Social Media for Social Good

Facebook? Twitter? YouTube? Foursquare? With so many channels, it can be hard to know where to start or if you're doing it well. Social media has fundamentally shifted the way we communicate, personally and professionally. Join the Foundation Center for an engaging event on the strategies and tactics that make social media an effective way to activate your community, and the results you can expect. Learn from industry leaders, cutting-edge social media consultants, and fellow nonprofit practitioners. A keynote address will be followed by an interactive panel discussion and networking hour – giving you a range of opportunities to get tips, learn the basics, and exchange ideas.  

Points of discussion will include:

Speakers:

Renee Alexander – The Social Media Manager for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, Renee has been working in social media strategically for almost 10 years. With a diverse background in the arts, radio, non-profits and restaurants, Renee has focused on one common theme: relationship building. Renee’s previous roles included working for a digital agency where she consulted Fortune 100 and 500 brands on using social media to not only increase sales, but to build lasting relationships with consumers. At UNICEF USA, Renee uses social media to foster deeper connections between the organization, its supporters, and its donors.  Renee has been speaking on the subject of social media for years with a focus on the healthcare and non-profit sectors. You can follow Renee via @LuckyRenee.

Casey Golden – A lifetime entrepreneur, Casey started his first business at the age of 11 and has since started many successful companies, including the most recent, Parature, a Customer Relationship Management software company which grew to over 120 employees. His current venture, Small Act, helps nonprofits and associations nurture key relationships online with its social media software, Thrive, and various consulting services. Casey holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from Cornell University. You can follow Casey's tweets via @SmallActGuy and @smallact.

Julia C. Smith – Serving Idealist's Communications & Media, Julia manages projects ranging from campus events and community outreach, to new media and resource development. When she's not editing blog posts or baking treats for Idealist's weekly teatime, Julia serves on the core steering committee of an activist collective called RISE: Social Work to End Oppression and photographs Girls Write Now's reading series. She's also co-founder of 826DC, a DC-based nonprofit that offers free creative writing field trips and daily drop-in tutoring for students in grades K-12. Julia has interned at Planned Parenthood, various theater companies; and she received her B.A. from Washington University in St. Louis.  You can follow Julia's tweets via @juliacsmith, @826DC, and @idealist. 

Farra Trompeter – Big Duck's Vice President of Client Relationships and Strategy. She has more than 15 years of experience in communications and fundraising for nonprofit organizations. Farra’s expertise focuses on helping nonprofits use the internet (social media, websites, email, etc.) to increase visibility and connect with donors, activists, and other stakeholders. Farra co-chairs the Communications Committee for the New York City Anti-Violence Project and is a part-time faculty member at Milano The New School for Management and Urban Policy, where she co-teaches a class about Online Engagement for Nonprofits.  She also holds an M.S. degree in nonprofit management from The New School. Farra tweets about nonprofit fundraising and communications via @farra.

Amy Sample Ward – Co-author of Social by Social, a handbook in using social technologies for social impact. Amy's previously served as the Community Development Manager for CDI (Community-Driven Innovation) at TechSoup Global, leading the strategy for the global NetSquared Community both on and offline, as well as steering the development of programs, services, and events that build community around the world. Currently, Amy is the Membership Director for NTEN, the Nonprofit Technology Network.  Amy tweets about community development and nonprofit tech via @amyrsward.

Moderator:

Vanessa Schnaidt – Currently serving as the Director of Communications, Vanessa joined the Foundation Center in September 2010 from the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), where she held the position of Senior Manager of Communications and Online Strategy. Vanessa has extensive experience in nonprofit communications and holds her B.A. from Scripps College in Claremont, CA, and an M.P.S. from Pratt Institute. 

About the Foundation Center

Established in 1956 and today supported by close to 550 foundations, the Foundation Center is the leading source of information about philanthropy worldwide. Through data, analysis, and training, it connects people who want to change the world to the resources they need to succeed. You can follow the Foundation Center's tweets via @fdncenter.