Cause Effective Perspective

Building social movements have been done for a ver...

2011-04-05T11:31:01.352-04:00

Building social movements have been done for a very long time (i.e, Civil Rights; Women's Suffrage Movement). Social Media is another new tool to expand an organization's social network for social justice, equity and compassion.

Thanks, Judy for coming to the event and for all y...

2011-03-07T11:27:40.840-05:00

Thanks, Judy for coming to the event and for all your support. It really was a special and magical day, which was all about community and still a very successful fundraiser!

Choice of food is definitely an important issue wi...

2010-07-23T13:06:28.079-04:00

Choice of food is definitely an important issue with certain groups of faith including mine. At any event I attend, before I partake in the food, I always inquire about the ingredients.

I see your point and you are right. Depending on which organization it is, some people might choose not to donate because of something as simple as the food served.

My few words of advice for all not-for-profits, "know your audience when serving food."

A point well-taken and one resonant with our work ...

2010-07-02T14:33:05.739-04:00

A point well-taken and one resonant with our work in multigenerational philanthropy. Our experience has shown that it is helpful to start from a place of contemplating your aspirational legacy. In fact, we developed a tool titled Picture Your Legacy to do just that. Philanthropy News Digest contributor Thaler Pekar describes it here: http://pndblog.typepad.com/pndblog/2010/06/values-as-visuals.html

Great post Judy...here's where I think the exp...

2010-04-20T00:48:59.797-04:00

Great post Judy...here's where I think the expanse of our contacts reaches farther than we ever expected much less planned. The idea of building a day of thanks to npos (not the one you work for) is a terrific idea... hmmm, let's see if we can begin to light a fuse around it.
The essence of all social networking is to engage so let's see where this takes us over the next few months.
Thanks again.

This is really well articulated. The position is ...

2010-03-09T10:24:27.562-05:00

This is really well articulated. The position is wrought with importance and lack of control! Hats off to our board chair and those who take on such important roles for other nonprofits. Hats off!

While events are an important source of fundraisin...

2010-02-08T09:14:22.413-05:00

While events are an important source of fundraising for many nonprofits, it's best to think carefully about the objectives and not just plan events because they've worked in past years. Events, in addition to generating revenue, should be another way to build the relationship with constituents, which hopefully will last long after the event has past.

How wonderful to hear a fresh voice on this! So ma...

2010-01-25T12:46:24.572-05:00

How wonderful to hear a fresh voice on this! So many consultants are yammering on these days about "board discipline."

And so many staff go down that road ... only to kill the enthusiasm that sparked the board member to volunteer in the first place.

Rekindling that spark is a much better idea. And if the spark isn't there to be rekindled, let the person find another spark, somwhere else.

Great stuff. Thanks!

Very glad to have found your writings (via your co...

2010-01-25T12:41:23.835-05:00

Very glad to have found your writings (via your comment on Beth's blog about the Chase contest).

Your observations about the vulnerability (even the existential terror) of individual donor fundraising are profound.

I look forward to reading more of your good thinking!

Very thoughtful analogy and food for thought. Loo...

2010-01-18T21:07:48.976-05:00

Very thoughtful analogy and food for thought. Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.

Indeed this is a challenge, especially when everyb...

2010-01-12T11:00:33.835-05:00

Indeed this is a challenge, especially when everybody doesn't quite see it the same way. Also, projections that were for General Operating Support, given the current climate, seem to be shifting to programmatic (while decreasing), and some (decreased) programmatic support is losing the amount of administrative overhead applicable. The best thing to do is, where possible, talk to the prospective funders with whom we have relationships to feel out what is realistic, and, as unfortunate as it might sound, make no assumptions about new funding, but celebrate any successes we do have in that area.

People certainly take note when you go a little ou...

2010-01-07T12:00:32.786-05:00

People certainly take note when you go a little out of your way to say a quick but meaningful "thank you." This is where email is extremely helpful, as people are probably happy to open a message with the subject line "Thanks" - taking one minute to compose that virtual message can go a long way!

I can't help but think that people now just de...

2010-01-03T17:40:47.982-05:00

I can't help but think that people now just delee without reading every email with a subject that suggests it is an ask. With so many email appeals coming in during the last two weeks of the year, on top of the "Vote for XYZ" in Facebook email deluge, this can only build indifference, or worse, resentment. Yes, touch your constituents, but clearly content will matter more and more. Make those newsletters sparkle!

I completely agree that online actions and connect...

2009-12-02T15:16:22.678-05:00

I completely agree that online actions and connections shouldn't replace face-to-face organizing, but the web can be an important medium to help us reach new constituents and to engage passive supporters further.

I often think of these easy online actions as a step in a ladder of engagement for constituents rather than a replacement for a more personal action.

On another note - I worry that organizations that participate in contests like this one might be missing an opportunity to connect with supporters on the issues central to the org's mission. I would much prefer to get a program-related email from a group, or even a direct donation ask, rather than an invitation to vote in a long-shot contest that also puts me on the Facebook page of a corporation.

I agree that the "connect" is crucial an...

2009-12-01T16:29:36.932-05:00

I agree that the "connect" is crucial and can happen in a variety of ways. We should leverage technology to help further relationships but not rely on it alone to build them.

As an organizational psychologist and a big believ...

2009-11-25T16:38:22.712-05:00

As an organizational psychologist and a big believer in the power of laughter, I couldn't agree more. Comfort and humor are important for any group dynamic and impactful board work is no exception.