Zephyr in Action: A simple plan for a non-profit
Currently, I am employed at a non-profit just outside of Reno. The non-profit has been in business for quite a few years and serves many niches within its community. Its message of purpose contains strong currents of desire for social justice. They desire to bring together volunteerism and personal responsibility to help local social problems.
I support their cause, that’s why I am there.
Interestingly, this summer I am taking a course in evolutionary psychology. One focus within the course is to understand and to implement a wide variety of social media techniques. These techniques include twitter, facebook, blogging, and a litany of other web applications designed to smooth our transition into Entrepreneurship 2.0
As luck would have it, or as the fates would desire it, the non-profit I mentioned could benefit from a similar transition. They currently have a Web 1.0 presence containing almost no interaction.
So, a few days ago I came up with a social media plan of sorts, which integrates all of the other employees into various social media functions. Each of them will have to contribute to a central blog at least once every couple of weeks, and they will be required to tweet a couple of times a day. The investment of time is minimal, but the benefits could be exponential. Connections will be made.
As they develop their social media presence they will undoubtedly connect with other like minded individuals. This could bring in new revenue in the form of increased donations, grants, or even clients. A non-profit is a lot like a regular business in that they need to expand, even if at a slower pace, in order to survive. So, by teaching the staff of this non-profit various social media techniques that I have learned in this ultra fast paced summer class, their web presence will grow wider and will deepen.
The plan was recently submitted so we shall see what they decide to adopt. If they do adopt this plan or some of the more important elements of it, then I’ll be able to see my knowledge being applied right away. That’s an exciting concept, and that’s a Zephyr in action.