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Civic Health Index Older Adults and Future of Volunteering

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table of contents>>Summer 2013 | Volume 14 . Number 2LINKS

New Preseident and Chief Executive Officer

Civic Health Index

Preparing for the Year-End Appeal

Older Adults and the Future of Volunteering

Building Stronger Communities and SuperConference

Socialbrite-How Nonprofits Can Use Social Media

Feature 6Editor: Kelley Kuhnkkuhn@MNAonline.org

Designer: Gylin Teh

For membershipand advertisinginformation contact:Bill Gesaman bgesaman@MNAonline.org

Web: www.MNAonline.org

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MNA welcomes articles andinformation from our readers.Please contact the editor forsubmission guidelines.

MNA reserves the rightto edit or reject informationand/or to reject advertisingsubmitted for publication.Appearance in the publicationdoes not constitute anendorsement of theadvertiser, its products orservices; nor does MNA makeany claims or guarantees as tothe accuracy or validity of theadvertiser’s offer.

For permission to reprint,contact the editor.

Seniors Serving Youth

National Senior Citizens Day is observed on August 21 and is a day to honor and recognize the contributions of senior citizens in communities across the United States. The Michigan Nonprofit Association (MNA) has a new president & chief

executive officer, Donna Muarry-Brown. Donna succeeds Kyle Caldwell who stepped down at the end of last year to take on a new role with the C.S. Mott Foundation in Flint, Michigan.

Donna who started her new role on April 3 is no stranger to the work of MNA and has been serving as the Senior Director of Capacity Building and Director of Metro Detroit Partnership for the past three years. Among her many accomplishments in these roles, Donna managed a multi-year, $2 million investment to form nonprofit strategic alliances in the arts and culture community in southeast Michigan as well as provided staff leadership to the first ever combined conference in partnership with the Council of Michigan Foundations last October in Dearborn.

“I am thrilled and humbled to begin my service as the new president and CEO of the Michigan Nonprofit Association,” said Murray-Brown. Expanding partnerships, building membership value, enhancing colleague job satisfaction and providing leadership for the nonprofit sector will be my primary goals.”

Prior to joining MNA, Donna worked as a vice president and community development director for Charter One Bank. As a part of the Charter One leadership team, she utilized her technical expertise and nearly 21 years of banking experience to direct significant community development programs and banking initiatives creating affordable housing, small business development and economic empowerment and revitalization throughout the state of Michigan.

Donna Murray-Brown is a native Detroiter and is very active in volunteer board leadership. She serves on the board for the Detroit Public Television Foundation, is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and serves as a state commissioner to the Offices for Services to the Aging. She currently resides in Detroit with her husband and three children.

New President and Chief Executive OfficerDonna Murray

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Mission: Michigan Nonprofit Association serves nonprofits to advance their missions.

Michigan Nonprofit Association is affiliated with Michigan Campus Compact, Volunteer Centers of Michigan and Data Driven Detroit (D3)

www.MNAonline.org

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MNA Links is published by Michigan Nonprofit Association for distribution to association members, state legislators and friends of MNA. Circulation: 1500+, four issues annually.

As an MNA member, you will automatically receive LINKS delivered right to your door four times a year. Each issue features nonprofit news and resources.

LINKS MAGAZINE

About MNA

Incorporated in 1990, and governed by a board that represents the diversity of the nonprofit sector, Michigan Nonprofit Association is a leader, a model, an advocate and a support system for nonprofit organizations throughout the state. Membership is open to all Michigan nonprofit/tax exempt organizations. For-profit businesses and government entities may join as affiliate members. Visit http://mnaonline.org/supportus.aspx to get more info.

MNA Online Bookstorehttp://mnaonline.org/bookstore.aspx

Nonprofit Job Centerhttp://mnaonline.org/nonprofitjobcenter.aspx

Training and Opportunities http://mnaonline.org/training.aspx

Public Policy News and Updateshttp://mnaonline.org/publicpolicy.aspx

Board of Directors

Rich Homberg, President and General ManagerDetroit Public Television

Gilda Jacobs, President & CEOMichigan League for Public Policy

Reggie LaGrand, Director, Greater Battle Creek ProgrammingW. K. Kellogg Foundation

Robert LeFevre , PresidentAssociation of Independent Colleges and Universities of Michigan

Bill Liebold, President The Liebold Group LLC

Paul Long, President and CEOMichigan Catholic Conference

Maud Lyon, Executive DirectorCulturesource

William Mayes, Executive DirectorMichigan Association of School Administrators

Kimberly Houston-Philpot, Director, Corporate and Foundation RelationsCentral Michigan University

Anne Rosewarne, PresidentMichigan Health Council

Jane Royer, Director, Volunteer CenterHeart of West Michigan United Way

John P. Schneider, Attorney at LawClark Hill PLC

Scott A. Schropp, Vice President & Chartered Advisor in PhilanthropyThe Illes Private Banking & Investment Group

David Seaman, Executive Vice PresidentMichigan Health & Hospital Association

Brandon Seng, President and CEOManistee Community Kitchen

Jacqueline D. Taylor, Consultant Pondera Advisors, LLC

Lorna Utley, President and CEOGoodwill Industries of Greater Detroit

Paula K. VanDam, Executive DirectorMichigan Community Service Commission

Bridget Clark Whitney, Executive DirectorKids’ Food Basket

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www.MNAonline.org

Civic Health Index Older Adults and Future of Volunteering

Feature:Seniors Serving Youth

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WHAT’S ON THE WEB>> www.MNAonline.org

Socially Stay Connected

http://twitter.com/MNAonline

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Chair:Sheilah P. Clay, President and CEO Neighborhood Service Organization Chair-Elect:Jenee L. Velasquez, Executive Director Herbert H. & Grace A. Dow Foundation Secretary:Paula Cunningham, PresidentCapitol National Bank Treasurer:David Price, Executive DirectorMARO Employment and Training Association Immediate Past Chair:David Eisler, President Ferris State University Chair Emeritus: Russell Mawby, Chairman Emeritus W. K. Kellogg Foundation

Ibraham Ahmed, Executive Director Z.I.A.D. Health Care N. Charles Anderson, President/CEODetroit Urban League Michael Boulus, Executive DirectorPresidents Council State Universities of Michigan Carolyn Bloodworth, Secretary/TreasurerConsumers Energy Foundation Rob Collier, PresidentCouncil of Michigan Foundations Robert Cohen, Executive DirectorJewish Community Relations Council of Metropolitan Detroit

Marsha Cooley, Vice PresidentUnited Way of Saginaw County

David Donovan, Founder/ConsultantDonovan Company, LLC

Scott Dzurka, President and CEOMichigan Association of United Ways

Kareemah El-Amin, Executive DirectorFood Bank Council of Michigan

David Fike, PresidentMarygrove College

Jennifer Goulet, President and CEOArtServe Michigan

Suzanne Greenberg, President and CEOCAN Council Saginaw County

Michael Hansen, PresidentMichigan Community College Association

Kathy Hayes, Executive DirectorMichigan Association of School Boards

2012-2013 Officers

Seniors

Feature

■ By Bill Gesaman Membership Manager Michigan Nonprofit Association

The Friends of Isabella Seniors, an MNA member, was established in 1979 and is a fund raising organization. The fund raising events and proceeds are used entirely to support the programs and services of the Isabella County Commission on Aging which includes the Foster Grandparent program. This program connects generations by matching the patience and experience of an older adult with the physical and emotional needs of a child.

Currently, the three county area has over 40 older adults and 120 children participating in this program which often takes place in schools, day care programs, and Head Start programs. Most youth participants are in 1st through 5th grades. Older adults participating in the Foster Grandparent Program are 55 years of age or older and commit to 20 hours per week of service. In return, the Grandparent will receive a small hourly stipend, assistance with meal and transportation costs;

Serving

a daily meal; an annual physical examination; pre-service orientation and monthly training. “The small stipend helps them maintain their own independence and not rely on their own kids as much. Sometimes it helps avoid the difficult decision to purchase groceries or medication,” said Mary Ann Mooradian, Coordinator for the local Foster Grandparents Program.

When asked about the benefits an older adult brings to mentoring, Mooradian, stated, “They have the time and patience to commit. They also have such a wealth of experience, given their age, of things that they have gone through with themselves, their children, and their grandchildren.” She added, “Depending on the lesson being taught in schools, the teacher might refer to the Foster Grandparent to tell a then-and-now perspective such as getting along without technology that we have today and indoor plumbing.

Kids are amazed by those sorts of stories.” Through their mentoring, Foster Grandparents’ academic and emotional support to students is a large help to teachers. They read with students, especially those that miss a lot of school, and help them catch up on worksheets and other schoolwork that they may otherwise be falling behind on.

“I like helping them, giving them the attention they don’t get at home,” said Foster Grandparent, Sharon Schafer. “It makes you feel like you’re needed somewhere and you did something for somebody.” She added, “One year is a long time for someone their age. It’s fun to see how the kids change over the course of the year.”

One Foster Grandparent, who is 91 years old, has seen many kids grow through the program as she has been involved as a Foster Grandparent for the last 31 years.

National Senior Citizens Day is observed on August 21 and is a day to honor and recognize the contributions of senior citizens in communities across the United States. There are many organizations and programs throughout Michigan that

work with older adults who are contributing to bettering their communities. One is the Foster Grandparent program in Isabella, Clare and Gratiot counties which has been in operation for 36 years.

For more information on the Foster Grandparent program in Isabella, Clare and Gratiot Counties, visit: http://www.isabellacounty.org/dept/coa/foster.html

To find a Foster Grandparent program in your county, visit: http://www.mafgscp.org/countymap t

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By compiling and sharing the report, the Michigan Civic Health Index partners hope the report will initiate a conversation among community leaders about how Michigan residents participate in civic life and how this activity can be increased. As a way of benchmarking, reporting, and celebrating the progress of civic life in Michigan, the report partners intend to reproduce the study in future years. It is expected that the partnership will expand to include the impacts of civic health on the economy and prosperity in Michigan’s communities.

Data provided in the Michigan Civic Health Index was based on analysis of the Census Current Population Survey 2010 voting/registration supplement and 2011 volunteering and civic engagement supplements, provided by the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement at Tufts University. Additional information on philanthropy was provided by the 2012 Michigan State of the State Survey conducted by the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research at Michigan State University. t

Civic Health IndexIn partnership with the National Conference on Citizenship (NCoC), the Council of

Michigan Foundations (CMF), Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC), Michigan Nonprofit Association (MNA) and its affiliates released the inaugural

Michigan Civic Health Index. The report measures the engagement of Michigan residents in important civic activities such as voting, volunteering, interacting with neighbors, community participation, and charitable giving.

The first-ever Michigan Civic Health Index was unveiled at the annual Giving and Volunteering Celebration at the Capitol on April 24. The report showed that Michigan is doing well in some areas of its civic engagement and has room for improvement in others. Highlights and key findings of the report include:

2,080,000Michigan residents volunteered in 2011

served by Michigan volunteers valued at $5.1 billion233,000,000+ hours

90%of state residents believe there is a greater need for charitable organizations today than in the past.

89.7%believe charitable organizations play a major role in making Michigan’s communities better.

86.8%Michigan citizens contributed money, property, or both to a charity or nonprofit organization in 2011

While 60% of Michigan residents trust all or most of their neighbors, just 12.1% exchanged favors with neighbors frequently.

In 2010, 71.4% of Michigan’s eligible residents were registered to vote, relative to just 65.1% nationally, and 47.3% voted, relative to 45.5% nationally.

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First, prepare your data. If your data is a mess, don’t wait. Start cleaning it up now. According to the U.S. Postal Service, each year more than 40 million Americans change addresses. And the U.S. Census Bureau estimates that a person will move 11.7 times in his or her lifetime. Your list will quickly become obsolete if you don’t keep up on those address changes.

Accurate data not only saves you money in postage and ensures timely delivery, but it’s also good donor stewardship. Some development officers make a habit of scanning obituaries and the “people” sections in the news, and this is a good way to capture some household or job changes. You can also ask your board and development volunteers to look over your list and advise you of corrections. Your donors might not notice that you’ve kept up with their household or status change, but they will notice if you haven’t.

The Letter: For many small to mid-sized nonprofits, engaging a direct mail vendor to write, design, print and mail an appeal isn’t feasible. However, a quick search on the Internet will turn up a wealth of advice on how to write an effective appeal. One of my favorite sources for writing effective donor communications is Tom Ahern’s site, Ahern Communications, Ink. [aherncomm.com], but there are plenty of others. Most share some general recommendations in common. An effective appeal is typically:

■ Personal: Addressing a request for support to “Dear Friend” is a one-way ticket to the trash can,

especially if the recipient is already a donor. Yes, you know, and they know, that the appeal is essentially a form letter. Nonetheless, don’t forego the extra time and effort it might take to add even a small amount of personalization. Address each letter to a person (or couple) by name. If possible, acknowledge your active donors’ past support. A little bit of effort to indicate that you know the donor and value your relationship with them will go a long way in eliciting continued support.

■ Conversational: Most of us learned in high school that proper business writing is always done in the third person. Forget this. An effective appeal letter should read as if your organization’s president or chief executive (or another appropriate person) is directly engaging the recipient in a conversation. Address the recipient as “you” and talk about “what your support can do” or “how you can make a difference.”

Also, use simple words found in everyday speech. Avoid technical language or insider jargon. After you write your appeal, scan it for any words containing three or more syllables and replace them with two- or one-syllable words. It’s a great exercise that will force you to make your case in such a way that anyone can understand.

■ Tangible: Be clear about what impact a donor’s gift will have on those who benefit from your services. Tell the reader what the value of a donated dollar is to your organization’s mission. What impact will

a donation of $X dollars have on the lives of those you serve?

At Gleaners Community Food Bank, for example, we have calculated the actual cost to distribute the equivalent of a meal. As a result, we are able to tell our donors that every dollar they donate provides three meals to a hungry person. A Gleaners donor, therefore, knows the precise value of their donation to our mission.

■ Emotional: Balance facts with feelings. For most people, giving is ultimately an emotional decision. Your appeal should include one or two powerful stories about how someone’s life was changed because your organization was there to help. Connecting the donor emotionally with your mission is often what moves her or him to take action.

If possible, include a couple of photos. More and more, we are visually oriented. Photos communicate in ways words can’t, often eliciting emotional reactions more quickly and at a deeper, more subconscious level than words alone.

■ Scannable: People rarely read an appeal letter from start to finish in an orderly manner. To increase the odds that your donor will get your message, use short, easily scannable paragraphs. Again, forget that old high school English rule that says a paragraph must have at least three sentences.

Aim for short words, short sentences and short, indented paragraphs.

And, don’t forget the P.S. Studies show that most people read the P.S., even if they don’t read anything else. Your P.S. should reinforce your call to action with phrases like, “act now” or “give today”.

Again, you will be well-served by reading up on appeal letter best practices on the Internet. In the meantime, there are some other things you can do to execute a successful year-end appeal:

Send a reminder letter. Your initial letter has a good chance of ending up in a pile on the credenza with many other requests. A follow-up letter reminding the donor that it’s not too late for them to make a difference will help you cut through the year-end appeal clutter. Don’t fall

into the trap of being afraid to pester your mailing list. A few people might get upset. Most won’t care. And many will appreciate the reminder and send in their year-end contribution.

Say thank you as soon as possible. Your relationship with a donor doesn’t end when a gift is made. In fact, it has just begun. Your gift acknowledgment is not simply a receipt. It’s an opportunity to reinforce the donor’s emotional connection to your organization. It’s a chance for the donor to relive his or her positive experience of giving. This is what creates donor loyalty and increases the likelihood of future gifts. The longer it takes to say thank you, the more likely that opportunity will be lost.

Reinforce your appeal with multichannel marketing. The challenge at year-end is being top-of-mind when your letter hits mailboxes along with many other appeals. Therefore, it’s an ideal time to pull out all the stops and get your message out through as many channels as possible. Make use of social media, e-mail and other free ways to raise your organization’s visibility. If you have even a small budget for a public relations campaign or paid advertising, consider using it to reinforce your year-end appeal. A well-placed news story just before your appeal is received might help lift response, and it certainly won’t hurt.

Include a match incentive. Despite the proliferation of matching gift campaigns in recent years, they are still an effective way to motivate people to give. For corporate sponsors, being named as a match donor in your appeal can be a great branding opportunity. Your board of directors might also agree to match gifts up to a certain amount.

Don’t forget the rest of the year. Newsletters, e-mail communications and even additional appeals help to keep your donors informed and engaged with your mission. They also help to ensure your organization will once again be top of mind when year-end giving decisions are being made.

Finally, let your donor data guide you. A strategy or tactic might bring success for one organization but not for another. And, the effectiveness of certain strategies might change over time. Examine your results on an ongoing basis and adjust, building on what works well and adjusting or eliminating strategies that underperform. t

Most nonprofits take advantage of the year-end giving season to make an appeal for support to current and potential donors. If you are new to fund raising, or if your organization is preparing your appeal in-house instead of relying on a

direct mail marketing firm, there are some things you can do to ensure your appeal performs successfully.

Preparing for the Year-End Appeal

■ By Anne Schenk, Senior Director of Advancement Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan, MNA Member Association of Fundraising Professionals Detroit Chapter Board Member

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That means one in five Michigan residents are now age 60 or older and this is just the beginning. The largest generation ever to pass through its 40s and 50s will soon move into their 60s. This will bring profound changes to every level of our society.

At the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging (OSA), we see our current and future aging population not as a potential crisis, but as a historic opportunity.

Our aging population is composed of millions of talented, experienced Michiganders who are ready to roll up their sleeves and help give back to the state they helped build.

All they need is an opportunity to give back – and that’s where OSA and the aging network are ready to deliver.

Volunteering on the riseJust like our aging population, we are seeing volunteering by older adults increase in recent years.

The number of older adults age 65 or older who volunteer has risen from 7.7 million in 2002 to 9.1 million in 2009, according to the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Why is this happening?

Improved education and greater income levels are often cited to help explain this increase in activity. However, research has also revealed that volunteering can actually improve physical and mental health.

This includes lower rates of depression, increased strength and energy, lower mortality rates, and greater functional ability. Volunteering also contributes to improved self-worth, a positive outlook on life, and the greater good of a community.

Giving back is good for your health!

Older adults volunteer their time to help many different types of organizations. This includes religious institutions, social service organizations, nonprofits, hospitals, education groups, and civic and ar ts organizations.

Since volunteering helps older adults stay active and connected to their communities and helps those they serve, it’s truly a win-win.

A pool of talent and expertiseWhether they serve every day or a few times a year, older volunteers make an impact.

At this time of growing social need, older adult volunteers are needed now more than ever as nonprofit organizations and others increasingly rely on volunteers to help fill the gaps.

OSA houses three valuable volunteer programs – Foster Grandparent, Senior Companion, and Retired and Senior Volunteer Programs (RSVP). The following numbers reflect the commitment the

State of Michigan has to suppor ting older adults in national service.

A total of 11,749 older adults participated in these programs in fiscal year 2012.

Foster Grandparents connects older adults with children and youth who need personal attention and help in schools, hospitals, juvenile detention facilities, day care centers, and community programs.

A total of 1,092 Foster Grandparents served 1,651 different settings within 369 public and private nonprofit organizations in Michigan. An estimated 5,460 children and youth with special needs benefitted from the service provided by these volunteers.

Senior Companions provides assistance and friendship to adults who are disabled and in need of assistance. Volunteers who visit allow adults to remain in their homes while receiving the assistance they need. Frequently, senior companions serve as a support system for full-time caregivers, permitting them some much-needed time off. This program supports multiple goals and creates companionship for both the volunteer and the individuals they are helping.

A total of 623 senior companions served 1,455 different settings within 204 public and private nonprofit organizations in Michigan. An estimated 3,115 adults with special needs benefitted from the service provided by these volunteers.

Retired and Senior Volunteer Programs (RSVP) is one of the largest volunteer networks in the nation for people age 55 or older. More than 500,000 older adults across the United States participate. RSVP volunteers choose how, where, and how often they want to serve. Commitments range from a few hours to 40 hours per week.

A total of 10,034 RSVP volunteers provided service to 1,887 public and private non-profit organizations in Michigan. An estimated 1,166,709 hours of service were contributed to local communities.

Oand the

Flder dultsAuture of Volunteering

The aging of Michigan – and our country – is likely the biggest demographic story of our time. Michigan is now home to 1.9 million older adults, according to the 2010 U.S. Census.

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The best of the bestOn June 4, OSA, the Commission on Services to the Aging and nearly 1,000 older adults and members of the aging network were on hand to celebrate the 2013 Senior Citizens of the Year.

Each year two older adults are selected for their outstanding community service work. James White of Grand Rapids and Julia Weaver of Charlotte were both honored at the Michigan State Capitol during Older Michiganians Day for their outstanding service to their communities.

White, nominated by the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan (AAAWM), was recognized for his exceptional work in the category of community leadership. White, age 72, has been volunteering in West Michigan for more than 40 years and helped found the Baxter Community Center and Camp Tall Turf.

White’s attitude of never saying “no” has helped make a difference in the lives of thousands of area residents who have benefitted from his exemplary service.

Weaver, nominated by Hayes Green Beach Memorial Hospital (HGB), was recognized in the category of service to others for her work as a volunteer over the past 59 years. Weaver, who just turned 91, has logged more than 17,000 hours of service at HGB working in the office, volunteer desk, at the annual HealthFest, and at hospital blood drives.

She is also one of the largest fundraisers in the community and has secured thousands of dollars for the American Cancer Society, the local Crop Walk, and the March of Dimes.

It is extraordinary people like this that drive OSA and the aging network to create new and innovative ways to connect the valuable talents of older adults to organizations and communities that need help.

Help us help them help youOSA understands that older adults represent a significant, valuable and underutilized resource in the state.

Senior Citizen of the Year Julia Weaver, Consumers Energy’s Whitney Skeans, Senior Citizen of the Year James White, Office of Services to the Aging Director Kari Sederburg and Commission on Services to the Aging Chairman Harold Mast

This became even more apparent after conducting a needs assessment of those we serve. OSA has always recognized the value of garnering feedback from older adults, caregivers, and others in the aging network. This was the driving force behind the decision to conduct a needs assessment last year. The results clearly showed volunteer programs are critical, and should be expanded across the state – either by us or by our partners.

This has strengthened OSA’s commitment to look at new and innovative ways to engage older adults through our office or through other partnerships.

Michigan has hundreds of thousands of talented older adults. All they need is a meaningful opportunity to get to work. OSA is working hard to carry that message throughout the aging network, but we also hope to expand it beyond into other networks that could benefit or provide meaningful opportunities.

At the heart of OSA’s work is our commitment to transforming the system of aging services in Michigan. OSA is building on a rich 40-year history of programs

that will need to continue to be responsive to people’s changing needs.

While there may be new challenges ahead, this will also bring a wealth of opportunities to revisit how we do things and make them better.

OSA recently completed its fiscal year 2014-2016 State Plan on Aging and a strong focus of that plan is a push to have Michigan’s aging network collaborate and create new partnerships.

OSA is seeking out partners, like the Michigan Nonprofit Association and the Volunteer Centers of Michigan to actively pursue ways to connect interested older adults with organizations or other individuals that could benefit from their skills.

We encourage anybody else who has new ideas to come to the table and help with this historic effort.

Enabling older adults to remain active, involved, and contributing members of our communities benefits us all. Come join us and let’s get to work. t

“In most cases we see older volunteers having a greater wealth of knowledge and background information they can draw on to make an impact. Our job is to provide or partner to create opportunities to harness that talent.” ~ OSA Director Kari Sederburg ~

AbOUT OSA

The Michigan Office of Services to the Aging (OSA) is Michigan’s designated state unit on aging. As Michigan’s leader on aging issues for more than 40 years, OSA provides leadership, resources and support for older adults throughout the state. Visit www.michigan.gov/osa for more information.

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Editors’ Note:

A society that is civically engaged can have different meanings for different people. Could it be defined by older adults giving back to their community as in our feature article Seniors Serving Youth? Or is it an individual registering to vote for the first time as part of the National Voter Registration Day which is September 24, 2013? Or better yet, is it identified through the long standing traditions of service as indicated in the 2012 Michigan Civic Health Index (see article and infographic)? No matter how you define the action, civic engagement is a core function for a strong community, and nonprofits throughout Michigan can and should be providing voice to the many ways our state’s greatest asset-our people-are working together for the common good.

Michigan Nonprofit Association has been fortunate to receive funding from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation to support work designed to build effective civically engaged community models. Starting with this edition of LINKS, we will highlight work being accomplished across the state as well as in the targeted communities of Detroit, Flint and Kalamazoo.

Building Stronger Communities Michigan Nonprofit Association (MNA) has a deep history that is rooted on the principles of partnership and collaboration. Through the years we have participated in numerous opportunities which have involved cross collaboration among all sectors including government, academic institutions, nonprofits, businesses, faith based organizations and many more. As a result of these opportunities, MNA has extensive networks in the targeted communities as well as throughout the state.

Michigan Nonprofit Association has been fortunate to receive funding from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation to support work designed to build effective civically engaged community models. MNA’s strategy is to leverage its networks and deep community partnerships to create comprehensive civic engagement aimed toward communities across the state of Michigan and particularly in the targeted communities of Detroit, Kalamazoo and Flint.

This work is based on the following three key components:

■ Advancing Collaboration Utilizing a collective impact framework, MNA aims to raise the awareness of nonprofit organizations

regarding practical strategies and tools to meet mission through a cooperative community stakeholder approach.

■ Supporting Lifelong Civic Engagement MNA will support lifelong engagement utilizing two strategies. The first begins through its affiliate partners where MNA will maintain the volunteer infrastructure whereby individuals beginning with school-aged children through adulthood have a heightened sense of responsibility to their communities. Secondly, MNA will further advance its cultivation of civically engaged communities by building advocacy skills of community-based organizations to galvanize their stakeholders around political and nonpolitical issues affecting their quality of life.

■ Deepening Capacity through Diversity and Inclusion Building off of its internal and external work in Diversity and Inclusion, MNA will provide relevant and sustainable capacity building support designed to increase the effectiveness of nonprofits with a deeper understanding of their organizations, their human capital, as well as the individuals and communities they serve.

As we look ahead in delivering our work, we will engage many of our specific network partners, who serve the targeted communities and are engaged in the development of lifelong engagement infrastructure.

Supporting Lifelong Civic EngagementThe convergence of a troubled economy, record unemployment and foreclosures, relentless cuts to government services that serve those in need, and a myriad of other community crisis issues impacting the quality of life for so many families in Michigan, including poor health, failing schools, mismanaged public services, violence, criminality and incarceration have contributed to a “loss of community.”

MNA aims to fulfill its vision by rebuilding our engaged civil society through the leadership of nonprofits serving communities across Michigan. In doing so, we will provide communities with a blueprint as well as assist with identifying champions to address their unique challenges by connecting people with elected officials to shape and

implement innovative solutions that create, enhance and restore our sense of “community.”

Our ability to bring about change and restore a sense of community at the local level is most apparent as the City of Detroit prepares for its upcoming municipal elections. For the first time in nearly 100 years, Detroiters will elect the city council from defined districts. Historically, Detroit’s nine City Council members have been elected at-large with each of them representing the city as a whole rather than a particular district. However, with the passing of Detroit’s new City Charter, which took effect on January 1, 2012, only two members are elected at-large, and seven members are elected by district.

Working to help Detroit nonprofits to understand this new political landscape, MNA and its affiliate Data Driven Detroit (D3) have developed a set of asset maps exploring each of the new 7 districts. The maps seek to arm nonprofit organizations in the city with key data points to assist them in their policy and advocacy efforts in the run up to these historic elections.

Southfield

Oak Park RoyalOak Twp

RedfordTwp

6

5

3

7

1 42

5

District 1Dot Density of Racial Distribution

by Census Block Group, 20101 Dot = 10 People

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, SF1, 2010; Data Driven Detroit, 2013.

O0 1.50.75Miles

White (non-Hispanic)

Asian (non-Hispanic)

Black (non-Hispanic)

Hispanic

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Building Stronger Communities and SuperConference

Michigan Nonprofit SuperConference October 15 and 16 in Grand RapidsIn addition to the highlighted work on supporting Lifelong Civic Engagement, as identified above in the mapping resources for the upcoming municipal elections in the City of Detroit, MNA will weave all three components of the work into the upcoming Michigan Nonprofit SuperConference. This year’s conference is in partnership with the Council of Michigan Foundations and is taking place at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel October 15 and 16 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The theme for this year’s conference is Nonprofits Catalyzing Community Prosperity and there are some special pre-conference sessions that will identify just how to do that with an emphasis on Diversity & Inclusion, Advancing Collaboration and Civic Engagement.

Blueprint for Community Prosperity Abby Levine, Legal Director - Bolder Advocacy, Alliance for JusticeShannon Garrett, Founder and President, SMG Strategies

Healthy, vibrant communities include nonprofits creating change by influencing public policies at all government levels. Blueprint for Community Prosperity will review the legal and effective ways nonprofits can lobby, advocate and pursue policy change. Participants will leave this interactive workshop with an individualized blueprint of action for issue-based advocacy.

Diversity in GovernanceCathy Winter, Project Leader, DiverseCity onboard

This workshop provides comprehensive tools and good ideas for executive directors, board chairs, and board directors, particularly in the nonprofit sector, for increasing diversity on their organizations’ boards of governance. It also shares the ideas and success of DiverseCity onBoard, a project of the Maytree Foundation, which aims to transform the leadership landscape of the Greater Toronto region, by connecting qualified candidates from minority and under-represented immigrant communities to agencies, boards and commissions in the public and nonprofit sectors in the region. http://diversecitytoronto.ca/onboard. Participants will have the opportunity to reflect on the current composition of their own board and strategize on ways to make it more representative of the community it serves.

EVERYONE LEADS: Developing and Engaging Diverse LeadershipPaul Schmitz, CEO, Public Allies

Paul uses inspiring stories and interactive exercises to engage audience members to reflect on their own leadership journeys; think differently about their and others’ leadership possibilities; and explore five values essential for leaders to practice in order to bring people and groups together to create better solutions. t

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Longitudinal-Employer Household Dynamics Program.

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Community Development Entity Boundaries and Nonprofits

Abundant Care Training Services

Bagley Housing Association

Bridging Communities Inc

Cass Corridor Neighborhood Development Corp

Core City

Greater Corktown Development Corporation

Metropolitan Community Housing Development

Michigan Avenue Business Association

Midtown Detroit, Inc.

Prevailing CDC

Quality Solution CDC

Southwest Detroit Business Association

Southwest Housing Solutions

Urban Neighborhood Initiatives

Woodward Avenue Action Association

Word of Truth Housing Association

Detroit Nonprofits

District 6

Sources: City of Detroit, 2012; Internal RevenueService, 2013; CDAD, 2011; Data Driven Detroit, 2013.

0 21Miles O

Data, such as the ones provided here are critical to understanding the make -up of a community, its needs and the resources to support the needs as well as identifying gaps in services. For more information and to see a complete overview of all the sample information by district, visit Data Driven Detroit www.datadrivendetroit.org.

1,500 — That’s how many state-wide and local elections and ballot initiatives will be decided on Election Day 2013. That’s why this year’s National Voter Registration Day is so important.

On September 24, every American needs to register to vote. What you do today will determine November’s elections. Get registered so you can vote. www.NationalVoterRegistrationDay.org

Across America, communities are coming together to exercise their most basic right: Their right to vote! Let’s make sure everyone is registered on National Voter Registration Day, September 24.

I’M REGISTERED

Millions of people will vote this year.

Will you?19

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Engagement marketing, when done well, can become the single best source of new members, volunteers, or donors for any nonprof it organization. By delivering great experiences and content to your key constituents, you can use that engagement to drive social visibility. Great content and experiences make people feel connected to an organization, and when these connections happen on places like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, one-to-one conversations turn into socially visible endorsements for an association or nonprofit.

So how can a nonprofit use social media to inspire donations and grow its volunteer base?

The key is using the right content for your organization to engage your audience, inform them about your mission, and then recruit them to support your organization — through financial support, in-kind donations, or volunteering — once you’ve built a relationship.

Engage your audience with compelling contentEngaging your audience means sharing content that encourages them to act. You can see how successful that content is when people comment, share, like, retweet, and repin.

What kind of content is engaging? ■ Multimedia – Use photos and videos to engage your

audience. The Pajama Program provides new pajamas to children in need, and their photos of smiling kids and families are a powerful way to tell their story. I couldn’t find one of their hundreds of Facebook photos that didn’t have some fan interaction.

■ Inspirational – Get your audience thinking about what they can do to help. UNICEF has an entire Pinterest board of inspirational quotes and photos.

■ Asking a question – The Girl Scouts got a lot of mileage on Facebook recently just by asking a few questions: “So we’d love to hear your good news about girls: what skills are they learning? What educational trips have you taken? In what way have they awed and inspired you?” That simple post got 186 comments, 422 “Likes,” and 35 shares.

■ Humor – Animal photos and humor are a natural fit for The Humane Society. Every one of the pins on their cute animal photos Pinterest board have been repinned. Your nonprofit might not have anything to do with animals, but sharing funny content is always a good idea.

Keep potential donors or volunteers informedSocial media allows nonprofits to interact with their audience on a daily basis. Take advantage of that interaction by informing your audience about your mission.

Share your news – This is basic, but it’s important. Regular posting of your accomplishments, announcements, and events help to remind your fans of the vital role you serve in your community.

Education – Your knowledge is valuable — use it to educate your social media audience. The ASPCA has a Pinterest board full of pet care tips. Each pin links to a full article on the organization’s blog.

Events – Definitely invite your followers to events via social media, but make sure you’re posting after the event, too. Event photos and videos allow you to show off your hard work. Make sure you tag participants — people, sponsors, and other nonprofits — in your photos to get more traction like the United Way of North Central Massachusetts did during their annual Day of Caring. As your fans interact with your content, their networks will see it, allowing you to spread your message even further.

Socialbrite

Engage, inform and recruit with compelling contentTarget audience: Nonprofits, cause organizations, foundations, NGOs, social enterprises, educators, fundraisers, volunteers.

Guest post by Alec Stern, Vice President of Strategic Market Development, Constant Contact

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H o w N o n p r o f i t s C a n U s e S o c i a l M e d i a

Recruit new donors or volunteers to your nonprofit

You’ve engaged and informed your followers, and formed a connection with them. They’re thinking about you on a regular basis and they support your cause. Reach out to them through social media to recruit them as volunteers.

■ Share links to your volunteer opportunities – You can post the link and add a description on Facebook and Twitter, but don’t forget about Pinterest. The San Antonio, Texas, Food Bank has a Pinterest board of volunteer opportunities and donation drives.

■ Talk about your industry – The Massachusetts Service Alliance, which works with dozens of nonprofit agencies, shared this Americorps infographic about what just one Americorps member contributes through his or her work. It shows your followers how they can make a difference.

■ Use statistics – The Red Cross has posted daily Hurricane Sandy relief updates on Twitter, including volunteer needs. They tweeted that 90% of their 5,700 workers helping with Sandy relief are volunteers, and linked to a website to sign up for Red Cross opportunities.

■ Try LinkedIn – The Heart of West Michigan United Way posts opportunities on their LinkedIn page, and they link to their website, which has a volunteer matching service. t

Alec Stern is the Vice President of Strategic Market Development for Constant Contact, and is a primary member of Constant Contact’s founding team as one of the original three in the attic. Today he spearheads strategic market development and vertical industry thought leadership including Nonprofit and Associations for the company. This article originally appeared on the NTEN blog.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported.

Campus CompactMichiganCivic Engagement Institute

2014

Michigan Campus Compact (MiCC) Institute for Civic Engagement

is scheduled for February 2, 3, 4, 2014

at Grand Valley State University

SAV

E TH

E D

ATE

Charlotte Performing Arts Center

Looking for a unique location for your next meeting or special event?

www.CPACpresents.com ~ 378 State Street ~ Charlotte, MI 48813 ~ Phone: 517.541.5690 ~ Fax: 517.541.5696

Conveniently located in the mid-Michigan area, we can providea wide range of catering services, plenty of free parking, and

special rates for non-profit organizations.

The Charlotte Performing Arts Center can help place youractivity front and center! Whether planning your next annual meeting, employee retreat, fund-raising event or a special ‘thank you’ event, we have the facility and special amenities to help make it happen.

Give us a call to find out how we can help you make your next meeting or event a ‘star-quality’ performance!

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Registration is in full swing for the Michigan Nonprofit Association SuperConference, which takes place October 15-16 at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids, MI.

To register and for more information visit

www.MNAsuperconference.org.

This fall nonprofit leaders from all

over Michigan will come together

to attend workshops on Executive

Leadership, Nonprofit Best Practices,

Fund Development, Volunteerism &

Service, Technology & Data, and Public

Policy & Advocacy. Also, NEW this year,

the Emerging Leaders Track.

The conference, centering on Nonprofits Catalyzing Community Prosperity, will

feature Frans Johansson, CEO of The Medici Group as the keynote. Johansson is an

author, entrepreneur and innovation thought leader. He leads The Medici Group

to move beyond simply inspiring through his talks and instead, work hands

on with clients to help drive innovative growth and business transformation.

He is author of “The Medici Effect,” an international bestseller on how

diversity drives innovation and “The Click Moment” which talks about

how to harness unpredictability to stand apart.