Demystifying Social Media for Not for Profits
2 November 2011 at 12:11 pm
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In the wake of last summer’s floods in Queensland – where twitter became a powerful resource for NFPs involved in emergency response and the ensuing rebuilding effort – Volunteering Australia’s upcoming National will take a special look at social media.
The National Conference on Volunteering – to be held on the Gold Coast on November 28th to 30th – will take a special look at how Not for Profit organisations can use social media as a tool for engagement and forming deeper relationships.
Dr Edwina Luck, Senior Lecturer with the School of Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations at QUT's Business School will give a presentation that aims to demistify the elements of social media and share some examples that delegates can apply to their organisation.
Dr Luck is a sought after expert on social media with over 20 years experience in social media, and her specialist research areas include consumer behaviour, marketing education, virtual social networks, Not for Profits and Generation Y.
Dr Luck will then take part in a panel discussion on social media use for Not for Profit organisations, and will be joined by Jeremy Mansfield, Head of Development – Corporate Volunteer, Green Cross Australia and Liz Buchanan, Project Manager,Department of Community Safety.
Peter Cocks, Volunteering Australia’s Communication Manager, says “Twitter became an amazing resource of real time information during the Queensland floods. However many organisations fear the risks associated with unmoderated forums.”
He says the social media plenary session at the conference “is an opportunity to discuss risks, positives and outcomes with the practitioners who managed this process in a real time emergency.”
One way for Not for Profit organisations to minimise risk and feel comfortable using social media is to develop a social media strategy.
In a recent article for Pro Bono Australia News, social-media specialist Kate vanderVoort said “A social media strategy that generates results by way of donations, new members and volunteers as well as increased awareness for your brand, requires strategy, policy and dedicated time and resource. But it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.”
Click here to view Kate vanderVoort’s tips on how Not for Profits can make the most of social media here.
Pro Bono Australia’s news team will be reporting live and joining in the discussions on social media at the conference, and we have produced a “Twitter Guide for Volunteer Conference Delegates” to help people understand the basics of twitter.
Registrations are closing soon for the National Conference on Volunteering – click here to register.
Great post. I wanted to add for those interested in learning more about social media relating to non profits I suggest following Beth Kantar who has been focusing in this space for many years.
Here is an example of some of her blogposts – very practical social media information is available on her website. She also has a great Facebook page and of course Twitter.
http://www.bethkanter.org/craig-guest/
Cheers
Twitter @jennibeattie
Social media have infinite potential affecting every sphere of life in many ways. It is not only a place of entertainment though most beginners specially young mass come to this virtual world for this reason only. But now the thinkers are quite aware of the fact that social media is a multi-purpose tool that can be used in various ways and for non profittable, charity and social upliftment work, it is a place of many oppertunity. You can find thousands of supporters in seconds if properly marketised. whosin
It is no matter what field you belong. The only thing matters is to what extent you tap the potentiality of the social media. For non profits, it is a great tool to spread their message with least cost and time. Certainly, cost and time are greatly reduced by proper utilization of social media. And I think these two factors are more important to such organization. Eworking