Nonprofits can unleash the power of social good by transitioning from stand-alone “fortresses” to networks energized by the abundant resources in their ecosystem, but in order to do this, they need to work with “free agents,” hyper-connected individuals who are passionate about social change, but don't work within institutional walls to raise money, mobilize supporters, or organize. This session will share success stories and lessons learned, while providing an opportunity for a lively, interactive discussion.
21. Are you a Free Agent working with a nonprofit? A nonprofit working with a Free Agent? What works? What doesn’t? What is the secret to success?
Notas del editor
Closing Un-Keynote: How to Engage “Free Agent Fundraisers”
Free Agents and Nonprofits in A Networked World
http://www.bethkanter.org/emediat-day2/ounder and CEO of Shabakat, Al Ordon (JordanNet) and is serving as the E-Mediat Strategic Adviser for the Jordan In-Country Team shared some lessons about working as networked ngo. His organization’s name, Shabakat, translates into the word “network.”Shabakat Al Ordon trains young people in technical, professional and facilitation skills who then go out and create programs to train people in their communities. Rami shared how his organization works in a transparent way, open sourcing its program materials and processes. They also work many different partners to spread the program so that his organization isn’t doing everything. They’ve simplified and focused on what they do best.
The guy in the t-shirt, a free agentThese are people like Mark Horvath, Shawn Ahmed and many others .. Who want to work with nonprofits …
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigtallguy/139143816/We wrote this book because we saw a landscape of free agents and nonprofit fortresses crashing into one another ….
We witnessed this collision first hand during our session on the Networked Nonprofit at the NTEN NTC Conference as Shawn’s frustration with traditional organizations spilled over. He grabbed the microphone to address the room full of nonprofit professionals and said, “the problem isn’t social media, the problem is that YOU are the fortress.Social media is not my problem: I have over a quarter million followers on Twitter, 10,800 subscribers on YouTube, and 2.1 million views. Yet, despite that, I have a hard time having you guys take me seriously. “: I have over a quarter million followers on Twitter, and 2.1 million views on YouTube. I have a hard time having you guys take me seriously.
He turned and pointed a finger at Wendy Harman from the Red Cross who was in the room. He told the room full of nonprofits staffers …..When the Haiti earthquake struck, I contacted the Red Cross. I offered to connect the community supporting my work with your efforts in Haiti. But I was dismissed as ‘just a guy on YouTube’”.
Next, I’m going to invite Mark Horvath to join me on the stage … Free agents are people who do social change work and use social media but do not work within institutional or government walls .. Mark has been working hard to call attention to homelessness issue in America .. And we’re going have a conversation about his experience working with nonprofits.