Author: Eli
Lean Principles for Nonprofits: Because Your Annual Plan is a Fraud
Starting, building and operating a nonprofit organization is done under conditions of extreme uncertainty, but we plan with confidence. Enormous energy is put into Five Year Strategic Plans, Annual Plans and Quarterly plans, but then real life intrudes and the reality is that there’s only the vaguest resemblance between our plans and our actual work. So much wasted time! There’s got to be a better way.
Kayvon Khalilzadeh of Lean Startup Vancouver will introduce us to the concept of the lean startup
Lean Startup is a methodology that favors experimentation over elaborate planning, customer feedback over intuition, and iterative design over traditional “big design up front” development. Although the methodology is just a few years old, its concepts—such as “minimum viable product” and “pivoting” have quickly taken root in the start-up world. Now it’s time for the nonprofit sector to adopt this innovative approach.
We are going to discuss topics like:
- What is Lean Startup?
- Why is Lean important? What is the point?
- What is Lean for Nonprofit? Is it any different than for the private sector?
- Learn about Lean processes
- Discover Lean tools
Background Reading
- The Lean Startup book
- Lean Impact conference for nonprofits
- Beth Kantor interview with Lean Startup author Eric Ries
- What Would The Lean Startup Look Like For Nonprofits
This session is for:
- Nonprofit Executives who want to manage their organizers more effectively
- Nonprofit Staff need to increase the level of innovation so that they can meet their mission
- Web and online staff who are delivering website and online products for their organization
When: Tuesday, March 4, 2013, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Where: HiVE Vancouver, #210 – 128 W Hastings St.
AGENDA
- 5:30 – 6:00 PM: Networking and snacks
- 6:00 – 7:00 PM: Presentation
- 7:00 – 7:30 PM: Q&A and Wrap
- Event hashtag:
#Net2van - Host: @Net2van
- Presenter: @kayvonk
- Venue sponsor: @HiVEvancouver
- Food sponsor: @iATSPayments
- Social sponsor: @NTENorg
ACCESSIBILITY
Mobility Access: This venue does not have ramps and elevators and is not wheelchair accessible.
Hearing Access: Speakers at this event will use microphones.
Sight Access: Contact the organizers if you need an advance copy of the presentation.
We want everyone to be able to participate in the Net2Van community and events. Please don’t hesitate to let us know what we can do to accommodate your needs.
February’s Nonprofit Tech Events
Hi folks!
Net2van has three free events scheduled for February. We are especially excited for our afternoon workshop on video storytelling co-presented with Pull Focus Films.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Social Media Success with HootSuite
When: Tuesday, February 4, 5:30 PM
Where: HootSuite Headquarters, Vancouver BC.
Waiting list: http://goo.gl/6H5ZmA
NOTE: this event is SOLD OUT, but you can get on the waiting list.
Join NetSquared and HootSuite for a Social Media Surgery. Get personalized and hands-on assistance with your organization’s social media strategy. Whatever your challenge or skill level we’ll have social media experts from HootSuite available to answer your questions!
WORKSHOP: Video for Nonprofits: The Essential Elements of Storytelling
When: Tuesday, February 11. 1:30 –4:30 PM
Where: Pull Focus Film School, Vancouver BC.
RSVP: http://goo.gl/mN4r0d
This workshop will look at the essential elements of storytelling including three act structure, character, tone, and plot development. Participants will learn about specific approaches to capturing the emotional, human angle of their story, and how to inspire and engage their audience with a call to action.
Community Management Forum
When: Monday, February 24. 6:00 PM
Where: SAP Executive Briefing Centre, Vancouver BC.
RSVP: http://goo.gl/5F0lUO
Details TBA, but it’ll be awesome and feature Kei Baritugo.
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That’s it for now. See you soon!
Be Understood: Free Workshops on Plain Language for Nonprofits
Community Plain Language Services is offering a free introductory workshop to Plain Language communications.
This 4-hour workshop is open to people who write for the public and work in community organizations. There is no fee to attend but your association must be a non-profit or public agency.
Date: Wednesday, 12 February 2014 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
RSVP: http://goo.gl/dES0uw
Can’t make it? There are also workshops planned for March and April.
Thanks to Cheryl Stephens for the opportunity.
EVENT REPORT: Raiser’s Edge Therapy: Year-End Tax Receipts
It’s that time of year again – time to issue those year-end tax receipts. We recently hosted Kirk Schmidt, Director of Professional Services with Method Works Consulting. He went over some tax receipting best practices and offered some useful tips and tricks on how to do consolidated tax receipting using Blackbaud’s The Raiser’s Edge.
VIDEO 1: Canada Revenue Agency Charitable Tax Receipting Guidelines
VIDEO 2: Consolidated Tax Receipting in The Raiser’s Edge
SLIDES
[TICKETS] Social Media 101: Creating a Social Media Strategy
Our friends at University of Invoke (and co-producers of the Community Manager Forum) are offering a range of practical half-day courses to help equip individuals with the same knowledge and tools that Invoke Labs uses to help their clients succeed.
Social Media 101: Creating a Social Media Strategy
Date: Wednesday, 5 February 2014 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Promo code: NonProfitFriend – 30% off 🙂
RSVP http://goo.gl/3fGkNa
With Invoke Labs seasoned practitioners at the helm, you’ll learn what really grows and strengthens a community, as well as develop your own social media strategy. The course comes complete with a constructive 1:1 feedback session, and a 1 hour follow up consult to ensure that the strategy is transforming into action.
The University of Invoke is a new education initiative from Invoke Labs. We will be offering a range of practical half-day workshops to equip individuals with the knowledge and tools that we use to help the companies that we work with succeed.
Social Media 101: Creating a Social Media Strategy is the first of these courses to be offered.
Platforms and mediums to produce content, solidifying brand identity and a brand voice, identifying and connecting with target demographics and proving validity through measurement…
Gone are the days when social media was a task marketers did in their spare time. Today, social media is a key channel for building brand awareness, customer acquisition, retention and support for large and small brands alike. Developing an actionable plan specific to your product/service is as much a vital step as actually executing it.
In this course, you’ll learn from industry leaders and senior level practitioners on what really grows and strengthens a community, as well as develop your own social media strategy complete with a constructive 1:1 feedback session.
What is included?
- A half-day workshop delivered by industry leaders
- Snacks and refreshments on the day
- A 1-hour follow up consultation with one of our expert staff
- A follow up networking event approximately 2 weeks after the workshop to discuss progress and challenges with the group
- A selection of materials to read before attending
- A selection of materials for follow up reading
Who should attend?
This course is designed for anyone who is responsible for managing or contributing to an effective social media strategy. Marketing managers, community managers, social media co-ordinators, or anyone that wants to get a better return on their social media investment.
Net2van Conference Date Options
Net2van is gonna hold a super awesome one-day conference this May on how nonprofits can use technology to get things done. Help us select a date!
Also, are other events with similar topics already scheduled for the same time? Let us know so that we don’t step on each other’s toes.
EVENT REPORT: What You Need to Know About Online Donations
Your kids will never write a cheque, and in a few short years neither will the majority of your donor base. While it used to be acceptable to collect money “any way possible” online, the data is telling us that donors want a donation experience that is easy to follow, on brand and connects the donor with the cause. How we accomplish these things without compromising security, CRA compliance and more is not always straightforward. This session will cover the basics of:
Compliance and Law with respect to donation processing and the CRA The 101’s of payment processing terms, security and must knows How you can get the most out of your online donation experience
PRESENTER: JEFF GOLBY
Jeff has worked in one form or another of credit card based donation processing for Charity for around eight years on the charity side, for profit side and back again now on the charity side. Currently he works for Chimp Foundation an online tool that allows you to manage and amplify your charitable giving. His role there is to create a space where law, charity, money and trust come together in a way that inspires and motivates people to give.
Connecting for Quality: Social Media and Health Care
On Feb. 3rd, the eHealth Strategy Office (Faculty of Medicine, UBC) and the BC Patient Safety & Quality Council are hosting a free public forum called Connecting for Quality: Social Media and Health Care. We are inviting health care providers and family care givers to come share their ideas on how social media can be used to improve health care and patient safety in BC.
Register at: http://connectingforquality.eventbrite.ca
Or attend the live webcast: http://bit.ly/1iaUOSa
Date: Monday Feb. 3, 2014
Time: 7-9pm (sign-in and reception at 6pm)
Place: Paetzold Health Education Centre, Vancouver General Hospital, Main floor of Jim Pattison Pavilion South
Join the conversation on Twitter with #sm4health
Video for Nonprofits Workshop: The Essential Elements of Storytelling
Whether you’re making a fundraising video or a video for your website, you have a story to tell. And with most people turning to the web for their news, information and entertainment needs, great video content is key to getting your message out. So how can you make the most of it?
The web loves comedy, brevity and surprise. It also thrives on originality, featuring stories that are often counter-intuitive.
This workshop will look at the essential elements of storytelling including three act structure, character, tone, and plot development. Participants will learn about specific approaches to capturing the emotional, human angle of their story, and how to inspire and engage their audience with a call to action.
Format: This event will include a lecture portion and an interactive portion to practice and implement your skills.
NOTE: this workshop is limited to 40 participants.
Steve Rosenberg is the Executive Director of Pull Focus Film School. He has produced over 50 videos for non-profits and charities.
When: Tuesday, February 11, 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Where: Pull Focus Film School, 306 Abbott St, Vancouver, BC.
Fee: Suggested donation of $10 collected at the door
Snacks and beverages will be provided.
- Event hashtag:
#Net2van - Host: @Net2van
- Presenter: @pullfocusfilms
ACCESSIBILITY
- Mobility Access: This venue is NOT wheelchair accessible.
- Hearing Access: Speakers at this event will NOT use microphones.
- Sight Access: Contact the organizers if you need an advance copy of the presentation.
We want everyone to be able to participate in the Net2Van community and events. Please don’t hesitate to let us know what we can do to accommodate your needs.