How are you imagineering social good?
As readers know, SocialButterfly is getting a refresh in January with a renewed mission to help bring out the SocialButterfly in you. Post a comment below sharing how you plan to mix passion + purpose for good in 2013. One lucky commenter will win Echoing Green’s book, Work on Purpose, for themselves and a $50 Razoo gift card to support a fellow SocialButterfly’s good work.
Whether you’re looking for a last minute Christmas gift or something to kick-off the New Year, these gifts can help inspire:
1. Knowledge to Help You Thrive
The Social Marketing Quarterly has been a staple social marketing resource as one of the only peer-reviewed published journals focused exclusively on the field of social marketing. With an individual subscription ($59), you receive a year’s worth of the printed journal and 24/7 online access.
3. Inspiration Role Modelled by Others*
Self described as a movement, Razoo helps individuals and nonprofits spur generosity. Already, Razoo has raised over $130 million for over 12,000 nonprofits through their Web, mobile and social fundraising tools combined with their community giving days and social good campaigns. Find projects to support and you’ll be inspired from the work others are doing and achieving, together. You can also gift the gift of giving.
One of the best books I’ve come across that combines social marketing concepts on changing behavior with innovative social media strategies is Stanford University’s Jennifer Aaker and Aaron Smith’s book, Dragonfly Effect. It is required reading for my American University students who find it an enjoyable read that energizes their thinking around how we can use our full toolbox to inspire change.
We all tell stories. Increasingly, we use a variety of media formats and communication channels to design, craft and share these stories. Admittedly, I haven’t yet read this book yet but it’s on the top of my list for 2013: Storytelling for User Experience. This books screams amo and gusto for the savvy SocialButterfly. According to the book’s website, “[the book] looks across the full spectrum of user experience design to discover when and how to use stories”. #yesplease
While championing social good, it’s important to have fun. Fun.’s album is Grammy-nominated and will help keep you light on your toes and quick on your feet. You might even start dancing.
The Happy Movie is an award-winning documentary that dives into positive psychology debunking happiness myths and giving insight into how our most valued emotion. I watched this with my husband, and it’s a great break from your normal routine and brings up questions you may not have visited in awhile. Questions that encourage you to explore what makes you truly happy, on deciphering needs from wants and how to help others be happy.
*To be transparent, I consulted to Razoo from 2011 to January 2012 as a contributing writer to their Inspiring Generosity blog. Razoo also donated this gift card in exchange for this link and gave me a $50 gift card as well. All other items are provided by yours truly.
When you read about events like that in Newtown, MA, it’s easy to loose faith and get discouraged. Don’t let the voice of doubt win. In those darkest of moments, know you matter. Know we are stronger when we pull together and work to understand our neighbors. Know you have a purpose and a light. Choose to let it shine.
We need you.
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Which one are you?
In a recent post announcing his new book, Craig Lefebvre shared the following insight for students of social marketing:
“There are many books to choose from to learn about social marketing. This book encapsulates how I have taught my students, by preparing them to be ‘chefs,’ not ‘cooks.’
Most social marketing texts are good at showing you ways to ‘cook,’ or prepare, a social marketing program with a basic menu of steps and tactics. My aim is higher – to provide you with frameworks you can use to create menus, new combinations of tastes, and most important, to assist you to learn a variety of ways to understand and work with the people you wish to serve…”
You can pre-order Craig’s book, Social Marketing and Social Change: Strategies and Tools for Improving Health, Well-Being and the Environment (I already did!). As a note of disclaimer, Craig and I now work together at RTI International, but if you’ve been following this blog over the years, you know I’m been a fan and pupil of his work for quite some time.
May we all aim to be masters of our kitchens, especially the messy ones.
]]>Just the other week many questioned American Idol’s crowdsourcing technique of asking audience members to text their vote for their favorites when Pia Toscano was voted off. Crowdsourcing was also in question with President Obama’s “Open for Questions” initiative when questions on the nation’s drug reform were at the top of the public agenda. In fact, the number one issue–not once, but twice–was the legalization of marijuana. And again, when Change.org held its crowdsourcing contest “Ideas for Change,” the legalization of marijuana also floated to the number one spot.
Before you say crowdsourcing is so 2008, give me a second. This may be an oversimplification–but I can’t get the thought out of my head. I understand the benefits of crowdsourcing–but there’s also a time and purpose to applying a crowdsourcing approach.
Here’s the leap: Is voting a form of crowdsourcing?
Having recently joined the army of weekday commuters, I just finished listening to Arianna Huffington’s Third World America on audiobook. (Note: Bush’s Decision Points is next on my “to read” list as I want to study differing viewpoints and perspectives.) Despite Huffington’s obvious leanings and strong (and sometimes distracting) language, she does make some interesting arguments. One of which is her look at education and its role on our economic and political structures, specifically, the American public’s access to quality information.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hu8QDhNeNdQ&
Have you read Third World America? What were your thoughts and reflections upon reading it? And, is voting a form of crowdsourcing? One of the messages I appreciated most from Huffington’s book was her call for increased civic engagement from citizens ourselves as she did balance her argument asking for both policy changes as well as increased individual accountability.
Though I would have liked to hear more about the solutions she proposes to the problems she outlines, she does encourage people to visit: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/third-world-america, as a hub for getting involved and taking action (a smart move on her end I must say).
Additional Resources:
“Seek knowledge. Ask questions.”
]]>Last night, Debra Askanase of Community Organizer 2.0 tweeted that she was working on a blog post highlighting blogs to read in 2011. In her tweet, she asked for people to share their own recommendations. I shared the following:
In response, Debra asked me: What are two blogs that get you thinking? Two of the blogs I followed-up with are:
Now it’s your turn–In the comments, name two blogs that get you thinking. This way, we can give our RSS readers a refresh for 2011.
]]>On SB, we recently talked about the cost of dreams, and Kamkwamba is a true testament on not giving up on his dream despite his challenges. On May 26 at 8pm EST the @read4change Book Club is meeting via Twitter to discuss Kamkwamba’s true story as told in the book The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind. If you are feeling overwhelmed about how one person can make a difference, then this book is for you.
If you are interested in:
…and much more, then we invite you to join us.
UPDATE: Stacey Monk of Epic Change will be our special guest for May’s #read4change chat. Stacey and EpicChange do an amazing job at using storytelling to share the mission of their Tanzanian partner, Mama Lucy. Most recently, Epic Change launched to ToMamaWithLove.org, using the Web to connect your story with Mama Lucy’s.
]]>Onward.
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What about you? What good info have you read lately? Please provide the link in the comments so we can all check it out. Also–if you’re in love with your Google Reader like me, here’s my public profile. Let’s connect.
flickr credit: Benimoto
]]>Book: Wired to Care
Special Guest: Co-Author Pete Mortenson
Topic: Empathy + CSR as an Approach to Change
From Chase Bank to Pepsi to now–American Idol, many are integrating social media into their corporate social responsibility and/or their cause marketing efforts. Join us to discus what’s working and what’s needed–could it be more empathy? Co-author Pete Mortenson joins us to share his insights and the lessons gained from the concept of empathy.
FYI: During our chat, American Idol will be highlighting its latest cause initiative with Idol’s Kris Allen and the UN Foundation in Haiti. Thus, it’s a book club and a watch party all in one. (#UNFIdol) Hope you can join in on the fun!
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Piqued your interest? Learn more about the Read4Change Book Club –including future topics and books.
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What about you? What good info have you read lately? Please provide the link in the comments so we can all check it out. Also–if you’re in love with your Google Reader like me, here’s my public profile. Let’s connect.
flickr credit: Benimoto
]]>Once a month–using the Twitter account @read4change and the hashtag #read4change–do gooders, social changers, nonprofiteers and the like gather around the last Wednesday of the month and read a social change-themed book–chosen by the community. The hope is to have authors or experts join us in the conversation as a unique opportunity to have meaningful conversations in a meaningful way.
Everyday–Be on the lookout for #read4change challenges where we identify ways where you or I’s reading can have a direct impact into a positive change. It might not be everyday, but we’ll do our best. If you or your organization has an action you want highlighted, just shoot me an email or direct message.
Bonus–Any funds raised through our online bookshelf (run through Amazon’s Associates program) will be donated to a charity of the group’s choice at the end of the year.
All Stars–Shoot me an email if you want to be a #read4change All Star list. This means you plan to partake in at least 3 of our 11 chats this year, and you will also be also given some link-love.
Look forward to a great year. Open to ideas. Feel free to suggest a book or topic in the comments!
]]>A Social Shout-out
Not only are good news items coming up, but I’ve also expanded my RSS reader with some blogs I encourage you to get to know:
Social Herder: If you don’t know Will Robinson, you might want to. Will writes on all things social entrepreneurship, non-profits and general do-goodery. You can catch Will at his blog, on Twitter, or at his current gig with Ogilvy PR.
Justice for All: If you are interested in a mash-up of human rights, social enterprise, democracy and law, then you’ll appreciate the enthusiasm of Northwestern senior Akhila Koliset. Not only do I share an interest in advocating human rights with Akhila, but I continue to be inspired by her passion and the voice with which she writes. You can tell she loves to be inspired as much as she is inspiring–just check out her reading list!
What We Give: You’ve probably heard of this one, but if not, you should. Larry Blumenthal is the director of social media strategy at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and adds much value back to the marketplace through both his blog and on his Twitter stream where he talks about how social media is changing philanthropy.
What about you? Any newly discovered blogs or colleagues you’d like to give a social shout-out to?
PS: Often, these “nuggets” are shared sooner through my Twitter account. If you’re on Twitter, let’s connect @socialbttrfly.
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