Facing the challenges of nonprofits in a Twitter age

How can your membership-driven organization survive and even thrive within a landscape of always-on social networking?
Being a member of a business association or volunteering for a charity used to be the ultimate ways to network -- that is, until LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter came along! What kind of event will generate interest? How will you get the word out? And how will follow-up with attendees to make sure your hard work doesn't end with simply having a great event? For charities, it seems there are more causes than ever making the ask for a shrinking amount of people's hard earned money. How will your organization ensure fundraising success for now and for the future? These are all questions I hear often as a constant preoccupation for non-profits, charities, and associations.

For those interested in addressing these concerns, you're invited to check out a new online learning series - free of charge which I think should prove to open up discussion. Some aspects might even be applicable to those seeking work. Check it out by clicking here.

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Mark Buzan is Principal and Chief Magnifier in Action Strategies, a full service Strategic Communications, Public Relations and Public Affairs Consultancy for non-profits and associations. His blog can be found at: http://actionstrategies.blogspot.com

Waskafest October 22, 2009 at 6:00 PM in Loretteville

Event:	WASKAFEST OCTOBER 2009
Location:	Salon de quilles Bellevue 169 Louis-IX Street Québec City, QC G2B 1L1
Information:	418-847-4784 Jean-François Néron 418-407-1425 Christian Tanguay
Date and time:	October 22, 2009 (Thursday) 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Programme:	Buffet Presentation and discussion on office software and Web 2.0 networking in non-profit organizations Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala Presentation on Waska's learning method (experiential learning) and registering of new members
Cost of entry: Clientele:	Free Welcome to all, dress casual

Waskafest is a meet-up organized by Waska, autonomie et services techniques communautaires in order to gather all the main actors in the inter-NPO dialogue process, in Quebec City. This dialogue process - as the sharing and the exchange of ressources among non-profit organizations - is based on a tight network, with well-informed and well-equipped participants.

The October 22 meet-up will cover the following subjects:

• Presentation and discussion on office software and Web 2.0 networking in non-profit organizations: how to profit from the computer, at the service of the NPO. Quick oversight of the equipment, the costs (obviously, the best deal), the software and their implementation in the reality of a non-profit organization, Web 2.0 networking.
  

• Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala: serious alternative to counter the prohibitive costs of commercial operating systems and software that, aside from being hard to implement in the operations of a NPO, keep bugging and getting infested with viruses.
  

• Presentation on Waska's learning method (experiential learning) and registering of new members: Students dropping out of school in Quebec and their poor performance demonstrate clearly that the academic system, as it is now, simply does not deliver good results. What makes Waska's experiential learning method better and what makes it a solution to this problem? Come and see for yourself. You can also ask questions and even register to the programmes, all evening long.

Come dressed casually. There will be a cold buffet at the beginning of the evening. All beverages are to be bought at the bar of the Salon de quilles Bellevue. There are pool tables for those who wish to end the evening in a relaxed fashion. You can attend this October Waskafest, free of charge. During the evening, games and attendance prizes will add some zest.

There are free parking spaces for all, on both sides of the building. Buses routes 87 and 72 lead you to the location, the bus stop is just across the street, at the corner of Louis-IX and Hôpital Streets. Road works are taking place in the area, please stay posted to read the latest info regarding the changes.

www.communautequebec.org has a facelift

Communauté Québec's homepage is receiving a facelift, today! As a matter of fact, Québec City's non-profit portal will display more of a portal-shape homepage than the blog opening it previously presented. This renovation is part of Waska's new business plan for 2009.

Lots of new services - availbale to members of Waska - will be added to Communauté Québec's portal homepage.

If your non-profit organization wishes to have its endeavours, special events or any news published on Communauté Québec, please write us to bulletin@communautequebec.org! It is free for all Québec City NPOs and those who serve the Old Capital's population. Our team will make sure the text is error-free and meets Waska's standards: positive, constructive, polite, politically neutral, and of Québec City resident's interest.