CSAE Connect

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Social Media for NFP’s But Were Afraid to Ask

Whether social media is just coming into your field of vision or whether you already have a comprehensive strategy in place, blogs are a great way to keep track of what’s coming down the pipe. 

I’ve been avidly reading a number of not-for-profit blogs over the past several months and have finally taken the jump and launched my own blog, The ARC, last week. 

While there are many great blog resources targeted at the not-for-profit sector, I thought that given the focus on social media at the upcoming CSAE Conference that I would share with you a few of my favourite not-for-profit social media blogs. 

So, in no particular order, here they are (drumroll please....)

Beth’s Blog – How Nonprofits Can Use Social Media:  Beth Kanter really knows her stuff when it comes to social media and not-for-profits.  I like this blog because it has a strategic focus and shares a lot of very usable and timely thoughts, learnings and resources.  

Case Foundation :  This blog made my list because of the live-streamed tutorial series they did last month called Gear Up For Giving.  These sessions were fantastic and showcased a number of experts in the thick of developing, consulting, and implementing social media strategies taking common and not-so-common questions from not-for-profit professionals.

Community Organizer 2.0:  I love this blog by Debra Askanase.  Debra is a big picture thinker and is extremely astute at taking the minutae of social media and putting it into a strategic context.  Lots of thought-provoking posts here with some great ideas and tips-of-the-trade. 

Wild Apricot:  This blog has a lot in the way of really good lists and links to different resources, tips and ‘how-to’s’ that range from basic to complex.  There are also some great posts that look at some of the bigger questions as well, in addition to some well-researched reviews of the new tools and technologies out there.

SocialFish: Written by ‘gen-x’ consultants Maddie Grant and Lindy Dreyer, I like the edgy tone in this blog and the variety of posts available.  This blog is well-written, tuned-in and ahead of the curve when it comes to social media and the not-for-profit world.      

Mashable: This resource isn’t specific to not-for-profits but is a powerhouse resource for all things social media.  This blog is powered by a large team of writers, so there are always new posts available on just about everything that is coming down the wire.

This is by no means a comprehensive list, but it is a good start if you are looking to keep your finger on the pulse of what’s going on in the world of not-for-profit social media. 

Looking for even more non-profit blogs to follow?  A more comprehensive list of some of my favourites can be found on the sidebar in my blog.  Non-profit 2.0, yet another really good blog to check out, also released a list of some heavy-hitter not-for-profit bloggers you might like to add.

Is there a blog that you know and love not listed above?  Please feel ree to add your favourites below!

Who do you follow?

 

 

From a Recent CAE Grad

Greetings and welcome to the CSAE Annual Conference Blog.  I have been especially looking forward to the annual conference this year because I have just found out that I was successful in earning my CAE designation as of last week - a process that I have attempted to expedite, which still managed to take 2 1/2 years.  Throughout this time, I have worked diligently on assignments, posting information on the CAE network, and at the end of August I remained quarantined indoors to write an exam over 2 days.  I say this with a great deal of satisfaction and happiness over the process that has made me a better Association Executive and more confident in the world of association management.

The CAE Program has indeed been worthwhile and also miraculously fit in with my life as the manager of two National Specialty Healthcare Societies and mother of a 9-year old and 7-year old.  Of course there are times when I wanted to just ask someone else to write an assignment for me, but unfortunately no one ever offered, and I was stuck doing it all myself (!)  I work in an office of 6 other CAE's who would often support me when the going got tough and I do owe them a HUGE THANK YOU!

Throughout taking the CAE courses, I would often write my assignments in such a way that they were relevant to what my current Board and association activities were. It was great to be able to research something for a paper that would transfer directly and fit with my association also.  I have managed to successfully move everything forward (me, special projects and my associations) all at once with the CAE program and for that reason, I would recommend it to anyone who is considering it. Looking forward to the convocation at CSAE in November!!!