I really welcome the fact that dedicated new media conferences for the charity sector are emerging. I am glad it is finally happening, as a 'technology or ICT track' amidst some other theme of conference is fine, but wasn't ever enough for the growing number of charity professionals dealing with new channels to market. So, hot on the heels of the Institute of Fundraising New Media Conference, the 1st of its kind to be held in September 05 (and then again in Jan 06 as it was heavily over-subscribed - kind of illustrates this point) is the 'Charity Summit' offered by Centaur. This one's a two-day event, immediately doubling up on the IoF, though happily not on speakers.
The charity sector needs to really grapple not dabble with this subject, and conferences can help to make it a more mainstream and accountable subject, but I sincerely hope we hold on to one annual conference of our own, run by a charity for charities, and at an affordable rate.
Of course, it is also not long before the IoF National Convention this July. There, admittedly what is a track on 'New Media Fundraising' is offered, but if you're going along I highlight the session by e-Consultancy.com. It's entitled 'What Tricks are the Voluntary Sector Missing? Keeping up with the Commercial World' and I have already tipped this company on UK Fundraising in the past, as one of my top 10 resources:
http://www.fundraising.co.uk/news/5608/.
Comments
Hi Sarah
Great to see your blog - I think it'll be a really useful resource for charities looking at the world of new media. Here at YouthNet we've also recently launched our blog (www.youthnet.org/blog) which (so far!) has been quite successful at encouraging interaction and conversations with people from all over the sector.
I think both Niall and yourself are right about not having to keep up with the business world, I think it's more about putting your beneficiaries/users at the heart of your service and using whatever works best for them.
Anyway - look forward to reading more of your posts!
Sam
We recently started a blog and its proved really popular and we are definitely not online pioneers. It's fit in well as an environmental charity with wardens posting updates on reserves- the bluebells are out at x reserves, volunteer day out was a real success, etc.We are about to launch podcasts to make talks available to the membership. I have also had alot of good response in regards to eComms, as green supporters tend to prefer avoiding paper consumption where possible. As an older demographic, I wouldn't have guessed it would have flown in this vertical- always learning-
Hi John, thanks for flagging charityblog so that UK Fundraising users can access it.Niall, thanks for the welcome and nice to greet you over the air. I entirely agree it's not about keeping up, that's me simply quoting the session name so it's easy to find! It is indeed about learning and applying in your own context, with your own discernment. A great way of doing that is by comparison with other sectors, not just business, so I hope the session will have plenty to offer that is food for thought.
Your session sounds fascinating too. Unfortunately I am there on the Wednesday so will miss out. Perhaps you will post some tips on my (tongue in cheek) 'So blogs are in'post?
Sarah Hughes
New Media Consultant
Charity 21
E: shughes@charity21.co.uk
W: www.charity21.co.uk
*Bringing your mission and values to online life*
Visit my LinkedIn profile at http://www.linkedin.com/in/charity21
Welcome to the blogosphere Sarah.The IoF presentation you reference is part of the New Media Fundraising 'Focus on' session. However, that's not the only opportunity delegates will get to hear about new media.
Anyone who is there on the Monday will have the opportunity of attending my session Blogs, Podcasts and All That Stuff - How Charities Can Use Online Communications.
For what it's worth, I don't think it's about 'keeping up' with the commercial sector but more about learning from what is being done and applying it to a charity's own specific situation.
I'll be elaborating on this at 10.30 on Monday 10 July.
I've been visiting your charityblog and, credit where it is due, it is one of the blogs that made me realise that blogs could prove a useful addition to UK Fundraising, especially with distinctive voices such as Sarah's. So, thank you.Howard Lake
Howard Lake @howardlake www.fundraising.co.uk
Hi Sarah
Interesting to see Fundraising UK getting in on the blogging. I started playing on VolResource back in August - now on www.charityblog.org.uk where (and on a connected 'open' blog) I've been trying to round up examples of charity blogs. I've found very few from British orgs.
Anyway, although I come at this from an information, IT and communications angle, not fundraising, I'm sure we can share some thoughts!
(Hope I've got link formatting right - I'm using the same software but don't usually comment on my own blog like this!)
John Howes