My blog in focus is Nancy E. Schwartz’ blog Getting Attention. Operating since May 2007, the blog acts ‘as a resource of ideas, tactics and tips for nonprofit communicators.’
Ms. Schwartz is founder of Nancy Schwartz & Company, a marketing and communications firm for non-profits and foundation clients. She also manages her blog Getting Attention and Getting Attention’s e-newsletter.
I had come across Ms. Schwartz’ blog previously when she participated in a round of the Carnival for Non Profit Consultants on Dec. 3, 2007. To be transparent, I am a fan of her blog and the information it provides. The site is easy to navigate, is practical, insightful and offers a variety of content on various topics within the social marketing and non-profit communications world.
I’d like to respond to a specific post of Ms. Schwartz titled: Leverage Prez Hopefuls’ Understanding of Women to Increase Your Nonprofit Marketing Impact. Having just come from a seminar at the Sewall-Belmont House & Museum on Women in Politics, this topic is currently on my mind.
In her post, Ms. Schwartz analyzed the current political debate combined with a New York Times article about how gender influences politics to formulate some non-profit marketing insights on the female target.
Her insights are great and helpful. It’s the premises that catch my attention. Take the first premise: Women vote to protect their interests (men vote because they enjoy politics). However, I know lots of men who are concerned with protecting their interests and just as many women (such as those who gathered at the Women in Politics seminar tonight) who are passionate about politics.
Let’s look at another premise: Women network organically so they already have a network or two in place. One of tonight’s speakers, a Virginia state legislator veteran would also attest, that she learned how to fund raise and garner support from observing the ‘good old boys’ network.
Now don’t get me wrong, I agree and find Ms. Schwartz’ marketing insights on women helpful. I also admire how she took a very popular current event and made it relevant to us non-profiteers. I am just reflecting a lot on women, gender, politics and how they relate. My faithful readers will observe that I am big into concepts and terms and how they relate, ;). It’s the academic in me.
So, in closing, let me leave you with this New York Times article from Feb. 10, 2008 titled: When Women Rule. The author of this article poses the question: Can a woman leader be both liked and perceived as qualified and effective? According to this author and others, a woman leader can either be liked or perceived as competent…but not both. You can see how this ties into the article on female target marketing and women politics.
My thoughts on this were phrased well by Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan tonight at the Sewall-Belmont seminar when Carnahan voiced, with enthusiasm and motivation (paraphrased from memory):
“Is running for a political office hard? Yes. Is it hard for anyone? Yes. Is it harder for women and minorities? Yes. Is it unfair? Yes. But let’s get to the ground running.”
Thus, using Ms. Schwartz’ demonstration of creating relevance from an important topic to us marketers and nonprofiteers….let’s hit the ground running with our social marketing and non-profit communication skills and talents all you fellow SocialButterflies!
]]>…to change lives and the quality of life for all!
Until today, I did not know what a meme was or is. I’m pretty excited though, now that I know what it is, as I’m always looking for new ways to evolve the style of blog posts. (Another recent favorite is Bamboo Project’s 31 Day Comment Challenge Series. Today is Day 6 of the Challenge.)
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A meme is like an internet chain letter, with depth. One blogger posts a topic or call to action, then tags 5-10 other people to follow suite and add to the ‘meme.’ This being my first tag in a meme, I am participating. Plus, I was pretty excited about the book nearest me…
Here is what I am supposed to do:
1. Pick up the nearest book.
2. Open to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag five people, and acknowledge who tagged you.
It’s titled: What I Know Now, Letters to My Younger Self, written by a collaboration of accomplished and amazing women. Contributers include Madeleine Albright, Maya Angelou, Ann Curry, Olmypia Dukakis, and many more! This book is great, because women need role models and mentors. This book offers just a glimpse into some of the more important LIFE lessons we learn along our journey.
When I’m finished reading, I plan on writing my own letter to my older self, and store it away to read at a later date. And another letter to my younger self, that I hope to one day pass on to a future daughter. This idea is what I’d like to forward in my version of the meme.
Not wanting to be a complete rule breaker though…this is what I found:
Page 123 was part of the letter Jane Bryant Quinn, author and columnist, writes to herself about parenting and what’s she learned from her kids. But, I preferred to share one of my favorite excerpts from the book instead, written by Susie Buffet, daughter of Warren Buffet, written back to her 17 year old self, about her admiration for her mother.
“Empathy has led her [Susie’s mother] to become extraordinarily accepting of others, but it’s also what makes her comfortable with acting unconventionally…Empathy doesn’t have to lead you to the routes she [mom] will follow, which may be a temptation, given your resemblance to her. The important thing is that it becomes part of your compass, too.”
If you wrote a letter to yourself, how old would you be and what would be your message?
I tag:
]]>This is a fun question because it provides you the reader, the opportunity to get to know more about our fellow bloggers. Though I keep my name anonymous (for now), let me tell you what I’m looking forward to, and I invite you to share your upcoming celebrations, events, etc. as I love to hear what others are doing, exploring, pioneering and creating.
Personally, my answer is: What am I not looking forward to!
‘n Life
In May, I am graduating with my Master’s degree, with my research focus in social marketing. Some of you readers have participated in the study and wow, I can not say thank you enough. It’s been a grueling journey, but one I’ve enjoyed and loved every moment. Most exciting as a result of my studies, I am presenting my paper at the 1st World Social Marketing Conference in Brighton, England in September 2008. If you will be there, drop me a line, as the MOST exciting part of this opportunity is the chance to meet and learn from others who share this passion.
‘n the Blogosphere
SocialButterfly is currently being developed in my spare (and rare) free time, but it is one of my favorite things to do. I must thank everyone in the virtual world. Your guidance, motivation, perseverance, advice and community is something I greatly enjoy and appreciate. In the next couple months, I plan on moving SocialButterfly to its own domain and developing the blog a lot further so be on the lookout, 
‘n Social Marketing
Rumblings are surfacing that a Social Marketing Association is in the works and may be tangible within the next year. This is exciting. Get ready. The branding of social marketing is reaching another level!
‘n NonProfit Arenas
I am really excited about all the growing number of businesses that are beginning to discover new ways for their organization or company to become socially conscious. Marketing ploy or not, it’s an increasing trend, and every little piece helps form the puzzle.
I’m most curious about how the field of social enterprise will continue to develop. David Brooks from the New York Times offers a great profile of a social entrepreneur. Most simply, Brooks defines a social entrepreneur as someone who does business….without the main objective of profit making, and goes on stating:
“We might as well take advantage of this explosion of social entrepreneurship. These are some of the smartest and most creative people in the country. Even if we donβt know how to reduce poverty, itβs probably worth investing in these people and letting them figure it out. “
And we can figure it out! The more I here about this rising area of entrepreneurship – the more excited I am about our fields and where they are headed. Be it business, nonprofits, NGOs, health communications, social change, social marketing, public service and more – we are gradually coming together and discovering how we interrelate and how that is seen in practice. Some examples of social enterprises are below:
- Ashoka.org is the front-runner in social enterprise education and implementation, claiming that everyone can be a change maker in his or her community.
- A Social Enterprise venture providing with jobs and personal development for the mentally ill and past drug abusers
- A social enterprise park initiative proposed for London’s Summer 2012 Olympics
- A local U.K. grocery remains open despite pressures to foreclose after launching social enterprise efforts
- White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives addresses international social enterprise initiatives, Rwanda
So cheers to the future, and really, what’s not love??
(ps: photo picked at random and happens to be listed on Foxhall Consulting Services‘ site who does consulting for social enterprises….see, the worlds are connecting already )
The Carnival for Non-Profit Consultants will be hosted here at SocialButterfly next week, June 16th. This carnival was originally started by Kivi Leroux Miller over at Nonprofit Communications. Today, the carnival is hosted by a different leading nonprofit and social change blogger each week.
This is my first shot at being a host for the Carnival, so I’m looking forward to reading your submissions. This week is an open call, course, I am privy to social marketing– and social change-related topics.
To submit to the carnival:
- Enter your submission using the blog carnival form, or
- You can email the Carnival at npc.carnival@yahoo.com, OR
- You can email me directly at socialbutterfly4change@gmail.com.
Deadline is Midnight, Friday, June 6th.
See you at the Carnival next week…right next to the giant, potatoe sack slide…that’s always been my favorite ride! =)
]]>Perhaps we could get more social marketing and social change themed initiatives integrated into more events…anyone else see this call for a Humanitarian Lion at the Cannes Festival this summer? Thoughts?
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADxCCpV5aVU
Conferences
June 2-4, 2008
Social Marketing University:
Objective: Train, teach and engage social marketing practitioners
Host: Weinreich Communications Location: Washington D.C.
Registration Contact: Nedra Weinreich, training@social-marketing.com
June 15-21, 2008
Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival
Extra: The Cannes Festival is wider than social marketing and nonprofit, but it’s the Cannes, and thus, must be included. Anybody see this YouTube message to the big dogs at the Cannes, calling for a Humanitarian Lion?
Location: Cannes, France
Registration Contact: Online Here
June 18-21, 2008
18th Social Marketing in Public Health Conference
Theme: Translation * Dissemination * Change
Host: University of South Florida Location: Clearwater, Florida
Extra: The first half of the conference is a social marketing training academy, while the second half is the main conference event.
June 22-24, 2008
Social Tech Training
Theme: Building New Leaders. Supporting Social Change. Harnessing Web Thinking.
Host: Web of Change and MaRS Location: MaRS Center, Toronto, CAN
Registration Contact: Sarah Pullman, info@webofchange.com
July 14-16, 2008
2008 International NonProfit and Social Marketing Conference
Theme: Partnerships, Proof and Practice
Host: Center for Health Initiatives, University of Wollongong Location: New South Wales, AUS
Registration Contact: Kelly Andrews, kellym@uow.edu.au
July 14-16, 2008
2008 AMA NonProfit Marketing Conference
Theme: Telling Your Story: From Vision to Results
Host: AMA and the AMA Foundation Location: Washington D.C.
August 12-14, 2008
2nd Annual National Health Conference on Health Communication, Marketing and Media
Theme: Engage and Deliver
Host: CDC, National Center for Health Marketing Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Registration Contact: Lisa McBride, lisamcbride@conferencemanagers.com
September 29-30, 2008
1st World Social Marketing Conference
Objective: Bring delegates, speakers, and exhibitors from around the world together to discuss the application of social marketing.
Host: International SM Organizations Location: Brighton, England
Application Deadline: February 29, 2008 Time: 2 days
Contact: srm@uleth.ca
December 1-3, 2008
Australian and New Zealand Marketing Conference 2008
Theme: Shifting Focus from the Mainstream to the Offbeat (has a social, not-for-profit and political marketing streat)
Host: ANZMC, SONY and MONASH University Location: Sydney, AUS
Contact: ANZMAC2008@uws.edu.au
Workshops
July 10-12, 2008
2008 Montana Summer Institute for Social Norms Practitioners
Objective: Develop and refine social norms messages and projects through interactive workshops by bringing together a community of practitioners.
Host: Most of Us Location: Bozeman, Montana
Application Deadline: April 7, 2008 Time: 3 days
Contact: Jeff Linkenbach, Ed.D
July 13, 2008
4th Annual Summer Institute for Social Marketing & Health Communication
Objective: The goal is to bring communication and creative professionals together to work in interdisciplinary teams that apply social marketing theory and principles to some of the biggest social issues of our time. Includes interactive lectures and discussion sessions, case study presentations, group exercises and networking with guest lecturers.
Host: Emerson College Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Application Deadline: May 1, 2008 Time: 5.5 Days
Contact: Tim Edgar @ 617.824.8743 or at timothy_edgar@emerson.edu
More
- Kivi Leroux Miller from Nonprofit Communications, is launching a series of a dozen new webinars covering topics from nonprofit story writing, annual reports, e-newsletters, social media strategy and more. Kivi’s webinars also feature fellow expert guests as well!
- Mark Scrimshire over at EKIVE is putting together HealthCampMD on June 14, 2008 in Owings Mills, Maryland to discuss issues related to Health 2.0. Visit the event’s Wiki site here.
- The University of South Florida is also hosting its 2008 7-Day Social Marketing Field School from June 13-17, 2008 in Tampa, Florida.
- Britt Bravo and fellow BlogHer editors are attending the “Blogging Birds of a Feather Meet-Up: Green/Social Change” on Friday, July 18th at the BlogHer Conference in San Francisco, CA.
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