Online networking option.

A measure of whether your nonprofit is growing in support is the percent of new people that become involved in your organization each year. The creation of a data base of each person the nonprofit comes in contact with is an important means to promote the organization. The inclusion of businesses, community leaders and government agencies in the geographic zone the nonprofit serves provides for growing the community involvement. Have a specific plan to communicate, otherwise you do not exist in the minds of most of the community.  Do not let all of the years of effort promoting the organization become a historical waste.

Energy costs are going to drive an increase in costs at every level of an organization. The costs of goods purchased will be effected by the cost of energy. I have provided below a few ways that nonprofit organizations can begin to design a Strategic Plan to address the effects of the energy crisis on their costs and to implement measures to be less effected or harmed by an energy crisis.

Invest in technology for teleconferencing for meetings and consultation.

Join or create Cooperatives for group purchasing

Implement telecommuting and flex scheduling for employees

Install alternative energy sources for heat and cooling

Renovate facilities to be more efficient

Purchase fuel efficient vehicles

Grow some of your own food and learn how to preserve the perishables.

Are many of us prevented from truly helping a child because society has stuck children in societies bubble. Has parental rights and government policy shackled children to a life of methodical control where they have no rights. Time after time we read and hear of actions that seem more based on property rights or the dollar then whats best for a child.

To unshackled children from the restricted boundaries of society and increase opportunities for maximizing children to succeed I would advocate giving children a true voice. Set into regulation where parental rights are terminated the automatic appointment of a court appointed advocate for child under 13. Those 13 and above should be part of a Service Team and be given the opportunity to be part of the planning and decision making of their treatment plan.

There should be a child advocate who ’s only responsibility is what is in the best interest of the child.

Being outside is lots of fun. I forget that the sun can hurt me. When I remember there is a lot of things I can do to be safe. I only have to think but I just want to play. It is simple we all just need to do it. There is no reason to get hurt. I just need to use protection.  I use sunscreen, hats, umbrella, and shade. Oh, I drink water so do not get sick.

From Papa: “Did you take a walk to view Lilacs on Mothers Day, a walk in the zoo, watch your child play soccer, watched a baseball game or worked in the garden? Each event under the sun without the right protection and water can cause health problems. At one time or another each of us has not been prepared for the sun or a particular element of weather. When nonprofits and government organizations plan an outing it is important to state each time to participants those items that a person should bring. It all comes down to the risk planning. Better to have provided the information and it be forgotten then not communicate the information of being safe under the sun. For your employees send home a notice with the next pay check on the ways a person should protect themselves and their family members. In addition provide a notice on the signs of heat stroke and dehydration.”

My papa allowed my brother and I to build our own a camp fire. Snow was still on the ground. I put it out with the snow when it got dark. We wanted smores but our parents said no one bought the stuff to make it. That is alright I know my Aunts will bring stuff for the smores and banana boats. Camp fires are times for me to play, hunt for wood, and eat treats. Some nights we go to other camp fires. We take turns.

From Papa: “Camping is an opportunity for children with or with out their families to experience many outdoor options. Exposure to the environment provides an education for everyone. The more a person understands their relationship to nature the more likely the person will work to have a lesser impact on the environment.”

Frisbee golf works any where.  You make the course yourself.  You decide how hard to make it.  What par to make it.  Does anyone know if Tigger Woods can play it?  I wish every kid could have a Frisbee like me.  I can play anywhere with it. 

TV does not make anything. Sitting with my family playing my guitar is fun. My brother and I play UNO with our parents. Tonight we all played kickball. Sunday we went to the ZOO. Family time is important to me.

From Papa: “Government and nonprofits promoting and supporting opportunities for family time provide a non sexual and non violence means for children to grow up in a healthy environment. Help families to be informed of programs and have the ability to take advantage of the programs.”

There has been lots of talk during 2008 of a movement towards people being more socially responsible. However, is it more talk then action when view among the whole population. Part of the lack of social responsibility is the ease to which a person can participate. The ways that the media controls what information reaches a person places smaller organizations at a disadvantage.  The media market is about who  pays more.  The same happens with Google searches.  By nature most people want convenience, this includes obtaining information.  Nonprofits should take the initiative to send their message to their community on how people can easily participate. Do not leave it to the Ad Hoc Media to brand your message or get the word out.  Giving back does not have to only be in money. Let people see how they can participate. Let people hear how they can participate. State how a persons participation will create a difference.

Ignoring ones community only creates opportunities for negative results. Remember the media loves to report the bad and rarely the good. Generation Next is reaching out looking for a means to be socially responsiblity but needs motivation. The presidential race has provided many with an outlet. The media has been flirting with whether it is a fad or long term.  It is time for nonprofits to formalize their outreach to youth and young adults. Banks invest in reaching these individuals because the statistics show they are more likely to be with them for life and buy more products later. Colleges constantly reach out to their Alumni and the results show why. A nonprofit needs to invest in building their future donors and keeping those whom have been associated with the nonprofit in the past a part of the organization.

Remember this phrase:  “Out of sight, out of mind”

 My friend and I can be mad at each other but still be friends

I do not have to like everything my friend does and still be their friend.

I can be mad and still love my brother

I can be mad and still love my parents

I can do something wrong and my parents still love me.

 From Papa:

“Learning to balance feelings is an never ending conflict that children and adults both struggle with.  Nonprofits should as part of their employee support initiatives provide diversity  and building trust trainings. ”