Ed. Note: As we prepare for the 2010 Nonprofit Technology Conference, we wanted share a wee bit of the wisdom our speakers will be serving up, so as not to overwhelm you when you get to Atlanta. We're asking them all to share their answers to five very important questions.
Speaker: Debra Askanase, Community Organizing 2.0
Session: Bringing Community Organizing Into Online Campaigns
1. What's the most important trend in nonprofit technology for 2010?
To sum it up: the rise of mobile technology. I think that the rate of smartphone adoption worldwide will continue to grow tremendously, and with that, the rise of smartphone mobile apps and use. I believe that nonprofit organizations should begin to plan now for how they will utilize the mobile web for good (such as smartphone apps, mobile text campaigns, mobile fundraising strategy, and so much more). Understanding the implications and opportunities in the areas of mobile search, use, and technology will be important for nonprofit organizations in 2010, and beyond.
2. Why do you think your session topic is important for nonprofits to address?
No one is talking about the relationship between community organizing and online organizing, and yet they are absolutely interrelated. If you work at a nonprofit, or are running an upcoming cause or fundraising online campaign, our session will help you understand how to leverage community organizing principles for your campaign, and use them to inform campaign design. All three session designers (myself, Ivan Boothe, Amy Sample Ward) have a background in community organizing, have run successful community organizing campaigns, and offer expertise in the field of social media.
3. What's the one thing you want attendees to remember from your session?
How to design your online campaign using the five basic principles of community organizing.
4. Which Muppet do you most identify with and why?
Doesn't everyone identify with Kermit? He's the cute green frog you just want to hug. He loves to talk to people, and he's always working so hard to bring the gang together to accomplish things. That about sums up my life as a social media consultant!
5. Where can people follow you online (twitter, blog, etc.)?
- I blog about the intersection of social media, nonprofits and technology at Community Organizer 2.0
- I love chatting on twitter: @askdebra
- I have a Google profile, if you want to connect on Google Buzz
- You can follow my slide decks at www.slideshare.net/debask