable, and may not do harm! Lord, accept yourself charity in the person of your poor people.

- From My Life in Christ, 1897

For a great collection of prayers from Eastern Christians like John and others from throughout Christian history, check out Michael Counsell’s 2000 Years of Prayer…this prayer and others of John of Kronstadt’s can be found on page 56.

]]> http://www.inspireaction.org/2011/07/17/prayer-of-john-of-kronstadt/feed/ 0 http://www.inspireaction.org/2011/07/02/new-local-nonprofit-for-the-love-of-nature/ http://www.inspireaction.org/2011/07/02/new-local-nonprofit-for-the-love-of-nature/#comments Sat, 02 Jul 2011 17:34:50 +0000 Brad Carter http://www.inspireaction.org/2011/07/02/new-local-nonprofit-for-the-love-of-nature/ Learn more about a new local nonprofit offering educational and fun activities for kids and families while preserving land and wildlife. Meet “For the Love of Nature” and its partners.

Click here to download For the Love of Nature’s brochure

Submitted by: Sarah Strom-Kieschnick
Email: fortheloveofnature@ymail.com

This paper draws on examples from two nonprofits to demonstrate how certain traits are made operational.

Download pdf version of 9 Key Traits of Next Generation Organization  paper

Thanks to Mary Ross, Workforce Solutions Board of West Central Texas for submitting.

Educated Kids – Increasing the number of children who are ready for school and in school settings that put them on a trajectory to be reading and math proficient before third grade;

Healthy Kids – Increasing the number of children born at a healthy birth weight, who achieve developmental milestones, and who receive the care and healthy food they need for optimal development; and

Secure Families – Increasing the number of children and families living at least 200% above the poverty level. Geographic priority areas in the United States include Michigan, Mississippi, and New Mexico; however, promising programs throughout the U.S. are also supported.

International grants, which have distinct funding priorities, are currently concentrated in selected regions of Latin America and the Caribbean. Requests for both national and international grants are reviewed throughout the year. Online application information is available on the Foundation’s website.

—

Submitted by: Mary Ross
Email: mary.ross@workforcesystem.org

Nearly one in three African American adults (30%) and four in ten Hispanics (39%) say they are more likely to support a cause or social issue online than offline today—both significantly higher percentages than Caucasians (24%), according to the new Dynamics of Cause Engagement study.

The study was released from Georgetown University’s Center for Social Impact Communication and Oglivy PR, a public relations company. A good summary article is also provided by The Chronicle of Philanthropy.

Results of the study affirm recent local workshops in Abilene about the untapped engagement with the changing population of Texas. According to the study, Hispanics and African-Americans are more likely to spread the word about causes they support and have stronger belief in the power of online networks. The study also affirms that social media is growing in influence, but still does not outrank more traditional forms of connection like TV and newspaper to increase awareness. Nor does social media wield power beyond good old-fashioned relationship building (which is what social media is all about).

Emails for Causes

Also of interest in the report, is that only a third of African-Americans (compared with roughly half of Hispanics and Caucasians), believe they get too many email messages about causes now. Yet over two-thirds of all three groups believe that emails about causes often feel like spam.

This suggests that the groups–especially African-Americans– are open to more email communication, but all of them expect better content. Every organization utilizing email marketing should be asking, “How do make sure we aren’t perceived as spam?” Or the question that will better help us improve, “How do we provide the relevant and engaging content our supporters want to read in our emails?” Make a promise to only send emails with useful information; don’t send one if you don’t have anything of substance to say.

What about Facebook?

65% of Hispanics and African-Americans (60% of Caucasians) agree that online social networking sites like Facebook increase visibility for social causes and issues. I would guess that means they also expect to see the causes they support on these social networking sites.

Even more interestingly is that over half (51% African-Americans, 58% Hispanics) feel they can help get word out about causes using Facebook and Twitter. Only a third of Caucasians believe feel the same. This suggests that when nonprofits begin to engage effectively with minority communities, they’re ready to help spread the word throughout their networks– both offline and online. Are we ready?

But, even with this seemingly widespread usage, I still encounter a “fear” of social media from nonprofit leaders— especially those new to these tools personally. Beth Kanter (author of Beth’s Blog and The Networked Nonprofit) adapted a list from SocialFish.org about why organizations fear social media. Their list includes the following:

• Loss of control
• Fear of failure
• Perception of wasted time
• Dealing with negative comments
• Information overload
• Addressing personality versus organizational voice

Each of these are unique in their own way. The most common ones I hear, though, are the loss of control, perceptions of wasted time and how to deal with negative comments. Let’s briefly dive into these three.

Loss of control. Leaders of organizations and businesses want to control their message. In traditional marketing and media, the message was produced by the company and then disseminated to consumers, clients and the targeted audience. But those who are on social media have noticed that these messages cannot be controlled in this way. It even seems too risky to empower others with our message and mission to speak on our behalf– because we simply don’t know what they’ll say. If they aren’t employees, we don’t have ways to deal with them.

Though traditional marketing still has a role today, a new world has emerged. Those who will do best in this new environment are those who let go of control, are transparent about their good and bad, and empower others to speak for them. These three strategies work together. If you just let go, it is scary. And if you empower others without giving them the information and insight they need as your ambassadors, well, it may not be pretty. Be transparent with your biggest fans and make it easy for them to spread the love.

Perceptions of wasted time. Beth Kanter spends quite a bit of time talking about this one because it is particularly evident among seasoned nonprofit professionals. The truth is that it’s easy to get distracted by social media. One post leads to another comment or person or video or article or website which leads to more comments, videos, articles and websites. There are ways to plan for effective use of social media for your business or organization. Depending on your goals, the time commitments are quite manageable.

You can use metrics for showing engagement and awareness raising to prove the time isn’t being wasted to the boss (which is the number one recommendation you’ll find). But, if you really want to overcome the perception of wasted time, use social media effectively to accomplish your mission. When you think about the vast array of tools available ask, “How can this tool help us change the world?” If it can only help you raise awareness (and maybe a little money), then you may be wasting your time. And if you don’t have a clear plan for how to use social media, you certainly are wasting time.

Dealing with negative comments. “Social media can get my organization in trouble. All it takes is one wrong move or one rogue post and my organization could be toast. It’s not worth the risk.” There is truth that the stakes can be high in playing with social media; and mistakes are made (a common favorite of mine is the inappropriate personal tweet on the organizational account). The past few years proves that avoiding negativity about our organization by not being on social media is not viable. But planning for the challenges can turn a troubling moment into a powerful one.

You cannot hide from social media and you cannot hide from your mistakes on social media. So businesses must learn to face them and have a plan for how to deal with them with transparency (and humor). There are numerous resources for policies that can be put into place (and best practices for those). Don’t let fear drive you away from social media, use your fear to develop appropriate safeguards for success in using social media.

There are legitimate risks in using social media. But the potential and power of social media to create positive change in the world should lead to evaluation of their usefulness for greater community impact.