Purposeful Purchasing: Let Your Money Do the Talking

Posted by ECVO Associate Director, Shawna Gnutel

We've all heard the expression

money talks.

Last month, the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce hosted its first Annual Nonprofit Week (Nov 17-20). I was particularly attracted to a seminar ad entitled "Purposeful Purchasing" which read, "Let your money speak for you and watch businesses buy into your mission."

Guest Speaker Maggie Vilvang from (2010 Legacies NOW) is part of a consortium of disability missioned organizations in Vancouver BC known as accessWORKS. Maggie began her talk by explaining what Purposeful Purchasing was NOT.

1. It was not bulk buying.
2. It was not asking you to change where you buy stuff.
3. It was not about asking you to act more like a business.


Instead, Purposeful Purchasing is about moving away from a conventional charity model and moving toward 


acting more like a nonprofit
with spending power.


The Purposeful Purchasing Initiative is about disability missioned organizations in British Columbia "recognizing that every dollar spent, if spent with purpose, will advance the economic inclusion of people with disabilities." (Please read the background paper. )

According to StatsCan, social service agencies in Canada spend over 3.6 billion dollars annually. These organizations buy houses, cars, office supplies, groceries, janitor services, computers. YOU NAME IT!

So then doesn’t it make sense to position yourself as a consumer with a mission? To get started, organizations need to conduct a spend/supplier analysis- how much is being spent and where. Once that's completed you can send the supplier a letter and ask them to do a questionnaire/self assessment to rate themselves and their commitment to becoming a disability confident business.  

According to Maggie, building disability confidence in the supply chain is one of the main goals. And THINK ABOUT IT... there's no better time than during an economic downturn. Why wouldn't businesses be motivated to keep their customers satisfied and happy?

REALLY REALLY HAPPY :)

At its heart, Purposeful Purchasing uses spending as a strategy to advance mission and social change. The main inspiration for Purposeful Purchasing is based on the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games (VANOC)
Buy Smart Program. The ultimate priority in VANOCs "sustainability purchasing" procurement policy, is to buy smarter, greener and with more social consciousness. So far, benefits to local communities has been substantial. Between 2003 and summer 2008, VANOC spent $1.8 million with inner-city businesses and organizations.

So whether you are an organization or a supplier, Purposeful Purchasing makes good business sense. 

And on that happy economic note, it's time to take action and usher in 2010 as an engaging year of empowerment, opportunity and positive change for you and your community.

For more information about Purposeful Purchasing, feel free to contact Maggie Vilvang: mvilvang@2010LegaciesNow.com.

 

Happy International Volunteers Day (Dec. 5)

Posted by Lynn Ferguson, Programs Director


Thanks to my parents, volunteering has always played a significant role in my life.

When I was a young girl, my father coached both our track and field and baseball team.  He also volunteered on the board for the Kinsmen Club of Edmonton and posthumously, was recognized by the Minister of Sport and Fitness for his contribution to the development of amateur football referees in Alberta.


My mother was and still is, equally involved with volunteering. When I was growing up, she was an Assistant Coach in baseball and helped the Mother's Day Annual Tennis Tournament for our community league. Today she teaches ESL in Canmore, Alberta.


As I reflect today on National Volunteer Day, it raises the question,


"isn't everyday a volunteer day for somebody?"


The answer of course is yes!

I have been an active volunteer for several years, especially when my two boys were involved. There are endless volunteer opportunities when you are a parent!

For example, I've chaired the Parent Association and worked as Children's Program Director with our community league. I've been the parent rep for our playschool and I've coached and managed many sports.  I've volunteered for special events and activities. I would add that even if you are not a parent, there are many excellent reasons to volunteer:


-meet new people and connect in a meaningful way to your neighborhood.
-give back to the community. 
-share skills to make life better for yourself and others.

What has really kept me volunteering for the past 25 years is that I have enjoyed it tremendously!  I remember a former school principal saying, "if you have a job you love to do, you will never work a day in your life." For me, volunteering has been much the same experience.


My children are also learning the important value of the gift of time as they carry on our family tradition of volunteering.  Every summer they work as camp counsellors and help out in the community, sports and school. In conversations with others who donate their time and talents it is often said that they usually get back far more than they give.

I stand by that thought.

Years later, I am working at the ECVO and see on a daily basis the extraordinary work accomplished by the nonprofit/voluntary sector in Edmonton. Often nonprofits have few paid staff, so volunteers (who wear many hats) are essential to ensure the success of the organization. Not only are volunteers out on the front lines where they are visible but there are countless others working behind the scenes. 


So, please celebrate National Volunteer Day (Saturday December 5) and take a moment to express your gratitude and say thank you to an outstanding volunteer! Please check out http://www.getinvolved.ca/ a national campaign that asks for Canadians' time, not money to make a difference in 2010.

  

More Helpful Social Media Sites from ECVO Digital Immigrant Workshop!

Posted by ECVO Associate Director, Shawna Gnutel


Tim Osborne's (United Way) Social Media Sites to visit. (Thanks Tim! You're awesome!)

Presenters


www.twitter.com/michaeljanz

www.twitter.com/Tamara_Stecyk


www.twitter.com/micajobe

www.twitter.com/tim_osborne

Others to follow

www.twitter.com/nonprofitorgs

www.twitter.com/mastermaq



Helpful Sites


http://nonprofitorgs.wordpress.com/


http://www.ning.com/


http://socialmediagovernance.com/policies.php


http://www.tweetdeck.com/

http://briansolis.com/2009/03/conversation-prism-v20/


My yeg-nonprofit Twitter List


http://twitter.com/tim_osborne/yeg-nonprofit




Tamara Stecyk (Edmonton's Foodbank Social Media List)
(Thanks Tamara! You're awesome!)


http://wefollow.com/


http://friendfeed.com/


http://filesocial.com/


http://greeter.com/


http://tweetmondo.com/


http://mashable.com/2009/05/14/social-media-routine


http://smashingmagazine.com/2009/07/16/a-guide-to-google-analytics-and-useful-tools


http://www.kaushik.net/avinash/2009/11/social-media-analytics-twitter-quantitative-qualitative-analysis.html


http://google.com/analytics


http://linkedin.com/


http://flickr.com/

http://google.com/alerts

http://twitpic.com/


http://youtube.com/

ECVO Top 21+ Social Media Resource List!

Posted by ECVO Associate Director,
Shawna Gnutel

websites/blogs/webinars

Beth's Blog: How Nonprofits can use Social Media

Beth Kanter: Using Social Media for Good Causes

50 Social Media Tactics for Nonprofits

MyCharityConnects: What would Harvey do? An Introduction to Social Media. (Don't miss upcoming free CanadaHelps Webinar Dec 2: Top Ten Social Media Mistakes to Avoid Register Here! )

Case Foundation Social Media Tutorials

Social Media Seminar for Nonprofit Executives

How the National Wildlife Federation Uses Social Media

Social Media Strategy: A Small Nonprofit's Experience

Creating a Social Networking Strategy

Social Media Strategy: National Association of Dental Plans

twistimage.com/blog

http://www.nten.org/

http://www.webness.biz/

http://www.webworkerdaily.com/

http://www.associationjam.org/

books

Six Pixels of Separation by Mitch Joel.

The New Influencers by Paul Gillin.

Twitterville by Shel Israel.

Twitter Power by Joel Comm.


The Complete Guide to Twitter

Twitter Best Practices for Nonprofits

Happy National Child Day!

posted by ECVO Associate Director,
Shawna Gnutel

Children are the world's most valuable resource and its best hope for the future.


~John F. Kennedy


November 20 marks the 20th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. (UNCRC) which outlines the basic human rights to which children and youth everywhere are entitled. Adopted on Nov. 20, 1989, the UNCRC has two optional protocols: the optional protocol on the involvement of Children in Armed Conflict and the optional protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and child Pornography.


ECVO wishes to mark this important day and extends a special thank you and acknowledgement to all the extraordinary nonprofits and charities who protect and promote the well-being of our children.


Read City of Edmonton Celebration of Children and Youth!

Happy National Philanthropy Day!

Posted by Shawna Gnutel, Associate Director, ECVO


"Life's most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?"

~Martin Luther King Jr.

National Philanthropy Day was first recognized in 1986 and this year, the Minister of Canadian Heritage, has officially declared November 15, 2009 as National Philanthropy Day in Canada. This special day is marked to celebrate the extraordinary work of charities and to recognize the involvement of donors and volunteers, and their tremendous contribution to the quality of life in our communities.

As I was googling away, I came across Albertan author
Robert Urbanowski's book, Kickback. Last year, he donated copies of his book as gifts for a National Philanthropy Day luncheon.

His story goes like this...

After five years of researching the dynamics of successful business, Robert discovered the "Law of Contribution". In his book, he discusses the key ingredients to acheiving a fulfilling, rich, happy life. There's even a quote from Brad Pitt, (the guy who everyone thinks has it all), which will pleasantly surprise you!


When I logged onto his website, I discovered the book and audio available as a FREE Download. I emailed Robert to see if there was a "catch." Here's his reply:


Hello Shawna:

There are a number of reasons why I chose to make the book available for free. Primarily, it is because this book represents a lot of work and a message that has become a passion of mine. It took me five years to write this book, and another year to get it published and into stores. The motive has never been to make money with this, but to get the message out into the world.

What I found was, when people read this book, they would contact me with very positive feedback about what the book meant to them, often asking for additional copies that they could share with friends and family.

While the book is available in stores, and on Chapters.ca and Amazon, I felt that the very best way to promote the idea and the message would be to make it available in a downloadable format, for free. It's a small action that illustrates the principle of contribution. I believe that the message is better in the hands of people, than sitting on store shelves :)

Who can argue with that?

In his book he writes that "many of the problems we experience stem from an incorrect focus."


"We focus inward when we should focus outward. Rather than "focusing inward and asking "what's in it for me" we should be focusing outward and asking "How can I give?" and "what can I contribute?"

And on that philanthopic note, Happy National Philanthropy Day everyone! ECVO offers a warm, heartfelt thank you to ECVO members and all nonprofits and charities for improving the quality of life of Canadians.
Feel free to download Robert's awesome book Kickback in PDF or audio format. It's a thoughtful, excellent read! Enjoy.

Digital Natives & Digital Immigrants: Bridging the Gap for Stronger Communities

Posted by Shawna Gnutel, Associate Director, ECVO
|
In the mid '80s, I was an undergraduate student at the U of A and spent long hours thumbing through worn index cards at the Rutherford library. (Where was Google when I needed it??) After days of researching, my essay was eventually composed on my mother's Smith Corona circa 1977.

Got the picture? I'm a dinosaur (listening to Neil Diamond on eight track).


AND 


I am a digital immigrant.


According to John Palfrey and Urs Gasser, authors of Born Digital, a digital immigrant is "a person who has adopted the Internet and related technologies, but who was born prior to the advent of the digital age." My younger friends, (aka Digital Natives), are those people born after 1980, and they do not get their information or learn the same way I did, that’s for sure!


Forget about TV and newspapers.


Their deal for getting information goes something like this:


Step 1.
They see lots of info/headlines and graze in an RSS feed or google alert. They just get the facts.


Step 2.
Then maybe they'll click on the hyperlink or what the author calls "going in for a deep dive."


Step 3.
This is the feedback loop where one can comment or create a blog..."talking back" but in a "good way".


Digital Natives have moved from being passive consumers of information to engaged creators of new art forms, avatars, social networks, pod casts, youtube videos, wikis and blogs. They have their finger on the pulse of digital creativity and are reshaping “cultural understanding” and the making of “meaning.”


There’s no question. What has happened with the digital landscape over the last few decades is transformative and extraordinary. And it changes substantially every few months! Palfrey and Gasser freely admit that "by the time [Born Digital] is printed, it will already be starting to go out of date."


So what to do?


The authors update their information online in the form of a wiki, thus allowing "anyone who wants to participate in updating [their] work to do so."  We all know that participation is the key ingredient to strong communities and as a digital immigrant working in the nonprofit sector, I observe local digital natives demanding interaction and a sense of community online (and offline) all the time.
You already know where they are, don’t you?

Interested to learn more about social media networks and how you can use them for your organization? Stay tuned for our amazing new Breakfast Series. "Network, Learn, Grow" - a forum for nonprofit leaders to discuss relevant topics and the latest buzz. Mark Tuesday
Nov. 24 on your calendar for this lively, exciting panel discussion:

"Digital Immigrants: How to use Social Media Successfully in Your Organization"


Register here for this terrific event!


 See you (offline) soon!


* I encourage everyone to read Born Digital. It's an excellent primer for those who wish to understand our brave new [digital] world.

Impactfulness? A word?

Post written by guest blogger Mandie Abrams,
ECVO Workforce Strategy Manager.

Being just slightly older than a GenY’er, and after checking two online dictionaries, I still needed to consult a hard cover Merriam Webster Dictionary. I was looking for evidence that the term impactfulness was indeed a word. What did it mean, and could I use it properly in a sentence?

I came across impactfulness in an article about planning in the non profit sector. Word or not-word, it takes on importance when considered against sustainability of the non profit sector. The need to be able to show that non profit organizations, programs and services are having an impact is both a challenge and a necessity for success and survival in our current climate. Funding challenges, human resource shortages, and infrastructure deficiencies, pared with increasing demands for service delivery creates a challenge to the effective delivery of programs. How do nonprofit organizations adapt and evolve to
overcome these challenges and build stronger organizations and a stronger non profit sector?

In their book Forces for Good: The Six Practices of High-Impact Nonprofits, Leslie Crutchfield and Heather McLeod conducted research on dozens of high-impact nonprofits and identified six practices that when applied lead to impactfulness. (thanks to socialedge.org for this great list!)

• Work with government and advocate for policy change—rather than shying away from lobbying or avoiding politics altogether.
  
• Harness market forces and see business as a powerful partner, rather than just dismissing capitalism as the root of all evil.
  
• Convert individual supporters into evangelists for their causes, and treat their volunteers and donors as far more than just sources of free labor or an occasional check.
  
• Build and nurture nonprofit networks, approaching other groups as allies rather than as competitors for resources.
  
• Adapt to the changing environment, and find ways to balance creativity and innovation with disciplined systems and structure that allows the organization to achieve maximum impact.
  
• Share leadership, empowering others to be forces for good, both within their organization and throughout their fields.
  
  Crutchfield and McLeod discovered that successful organizations must be able to sustain impact via
  
• attraction and retention of great people
• development of sustainable sources of funding
• investing in their infrastructure and capacity
  

Organizational culture and or capacity might resist the allocation of scarce resources - time, funds or information, to focus on activities not directly tied to mission fulfillment. But Crutchfield and McLeod’s research shows that doings so improves the sustainability & success of organizations that do.

Incidentally, according to Merriam and Webster impactfulness is not a word. BuzzWack defines impactfulness as, “... words created by folks who obviously felt that the word "impact" needed a little extra "oomph." Regardless, the concept is important to the evolution and sustainability of the nonprofit sector.

By the way, the original article I found also included the terms planful and solutioning. Hmmm, future blogs?

Nah, wouldn’t want to be e-dundant.