SocialButterfly

Social Marketing as a Solution

Tuesday, June 30th, 2009 | Changeblogging: NP, activism, social change +, General Events and Happenings, Social Marketing | 4 Comments

We all like solutions, right? We’ve heard them talked about, seen some of them unfulfilled or seen them not live up to their potential. But all the trials and errors mean that much more when a solution works. I invite you to read Barack Obama’s remarks about the Social Innovation Fund from earlier today.  

The Social Innovation Fund is a proposed solution to identify the most promising, results-oriented non-profit programs and expand their reach throughout the country. The Fund has four main objectives, including:

• Catalyzing partnerships between the government and nonprofits, businesses and philanthropists to make progres on the President’s policy agenda
• Indentifying and supporting the rigorous evaluation and scaling of innovative, promising ideas that are transforming communities like, for example, Harlem Children’s Zone, Youth Villages, Nurse-Family Partnership, and Citizen Schools.
• Support greater civic participation through new media tools
• Promote national service.

In sum, Pres. Obama is looking for solutions, and he’s looking across the walls and barriers of private, public, non-profit, individual and organizational groups:

“So all of this represents a new kind of partnership between government and the non-profit sector. [love that!] But I can tell you right now, that partnership isn’t complete, and it won’t be successful, without help from the private sector. [even better!] And that’s why I’m glad that there are some deep pockets in the audience here — foundations, corporations, and individuals.  You need to be part of this effort, as well.  And that’s my challenge to the private sector today. Our non-profits can provide the solutions.” [and so can our social marketeers!]

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Thought 1:  What are the evaluative benchmarks for “success” going to be? As, those who are familiar with the debate around libertarian paternalism, this will depend largely on how and WHO defines “success.”

Thought 2:  My second thought and gut-wrenching ask was: Have the people involved in this heard of the solutions that social marketing can offer? In the remarks, Obama references individuals working for great changes, telling of their success. What if these success stories came from social marketeers? What if social marketing was applied to some of the very issues the Social Innovation Fund might examine? My mind is boggling with the possibilites–and solutions!

To Start:  In response to Thought #2, I would like to highlight that social marketing already is, and can be a solution. Yesterday, I finally received my copy of Philip Kotler and Nancy Lee’s book, “Up and Out of Poverty.” This book examines the issue of poverty and all past and current solutions being sought to solve this issue. Then, the authors offer up social marketing as a solution. I can’t give much more than that because I am just about to crack it open myself. But, I have been waiting for this book. Imagine, a series of social marketing books that looks at real issues, BIG issues, and applies social marketing as a solution. Perhaps, there in lies the rub, some food for thought for the Social Innovation Fund committee. Perhaps, if we had an organization or an entity (hint, hint, join the 260+ others who’ve signed the pledge), then we could get some folks to chat.

I’d like to borrow some words from Pres. Obama himself to thank you for all the work you do in helping us clutivate and discover strong solutions:

“I want to thank all of you here today for everything you’re doing to find new solutions to some of our oldest, toughest problems.  I know what you do is not easy.”

flickr photo credit: Seano Beano

Tags: Barack Obama, change, Nancy Lee, non-profits, petition, Philip Kotler, politics, social change, Social Innovation Fund, Social Marketing, solutions, Up and Out of Poverty, White House

How YOU Can Attend the Presidential Inauguration of Barack Obama

Thursday, January 1st, 2009 | Changeblogging: NP, activism, social change + | No Comments

With the holidays quickly behind us, many are looking forward to the next one: The Presidential Inauguration of Barack Obama on Jan. 20, 2009. Indeed, many companies [at least in the DC area] are giving an added holiday to their employees in recognition of the day!

Other organizations are offering ways for individuals to get more involved and to attend:

The CASE Foundation recently launched a “Change Begins With Me: initiative that coincides with a free trip for two to the inauguration. The campaign calls for people across the nation to visit the CASE Foundation’s Web site and make a personal pledge to “be the change” in 2009 by finishing the sentence “Change begins with me…” No idea is too small or big…whether it’s a personal commitment regarding one’s neighborhood, school, community or world. As an added bonus, this person will also participate in the Washington, DC Martin Luther King Day of Service. To get the creative juices flowing, the CASE Foundation has some other great initiatives that allow one to take action and also lists ways to “be the change” on their blog. Entries will be accepted until 3pm Jan. 12.

The Presidential Inauguration Committee is also offering your potential “ticket to history” to ten lucky winners between now and January 8. To be considered, you just have to answer the question, “What does this inauguration mean to you?” If selected, you and a guest could be flown to Washington D.C., put up in a hotel, and be part of this once-in-a-lifetime event.

Road Trip to Change. On a budget? No worries. Organizers, led by Horace Mackey, are gathering people in over 20 cities together in groups and car-pooling to the big day! If interested, you can still sign up, join the fun and make new friends along the way.

What have I missed? Are there other contests/opps out there not listed?

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Tags: Barack Obama, CASE Foundation, chance of a lifetime, current events, event, historical, history, Horace Mackey, Inauguration, Jan 20 2009, news, opportunity, President, Presidential Inauguration Committee, road trip, social event, Washington D.C., witness