After a great program Thursday, participants enjoyed breakfast in the exhibit hall Friday morning, rounding out the morning with three final break out sessions, the annual meeting of the members, and a closing dual plenary luncheon.
Technology Track Break-out Session
Social Media II: How Social Networks Really Work!
Speakers & Case Study: David Gutelius, CTO of Social Kinetics and Dean Hovey, President of Comprendo
Social networks are powerful tools for collaboration. We should create "networks of purpose" that we can use to deliver and receive information that benefits our organizations.
Social networks give us the wisdom of the crowd (i.e. ratings, reviews, Q&A's, collective searches and filtering) and the power of being connected (i.e. referrals and 6 degrees of separation, community support, 24/7 relationships).
To utilize social networks effectively we have to be willing and able to adapt, receptive to cultural changes, be authentic and honest, and be transparent. Conversations build relationships.
We have to connect meaningful connections, not just send/receive information; translate interest into action (advocacy).
Social Kinetics is networks/technology that adapt to the user based on their demographics, preferences, history of online use. Social kinetics creates enhanced mediums that learn about the user. This has applications for healthcare.
Case Study - Twin cities Alliance. "The Healthiest community in the U.S." An alliance between health and major business partners that challenged people to be healthier. Users can set up accounts and establish health related goals (i.e. eat better, exercise, reduce stress) and then log their progress. The system "listens" to participants and links people with matching interests to each other.
Growth & Development Track Break-out Session
Ride, Roll and Recycle for Fund raising Success
Speakers: Larry Thompson, Easter Seals UCP North Carolina, Ride Without Limits Version 2; Mark Denzin, UCP of North Texas, and Sheri Wasserman, UCP of MetroBoston, Successful Walks; Jill Oldenburg and Larry Manhan of BCS Recycling on Fund raising Through Recycling
Recycling. Jill Oldenburg and Larry Manhan shared the advantages of incorporating e-waste recycling into your fund raising strategies:
- It's an easy way to engage donors or sponsors who can't write the big check every year;
- Helps show UCP as a green partner, and environmentally aware; and
- Another way to utilize and energize your staff.
- Word of mouth is key;
- Ask people you know;
- Focus on PR/media;
- Sponsorship is critical;
- Remembering permitting issues;
- Special events can't be static – must be living ,breathing entities;
- Need to have targets;
- Look at the competition; and
- Be opportunistic, flexible, patient, strategic and most importantly, have fun!
Ride Without Limits. The format is new this year – it's open and no longer nationally managed. What are the keys to success? According to Larry Thompson, it includes:
- Local involvement;
- Steward your riders like donors;
- Build Teams;
- Make Planning a key priority; and
- Efficient manage P/L.
Business Track Break-out Session
Using Dashboard Data to Drive Better Decision Making
Speaker: Don Dudley, Choices People Supporting People, Inc., UCP Alleghenies
Case Studies: Bobbi Jo Yeager, UCP of Maine and Marie Polinsky, Alleghenies UCP
UCP of Maine and Alleghenies UCP shared their expertise in leading steady expansion at their organizations. Bobbi Jo Yeager detailed how UCP of Maine analyzes all strengths, weaknesses/dilemmas and opportunities before moving forward in any endeavors. Both speakers also enlisted the help of affiliates who had led successful expansions themselves, most notably, Easter Seals UCP North Carolina. This was a great real world example of affiliates sharing knowledge to strengthen the capacity of the network.
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