September, 2008

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Will Digg Make a Category for Nonprofits?

Wild Apricot

Arguably the most influential of social bookmarking sites, Digg.com is often both criticized and commended for having a narrow topic focus. With big changes in the works at Digg right now, what are the odds that the site might broaden its horizons, and add a separate category for nonprofits and social change? A fair number of solid stories from the nonprofit sector are submitted to Digg every day — but those stories tend to get lost in the crowd.

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Good Governance?

Idea Architects

I don't care whether it's the local PTA, a community organization, your city council, or an international corporation, the decisions made in supposed times of crisis send deep, lasting messages to stakeholders and constituents that reverberate beyond the actual problem being solved. These decisions send messages about core values, sound deliberations, trust and confidence, representative democracy, accountability, transparency, and much, much more.

Review 60
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Executive Connections: Why SLA Will Not Endorse, or Oppose, a.

Executive Connections

Executive Connections. « Information Wins at EPA | Main. | Running on Sweat Equity » 30 September 2008. Why SLA Will Not Endorse, or Oppose, a Candidate for Public Office. Some are tired of it; others cannot get enough. But everyone agrees that this is an election year in the U.S. like no other. That is why I want to remind you that SLA, as a nonprofit organization, cannot endorse or oppose a candidate for public office.

Revenue 40
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Technology

Associations Live

Just wondering.why do I feel like I absolutely have to answer my cell phone, no matter what I'm doing, no matter where I am? It's controlling me. It's disruptive and it affects my concentration. I am putting myself back into the drivers seat. If I am on another phone, doing something else, trying to get a project done - leave me a message, that will work just fine!

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Ultimate Guide to Monetizing Association Member Education

Unlock More Profit and Smarter Packaging for Member Learning Every decision that goes into your learning monetization strategy matters for your association’s bottom line. Our research has shown a clear correlation between high program maturity (and ROI!) and choosing the right monetization strategy. This eBook contains clear, actionable ways to approach packaging and pricing models that will help your association grow revenue, improve profitability, and drive expansion into new markets.

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Confront the Brutal Facts

Guilt by Association

The news from the financial world has been brutal. Even those who had felt insulated from the turmoil are worrying. Never has Jim Collins’ Good to Great been more relevant. He said that great leaders embrace the Stockdale Paradox. It’s the ability to remain resolutely faithful that you will prevail, while at the same time confronting the brutal facts of a situation.

Project 40

More Trending

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Case Study: Calgary Meals on Wheels Takes Campaign Online

Wild Apricot

Many of us are familiar with the Meals on Wheels concept - to deliver nutritious and affordable meals to people in need: seniors, convalescents, and people living with disabilities. In desperate need of a new facility in which to prepare all those meals, Calgary Meals on Wheels has just launched a major capital campaign - and a new website. We asked Leann Hackman-Carty to tell us about it.

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The Moment When Everything Changed

Idea Architects

“Things will never be the same” is such a cliché, but when someone you love dearly—a close friend or a family member—almost successfully commits suicide, it is an undeniable truth. You know that time does indeed heal all wounds and that eventually you will stop bursting into tears at inopportune times and in inappropriate places. ( Note to self : tears streaming down your face while seated in the emergency exit row appears to elicit concern in other passengers.

Review 60
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Executive Connections: Information Wins at EPA

Executive Connections

Executive Connections. « Are You Mission Critical? | Main. | Why SLA Will Not Endorse, or Oppose, a Candidate for Public Office » 26 September 2008. Information Wins at EPA. Tuesday, 30 September, EPA will reopen previously closed libraries in Chicago, Dallas, Kansas City and Washington, D.C. Each will be staffed with a professional librarian and be open to the public at least 24 hours a week.

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Paperless world?

Associations Live

In this paper-less world (ha-ha) - It caught up with me this morning. The mounds of it; in my briefcase, on my desk at home, on my desk at the office, on the chair, on the small table in the corner, in the workroom, yes -on the floor. I had to regroup. I practiced what we all know. I sorted. I filed. I tossed. I combined my many lists. And now I can get to work.

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2024 Association Survey Results Report

2024 Association Survey Results Report For the 10th year, association professionals across the U.S. and Canada provided a look at the inner workings of their organizations when they replied to GrowthZone’s annual survey. Read the 2024 survey results report to see how your association compares: Top Challenges Retention Rates Non-Renewal Reasons Automatic Renewals Reinstatement Strategies Member Engagement Changes & Strategies Why Members Join Non-Dues Revenue Sources Dues Increases, and more

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E-Mail …. R.I.P.?

Guilt by Association

The other day my 12-year-old daughter asked for an AIM username and password. Because I’m worried about the abuse that messaging sometimes inflicts, I asked why her e-mail account wasn’t good enough. “No one uses it anymore,” she said. “They all use AIM.”. Welcome to our future? Maybe. Open rates are falling sharply , and not just because Outlook blocks images.

Sample 40
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Succeed in association business innovation by seperating it from “the pack” in the developmental phases

Association 20/20

If you’ve read my previous postings, you may be starting to see a pattern in my thinking. In my mind, one of the biggest threats to innovation, in general, is not a lack of creative thinking or evolutionary ideas… it’s often the wrong composition of people involved in the decision-making process and roles of influence. . Let’s face it, some people find a greater level of comfort in tradition.

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Wild Apricot Updates September 2008

Wild Apricot

As you may know, the Wild Apricot blog about non-profit technology is hosted and sponsored by Wild Apricot software. The main focus of our blog is technology help and advice to millions of small non-profits. Among the subscribers to this blog are many people using Wild Apricot software, so we also do occasional posts about Wild Apricot software updates.

Software 150
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Shakespeare Redux

Idea Architects

All the world's a video game, and we are just merely players. That's the updated version of Shakespeare's classic line, and it reflects the somewhat startling news found in this a new Pew study. Among young people ages 12-17 virtually every one of them is a gamer. "The first national survey of its kind finds that virtually all American teens play computer, console, or cell phone games and that the gaming experience is rich and varied, with a significant amount of social interaction and potential

Survey 60
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The Retention Ripple Effect: Nonprofit Staff and Donor Dynamics

Speaker: Andrew Olsen, CFRE - EVP, Fundraising Solutions at DickersonBakker | Kat Landa, CFRE, CSD - SVP, Talent Solutions at DickersonBakker

Across the nonprofit sector, organizations invest heavily in donor retention efforts, yet the struggle of cultivating lasting relationships remains. While attracting new donors is crucial, the lack of repeat donors poses significant financial risks. Through a comprehensive analysis of industry data, experts argue that there is a direct correlation between donor burnout, donor retention, and the talent retention crisis.

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Executive Connections: Are You Mission Critical?

Executive Connections

Executive Connections. « Planting Seeds | Main. | Information Wins at EPA » 23 September 2008. Are You Mission Critical? In times of economic uncertainty, “nice to have” is not necessarily nice enough to keep. Your library or information center must be viewed as mission critical. That was the gist of my message to the three SLA chapters I was privileged to meet with last week in California.

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Over the River

Associations Live

Over the river and across the bridge (35W).I made the journey today for the first time. Quite amazing that this architectural and engineering feat could be completed in such a short time. Shows what can be accomplished when people/agencies/government work together on a common issue.

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You Are Not Your Member

Guilt by Association

Seth Godin had a great post a few months ago about a toaster maker who lost sight of its customers. He described a toaster that requires 10 steps just to make toast. He said, “The opportunity online is to fix your toaster. When you want to make toast, the site should get out of the way and let you make toast.”. The same applies to us. Last year, we knew it was time to update our site.

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The Story of a Non-Profit Organization : Off Stage

Off Stage

Off Stage. Sep. 4, 2008 - The Story of a Non-Profit Organization. Well, THIS interesting story begins some 40 years ago, when a group of enthusiasts who played a certain musical instrument (let’s say the Musical Saw—a contradiction in terms, of course, but a popular instrument in many rural areas) got together and formed an organization to encourage and preserve the heritage of this instrument and its music in the state of Michigan.

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SME Relationships: Proven Solutions for Seamless Collaboration and Success

Speaker: Tim Buteyn, President of ThinkingKap Learning Solutions

💢 Do you find yourself stuck in never-ending review cycles? Are you wondering if your Subject Matter Expert actually got that last review request? Are you having trouble trying to decipher impractical or conflicting feedback? 💢 If any of these scenarios sounds familiar, you may benefit from a crash course on managing SME relationships!

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How to Learn More about Your Website Audience

Wild Apricot

Are the people who are visiting your website really the audience that you're trying to target? The more you know about your website visitors, the better you can tailor your content to attract the audience you want to reach — but for nonprofits and associations with a limited budget, market research can be a tough challenge. One way to learn more about your website readers is to ask them directly about their purpose in visiting the site, their background, their expectations of your organization

How To 150
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What Experience Matters?

Idea Architects

If you can look at the current political campaigns dispassionately (I know, next to impossible for folks of just about any political persuasion), they raise an interesting question for both individuals and organizations: what experience most matters? Thoughtful consideration of this question is a necessary task for individuals as they seek to prepare themselves for professional and volunteer positions or consider possible opportunities and for employers and nominating committees seeking new hi

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Executive Connections: Planting Seeds

Executive Connections

Executive Connections. « Shrinking the Globe | Main. | Are You Mission Critical? » 17 September 2008. Planting Seeds. I have been on the road for SLA lately—from California to Canada, from Washington to London. I have talked with information professionals, journalists and corporate leaders from all parts of the world. Yet no matter where I go, the topics of conversation are the same.

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Planning

Associations Live

Arrived home last night to a flooded basement, falling ceiling, gushing water pipe. Definitely not in my plans. As I was rushing to turn off the water supply many thoughts were bombarding me. I was glad I knew where to go to get to the main water supply. (Being prepared). I was relieved that this did not happen while I was out of town for a week. (Looking on the bright side.

Maine 40
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5 Habits of Growth-Oriented Associations

We’ve identified the five defining characteristics of future-focused associations. Adopting these traits allows your organization to chart a course for long-term growth and success. Find out: Why some organizations are more adept at navigating and overcoming challenges facing all associations. The success formula for thriving associations, including a behind-the-scenes peek at some flourishing organizations.

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The “Stop Doing” List

Guilt by Association

There was story in the local paper recently about a government commission which hadn’t met for 12 years. No one noticed it was dormant until someone pointed it out. Then there was this hubbub about getting it going again. Why? No one noticed it was dead. Isn’t that the classic definition of irrelevance? That made me think of Jim Collins.

Project 40
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Room Sets for Meetings - BlogClump

BlogClump

skip to main | skip to sidebar. BlogClump - Blogging About Associations From a Gen Xer. A Gen Xer giving his thoughts and opinions on the Association world. Friday, September 26, 2008. Room Sets for Meetings. Most people who plan meetings and conferences know that how you arrange the chairs makes a big difference in how people interact and learn. I got a chance to see this firsthand on Wednesday.

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270+ Web-Based Business Tools

Wild Apricot

Hundreds of new web-based applications come on the market every year, so there's likely to be an affordable application for almost any administrative task -- with no need to download, install, maintain and update the same software on each of the computers in your organization. It's an approach that makes sense for many small and medium-sized businesses, and perhaps even more so for nonprofits and associations with limited resources.

Tools 150
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Social Innovation Camp: What's Your Big Problem?

Wild Apricot

Social Innovation Camp — “an experiment in using social techology for social change” — will be bringing together some of the UK's best software developers and designers with social innovators, for one weekend in December. Looking for new ways to use technology to create positive social change, they're calling for your ideas: What are the big problems we can solve by starting small?

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How to Design a Seamless & Personalized Digital Donor Journey

Speaker: Tim Sarrantonio

The average nonprofit uses five or more different software platforms to create their donor’s journey, making the experience clunky and disjointed. If you want to design a magical online giving experience for donors, making their journey as seamless as possible is key. In this webinar with expert Tim Sarrantonio, you’ll learn the fundamental steps to create an immersive and personalized online giving experience for your donors.