“In this highly connected, always switched-on world, eLearning makes more sense than ever before,” according to Engaging with the new eLearning. The American Society for Training and Development says eLearning makes up an increasing part of the training and education industry. With innovation and learning being two of our core values, we have identified a need to offer web-based training for our Board Essentials course.

Adobe Connect offers white papers on Web Conferencing, eLearning, and Security. Here are a few best practices from Engaging with the new eLearning to consider before transitioning to web-based training:

1.       The eLearning must be perceived as useful by participants. Create a survey and insure web-based training is an immediate need among donors, members, and the local community.
2.       Make it real. Offer different levels of training and match audience’s expertise.
3.       Make it active and thought-provoking. Keep your audience involved by adding videos and games.
4.       Make it human. Have staff members record the modules.
5.       Measure and continuously improve. Ask for completed feedback and update module regularly.
6.       Make it WOW.

Finding the best web-based training for your organization may help secure the WOW factor for participants. Here are a few pros and cons of three options I have researched for our modules:

Adobe Connect: Pricing varies based on number of participants. Average user pays $2,000 – 10,000 annually. Purchase through Clarix.
Pros
- Create interactive tutorials and simulations using already created PowerPoint presentations
- Record virtual classroom session and manage course material
- Input interactive components ranging from a poll to an interactive game
- Track progress of students and data
- 15% discount for nonprofits
Cons
- Adobe Flash required
- External audio provider or teleconferencing platform necessary

GoToMeeting: Discount offered through TechSoup. Varies based on services and monthly or annual plan.
Pros
- Do-it-yourself webinars for up to 15 participants
- Integrate with Outlook calendar
- Includes unlimited audio conferencing at no extra charge
- No required annual fee – can register for one time monthly fee
Cons
- Best for live webinars – recorded sessions saved as window media player files and uploaded to a website for sharing

Slide Rocket: Discount offered through TechSoup – $24 for 1-year pro subscription
Pros
- Access online, mobile, or offline through the Cloud
- Extensive design options: Themes and layouts, shapes, tables, pictures, HD video, and Flash. Integrates with Flickr, YouTube, Yahoo!, and Twitter.
- Publish presentation URL – embed in website (online community) – no downloading software
Cons
- Adobe Flash required

In following the best practice advice above, let’s take a survey. Post a comment letting me know:

1. Have you attended web-based training?
2. If so, what was the WOW factor?
3. What was the biggest challenge for you?

USS Enterprise from Star Trek Desktop Wallpaper

In brainstorming for my blog topic, I searched through our Resource Library, browsed LinkedIn News Updates for the nonprofit sector, and looked at some of the top tweets in my #nonprofit twitter stream. The most repetitive topics I noticed were on leadership, Pinterest, and fundraising. I was immediately drawn to the Forbes article on “Five Leadership Lessons from James T. Kirk”, so I decided to focus on this popular topic.

What makes a great nonprofit leader? The Forbes article I reference above places value on learning, encourages diversity within our organizations, recommends team member involvement, and suggests implementing creative and innovative solutions. For educational opportunities this year, attend one of our many workshops offered throughout the year and register for the Texas Nonprofit Summit on September 20 – 21, 2012. To inspire creative, innovative solutions download our recently created Logic Model Development Guide and use it at your next brainstorming session or staff meeting. Be an involved team member by leaving your office or cubicle from time to time and join in on hallway chats or catch up with a team member over fresh coffee brewing in the kitchen.

When I reference nonprofit leaders, I’m not solely referring to our managerial staff or Executive Directors. Aside from Captain Kirk, one of my favorite examples of great leadership is 15-year old Sam Collins who was awarded OneStar Foundation’s First Lady’s Rising Star Awards at last year’s Texas Nonprofit Summit. Mr. Collins started the nonprofit R.E.A.D. for Houston which collects and distributes gently used books to inner city shelters, community centers and under privileged youth groups. We are all given the opportunity to serve as leaders in our community and organization. In our Resource Library Leadership category, the document “Characteristics of Effective Nonprofit Organizations” from the Marion Ewing Kauffman Foundation could also be applied to effective leadership traits. To be a great leader, you must be able to identify financial opportunities and diversify your fundraising techniques, be customer-focused and innovative, realistic in your goal-setting, resilient during challenging times, and constantly striving to fulfill your mission.

As leaders in the nonprofit sector, this quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. may be our best source of inspiration, “May I stress the need for courageous, intelligent, and dedicated leadership. Leaders of sound integrity. Leaders not in love with publicity, but in love with justice. Leaders not in love with money, but in love with humanity. Leaders who can subject their particular egos to the greatness of the cause.”

What do you think makes a great nonprofit leader? And do you agree that we could all take some lessons from Captain Kirk and Sam Collins?

Does your nonprofit inspire others to make a difference? Do you have stories to share that could help shape the future? Are you “Fearless”?

DoGooder Nonprofit Video Awards

If you answered yes to any or all of the above, then enter your nonprofit in the 6^th Annual DoGooder Nonprofit Video Awards, generously supported by Cisco, The Case Foundation, and the Nonprofit Technology Network. Video entries are eligible to win up to $14,000 in cash prizes and $6,000 in products divided among the winning nonprofits. Winning videos will be featured on YouTube and the winners will receive free registration to the 2013 Nonprofit Technology Conference. Along with those great prizes, The Case Foundation will also award one $2,500 grant for the most “Fearless” video in each of the four categories: Best Small Organization Video, Best Medium Organization Video, Best Large Organization Video, and Best Storytelling Video.

The DoGooder Nonprofit Video Awards were started to promote nonprofits successfully and creatively using video as a catalyst for social change. Over the past six years, Video Award winners have received thousands of dollars in grants and prizes. Just last year, more than 1400 entries were submitted by 821 organizations across the world and prizes were awarded to Post Carbon Institute, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Austin, American Jewish World Service, and Watershed Management Group.

To enter the 6^th Annual DoGooder Nonprofit Video Awards, you will need a YouTube account and to submit your inspirational, mission-driven, “Fearless” video by February 29, 2012 here. Judges will select and notify the four finalists of each category by March 12, public voting begins through YouTube on March 14, and winners will be announced on April 5.

Don’t forget to submit your film now. February 29 is quickly approaching!

I realize that we’re almost into February, but I have a tendency to continue forming resolutions several months into the New Year. For 2012, I’m trying to make my resolutions challenging but also attainable, unlike previous goals of “work out 6 days per week” or “read 8 books a month.”  On top of my typical list, I’ve added one that I’d encourage you to put on yours as well – attend at least one Greenlights workshop!

Last year I attended the grant writing series and walked away with a new-found knowledge of nonprofit funders, the grant process and proposals. I even know how to read a 990-PF and write a letter of support now. I also attended our Board Essentials workshop and learned about boards’ focuses, roles, and responsibilities and spent the weekend Googling “joining an Austin nonprofit board”. Of course, I’ve now added that to my rapidly growing 2012 list too! Along with attending Board Essentials, if you’re interested in joining a nonprofit board, mark your calendars for Board Summit on June 7, 2012.

As a Greenlights member, your membership benefits include a free workshop voucher(s) and if you’re not a member yet, this is just one more reason to join! Plus, if you join before February 29, 2012, you’ll be entered to win one free registration to the Texas Nonprofit Summit.

We’ve got workshops posted on our website through April 24, 2012 (with many more coming soon) and I’ve currently narrowed down my choices to Social Media Bootcamp for Nonprofits or Online Fundraising Bootcamp. Along with these workshops, maybe I’ll add returning to boot camp to my list too!

Who am I kidding? Yoga on paddle boards sounds fun and just crazy enough to add to my 2012 exercise goals. So how are you doing on your New Year’s resolutions? Don’t you want to add something easy, like attending a Greenlights workshop?

Yesterday I received my first donation request in the mail from a local nonprofit: Austin Children’s Shelter. My husband and I recently began planning our annual charitable donations so their request was perfectly timed. It was simple and straightforward with background on the shelter, statistics on government assistance received, and narrations on children impacted by the shelter. The letter referenced their matching grant from the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation (incentive to give more!), but the main personal impact was in their P.S.

Austin Children's Shelter, December 2011

It referenced the included snowflake card that read “Like a snowflake, every child is unique … and beautiful.” If statistics and testimonies hadn’t already drawn you in, then that statement and the space on the opposite side of the card for your handwritten words of encouragement to the children, was the perfect emotional hook. It was that simple concept, and my immediate research of their website and organization, that sealed one of our charitable donations this year.

This morning I started wondering how Greenlights’ members and the local nonprofit community were making the ask this holiday season. Several of our members have online wish lists that tie in perfectly with this time of year! Austin Dog Alliance is asking for craft supplies for K9 kid programs; Breakthrough Austin would like student materials and professional services; Green Doors needs canned food and kitchen items; The Caring Place is collecting coats for kids; Zach Scott Theatre is asking for a range of educational, office, and production needs. Aside from wish lists, a few of our members have created holiday campaigns: Communities in Schools has “Gifts for the Head & Heart” which ties in various donation amounts with tangible items that decrease school dropouts; and SafePlace matches you with a family through their Holiday Sponsor a Family Program. I encourage you to peruse Greenlights’ member directory and local newspapers to learn about further local seasonal campaigns.

Greenlights’ core values encourage fun and innovation in our organizational culture, and I believe the holiday season and annual donation requests are the ideal opportunity to execute that approach. Austin Children’s Shelter hooked me with testimonies and an emotional appeal. What innovative seasonal campaign has inspired you? And what are some additional ways that nonprofits could make the ask this holiday season?