May I firstly say thank you to all those who were at the #NFPTweetup, it has been an experience that wouldn’t of been the same without the attendees/hosts.
Secondly I ought to explain to those who weren’t there what the #NFPTweetup is about. The Not for Profit tweetup is a gathering/conference of individuals who are interested in discussing what is currently going on in the not for profit sector.
Their website describes the event as “a community of people who work at or with, charities and non-profit organisations who are interested in harnessing the power of digital and social media, and other new technologies, to achieve their strategic objectives.”
This tweetup was focused on content, with 2 guest speakers talking about their charity and events.
First up was the ladies from Women for Women UK @imsarahhaynes, @Lucy_Jade & @ilonqua. A brilliant presentation explaining about Ning and how user-created content brought their bridge campaign to new heights globally. Their approach to using a new social network to help maintain control and increase awareness of the work they do. Thousands of people across the globe stood on bridges, styles, in ditches, holding banners and even playing bridge. To show support for Women all over the world. The impact being able to show images of this support must have enormous effect on the supporters and those being supported by Women for Women UK.
Next up was Lucy from @Childsi who explained about the origin of Child’s I Foundation. How they use content to help save lives and find homes for children in Uganda. The work Child’s I is not as simple as just sending aid workers to look after these children it is connecting people together to find families for them. The slogan “We make families not orphans” is clear and concise. To emphasise the importance of how being online and accessible can and does help to save lives is viewable through Joey.
After the discussion groups had reformed back into the hall, it was time to see the examples of current work that is being done. 5 presentations that picked a different element of charity to be enthusiastic about. These 5 examples included Gamification, RNLI, KnowHowNonProfit, Charity Water and Blue Cross. Blue Cross for its focus on the pets and dogs, RNLI for the @outonashout which demonstrates how automated tweets can work. KnowHowNonProfit for its content that has been pulled from those people who know (not forcefully like a tooth being pulled) rather than a pushing information on people. Then Gamification the way that checking into a venue has been made “fun” by foursquare Living Streets helps each individual to work towards improving their street. Charity Water is a charity that focuses on bringing clean safe water to a variety of communities around the globe, you can see here. One of the main points Charity water was presented on the stage (other than the hansomeness of the founder) was the way Charity water thanked their donors and mantained contact with videos explaining what a difference your donation made.
The tweetup itself is an experience, I never could have imagined having the opportunity to meet so many people who are passionate about their job. It isn’t the kind of sector where work is work and play is play, work can be like play if you believe in what you are doing enough.
After the main event, the next place to chat is the pub. Extra time to just chat about anything you would like to the people you may not have spoken to during the event.
I have certainly met people who, I am not afraid to admit, I admire and aspire to be as skilled as when I am in a career within the charity sector. I was starstruck and lost the ability to answers questions several times!
That’s all for now
Amy
P.S Thanks to @CharityChap @Rach3w & @skipinder for letting me yammer
