In the Networked Nonprofit "Learning Loops, we illustrated how networked nonprofits do a real-time, lighter assessment process as they engage their community and make improvements and adjustments along the way. Some describe this as "try it and fix it." It might seem like changing a flat tire while the car is still moving but for many Networked Nonprofits it is a secret to their success. I remember thinking to myself at the time, well if one networked nonprofit can do this, couldn't a … [Read more...]
Webinars: Designing Effective Learning Experiences
If you deliver training on webinar platforms, you need to understand how people learn. The content is important, but it is only half of the instructional design task. This post summarizes some learning research and offers some tips for delivering effective webinars. It has been over six years since I designed and delivered my first webinar/conference call, "Designing Effective Technology Training Workshops for Nonprofits" with NTEN. Because webinars were a new medium to trainers, I used … [Read more...]
How Mature Is Your Nonprofit's Social Media Practice?
In our book, Networked Nonprofit, we describe the principles for becoming a networked nonprofit - a nonprofit that is simple, agile, transparent, and works more like a network than an isolated fortress. Networked nonprofits are experts at using new media (social media, mobile, and other emerging technologies) to spread their missions, design and scale programs, communicate with stakeholders, or inspire behavior change. Their impact is to make the world a better place. Yesterday, during a … [Read more...]
Social Media and Mobile for Real Time Professional Learning at Conferences
Last week, I faciltated a mini-workshop at the Silicon Valley/Peninsula Nonprofit Leadership Forum hosted by Compasspoint. I've had the pleasure of working closely with Compasspoint as part of my continuing work as Visiting Scholar at the David and Lucile Packard Foundation. I enjoy it because I get double dose: great ideas about the integration of technology with leadership, training, and capacity building AND the content. The lunchtime conversation was with Emmett D. Carson, Ph.D., CEO … [Read more...]
What's Your Calling?
At SXSW and facilitating a panel called A Global Discussion About Networked Nonprofits and Free Agents, I introduced myself with this photo of me and Lena, the master trainer from Yemen for the E-Mediat Project. The photo shows us modeling "shoulder to shoulder" learning. Told the room that nonprofit capacity building was my calling. Later, Michael Hoffman, who was in the audience, introduced me to his friends at "The Calling" and they suggested I write a guest post about anything I'm … [Read more...]
