Getting started in social media? Enlist your supporters!
Today’s post comes from J.D. Lasica, Founder,Socialbrite.org. Socialbrite.org is a great resource for nonprofits using social media for social good. NCVS is delighted that J.D. will join us in New Orleans.Don’t miss the Social Media for Social Good Bootcamp pre-conference session being offered on Sunday, June 5th from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. Until then, here are a few words of advice for nonprofits getting started with social media...
Getting started in social media? Enlist your supporters! Before starting out, you’ll want to gather a few of your key team members around a table to begin an organizational self-assessment. Raise some big questions that go to the heart of your organization’s mission: Why are you all here? What core values drive your organization? What change would you like to see in the world? Is there clarity about what your organization is trying to achieve? What are two or three ideas that people might be excited to spread? Ask each team member to each write down a strong, single sentence that summarizes your cause. Compare them and see what emerges – you may be surprised.
Set out some goals and pick a few social tools to help you get there. Don’t think ofsocial mediaas just another marketing channel – it’s less about the tools than it is a mindset, a network-centric approach that should permeate the ethos of every department in your organization.
Social media is about conversation and community, so you’ll want to create a conversation hub where you can interact with your supporters and potential supporters. That might be your blog, your Facebook Page or a community site likeWiserEarth. Don’t commit more than you can deliver, and don’t get overwhelmed!
Next, you’ll want to begin filling in the outlines of a social media program. That may sound daunting, but it’s really as simple as this:
• Identify influencers: Who on your team can set up a lightweight listening program, using tools likeSocialMentionandWeFollow? Within a week you’ll start to identify influencers in your sector whom you should engage with and slowly cultivate as potential evangelists and ambassadors for your brand.
• Create media content: No, not figuring out who’ll send press releases to the media. Rather, who on my team can go out andcreatemedia for us – photos, videos, text – and identify supporters to help with the task? In the era of social media, every nonprofit is a media organization, so create a plan that addresses who will be part of the editorial process.
• Find resources: Atflickr.com/creativecommonsyou’ll find 160 million photos that you can use for noncommercial or commercial use, including for your website, blog, newsletter, annual report, presentations, etc. AtSocialbrite’s Sharing Centeryou’ll find hundreds of free tutorials and resources on how to strategically use Facebook, Twitter and social media for your organization. Locate the right resources and don’t be shy about taking advantage of what the community is offering you.
• Expand your smarts: Look around your community or region. Chances are there’s aSocial Media Clubevent,PodCamp,BarCamp,WordCampor other gathering where regular people come together to help each other out.
That should get you on your way. Hope to see you at an event soon!
The long, drawn-out budget battles around federal spending for this fiscal year ended on April 8. On the service front, the budget agreement yielded some disappointments but also revealed both the strengths of the service and volunteering sector, as well as the challenges for us going forward in a charged and demanding fiscal environment.
After multiple temporary extensions, Congress ultimately approved a deficit-reduction measure that included $75 million in cuts to the budget for the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). Fortunately, the Corporation was not eliminated as the House of Representatives had proposed, but there were some reductions:
The entire CNCS will be subject to a .2 percent rescission
AmeriCorps state and national was cut by $23 million
The Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) was cut by $12 million
Learn and Serve America was eliminated
Obviously, the end of federal support for service learning in the nation’s schools was disappointing. Points of Light Institute and its youth division, generationOn, have engaged with other advocates to urge policymakers to identify alternative funding platforms for service learning programs. Service learning, we believe, is foundational to building a lifelong commitment to civic engagement and we support its restoration in the federal budget. Support for youth service engagement is the pipeline for future generations of engaged citizens.
Overall, the calls, letters, meetings in congressional district offices, op-eds, letters to the editor and good old-fashioned talking that our sector marshaled meant that CNCS was funded at 94 percent of the fiscal year 2010 level. This hard work was invaluable, a real-time example of the creativity and energy of citizens engaged in public problem solving. Special thanks goes to the Save Service Coalition led by AnnMaura Connolly, Greg Propper and a team of organizations.
Points of Light Institute was pleased to support this campaign. Through the coalition of allies in the sector, service and volunteering advocates visited 440 congressional offices and thousands of calls were made to the offices of members of Congress. HandsOn Network affiliates and AmeriCorps Alums members were integral to the Save Service campaign. An AmeriCorps alum was responsible for initiating a petition that enlisted 100,000 individuals to Save Service.
The disappointment in the outcomes of the budget debate are clear, and we will face even more daunting challenges in fiscal year 2012. But the importance of service was also recognized in the outcome. Lawmakers are faced with difficult choices and we will have increasingly constrained resources. It will be incumbent on our sector to demonstrate the high economic and civic value of service and citizenship and the return on investment in the forms of problems solved, impact created and lifelong citizen volunteers cultivated.
Yours in Service,
CEO, Points of Light Institute
Co-Founder, HandsOn Network
What’s Your Story?
Corporate responsibility, including volunteerism, has a significant impact on overall corporate reputation, driving up to 50 percent of consumer decisions*. If you are not sharing your employee engagement story with key stakeholders, you are missing an opportunity to positively impact your company’s reputation.
Companies invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in employee engagement strategy and implementation each year. How are you sharing the outcomes of this investment with the stakeholders that matter most to your business?
These days, recognition is commonly included in the management and execution of an EVP. Communication around recognition is usually only shared through internal channels, and occasionally the company PR department is engaged to issue a press release that acknowledge a milestone, new element or special characteristic of the program.
By limiting your communication to these channels and audiences, you can’t maximize the reputational value for your company.
In the “How to Communicate Your EVP” session, participants will hear from three companies—UPS, Microsoft and Disney—who have mastered the art of telling the company’s EVP story to reach both internal and external key audiences.
Each panelists will cover how the company communicates about its EVP on a local and global level, with an emphasis on how to:
•Identify your unique story
•Leverage your employees as brand ambassadors
•Show how volunteerism provides a real business value for the company
Then, all session participants will engage in an interactive breakout session to share successful tactics as well as identify current communication challenges and get advice from peers in addressing them.
If you are unable to attend the session, please reach out to me directly [email protected]—I’d be happy to share the learnings with you. Sharing your story is a critical, yet often neglected element to a company’s EVP. Join our session“What’s Your Story? How to communicate your EVP” (5081)Wednesday, June 8, 2011 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM so you can learn how to better tap into this resource.
*APCO Return on Reputation Research Indicator, 2010
Today’s post comes from Tara Greco Vice President of APCO Worldwide
A Tale of Two Girls, a Gator, and a GPS
Thispost comes from Lori Jean Mantooth and Patricia Thompson ofHandsOn Network.
What do you get when you send two novices to New Orleans to visit 11 immersion learning sites in 3 days? You have a mad dash of food, sights, smells, and one-way streets, all accompanied by a GPS unit with a British accent.
New Orleans is an amazing city, and the nonprofits, governments, and businesses there are engaging volunteers in powerful and creative ways. So when we were tasked with visiting potential immersion learning sites to pave the way for sendingNCVS participants out into the city, we jumped at the chance. What could be better than a springtime visit to the Big Easy, where we could learn about service, meet some cool people, and sample some yummy food?
As we traveled from the Convention Center to the Ninth Ward to Columbia Parc to the Ninth Ward to the French Quarter to St Bernard Parrish (through the Ninth Ward), we realized that our GPS unit – aka “Julia” – was our best friend. We also learned that all our assumptions were correct. New Orleans is fascinating and the people, architecture, and food are incredible. It’s truly a city unlike any other. Even more importantly, its stories of service will blow your mind.
The presenters will inspire you and challenge you to think about how you can apply the lessons they’ve learned over the past months and years. And if time permits, they may also clue you in to important facts such as where you can find the best shrimp po-boy. (FYI, according to our insider sources, it’s a little restaurant out in Norco, LA. But you didn’t hear it from us!)
When you select your sessions for the conference, be sure to add an immersion learning session to your agenda. Then on June 7th and 8th, as you board the bus for your four-hour immersion experience, get ready to
see the city, learn about innovative models, and gain tips for engaging volunteers in your community.
Take some sunscreen, maybe some old shoes, and an open mind and heart. But you can leave your GPS at home.
Change Notes: National Volunteer Week Showcases Power of Service
Friends,
We have arrived on the doorstep of National Volunteer Week – and we have arrived at a pivotal point in this country’s storied and ardent belief in the power of individuals to impact the world. Service, and the future of service, has been in the spotlight recently – and so National Volunteer Week comes as a powerful reminder that many of this country’s great strides came from people who voluntarily took steps to make a difference.
National Volunteer Week, April 10-16, draws the support and endorsement of President Barack Obama and members of Congress, governors, mayors and municipal leaders, as well as corporate and community groups. It also marks the two-year anniversary of the landmark Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, the largest expansion of volunteer service since the 1930s.
During National Volunteer Week, I encourage you to recognize a point of light in your life – someone who has made a meaningful difference – on Points of Light Institute’s Tribute Wall. By joining this online community, you can celebrate those who have taken brave voluntary steps towards change in your neighborhoods.
All across the country, Points of Light Institute and HandsOn Network will host special events and mobilize thousands of volunteers. More than 170 HandsOn Network affiliates will be activating and recognizing volunteers with special National Volunteer Week events. Other highlights of the week include:
Make a Difference Day Awards Luncheon on April 14 will honor the 2010 National Make a Difference Day honorees and the role volunteers play in helping us achieve our national priorities through voluntary action. The event is presented by USA WEEKEND Magazine, HandsOn Network and Newman’s Own, Inc. Special guests include Emmy Award-winning journalist Cokie Roberts and Grammy Award-winning musician Darius Rucker.
UPS and Hewlett Packard are teaming up with HandsOn Atlanta to refurbish Hutchison School. Employee volunteers will prepare the outdoor amphitheater-style classroom for use through weeding, planting and painting. Volunteers will also prepare six vegetable garden plots that kindergarten classes will maintain and harvest.
L’Oreal Paris, in partnership with Points of Light Institute, will kick off the sixth annual call for nominations for Women of Worth on April 11. Over the last five years, 50 amazing women have been recognized for their commitment to service and helping others. This year, L’Oreal Paris is increasing its grant to $10,000 for each of the 10 honorees for her most-cherished cause.
In partnership with Scholastic, HandsOn Network is helping bring BE BIG In Your Community Contest Winners’ BIG Ideas to life including projects in Miami for Strong Women, Strong Girls; to incorporate service learning into schools by creating a rain garden at West Geauga High School and engaging teens in service through the St. Louis Youth and Family Volunteer Fair.
HandsOn Network will work with Starbucks to host service activities across the country in April as part of its Global Month of Service dedicated to engaging its partners (employees) and customers in meaningful service opportunities. Events will be held in Los Angeles on April 9, New York City on April 23 and Seattle on April 30.
I hope you’ll join with us in making National Volunteer Week a time to celebrate and honor volunteers, a time to focus attention on the undeniable power of volunteerism and service as a vital part of civic leadership, and a time to reflect back on the important role that volunteeringhas played in our county’s history.
Yours In Service,
CEO, Points of Light Institute
Co-Founder, HandsOn Network
Lidia DeOliveira Recognizes her Family Members as “Points of Light”
we recognize volunteers and “Points of Light” from all over the U.S who are giving back to their communities. Today we highlight a family of “Points of Light.”
Today’s guest post is written by Lidia DeOliveira who attended the Tribute event with her daughter’s Maria, Margie, and Manuela and her husband Francisco. The DeOliveira family is very passionate about volunteering and giving back to others.
“Like President Bush, I envision Points of Light—individuals who make a difference. In my life, I have three shining lights— my daughters: Maria, Manuela and Margaret. In 2004, I was diagnosed with uterine cancer, which has since been in remission. My eldest daughter, Maria, decided to turn her fear into a good cause by volunteering her time as a Committee Member for the Ursinus College Relay For Life. She was on a mission—save a life, raise awareness, and raise donations for the American Cancer Society.
Manuela, my middle daughter, finds her passion in helping children—over the course of the last six years she has volunteered her time in Appalachia, West Virginia eleven different times! From 2006 to 2008 she travelled to Appalachia for the Christmas holiday and Spring Break. During the holiday season Manuela worked tirelessly with the Immaculata High School Campus Ministry to accept donated gifts, wrap them, pack the van and then drive the eight hour trek with her peers. Once in Appalachia, she held a Christmas party for the local children. In the Spring, Manuela travelled to Appalachia to repair houses which included roof tarring, building a porch, and painting. Since she entered Cabrini College in 2008, she has continued travelling to Appalachia to assist the very people whom she assisted on her first trip. Most recently, Manuela expanded her efforts with her travels to Duran, Ecaudor to learn about the impact of poverty on youth in a developing country.
My baby, Margie, life’s goal is to become a doctor. She has a profound understanding and recognition of people whom are in need and how to help them. Determined to change her community every week, in between her hectic class schedule at Moravian College, she volunteers her time at the local hospital, food kitchen and emergency homeless shelter. Often times, I’ll receive a phone call as she’s running, literally, from the bus stop to her dorm to the hospital and back. Margie donates so much of her time to the Bethlehem, Pennsylvania community. Margie also developed a plan in which unused cafeteria meal dollars are donated to purchase foods for the food kitchen in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Recently, Margie returned from a weeklong trip with Habitat for Humanity where she constructed homes. She is also a part time AmeriCorp volunteer.
Travelling to Washington, DC for the Points of Light Tribute was an honorable, once in a lifetime experience. My daughters, husband, Francisco, and I were delighted to be part of such a historic event. Maria, Manuela and Margaret are an example of ordinary individuals having an extraordinary impact. They will always be my shining points of light; now their communities and the nation can see them the way I see them—brilliant shining points of light.”
Change Notes: Tribute Lifts Service Sector
Friends,
On March 28, more than 4.2 million Americans tuned in to NBC and watched “All Together Now: A Celebration of Service.” That extraordinary event, a tribute to President George H. W. Bush’s leadership in inspiring a nation to give back, filled with powerful profiles of service from across the country and performances from some of the biggest stars in music, was a moment to lift up the entire service sector and point a spotlight on the power of individuals to create change.
The Tribute was also the culmination of Points of Light Institute’s efforts to demonstrate the power of voluntary action and recruit Americans from coast to coast to commit to their communities. The event, and the activities leading up to it, introduced Points of Light Institute to millions of Americans as the leading enabler of service opportunities.
The event garnered significant public attention and successfully brought focus to the tribute’s bottom line: the power of individuals to effect change. More than 200 press outlets, including Associated Press, NBC Nightly News, Newsweek, Politico, Today Show, Time, USA Today and Washington Post, among others, showcased inspiring stories of service and the change ordinary Americans can make in their communities. Many of these stories included a strong call to service.
These stories of individuals making profound change were also pushed forward by a generous, bipartisan group of members of Congress, including Speaker of the House John Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who celebrated service by posting tributes on our innovative Tribute Wall. That helped inspire more than 220 Americans to post their own tributes to points of light – people making changes in their communities – and launch what will certainly be a living celebration of service. A special group of pundits, politicians and thought leaders, from Tucker Carlson to Terry McAuliffe and Maria Shriver to Dana Perino, came together to serve as the Tribute Ambassador Corps, tweeting a commitment to service to more than 2.4 million collective followers.
Americans responded with their own support for service. “All Together Now: A Celebration of Service” even showed up in pop culture with clips showing up in the monologues of the “Late Show with David Letterman” and “Conan.”
And momentum continues to grow.
While the Tribute was a unique moment in the history of our national commitment to service, it is just the beginning. The new community inspired by this campaign must be nurtured and directed to meaningful voluntary action. With your continued support, we are poised to build on this foundation and accomplish great things together.
Yours in Service,
CEO, Points of Light Institute
Co-Founder, HandsOn Network
Lynette McIntire of UPS Reflects upon the Tribute Event
Today’s blog post comes from the upside blog, written by Lynnette McIntire with UPS, published on March 30, 2011.
“Two years ago, Transportation Manager Chip Chappelle volunteered to help The UPS Foundation coordinate an ocean shipment of emergency tents from Indiana to Honduras. Since then, he has managed the logistics of humanitarian aid from every corner of the world to help the victims of floods, tsunamis, earthquakes, hurricanes and cyclones.
On March 21, Chip was recognized by President George W. Bush at a gala event at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., which aired March 28 on NBC. The event celebrated President George H.W. Bush and his wife Barbara for their achievements in encouraging volunteerism. A video shown at the event showcased how UPSers and UNICEF worked together around the clock to rapidly respond to the needs of Haiti earthquake victims.
President George H.W. Bush is the founder of the Points of Light Institute, an organization that supports the role of volunteers in American communities. Chip said, “I remember President Bush when he announced the Points of Light organization. It touched me then. But I never in my wildest dreams thought I’d be honored by him as a single point of light.” He continued, “I am just a small example of how UPSers contribute every day to their communities through volunteer work. Literally hundreds of UPSers in New Jersey, Miami, Louisville, Europe, and other locations worked to serve the Haitian people in the aftermath of the earthquake.”
Chip’s acceptance speech followed a performance by Darius Rucker and was just ahead of singer Carrie Underwood. On stage, Chip identified himself as “just a logistics guy” who had special skills to help others. He encouraged others to volunteer their skills as well as their time.
Four presidents were in the audience, just a few rows ahead of Chip’s three youngest children. Backstage, Chip got to thank the President George H.W. Bush for the honor; he also got to chat about foreign policy with President George W. Bush.
His children were still in the auditorium, Chip said regretfully. “They were too shy to come to the Green Room.””
The Extra Mile- Points of Light Volunteer Pathway
President George H. W. Bush with Linda and Millard Fuller at unveiling of Points of Light “Extra Mile” bronze medallion in 2001
The Tribute event on March 21st showcased President George H. W. Bush’s commitment to volunteering service and civic engagement. Those who attended the Tribute in Washington or watched the broadcast on NBC could see President George H. W. Bush is truly dedicated to volunteerism and civic engagement as displayed through the famous “1,000 Points of Light” speech and the creation of the Daily Point of Light Award to recognize individuals who are making a difference. The Tribute was a great moment to highlight not only President George H. W. Bush, but also the volunteer movement as a whole and the power that individuals can have in making massive changes in their communities.
Next time you are in Washington, D.C. you can visit the national monument dedicated to civic service and recognizing individual contributions to the nation.
President George H. W. Bush speaks at the Extra Mile unveiling in 2005
The Extra Mile- Points of Light Volunteer Pathway was created in honor of George H. W. Bush on October 14th, 2005 dedicated to the spirit of service in America. President George H. W. Bush was in attendance at the opening dedication ceremony.
The Extra Mile is a national monument dedicated to America’s belief in the power of individuals to make a difference in the world. It embodies the spirit of service in America and reflects our democratic ideals, values and traditions around social change and citizen participation. And it is the only monument in the nation that has been created to honor regular citizens for the work that they’ve done for their country.
The monument is just blocks from the White House and begins at the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and 15th Street and continues north on 15th Street to G street, NW. Formed by a series of bronze medallions creating the one-mile historic walking path the monument honors individuals whose actions and commitment to service have transformed our nation. Their legacies are enduring social movements that continue to engage and inspire us today. Thirty-three honorees have been inducted and a total of 29 medallions have been installed into the monument – 5 of which were installed this year with 4 more that will be installed by the end of this year.
“Your life and mine should be valued not by what we take… but by what we give.” Edgar F. Allen
Daily Point of Light #4476 Gianni Lopergolo
Turning common objects into magic – that was Gianni Lopergolo’s gift. Using only a bit of grass, a piece of broken asphalt, or a trinket from his desk, Gianni could transform a simple photo of a toy into a Hollywood shot worthy of an action thriller. All his colleagues at Hasbro looked forward to what he and his camera would create next.
When Gianni was diagnosed at the age of 37 with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) his Hasbro colleagues set out to make a meaningful difference for his family and for other sufferers of this incurable disease.
With the support of Hasbro, they have created a foundation in his name, hosted a fundraising concert that raised more than $15,000, created a fundraising walk that raised $10,000 in 2010, and published a collection of his photography. The proceeds from the book help support the Rhode Island chapter of the National ALS Association and the Lopergolo Foundation, which benefits Gianni’s two young sons.
Unfortunately Gianni lost his battle to ALS in January 2011. This passionate and dedicated group of friends and colleagues has created significant lasting impact for the ALS association and for the family of a treasured colleague.
insider sources, it’s a little restaurant out in Norco, LA. But you didn’t hear it from us!)
National Volunteer Week, April 10-16, draws the support and endorsement of 
The Tribute was also the culmination of 
Americans responded with their own support for service. “All Together Now: A Celebration of Service” even showed up in pop culture with clips showing up in the monologues of the “Late Show with David Letterman” and “Conan.”
Today’s blog post comes from the 
Turning common objects into magic – that was Gianni Lopergolo’s gift. Using only a bit of grass, a piece of broken asphalt, or a trinket from his desk, Gianni could transform a simple photo of a toy into a Hollywood shot worthy of an action thriller. All his colleagues at