Vote for the Best Nonprofit Taglines of 2008

Vote for the Best Nonprofit Taglines -- 2008 Getting Attention Nonprofit Tagline Awards

Place your vote today for the first Getting Attention Nonprofit Tagline Awards. These tagline finalists have been carefully culled from the more than 1,050 taglines submitted to the recent Getting Attention Tagline Survey. They're all fantastic, but they all can't be the best.

The organizations behind these taglines have done a fantastic job in putting eight words or less to work to build their brands. Now it's your turn to select which are the best in class.

Vote today – Getting Attention blogger and e-news publisher Nancy Schwartz (www.gettingattention.org) wants to know what you think. It'll take you 7minutes or less; polls close Friday, June 20th.

P.S. Please spread the word to colleagues; the more votes, the more accurate the results.

June 4, 2008 in Message Development | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Two job openings at GMT

The Netcentric Campaigns division of Green Media Toolshed is hiring two Network Advocacy Coordinators to work with progressive organizations and movements to incorporate cutting-edge network theory and web 2.0 tools into advocacy and campaigning efforts.

Netcentric Campaigns
Job Description: Network Advocacy Coordinator

OVERVIEW
This full time, mid-level position will work with progressive organizations and movements to incorporate cutting-edge network theory and web 2.0 tools into advocacy and campaigning efforts.

ABOUT US
Netcentric Campaigns believes that creating power and influencing social change in our increasingly-connected culture requires an approach focused not only on the individual or organization, but also on the network as a mechanism for exerting influence.
In this highly mobile and transient society, traditional community organizing techniques and locally-focused team models are insufficient. The network-centric approach unifies the strategy for creating change with the dynamics of our age. Netcentric Campaigns educates activists on how to harness the power of a connected grassroots.

Netcentric Campaigns has developed an extensive training and consulting program that provides participants with deeper understanding networks role in advocacy and issue campaign work. The training and consulting program provide an orientation to the critical concepts and language while also walking participants through a process of creating network action plans.

Netcentric Campaigns staff are regularly engaged by foundations, coalitions, collaboratives and nonprofit organizations to set up work sessions focused on designing network based programs to move agenda and support social change.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Coordinating Training, Education and Consulting Programs

Provide strategic support to progressive organizations and movements on using networks to achieve advocacy and campaigning objectives.

Expand and test network-centric advocacy strategy.

Monitor and incorporate the latest thinking on networks, Web 2.0, advocacy and social movements into approaches and materials.

Gather case studies of effective networks.

Learn and test the latest web-based organizing tools and practices.

Develop and refine training and education products.

Design and deliver several dozen presentations annually, including high-level training programs for international activists.

Add content to organization website, including blogs and training materials.

Add content to advocacy2.org wiki. Develop content, facilitate conversation, and recruit contributors.

Write and distribute monthly newsletter sharing theory, best practices and tips.

Develop new products and services.

Program Coordination

Track all administrative aspects of the consulting program, including contracts, billing and staff.

Support Executive Director setting scope with new clients and partnerships.

Manage contracts. Ensure contracts are well-designed and executed in a timely manner.

Coordinate with consultants and contractors.

Hire and manage interns.

Interface with prospective and current clients and funders.

Expand and implement organizational strategy, including products, branding and positioning.

Manage budget for individual contracts.

Contribute to a sustained outreach campaign promoting the visibility for Netcentric Campaigns in the broader advocacy, progressive and consultant communities.

Backstop Executive Director.

General

Support growth of Green Media Toolshed’s network of almost 200 environmental organizations.

Contribute to the overall smooth operations and enjoyable culture of our small nonprofit organization.

The Coordinator will report directly to the Executive Director.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES

Project management experience, including contracts, budgets and evaluation.

A minimum of 2-3 years experience with advocacy, campaigns, progressive organizations and/or the media.

Demonstrated experience with web 2.0 tools, including blogs, wikis and social networking sites. (Personal use counts!)

Proficient in basic Microsoft applications (Word, PowerPoint and Excel). Photo editing, HTML and wiki experience a plus.

Excellent verbal and written communications skills.

Superior presentation skills and an ability to tell a good story.

Proven ability to meet deadlines and work both independently and in a team.

Undergraduate degree. Masters degree in related field desirable (communications, policy, public affairs, tech)

COMPENSATION
Salary range is $35,000-$45,000, depending on experience. Benefits package that includes medical, prescription and dental coverage as well as a vision discount program. GMT contributes to a 401k plan after 1 year of employment. Time off includes two weeks (10 days) of vacation plus 14-15 paid holidays.

PROCESS
Applicants should submit a resume and cover letter to kearns (at) greenmediatoolshed.org. Applications accepted on a rolling basis through June 15, 2008. Desired start in early June. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls please.

May 22, 2008 in Employment | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Internet Advocacy Rountable: strategy for web outreach

In April, I attended the Internet Advocacy Roundtable at the Center for American Progress Action Fund here in Washington D.C. The rountable featured two web strategists from the DNC and RNC, who shared their experiences and gave advice on building campaign web strategy.

The roundable was hosted by Alan Rosenblatt, the Associate Director for Online Advocacy at CAPAF. The panel featured Tracy Russo, Former Chief Blogger and Deputy Online Communications Director in the John Edwards campaign, and a former member of the Democratic National Committee Internet team. The RNC panel representative was Mindy Finn, the former director of the web strategy of Mitt Romney's campaign.

Alan, Tracy, and Mindy discussed how web strategy must be integrated into all aspects of a campaign, and is a powerful advocacy tool because it gives clues about when you need to change your strategy before a mistake takes a toll. Email can work in two directions. It can make people really sense the community and conversation around them or feel as if they are one check on a mass mailing list. Individualizing content to specific audiences should be implemented in three main steps: Test, Target, and Track. Testing your technique, targeting specific interests, and assessing tracked results build web strategy into an online conversation that acts as a mobile technology of community development.

For a nice example, go to www.technpresident.com, to view how online community building tools such as blogs and personal profiles can be used to create community within a campaign.

Also check out www.utterz.com, a multimedia blog that integrates cell phone messages and pictures.

May 12, 2008 in Advocacy | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Using Maps to Deliver Your Message

I had the opportunity to attend the Planning and Conservation League's annual Symposium this past weekend. There were many sessions to choose from but one in particular caught my attention. The topic was using maps to persuade and mobilize. The presenters were Larry Orman and Tim Sinnott from GreenInfo Network and Rebecca Moore from Google Earth Outreach.

Larry Orman started off with a great point: we're overloaded with geographic information. We've got access to road maps, mash ups, interactive maps, climate change maps, election maps, and geotagged photos. But Larry pointed out that mapping is about having a point, not just about showing data.

Why are maps a popular choice for displaying cross-sections of information? One reason is that data is not an obstacle. It's available and much of it is free. Also, computers and mapping software are less expensive. And new generations of folks are map-savvy.

GIS (geographic information system) is one mapping tool that marries data and places. GIS can be used to analyze information, such as land use, commercial development, pollution impact, and to define alternative outcomes.

Maps, in general, can be used to tell a story or convey a message. Mapping tools let you unfold data in layers to reveal parts of the story. It is important, Larry emphasized, that you think about mapping as communications. Technology is whizzy and great, but it is still critical that you have a good story. You need to know who your audience is, what your message is, how much time people will have to view your map as well as at what distance and in what context.

Rebecca Moore reinforced that maps can be very effective for telling a story or delivering a message, particularly when you don't have much time to deliver it. She noted that maps can change an abstract concept into something personal for people. When done right, maps can show what is at stake instead of just telling what is at stake. They can inspire action, influence decision-makers, reach the media, and impact public policy.

If you are interested in using maps as part of your outreach strategy, there are a number of tools to try:
-- Google SketchUp
-- Google Earth
-- ArcExplorer
-- Interactive mashups
-- GeoPDFs

While there are many examples, two in particular you may want to view are:
-- Ocean Conservancy's "A Preventable Tragedy"
-- Appalachian Voices' "I love Mountains" campaign

And finally, if you want to read more, try these resources:
-- Google Earth Blog
-- ESRI Conservation Program

Happy Mapping!
Bobbi Russell

January 16, 2008 in Communications Skills, Environment, Media Training, Message Development, Network Advocacy, Organizing, Technology | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

Center for Health, Environment and Justice Seeks Fundraising Manager

CENTER FOR HEALTH, ENVIRONMENT AND JUSTICE
FUNDRAISING MANAGER


The Center for Health, Environment and Justice makes communities safer and more sustainable by organizing people to prevent or clean up health-threatening contamination. The Center was founded in 1981 by our executive director, Lois Gibbs, who was the community leader at Love Canal, New York. Because 2008 will mark the 30th anniversary of the beginning of the Love Canal crisis, it offers CHEJ special opportunities for outreach and fundraising.


SUMMARY:

The Fundraising Manager will develop and coordinate the implementation of CHEJ’s individual fundraising strategies. Responsibilities include personalized appeal mailings, a quarterly newsletter for $100+ donors, project-specific major gift campaigns, and involving the board and staff in fundraising. A separate full-time development associate position manages the membership solicitations, acknowledgements and database. The candidate must have excellent writing and inter-personal skills, and the ability to travel. This full-time position reports to the director of development, and is based in our Falls Church, Virginia office.


Specific responsibilities include:
• Oversee the membership renewal process and database management by the development associate.
• Develop strategies to upgrade the giving levels of existing donors and also acquire new ones.
• Arrange and support major donor visits and calls for executive director, other program staff, and board members, and also travel as needed to meet with major donors.
• Coordinate quarterly staff phonathons.
• Develop strategies for further involving staff, board members and other volunteers in fundraising.
• Make acknowledgement and solicitation calls to major donors.
• Coordinate occasional events, luncheons and gatherings for donors.
• Coordinate special anniversary fundraising initiatives.
• Participate in building our annual on-line auction catalog.
• Produce quarterly major donor newsletter and oversee production of the monthly e-bulletin by the development associate.
• Write all appeal, acquisition, membership and acknowledgment letters, and personalize those for major donors.
• Develop and maintain planned giving campaign, and gifts of stock.
• Develop annual budget of income and expense projections for individual giving and membership.
• Prepare periodic reports on progress toward individual giving income goals.


QUALIFICATIONS: The successful candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree and at least two years of development experience, preferably including a demonstrated ability to cultivate and solicit gifts from individuals. Excellent writing, interpersonal, team building and organizational skills are a must. We are seeking someone who can travel occasionally (about six times a year) to meet with donors, and bring new ideas for enhancing our ability to acquire and upgrade individual donors. Knowledge of environmental issues and Sage fundraising software a plus.


SALARY AND BENEFITS: Salary commensurate with experience. CHEJ offers a generous benefits package including leave time, flex time, health and life insurance, and retirement plan.

CHEJ values diversity and encourages applications from women and people of color. EOE. Send a letter of interest, resume, and salary requirements to:

Development Job
Center for Health, Environment and Justice
P.O. Box 6806
Falls Church, VA 22040

Telephone: 703-237-2249
Fax: 703-237-8389
Email: [email protected]

January 16, 2008 in Employment | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Open Space Institute Seeks Communications Coordinator

OPEN SPACE INSTITUTE
Communications Manager


The mission of the Open Space Institute (OSI) is to protect scenic, natural and historic landscapes to ensure public enjoyment, conserve habitats and sustain community character. OSI achieves its goals through land acquisition, conservation easements, special loan programs, and creative partnerships. OSI is seeking a Communications Manager to assist with the marketing and business development of the organization and its three core programs: Land Acquisition; Conservation Loans; and the Conservation Institute.

Overall Function
The Communications Manager will be responsible for written, verbal, and visual communications including print, electronic publishing, publicity, advertising, and press materials. The Communications Manager works with the entire OSI staff, and reports to the Vice President, External Affairs. The Communications Manager will maintain contact with OSI trustees and advisors.

Primary Responsibilities

Communications

1. Direct the production of key communications (involving planning, writing and/or editing with contract writers), including annual report, newsletter, institute summaries, interpretive materials such as brochures and project descriptions, and some web content.
2. Provide communication support for staff. Ensure consistency of messaging for staff and maintain OSI’s editorial and graphic standards.
3. Manage supplemental vendor relations in a positive, cost-effective and timely manner.
4. Will assist with website maintenance changes, help create website content and work with staff to generate website materials.

Publicity

1. Respond to media inquiries, schedule and coordinate press events as needed. Develop ideas and opportunities for local, regional and national press coverage.
2. Serve as an official spokesperson for the Open Space Institute.
3. Work with all staff as needed to craft complex content into clearly understood messages.
4. Develop and execute strategic media relations program.
5. Maintains media contact lists and histories and maintains regular contact and positive relationships with selected journalists.

Marketing

1. Ensure OSI’s brand is well articulated and represented within all communications.
2. Support marketing initiatives with marketing communications strategy and execution.
3. Oversee maintenance of OSI’s visual library, including maintaining photo files and working with staff to generate maps.


Skills and Abilities

• Excellent written, oral and interpersonal communications skills.
• Must be a self-starter, who is able to establish priorities and meet multiple deadlines.
• Ability to comprehend complex issues.
• Ability to manage professional and support staff as well as consultants, and advise senior staff where appropriate.
• Must be able to move seamlessly between working independently and as part of a team.
• Track record of producing local, regional and national press coverage.
• Experience in overseeing (including production and editing) of high-quality publications.
• Good strategic public relations and media judgement.


Requirements
• Bachelor’s degree.
• 5 years experience in communications field.
• Knowledge of and experience with environmental and conservation fields.
• Sense of design and presentation aesthetics is a plus.


Applicants should send the following items – cover letter with salary history and requirements; resume; one writing sample not more than three pages; and one press release or one media clip.
Please send to Susan Barbarisi, Open Space Institute, 1350 Broadway, Suite 201, NY, NY 10018, or email to [email protected]. NO PHONE CALLS, PLEASE.

January 14, 2008 in Employment | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Organizer's Collaborative is seeking an Executive Director

Company: Organizers' Collaborative
Job Title: Executive Director

Description: The Organizers' Collaborative (OC) is seeking an energetic person with substantial organizing and fund-raising experience. This is a hands-on, part-time position, involving program administration, fund-raising, and office management responsibilities. The organization has a strong base of volunteers, over 300 paid members, good administrative systems, an active board, and a solid track record in providing an annual nonprofit technology conference as well as free database software. New leadership is needed to help the group cement the progress and relationships it has already built and to develop a stronger financial base for its operations in the long term. The job involves approximately 15-20 hours a week and is compensated at $20 to $25 an hour.

The Organizers' Collaborative works to provide social change groups with proven, easy-to-use technology and support that is specific to the needs of social change organizers. The organization has three main projects: (1) Annual Grassroots Use of Technology Conference; (2) Organizational Divide Initiative (ODI), a training and assistance program for small under-resourced non-profits; and (3) Organizers Database (ODB), open-source software for non-profit outreach and donor management.

Responsibilities:

* To develop OC's financial and organizational capacity, by expanding its membership base, identifying additional major funders, and by pursuing joint projects with partner organizations. Director will work closely with and take direction from the Board.
* To build and reconceputalize OC's existing technology assistance programs that assists community groups in Greater Boston and help expand to other communities as part of its Organizational Divide Initiative.
* To oversee the coordination of the annual Grassroots Use of Technology Conference.
* To provide regular communications and outreach to members, supporters, partners and other interested parties via an expanded online presence.
* To work with ODB Project Director, a consultant, tocoordinate ODB work with other OC projects.
* To supervise interns, volunteers and work-study students.

Additional Qualifications:

* Strong ability to network with funders, grassroots groups, and potential partnering organizations
* Grant writing and event planning experience
* Program development and/or program management experience
* Good verbal and written communications skills
* Facility with basic computer office applications (word processor, spreadsheet, databases and internet). Familiarity with Quickbooks accounting software ideal, but not required.
* Ability to supervise interns, volunteers and work-study students

How to Apply:
Please send a resume and a letter of interest to OC at [email protected] or by mail or fax. Deadline is December 31, 2007. Please no phone calls.

Address: 14 Beacon St. #707, Boston, MA 02108
Fax number: 617-858-9513
Web site: http://www.organizerscollaborative.org

The Organizers' Collaborative is an Equal Opportunity Employer

December 19, 2007 in Employment | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Deck the web with your best home page...


I just read a simple but very helpful post from the Network for Good which advises groups what elements your home page should have so that a site visitor can what you do and who you are withing 4 seconds. Katya Andersen suggests that every nonprofit home page should have these 8 elements:

1. A guessable URL
2. Your postal address (so you look legit and so people can send you a check if they want)
3. Your phone number (shows you're real, makes you accessible)
4. Email sign-up (so you can cultivate people after they visit)
5. Keyword density (so people will find you via search) - this is so important!
6. Donate Now buttons (on the main part of the page and in the navigation)
7. A pathway for learning more about the organization (a case for why you should donate)
8. Images - strong, emotional ones that are clickable (people expect images to be clickable - send them to your case for giving or your donate form)

I'd like to add a few other elements to this list.
9. An online press room (so general visitors but also reporters can easily get background information and recent news. This link can be called press room, media center, news room, etc.)
10. A staff list with biographies and additional contact information (even if you keep your info@ email address for general inquiries, it's nice to let site visitors know who does what and how staff members got to your group. If your website supports it, add individual photos or a group shot.)
11. A link to help (some folks may not be ready to give money but they may be willing to show up as a volunteer)
12. Financial scoop (let visitors know how you're supported whether it's through grants, memberships, and/or other donations.

Grab Katya's full list and link out to a presentation about online fundraising.

Happy Holidays,
-- Bobbi Russell

December 17, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Center for Health, Environment and Justice Seeks Campaign Coordinator

Child Proofing Our Communities
Campaign Coordinator

Position Opening and Campaign Background

The Center for Health, Environment & Justice (CHEJ) seeks a dynamic, bold individual to work in a groundbreaking organizing/public education climate. The CHEJ Child Proofing our Communities (CPOC) Campaign Coordinator will work at the nexis of the daily environments where children’s lives and health intersect.

Through community organizing, coalition building, corporate campaigns and our Green Flag School Program for youth, the CPOC campaign seeks to move schools, homes, public places, recreational outlets (such as Disney World) and neighborhood communities to take proactive approaches to prevent harmful toxins and chemicals from impacting children health and development.

CPOC currently is heavily invested in working in three key states: New Jersey, Maryland and Florida.

Position Reports to and is accountable to the Executive Director.

Main Responsibilities for Childproofing Our Communities Coordinator:
• Coordinate the campaign by assessing the need for and strategic planning of: issue campaigns; working groups; trainings; and collaborative projects.
• Facilitate working groups and collaborative projects with a continual focus on building leadership within and strengthening of grassroots organizations;
• Provide community organizing assistance over the phone and in person;
• Maintain the campaign list-serves;
• Supervise the Childproofing Our Communities Coordinator Assistant/s
• Manage the Green Flag School Program for Environmental Leadership.

Training/Networking:
• Provide training, as needed in communities and/or at other events;
• Identify opportunities to bring groups together to share, develop collective strategies, and enhance their understanding of community organizing and/or environmental health issues;
• Provide conference call training, as needed, for communities and local organizations from a diversity of regions.

Publications/Information:
• Assist in writing joint publications with CHEJ Science staff and/or partner organizations on issues that advance the campaign and support CHEJ members;
• Work with CHEJ Media Officer to develop and implement strategies engaging local and national press and on line news publications regarding the work, scope and impact of CPOC;
• Provide bi-monthly progress reports of activities and trends experienced for the purposes of programmatic and fundraising decisions;
• Complete contact sheets for database and follow-up opportunities.

Qualifications
• Three years organizing/program coordination experience preferred.
• Ability to work with a diversity of people.
• Excellent organizational, oral, and written communication skills required.
• Computer-literate.
• Self-motivated.
• Attention to detail and follow-through.
• Coalition-building experience,
• Familiarity with issues,
• Fluency in Spanish a plus
• Supervisory experience.

Position located in East Falls Church, VA, 9 miles outside of Washington, DC.
Resume and cover letter can be sent to Sharon Franklin, at [email protected].
Application Deadline: December 31, 2007

About CHEJ
The Center for Health, Environment & Justice exists to mentor the movement to build healthier communities by empowering people to prevent harm in as many ways, and for as many people, as possible. We believe this can happen when people and groups have the power to play an integral role in promoting human health and environmental integrity. CHEJ’s role is to provide the tools, the direction, and the encouragement to these people and groups, so that they can build strong, healthy communities where they live, work, learn, shop, play and pray. Following her successful effort to prevent further harm for the people living in contaminated Love Canal, Lois Gibbs founded CHEJ in 1981 in order to continue mentoring others seeking to prevent harm. CHEJ provides mentoring assistance to communities, homeowners, families and individuals throughout the country

12/07

December 5, 2007 in Employment | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

Need Green Holiday Gift Ideas?

Get into the spirit of the holidays by shopping green. If you are one of the many people who will be rushing out this season to buy gifts for family and friends, why not use these suggestions from Grist Magazine for where and what to shop?

While you're at it, take a look at their great green gift guide from last year.

If you are simply looking for gifts that have meaning behind them, then check out OneWorld U.S.' holiday Gift Guide. Scroll through the list of organizations to find gifts that help support free trade, development, and other progressive causes. If you have a meaningful gift you'd like to share with others, suggest it on the blog.

-Yvonne Archer

November 27, 2007 in Environment | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

If you haven't already - read Andy Goodman!

If you haven't already read the publications from Andy Goodman or signed up for his newsletter, you should.

He has great communications tips for progressives and you can sign up for his newsletter here: http://www.agoodmanonline.com/newsletter/index.html.

Check out the Network-Centric Advocacy blog for the latest from Andy.

-Yvonne

November 16, 2007 in Advocacy | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Are You Coming to Power Shift 2007?

Are you coming to Power Shift? Were you maybe coming, but not sure how you could help? They need all the help they can get!!! They're expecting over 5,000 young people will attend and need hundreds of day-of volunteers to help pull off the conference.

Can you volunteer 4-10 hours during the weekend and be part of this amazing event? In exchange, you'll get to meet inspiring youth leaders from across the country, see keynote addresses from people like Majora Carter, Van Jones, and Bill McKibben, as well as all of the panels and workshops offered free of charge.

If you can help, please check the time slots and volunteer roles below and email Billy Parish or Ragini Kapadia to let them know what hours you'd be able to commit to. Please pass this opportunity along to others you know who may like to attend and volunteer.


VOLUNTEERING AT POWER SHIFT 2007
Thursday November 1st
TIME # of Vol Role
4:00 15 Collate Registration Packets

Friday November 2nd
TIME # of Vol Role
8-4:00 30 Registration
10:00 REGISTRATION TRAINING FOR EVERYONE PARTICIPATING
3-9:00 5 Speaker Registration
3-10:00 75 Registration
6-7:00 3 Space Set up
10-11:00 10 Wrap up, Pack Up

Saturday November 3rd
TIME # of Vol Role
7-9:00 33 Job Fair Set up
7-9:00 4 Job Fair Registration
7-8:00 5 Registration Set up
7-9:00 6 Space Set up
12-1:30
7-2:30 5 Speaker Registration
7:30-12:00 15 Registration
8-10:15 25 Provide assistance to panelists
10-12:15
1:30-2:45
8-9:30 30 Traffic Control
10-11:15
12-1:45
4:30-7:00
1:30-2:45 70 Training for Lobby Day Trainers
2-3:30 33 Take Down Job Fair
2:30 -4:30 25 State Breakout Assistance
5-7:30 9 Space Pick Up

Sunday November 4th
TIME # of Vol Role

7-11:30 5 Registration
7-1:00 8 Speaker Registration
8-9:30 30 Traffic Control
9:45-11:30
12:30-1:30
2-3:30
4:30-6:00
8-10:15 37 Workshop Assistance
10:30-12:15
1:15-2:30
9:30-11:15 33 Job Fair Set up/Take Down
3:30-5:00
3-4:00 70 Legislative Briefing for Lobby Day Trainers
5:30-8:00 70 Lobby Day Trainings

Power Shift 07 is the first ever youth climate conference and is happening November 2-5, at the University of Maryland, College Park.

October 25, 2007 in Environment | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

SCA is looking for entries for their Conservation In Action Multimedia Contest.

The Student Conservation Association is celebrating its 50th year with its Conservation In Action Multimedia Contest.

They are challenging people ages 15-25 to show their action-oriented, practical solutions that involve young people in addressing an environmental challenge.
- Submissions may be a research project or thesis as well as video, PowerPoint, or even a website.
- Prizes include a 2008 Mazda 3I , $37,000, and eight expense-paid trips to SCA's April 2008 Earth Vision Summit in Washington D.C.
The SCA/Mazda Conservation in Action Multimedia Contest is part of a year long series of events to help celebrate SCA's 50th anniversary and honor founder Elizabeth Titus Putnam, whose senior thesis launched SCA in 1957.

The deadline for submissions is December 1st, 2007 so visit thesca.org/contest and get started on your entry today!

You can send them to:
[email protected]
The Student Conservation Association 603-543-1700
689 River Road PO BOX 550 Charlestown, New Hampshire 03603

October 16, 2007 in Environment | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Blue Frontier Campaign Seeks Director in DC Office

MARINE CONSERVATION LEADERSHIP POSITION AVAILABLE

POSITION - DIRECTOR – DC OFFICE, BLUE FRONTIER CAMPAIGN
REPORTS TO: PRESIDENT, BFC
LOCATION – WASHINGTON DC
STARTING DATE – IMMEDIATELY

The Blue Frontier Campaign is committed to building unity, providing tools and increasing awareness of the solution oriented ocean and coastal protection movement. It has organized national and regional conferences, tours and ‘celebrations of the sea,’ and produced organizing brochures, books including the ‘Ocean and Coastal Conservation Guide’ and ’50 Ways to Save the Ocean,’ and online resources including Blue Notes emails. It also works on school curriculums, print, radio, and TV stories and the bluefront.org website.

With founder David Helvarg establishing a West Coast Office BFC is looking for a motivated independent person to run our DC office. The job will include fundraising and development for BFC, basic financial administration, organizing a national Blue Vision Summit in 2008, working on the website, and with the media as well as a wide range of marine organizations. The Director will also oversee interns and volunteers, and do conference outreach both on Capitol Hill and to local and regional seaweed groups across the nation.

We’re looking for someone who is self-directing and entrepreneurial, has experience or familiarity with running the day-to-day operations of a small NGO, and is passionate about restoring our living seas through bottom up citizen action. Writing skills are a plus.

Work is based in Washington DC. Salary is commensurate with experience.

Submit resume and cover letter to:
David Helvarg
[email protected]
510-778-8470
202-491-6296
202-387-8030

September 25, 2007 in Employment | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Endangered Species Coaltion Seeks Policy Director

Company: Endangered Species Coalition
Job Title: Policy Director

Description: The Endangered Species Coalition (www.stopextinction.org) is a national network of 380 conservation organizations, scientific associations, religious organizations, hunting and fishing associations, community organizations, humane societies, businesses, and concerned citizens working to protect endangered species and habitat. Our tools are public education, scientific information and citizen participation to protect our nation's wildlife and wild places.

Job Description:

The Endangered Species Coalition is seeking a well-qualified individual to serve as our Policy Director in Washington, DC. The Policy Director will be an integral participant in important campaigns to pass strong endangered species protections. As a member of the senior management team, this individual will develop and implement the organization's legislative agenda, oversee our policy and communications, and assist in the overall operation of the Coalition. The Policy Director works with some of the best conservation organizations - our extensive and diverse member organizations - to implement cutting edge campaigns to protect our nation's wildlife and wild places.

Specific Responsibilities:
The Policy Director will oversee the ESC's policy work and will serve as the liaison for the ESC's staff with member groups and the larger environmental community. The Policy Director will meet with targeted decision makers on issues important to ESC and our member groups. The Policy Director will work to develop and lead ESC campaigns, which may target: legislation, administrative policies and regulations, individual habitats and species protections, corporate practices, and/or trade association policies. The Policy Director will assist the management team with fundraising needs.

Qualifications
-Applicants must be passionate about the conservation of our nation's wildlife and public lands.
-Minimum 3 years conservation advocacy experience, including policy analysis and research.
-Experience in grassroots organizing and campaign management preferred.
-Bachelor's Degree in political science, environmental studies or related field.
-Experience meeting with decision makers
-Experience working with coalitions a plus.
-Excellent oral and written communications skills.
-Ability to work independently in a fast paced, changing environment.

How To Apply
Send cover letter, resume, and writing sample to Sarah Matsumoto at [email protected]
Application deadline is October 1, 2007.

September 25, 2007 in Employment | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Should you send your press releases to blogs?

Flickr has a great blog post from plasticbag.org. The author explains his distaste for receiving press releases when his blog is a personal one and he has no desire to help market other people's or company's agendas.

This post made me think about how groups are now using the opportunity to get covered by progressive blogs. If you are going to send a press release to a blog, it shouldn't come across like a press release. And the blog you are sending it to should have a keen interest in what your organization is doing. Does your event or mission go along with the theme of the blog? Can it help the blog author? If it is a personal blog, and you are unsure as to whether the blogger will care, then don't send it. It's also better to know the blogger - and offer to promote their blog in exchange.

-Yvonne Archer

September 21, 2007 in Communications Skills | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

GMT seeks dynamic intern

Advocacy Intern: environment, human rights, and peace and security


Description:

Netcentric Campaigns connects progressive organizations with the innovation, tools and strategy needed to be successful in the age of connectivity. Intern will support our work harnessing the power of social networks and new technologies to empower environmental, peace and security and human rights communities to affect social change. Intern will become an expert in the most cutting edge advocacy and campaigning tools, and will work directly with advocates seeking to apply these tools to achieve campaign objectives.

Intern responsibilities will include:

· Monitoring the latest discussions on networks, social change and technology.

· Developing interactive resources introducing new technologies (like blogs and wikis) and opportunities for applying them to advocacy and campaigning.

· Facilitating organization and individual understanding of networks and web-based tools through face-to-face and online trainings.

· General office support and administrative tasks, as needed.

Qualifications:

· Familiarity with blogs, wikis, RSS, Facebook and MySpace. Applicants must be comfortable learning about and using these tools; A TECH BACKGROUND IS NOT NECESSARY!!!

· Commitment to progressive causes and social change. Familiarity with international development, peace and security, environment, human rights or health communities a plus. Intern will work with one or more of these communities.

· Comfortable working with clients and groups. Good public speaking skills.

Intern will be expected to make a 4-6 month commitment, and will receive a monthly stipend.

Application instructions:

Send a cover letter and resume to Karen(at)netcentriccampaigns.org. No phone calls please. Applications accepted on a rolling basis through September 30. Only those selected for an interview will be notified.

*Netcentric Campaigns is a division of Green Media Toolshed.

September 21, 2007 in Employment | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Climate conference planned for October in New Hampshire!

Cacp_2007conference__logo_circle


Climate conference planned for October in New Hampshire

Citizens, businesses, conservationists and policy makers to convene in Manchester, New Hampshire this October. Prior to the First in the Nation Presidential Primary, leaders in business, energy, investments, climate science, and conservation will come together to discuss US climate policy at the Global Warming and Energy Solutions conference here October 12 and 13th.

“A solid majority of New Hampshire citizens consider global warming a serious threat that demands solutions,” said Adam Markham, executive director of Clean Air - Cool Planet, which will host the pre-primary event at the Radisson Hotel in Manchester. “Less than 3 months before the primary, this conference will be the best single opportunity to share solutions, communicate opportunities and challenges and thereby inform the global warming plans of the next President of the United States.”

Presidential candidates from both parties have been invited to attend and communicate their priorities for action on climate change and energy security. The conference will feature experts on federal and state climate policy, alternative energy sources, and paths to climate neutrality. Speakers include PSEG Chairman and CEO Ralph Izzo; Dr.Berrien Moore, director of the Complex Systems Research Center at the University of New Hampshire; author and activist Bill McKibben; National Wildlife Federation President Larry Schweiger; and Stonyfield Farm President and CEO Gary Hirshberg.

The Clean Air - Cool Planet Climate Champion Awards will be presented at a reception Friday evening. Workshops will focus on adapting to a warmer climate; implications for wildlife; action in the retail sector; demand-side savings for residents and businesses; and renewable energy potential in the Northeast
For more information or to register, visit www.cleanair-coolplanet.org.

If you are going to be in New Hampshire this fall, or this sounds like the conference for you, then register! Help us in supporting our members.

September 4, 2007 in Advocacy | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Restore America's Estuaries Seeks Communications Specialist

Restore America’s Estuaries
Communications Specialist Position Description

Restore America’s Estuaries (RAE) is the nations leading non-profit conservation organization dedicated to preserving the nation’s network of estuaries by protecting and restoring the lands and waters essential to the richness and diversity of coastal life. For more information on RAE, please see our website www.estuaries.org.

Summary:
The Communications Specialist will assist senior RAE staff in developing and implementing our outreach program. The position reports directly to the Senior Director of Development.
Duty Station: Arlington, VA

Responsibilities:
The Communications Specialist will work with the RAE team to develop and implement an outreach program that promotes RAE’s habitat restoration work; and engages the broader community of non-profits, agencies and corporations involved in habitat restoration work. Main responsibilities will include:

• Maintenance and marketing of RAE websites: www.estuaries.org and www.restorationmarketplace.org; and RAE restoration job board
• Promotion of habitat restoration and funding by keeping our partners and allies informed about important legislation and other restoration-related initiatives
• Facilitating communications among RAE members for various programs
• Production and distribution of RAE newsletters, annual reports, brochures, etc.
• Marketing and Promotion of communication materials for bi-annual RAE National Conference.
• Management of physical and electronic data (e.g. photos, presentations, marks, trademarks, etc.)
• Assisting RAE executives in outreach to media (print, broadcast, and web)
• Managing special projects as needed, such as research projects, reports, and meetings
• Assisting RAE staff on developing proposals for funding of outreach-related projects
• And other projects and tasks as assigned

Qualifications:
• Exceptional written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience in website development and management
• Self-starting, self-managing, and comfortable in small office environment.
• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent
• Knowledgeable with various software programs (Photoshop, Publisher)
• At least three years related work experience, preferably in a non-profit environment

Compensation:
Competitive salary and excellent benefits package, consistent with Restore America's Estuaries’ personnel policies, including but not limited to health insurance, retirement plan and vacation.

General Characteristics:
Restore America's Estuaries is a drug-free and smoke-free workplace, and an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, minorities and people of color are encouraged to apply. This position could be a full-time or flex-time position, depending on the qualifications of the candidate.

To Apply:
Please send resume, two writing samples, cover letter, and salary requirements to [email protected].

August 15, 2007 in Employment | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Top Ten Online Tools

Ruby Sinreich, who blogs at OrangePolitics.org and lotusmedia.org, recently re-posted her top 10 social networking tools for activists on the Netcentric Campaigns website. This list is especially useful for those organizations who are just getting into the world of social networking and want to know the best tools to use.

Ruby lists Bloglines as an aggregator to use. "Collect and organize RSS feeds. See how many other users subscribe to each feed. Now you can read (or at least skim) lots of blogs and other sites with feeds." I use Bloglines and think it's very easy to use and great way to organize all your feeds in one place.

TechSoup has also posted their Top Ten Cool Tools in their blog. Check these out to see the top 10 Web2.0 tools your organization should be using right now. One of these includes LinkedIn (which GMT staff is currently on), where you can "connect to a network of other professionals, recruit employees, or even post your own resume online."

-Yvonne Archer

August 8, 2007 in Technology | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

The blogosphere's climate constituency

I recently attended an event at the Center for American Progress that focused on "wiring the climate netroots." It was a really informative event that the Energy Action Coalition and ClimateProgress organized. I hope they do more of these! A lot of what I learned, though, could be used by the environmental community as a whole.

Matt Stoller, who writes at OpenLeft.com, explained that environmental progressives need to make a more concerted effort to blog about their issues and present the facts to counteract the other side and any details they are misconstruing. I agree - if we feel that environmental issues are not a big blogging topic, then we need to make more of an effort to blog about these issues and link out to one and other in an effort to connect on this.

Chris Mooney, who is the Washington correspondent for Seed magazine, noted that there is little global warming activism online. He explained that what we need to do is find messages that will work - if we are going to involve science in our messages, don't fall into the trap of not doing any fact checking. It's more effective to look at smaller basic examples than try to get into any exaggerations. We can even try to frame our messages in a moral or religious light - how will people be affected personally by climate change, water pollution or the loss of an animal species?

Joseph Romm, who oversees the blog ClimateProgress.org, added a few other key points. To him, there doesn't seem to be a lot of consensus on what action progressives should be taking. This is why there isn't enough debate about climate change and other environmental issues on blogs. What we need to do is improve our communication - we need to explain to our audiences what actions need to be taken and how we can work towards a solution - and don't forget to explain what that solution is!

When framing your message, think about how it affects your audience. When an issue truly touches a person's heart, when they really feel like they can be a part of the solution, they'll be more driven to act. Check out GMT's Media Training section on tips for developing an effective message.

-Yvonne Archer

July 26, 2007 in Communications Skills | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

YouTube for bird watchers?

Newsweek recently wrote about Bird Cinema, a sort of YouTube for the bird watching circuit. What a great idea!

Since launching on June 7, 700 user-submitted videos have been uploaded onto Birdcinema from all over the world and nearly 116,000 videos have been viewed. And although the number of Americans who actively watch birds is declining, according to a 2001 government survey, there are still millions who are jazzed by the sight of an owl sitting on a log--or even a hummingbird in their backyard. In fact, according to the survey, one in five Americans watches birds, although some are more devoted than others.

Another way connecting thousands, even millions of people online, all in the name of one common interest. It's another idea of networking that non profits should take notice of. Are there other YouTube-ish sites that could be created that revolve around a specific environmental issue? We've seen how successful something like this has been and how easily it connects people together. It's another tool that progressives need to grab and run with.

-Yvonne Archer

July 26, 2007 in Advocacy | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

Surviving PowerPoint -- a humorous take on avoiding the biggest mistakes

Well, there are books, articles, blogs, and entire courses all about how to use PowerPoint for good instead of evil. Now even comedians are weighing in on the pitfalls of using PowerPoint and the funny things that can happen when the software program falls in the wrong hands. Check out Life After Death by PowerPoint by Don McMillan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORxFwBR4smE.

July 24, 2007 in Communications Skills | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

How do we motivate our supporters?

Yesterday I went to my first EcoWomen happy hour. These happy hours bring women of all ages together who care about the environment and are working to protect it. This month's event featured Dr. Jamie Reaser as the speaker. Jamie is the founder of Ecos Systems Institute, an organization that helps with capacity building. The topic of her talk was motivating conservation and sustainable living and a lot of what she said were points I think many organizations can think about and use in their advocacy work.

Jamie explained that in order to motivate people (our supporters or even those who we want to support us), we need to effect them enough that we alter their values. The environmental movement tends to try to change people's behaviors, but we need to go even farther than that in order to make an impact. People won't simply do something without knowing how it truly affects them. Jamie explains that we need to work towards shifting people's identities so that they feel connected to an issues and shift their values towards caring about an issue.

The environmental movement is also continually trying to move away from problems. What we need to do instead is move towards solutions. People want to stop global warming, but we need to give them solutions towards how they can do this.

Jamie also challenged those of us at the happy hour to reach out to people who aren't yet supporting us. Find the audience least likely to care or show up and get in front of them. Think about their values and how what we are doing affects those values. Why not place an ad in a magazine we wouldn't normally think about, such as Glamour or Elle?

One last thing I wanted to note was that Jamie read several essays written about people's experiences with nature. What was moving about them is that they explained the person's connection with the environment, how they were affected by what was going on around them. It made me think about how maybe we need to do more storytelling - whether we do it or our supporters do it - but we can motivate people to act through these stories. Imagine the number of stories that came from Hurricane Katrina - reading about people's experiences made others want to act and do something to help. Their own values were affected by seeing families separated, pets lost, homes destroyed. And because these values are a part of their identity, they wanted to help and make a difference.

-Yvonne Archer

July 18, 2007 in Advocacy | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

Ringtones as a conversation starter?

Bobbi's previous post about non profits using print ads in the Metro to encourage riders to text about important issues made me think about my daily commute via the Metro to work. Every ride someone's cell phone goes off. A loved one is calling to check in on when the cell phone owner will be home, or when they should meet for drinks, or how come they are running so late. And every time the cell phone rings, I hear a new tone. Whether it's someone's favorite song, or the opening tune from a TV show, or, quite creatively, someone yelling, "Pick up!".

Here's another great way for non profits to share their message with the masses. Why not create a ringtone for your organization and have your supporters download it? More than once I've been tempted to ask the person next to me where they downloaded their unique ringtone. And I've heard other commuters ask the same to their neighbor. It's a great way to start a conversation - someone asks one of your supporters where they downloaded that ringtone of a tiger growling, or ocean waves crashing. Your supporter then explains how they can go to your website and download it in support.

It may even spark a conversation between two people about an important issue, and your message has now been passed on.

Check out a few ways ringtones are being used on the MobileActive blog.

-Yvonne Archer

July 16, 2007 in Advocacy | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Could commuters be your mobile messengers?

I was taking the Metro home on Tuesday evening and happened to get on a 4 car Blue Line train in the middle of rush hour. If you don't live in the D.C. area, I should note that this is a real pain in the neck as it typically means overcrowding and delays due to folks trying to jam into the closing doors. This doesn't happen as much when Metro runs 6 or 8 car trains. Still, on this super hot day, I was lucky enough to have a seat and a very entertaining train conductor.

Many riders were cranky and were complaining loudly about the overloaded train. Our cheerful conductor used humor to try to soothe the masses. When one passenger asked him why a 4 car train was being run during rush hour, the conductor made an announcement to the entire train. It went something like: "You know, I'm not sure why we're running this 4 car train at the peek of rush hour. I'm just the driver but I recommend that you go home and email someone about it. Go to www.metroopensdoors.com and tell someone what you think."

He said this a number of other times during my 20 minute ride, suggesting that if Metro received 3,000 emails -- one each from everyone on the crowded train -- maybe they would make a change to the service.

Now, I couldn't say exactly how many, but a portion of the riders were tourists. They don't care about long term Metro crowding and are likely not going to send an email to Metro when they get home from vacation. But the rest of us daily commuters were really an engaged audience. We looked around to one another, smiled and even laughed at the conductor's attempts at humor. We bonded. And I thought to myself, I will send an email about this issue.

I was on my way to dinner, so by the time I got home later that night, I didn't think to send that email. But if in the moment when someone was stepping on my toes and the person sitting next to me elbowing me while applying her poppin' lip gloss, I would have sent a text message. If our conductor announced text instructions instead of a website address, I would have sent a text to Metro from my cell phone right then.

The experience made me think that maybe nonprofit organizations should think about the use of print ads in Metro trains, in Metro stations, on buses, at bus stops that encourage people to text about particular issues or donate to an organization through their cell phone provider. Give commuters something proactive to do while they're waiting for the next train or en route to their next destination.

Then the next day here at GMT we explored mobile advocacy a bit more in a training session hosted by Katrin Verclas of MobileActive and NTEN. She gave many helpful tips about how nonprofits can use cell phones, particularly text messaging, in their outreach campaigns. We talked more about how groups can use text messaging and different kinds of mobile messaging to deliver their messages and calls to actions to members and supporters. We asked her for some impromptu rules for writing interactive and effective text messages, keeping in mind that texts to your constituents need to be interactive and stay within the 160 character limit. She says:
1. Be clear about what very specific action you're asking in the text.
2. Test and retest so you know what messages work; consider testing two different messages at one time (an A & B trial)
3. Consider your audience and whether you should use emoticons, slang, or shortened words in your message (i.e. using "u" instead of "you" and "4" instead of "for").
5. If sending multiple messages with multiple asks, be sure to have a good sequence & flow (test the process so your asks make sense to your audience).

Check out Katrin's blog post about LiveEarth's SMS campaign at
MobileActive.

--Bobbi Russell

July 12, 2007 in Message Development | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

The Benefit of Building a Targeted List

The Sea Change Strategies blog recently posted about the Tyranny of Big Lists and how too many non profits are attempting to communicate with very large lists, yet getting a very small response or open rate.

The metaphor they pose about sharing your thoughts on a movie with the whole theater versus just your close companions is especially compelling.

It made me think about how non profits really need to think about targeting their audience. Sending to a list of thousands or even hundreds is not always effective, especially with the decline in open rates and the increase in spam filters. We need to take more time and cultivate our media lists, making sure we are reaching the right people. And that may only need to be a few people, not hundreds.

Green Media Toolshed has a Target Your Audience top ten that is helpful, along with tips on Building a Targeted Media List.

The next time you rush through sending out your press release, take a minute to look over your list, think about its size, and whether the contacts on the list are ones who will truly want to hear from you or cover your issues. You may realize you need to refine the list and make it more targeted.

-Yvonne Archer

June 29, 2007 in Media Training | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

Call GMT's Comment Line!

Green Media Toolshed has a new comment line. Have feedback you'd like to give or a comment you'd like to make about GMT?

Just call 202-730-9468 and leave a message. The message will possibly be used on our website so that other groups can learn more about what members and other groups think of GMT.

Thanks for your support!

June 26, 2007 in Network Advocacy | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

Vote for Scorecard.org for a Progressive Source Award!

Scorecard.org, a project of Green Media Toolshed, has been nominated for a Progressive Source Award in the category of Most Innovative Advocacy Tool. This is the first year for the Progressive Source Awards and the goal is to recognize organizations that are using the Web to effectively spread their messages with provocative videos, arresting homepages, and informative resources to motivate, educate, and inspire.

The awards are hosted by a new NYC-based firm called Progressive Source Communication. Voting ends on Monday, June 25th, so if you have a moment, please vote for the Scorecard site!

You can vote here.

Thanks for your support!

June 20, 2007 in Advocacy | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

RSS in Plain English

Are you using an RSS feeder? If not, then watch the video below to find out why you need one. Common Craft created the video to show people why an RSS reader is so important and what you are missing out on by not having one.

June 6, 2007 in Technology | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)


Training | Tools | Contact | Copyright | Terms of Use