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Convio recently asked me to discuss my top 2009 New Year’s resolution on the Everyday Giving Blog. I will only do it if you promise to hold me to my commitment.
Focus in 2008
This past year was great. My major focus in 2008 was to participate in some new and unique volunteering and fundraising opportunities and share some of those experiences online. I hoped it would encourage others to support worthy charities.
If you follow this blog, you know that I’ve been a photographer at nonprofit events, passed out food to needy families, and even dressed up as a clown and visited with patients in a hospital. I had an exciting time doing these and many other volunteer activities throughout 2008.
I also did more to promote and raise funds for the Arthritis Foundation and other nonprofit organizations. I was surprised to receive the prestigious Arthritis Foundation Online Fundraising Innovation Award for these efforts.
Top 2009 New Year’s Resolution
I will obviously continue my volunteer work this year. But I want to make even more of a difference. I am only one person and there are millions of volunteers who can do what I do.
I have had several friends and family members search for me on the Internet and their response is always the same: “You are everywhere!” There is power in online social networks and nonprofits need a stampede of online volunteers supporting their cause. Think about it. What better way to deal with the poor economy than by having a team of volunteers effectively promoting your mission, seeking new volunteers and raising funds for your organization through their online networks.
During 2009, my New Year’s resolution is to teach and coach more nonprofit organizations and volunteers how to take advantage of the online technical tools that are available for promoting their mission and raising needed funds.
It is already starting. Saturday I will be part of a team that will be training Arthritis Walk volunteers from across the state of Virginia. One of the things I will be sharing is some creative ways that they and their team members can use the Web to meet and exceed their goals.
I’m looking forward to what 2009 will bring.
Resolutions of Other Nonprofit Bloggers
Would you like to know what resolutions other nonprofit bloggers have declared for 2009? Check out what these bloggers are committed to doing this year:
- Judi Sohn at A View from Judi Sohn
- Michael Cervino at Beaconfire Wire
- Beth Kanter at Beth’s Blog
- Jordan Viator at Connection Café
- Jeff Brooks at Donor Power Blog
- David Neff at FI Space
- Matt Wilson at Mobile Commons
- Holly Ross at NTEN Blog
- Peter Deitz at Social Actions Blog
- Robert L. Weiner at Tech Soup and Robert L. Weiner Blog
- Wendy Covey at TREW Marketing Spotlight
What Are Your 2009 Resolutions?
Not many of us keep our New Year’s resolutions for very long. That is a shame. Especially when carrying through on the resolutions can make a tremendous difference in the world.
Convio has established an online poll and community discussion area on the topic of technology resolutions that can help your nonprofit make 2009 the best year yet. Go to http://www.convio.com/resolve2009 and get started. Participating can help you carry through on your resolutions rather than letting them waste away.
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Roger- Best of luck in keeping your goals of training NPOs on how to better use technology and the Web – if anyone can help and inspire people it’s you : )I’m looking forward to following you through 2009 and hearing about your experiences!
Roger, my friend…Resolution one is to connect with you more and better! #2 and this is pretty broad — I am going to “let it go” (which for me is going to be really tough). Let me splain.
Since I started http://www.buttonsofhope.com two years ago I have been going full frontal assault on the non profit world — like that computer training guy on TV “buy my product”!!
Thing is more than ever I still believe in my heart that custom photo buttons can transform the world of fundraising on a sea change scale, really! But I am afraid the NPs don’t see it. Made efforts but yet to get traction with the likes of Susan Komen, Heart Walk, Lance Armstrong Foundation, Memory Walk, JDRF, Special Olympics, MADD and of course Oprah! My sense is they feel it, me, the buttons are way too small — how are they going to make a difference? — so for now I intend to work the grass roots, still work the larger NPs (head firmly in sand and all), look for champions, look for mentors — but in the end let it go a bit, breathe. This may be the hardest of all resolutions for me but that is where my head’s at!
So there’s a start on resolution #1 at least! 🙂
Jordan,
Thanks for inviting me to participate in your campaign. Imagine a world where worthy charities set bold goals and then exceed them. Your efforts are helping to make that a reality. I appreciate you. I hope we can meet again soon.
Michael,
I believe in what you are doing and the impact it can have. I have one of your buttons displayed on my desk to help remind me about why I volunteer.
We do need to connect again. I have had a project idea bouncing around in my head for some time. It is consistent with both of our new resolutions. It is time to go from great idea to action. I will talk to you soon.
I’m a firm believer that big life changes come through small daily choices. It’s the habits of the daily routine that determine long term success. This is why I created BlotMarks (http://www.blotmarks.com). It’s a completely free online daily goal tracking service. You can share your goals with friends and have them keep you accountable. I’ve found it very useful for myself, which is why I created it in the first place. Enjoy!
Fabulous! im speechless,your blog so inspiring. Keep up the good work.
-vee-
Great job. Keep up the good work.
Me?? I don’t make my new years resolution because I can’t make it on the real life. Nice post. Thanks for sharing.
-krisha-