Category Archives: social media

Debate: Changing Tax Statuses To Achieve Social Good


Posted by ajlovesya

Last week nonprofit Jumo was bought by for-profit GOOD. This week nonprofit CouchSurfing.org became a B Corporation. While I believe that there are a variety of ways to work for social change, what are the implications of changing tax statuses in pursuit of capital?  Here are some interesting perspectives:

“The Jumo example doesn’t appear to be too common…yet. But I would hate to see the 501(c)(3) status come to be seen as a kind of quick-and-easy way to get free startup capital en route to flipping one’s organization into a for-profit enterprise, social or otherwise. I’m not saying this was Jumo’s intention, but others could choose to interpret it that way and see it as an interesting strategy to emulate.”

~PND Blog

“Look, I don’t know if CouchSurfing’s “social mission” should qualify as a tax exempt nonprofit. But I know that nonprofits are starved for growth capital. The true distinction between a socially driven business and a profit driven business isn’t about their tax code election. The distinction is about the collective decisions the organization makes over time and who those decisions are intended to serve – public or private benefit.”

~Tactical Philanthropy

I have some initial questions/thoughts:

  • Will we begin a larger conversation on what constitutes as a “social mission?” The truth is that anything can be construed into a social good or having a social purpose (for example, one of the core goals for  the nonprofit National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is to “increase consumer demand for beef”).  With more people wanting to enter the social change conversation, should we try to have a more clear definition of what social change actually means?
  • Does it make sense to shift structures depending on your plans for growth? While some folks like to dismiss the differences between for profit and nonprofit as mere tax lingo, the difference in how an organization can use profits affects what funds are available to them, how they find funds, and how they use funds to implement their mission.  Additionally, an organization’s need for capital may change depending on their stage in organizational growth.  While I’m not advocating for being able to hop around until you find a tax status that fits, I’m curious as to whether planning to switch is a strategy worth exploring at all.
  • Does the public actually care what status we have? Each status has its own connotations, for example, being a nonprofit often assures people that your donations are being used for good (even though that may not always be the case and I certainly think this view is shifting with the millennial generation).  However, if the lines become blurred, will this affect people’s confidence in whether organizations are committed to working on social change?  Or will this encourage folks to have a broader view on social change and how they can/should be involved?

I’d love to get your input on this.  Share your thoughts below.


Professional Development and Networking on Google Plus


Posted by ajlovesya

When Google Plus was first announced I, like many others, was ambivalent about the platform.  On the one hand, it often feels as if there is a new website/tool/platform popping up daily, making me feel overwhelmed and a bit annoyed.  Yet another website for the job fairies to watch me?  A new shiney object to look at?  And this one a bit more difficult to escape as it’s embedded in my Google account!

On the other hand, I generally welcome new ways to connect with people while learning and sharing information.  After all, while there are a variety of ways to share and connect, the manner in which we are allowed to share can affect with whom we connect and what we share (for example relationships built using facebook vs twitter). In fact, I think the lens of “just another social network” ignores the uniqueness of the company launching the network (Google is not “just another company”), what it offers to users, and the ease of access to the platform.

While many folks are mulling the impact of Google+ on nonprofits and social change activists, playing around with it, I can see the potential it has for networking and professional development.  Specifically, what makes Google Plus interesting to me is the ability to have more intimate conversations. I’ve noticed the following benefits that have made Google+ interesting:

  • Building stronger relationships with fellow nonprofiteers: Through circles you can control what you share and see, allowing for more personalization and cutting through noise.
    • Drawback: I would like it more if folks could create circles together so that it felt less one-way or asymmetrical. I may put someone in a circle, but they may not have me in a circle or communicate with me based on the type of circle I put them in.  Additionally, it’s hard to find like minded people to add to my circles through a regular search.
  • Staying on top of your cause: Again, with circles you can create new streams of content based on your interests.  Additionally, sparks brings you new content—you just type in what you’d like to learn more about.
    • Drawback: Sparks is pretty weak in terms of the type of content it comes up with.  I would much rather have my Google reader integrated into Google+.  Additionally, since many of the people who are on Google+ are already active in social networking, there is a great deal of repeated content from other social networks.
  • Testing new ideas and having discussions: Through hangouts you can collectively share resources and have conversations.  I’m most intrigued by the possibility of having webinars as well as opportunities for experts and organizations to have virtual “office hours” for the public.
    • Drawback: The people with whom we may most want to connect are not on Google+, at least not at this phase.  Again, the lack of diversity of users makes the execution of these ideas a bit trickier.
  • Real time learning by using: Personally, this is what makes Google+ a bit more fun for me.  Because Google+ came out during a time where social media is not an entirely new idea and there is lots of competition, people seem more willing to experiment and share what they are learning.  Rather than seeing  “Gosh, what am I supposed to do here?” type of posts that were all too common when, say, Twitter, came out (and yes, I am guilty of saying this!) folks seem to be jumping in with questions, ideas, and articles.  In other words, it seems to be growing organically through a desire to learn and share.  Why not jump in and try it out for yourself?
    • Drawback: Obvious—people on Google+ seem to love talking about, well, Google+.  Of course, this is not always true and you can adjust what you see by changing your circles, however, this seems to be a dominant topic.

Because Google+ is so new, there is obviously room for growth. I’m curious as to how you are using Google+ and your reactions to it.  Is it something worth trying?  What are the pros and cons for professional development and networking?

Resources:

Google+ for Nonprofits

Google+ Collaborative How-To Document

Twitter vs. Facebook vs. Google+

Feedback Friday on Google+ with Natalie Villalobos


The ABCs of Social Media While Job Hunting


Posted by ajlovesya

Puzzle Job Search

Earlier this month I gave a presentation on how to use social media while job hunting at the annual Fundraising Day – NY Conference.  It was a blast connecting with fellow fundraisers, gaining a deeper understanding of philanthropy, and some new resources and best practices.

In my presentation, I covered the basic framework I think people should have when trying to get into social media for career development purposes.  Most people were using social networking for personal reasons, however they wanted to know what simple specific actions or new techniques they should use to gain access to job opportunities and expand their network (remember, the #1 way nonprofits fill positions is through their network!)

Before we get into the ABCs, there are some basics to keep in mind:

  • Have a complete profile: take advantage of the space you are given and share a bit about who you are! Include a link to a place where people can read more about you.  No blog or website?  Start with about.me
  • Be prepared to help others: you really do get as much as you give
  • Be specific in your approach: you dont need to connect with everyone–it’s not a numbers game
  • Be in it for the long haul: it’s about building relationships, which takes time

A:  Awareness

Use social media to learn about job opportunities and increase your knowledge of trends in your field.

To get started: Subscribe to key blogs in your field. Visit nonprofit.alltop.com or fundraising.alltop.com to look at the most popular blogs in the nonprofit and fundraising spaces.

B: Branding

Develop a strong reputation as the go to person in your field by adding value to conversations taking place online.

To get started: Answer questions on LinkedIn. Check out http://learn.linkedin.com/answers/ to get a better sense of how to search and answer questions in your field.

C: Connections

You can build relationships online that can provide support and resources during the job hunt and beyond.

To get started: Find leaders on twitter to follow by using wefollow.com and introduce yourself by congratulating or complimenting them.

Here are some additional resources for job seekers using social media:

True Story: How Social Media Can Land You a Job

Three Tactics to Boost Your Network Using Social Media

How LinkedIn Can Transform Your Job Search

10 Smart Ways to Use Social Media in Your Job Search

What questions do you have about using social media while job hunting?  What resources or advice would you share for folks wanting to get started with social networking for career development?

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Understanding cultural and contextual differences in social media use


Posted by ajlovesya

Allison Fine is currently in Israel talking to foundations about social media. On her first day she gained wonderful insight about the cultural and contextual realities when it comes to social media use:

One fascinating development was that I raised the issue of the discomfort that a lot of non-digital natives have when the lines between public and private are blurred, and one Israeli woman said to me afterwards that there isn’t such a line for most Israelis. We’re all related, she said, we know everyone’s business already, there’s nothing to hide! I never expected that, in fact, I expected in a country so immersed in conversations about security that this issue would be of particular interest and concern. It was eye-opening for me to think about how contextually and culturally based, not just generationally based, the issue is.

Allison realized that level of comfort with social media goes beyond generation.  However, what her reflection reminded me of is our tendency to lose focus on the people we are trying to engage.  Our understanding stops at statistics instead of delving deeper into motivations, needs, and attitudes towards relationships and community.  We might notice that some groups use a tool more than others or in a specific way, yet we dont explore why there are these differences and how these differences affect the role of social media in social change.

Answering the why is hard. Some questions I have started thinking about:

Who is part of our community? What is their relationship with this issue? With our organization?
How does our community prefer to communicate and work together?
Where does our community gather? How often? To do what?
What is social media? Why might we use it?
What changes in our communication and community may occur if we use social media?
How can we use social media to strengthen our understanding of our community?

What do you think? How can we become more aware of our communities’ relationships to us and social media?


One powerful way to help you find your blogging style


Posted by ajlovesya

In my experience, there are two challenges new bloggers face: creating content (what on earth can I write about?!) and writing well (how can I write so that people will read?!)

When it comes to the former there are plenty of resources. However when it comes to latter, it’s sometimes hard to provide support.  Don’t get me wrong, there are some general guidelines to writing engaging posts.  However, you’ll find that the tone and style aspects of writing are unique to each writer. When it comes to finding your blogging style, I’ll tell you what my 11th grade English teacher told me: “Good writers are good readers.”

When we talk about reading different blogs, we focus on the benefits of being part of a community.  However, reading the work of other bloggers is a great way to get a sense of different styles and approaches to creating content.  Below are some of my favorite bloggers who take on the difficult topic of social change work with their own unique approach.

Jessica Journey: Straight to the Point

Jessica’s posts are short and focused; she gives you the info and includes a lesson, making it easier to digest and share her work. Example: How Waitressing Made Me a Better Fundraiser

Rosetta Thurman: Research, Reflect, and Act

Rosetta has a knack for combining research and personal experience to explore into larger issues affecting the nonprofit sector.  Example:  Lessons of Greg Mortenson: Hero Worship and the Danger of Outsourcing Leadership

Sam Davidson: Keep it Personal

Sam inspires you to do good by encouraging you to enjoy and reflect on the various aspects of living that make you YOU. His posts often remind to put my work into a greater context of personal development. Example:  Significant Memories

Akhila Kollisetty: Open and React with Urgency

Akhila often opens with a compelling article, fact, or experience and shares her point of view without holding back. She’s unafraid to draw a line in the sand and state clearly what she stands for. Example:  Unsettling Identity: South Asian & Social Change

So while you read other blogs, whose style resonates with you?  While these writers provide examples of how to write, nothing beats writing regularly to refine your style.

Whose blogging style do you admire?

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