A couple of things got me thinking this week, the first week

Social Media Cafe (Photo credit: Cristiano Betta)

as working to help promote a program through social media for a friend, and the other was a recent blog post by John Haydon wrote about: Measuring the ROI of a Handshake, where he talks about the ROI of social media, comparing it to the handshake.

With social media, there are a ton of ways to measure. We can see shares, how many people clicked through, comments, hits, and when an event didn’t show results in the 2 weeks I have been working on it, the friend was disappointed….the ad in the newspaper did bring in two people, yet no one came through from social media. Yet unlike the newspaper ad, I was able to tell them that their Facebook ad was seen by over 15,000 targeted women in MA, NH, and RI, that there were 45 click thrus on the Facebook ad, and that on the new website/blog – there have been over 200 views in the first week.

I explained that social media is not a quick fix, but something that evolves, and given the time frame, we are doing good so far. We will be working on blog posts, and getting more information out, so that people go to them for advise, and we will add to their Facebook and LinkedIn groups, but they will also have to add to the groups. Since putting things out, I have already doubled the “Likes” of the group.

So, build it and they will come? We will see. And even though there are plenty of way to measure, the final up or down will depend on whether they will get the attendance for the group they are forming.

The program is a 10 week session for women returning to work or transitioning careers.

Check it out here: Women’s Career Rebuilder Program

So last week, out of the blue, I got a phone call from our exchange student. In 2000-01 school year, while our children were a freshman and a senior at the high school, we decided to host an AFS exchange student. It was a great experience, but we have not talked much since his year here. Every year I send a Christmas card, we connected on Facebook a couple of years back, last year he was in San Francisco, and he had coffee with my daughter -so we quazi-kept in touch.

He and his brother got tickets for the Pat’s AFC playoff game, and they were coming in from Mexico on Saturday, and leaving Monday morning. Quick trip, but we had enough time to “catch-up” on things, and he settled in nicely to our house – his “room” is now our office, and many things were the same, but a little different for him.

In the last couple of years, his family has opened a small boutique hotel in his home town, and he and his brother talked about it with us. – humm it thought, the Norwell Women’s Club was looking for a destination silent auction item…this could be perfect…couldn’t hurt to ask, so I did, and we now have a great, unique item for our Wine Tasting Dinner and Fundraiser.

So I guess the motto to this story is that you never know where or when your connections might help you out

Greetings from a light snowy Northeast…it has been a while.

1. Does Your Nonprofit Need Legal Counsel About Using Social Media? from Beth’s Blog:

“CYA – Consult Your Attorney!”

Now, I have another great resource to share,   Good Counsel:  Meeting the Legal Needs of Nonprofits by Lesley Rosenthal, the astute General Counsel of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.   It is an thorough guide for the most common legal, governance, and fundraising compliance issues facing nonprofits.     Her writing style is less lawyerly, and well, human.   The book is filled with stories, practical resources, and tools.      The book is written for staff and board members.      While the advice in the book does not replace an attorney,  having this on your reference desk can help you be more efficient your attorney’s time because you’ll come to meetings educated.

2. Nonprofit Governance: How Small All-Volunteer Organizations Can be Successful from Susan Hammond, scHammond Advisors:

This all prompted me to think about what it takes to run an all-volunteer organization.  Here are a few of my thoughts:

1. Mission. All board members need to agree and be able to articulate to the public what the purpose the organization serves.
2. Vision. We all need to agree on the value the organization will provide to the public
3. Strategy.All decisions and activities then need to be driven by what the shared vision and mission is. The two most important questions to answer are:
   1. How does this decision, be it an expenditure or activity, further the organization’s mission & vision?
   2. Is this the mosst resource efficient and impactful way to approach this expenditure or activity?

3. I put this in because it happen to us at The Non-Profit Toolbox… No, You Can’t Pick My Brain. It Costs Too Much from Forbes: Adrienne Graham, Contributor

I can’t tell you how flattering it is to be approached by representatives from major companies seeking my wisdom and advice. It shows they are listening, and like what I have to say.

But often I find the road ends when they are just on a fact finding mission. That mission is to pick my brain to gather as much free intel and knowledge they need to make their jobs easier.

4. 12 ways to use Pinterest for your nonprofit from John Haydon a guest post from my good friend Noland Hoshino. Pinterest is the hottest, newest thing…with many people writing about it…

There is a new darling in the social media world and her name is Pinterest. A virtual, interactive bulletin board where individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations can pin their interests and drive traffic to their website.

What is Pinterest?

Pinsterest is basically a vision board or scrapbook that you put together while surfing the internet. According to the website, “Pinterest is a virtual pinboard. Pinterest allows you to organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. You can browse pinboards created by other people to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests.”

Other Pinterest articles:

• Steal these 42 Creative Pinterest Ideas for Nonprofits
• HOW TO: Get Your Nonprofit Started on Pinterest
• Honoring Martin Luther King, Jr Today: Inspiration from Pinboard

5. How to Turn Your Super Bowl Party into a Fundraiser from by geofflivingston on Inspiring Generosity:

Winter isn’t the best time for fundraisers, but it’s sure great for football! Why not do both, and turn your Super Bowl party into a fundraiser?

The key to turning a successful Super Bowl party into a winning fundraiser is fun. You have to make your fundraiser fun, something people can enjoy. It should fit within the larger context of the Super Bowl party.

Some suggestions to build an event around your cause:

 

Christmas is just around the corner, I am happy to spend some time with my family, my daughter is home for a few days, and we have chosen to go to the Museum of Science today to see the Pompeii exhibit, as a family…just like we use to when they were young(er).

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

1. Facebook Timeline Covers To Spread Your Organization’s Brand? A good idea or not? from Beth’s Blog

Last week,  Facebook rolled out the Facebook Timeline to all users.   While the timeline has the potential to embarrass some users who might have inappropriate photos buried along their timeline,  the cover image might be an opportunity for nonprofits to engage their champions to help spread the word about the organization.

2. Latest Survey Says People Plan to Donate More to Charity this Holiday Season by Allyson Kapin, Frogloop

Will nonprofits raise more money than last year during their year-end fundraising campaigns? According to a national poll conducted by the American Red Cross, seven out of 10 Americans plan to donate more money to charity this year even in this economic downturn for a third straight holiday season.

3. 17 Ways to Resuscitate a Fading Facebook Page from John Haydon:

If your Facebook Page no longer has the growth and activity it did when you first launched the Page, you’re not alone. Many nonprofits have experienced the similar flatlining due to shifting priorities, turnover, or ineffective strategies.

The good news is that you can start fresh, with a few proven strategies meant to resuscitate your Page:

4. HOW TO: Make the Most of December 31 by socialbutterfly on Inspiring Generosity

According to Network for Good, 33% of giving for the entire year happens on December 30 and 31. Are you ready for the great year-end push? Grab some last minute tips on social fundraising efforts and arm yourself with these three base necessities for a successful year-end giving:

5. Americans Are Most Generous, Global Poll Finds from Chronicles of Philanthropy

Americans give more to help others than the residents of 152 other countries, according to anew global survey. That’s a big change from last year, when the United States ranked No. 5.

The poll, conducted last year with about 1,000 residents in each of 153 countries, asked people whether they had donated money to a charity, volunteered their time, or helped a stranger in the previous month.

Related articles

• Around the Web Dec 16th for NPO’s (thenon-profittoolbox.com)
• Around the Web Dce 9 for NPO’s (thenon-profittoolbox.com)

Usually we use Mondays to promote events from members, but with the holidays approaching, seems we don’t have any…so perfect time to talk about the Boston area NON-Event, from the Ad Club, Boston:

The NON-Event seeks to celebrate and honor these white knights of our community and the agencies and businesses they partner with for the service, hard work, and dedication that help make these altruistic visions a reality.

ENTRY DEADLINE: Friday, January 6th By 11:59pm

AWARD CEREMONY

Wednesday, January 25th
Microsoft
1 Memorial Drive, 11th Floor
Cambridge, MA 02142
4:30pm Registration
5:00pm Keynote Speaker
5:30pm Award Presentation
6:00pm Cocktail Reception

Here are the AWARD CATEGORIES:

Submit your entries here: http://theadclubevents.org/nonevent/submit/

As you know, my daughter is in Peru, helping out a non-profit organization there.

She recently contacted me to ask about setting the organization up in the United States as a 501(c)(3) organization.

The organization has a fundraising arm in Belguim, and all the work is done in Peru. I told her I would ask around about what they should do. I believe that the reason for wanting to set up a nonprofit in the States would be so the donations would have tax exempt status, and they could get more donations.

So, what does everyone think this organization should do?

Image by Josh LeClair via Flickr

Let me start out by thanking our Veterans on this Veteran’s day, 11-11-11. These veterans are people that made the decision to serve our country, and to that we say Thank You!!

1. Nonprofit Goverance: The Impact of Picking the Wrong Board Chair from Susan Hammond, scHammond Advisors:

When an organization appoints the wrong individual as board chair it spells problems that will last for years.  Sometimes there are immediate problems and the situation can be remedied. Often though even though “cured” other problems fester for years.

Exciting news! Nonprofits can now create a “Page” on Google+. If you are new to Google+, then first please read carefully myGoogle+ Best Practices for Nonprofits to become familiar with Google+ so that you make sure that you set up your Google Account and Google+ Profile correctly beforefollowing the instructions below for creating a Google+ Page for your nonprofit.

Noland Hoshino, who created the LinkInLog from SMO Books shares three ways you can use the new LinkedIn Company Pages to bring out the human side of your nonprofit.

Anyone and everyone who gives anything — time, money, experience, skills, networks — in any amount to create a better world can be philanthropist.

Whenever a new method of engagement surfaces, it’s easy to think perhaps the new will supplant what came before. In the case of social networking, some speculate that it will threaten conferences and trade shows. But in reality, social media is a boon to physical gatherings. Social networking allows members to connect with others who they never would otherwise, broadening their network and giving them more reason to attend conferences and shows.

Image by Jim Staley via Flickr

Busy week here in New England, the end of October had a powerful Nor’easter hit Mass,especially western MA. We were generally unscathed, here on the South Shore, but others are still without power – Yikes!

Related articles

• Around the web for NPO’s Oct 28 (thenon-profittoolbox.com)
• Around the Web Sep 23 for NPO’s (thenon-profittoolbox.com)