Waiting For “Superman”
In Select Theaters In Los Angeles & New York This Friday

For each ticket purchased online receive a $15 gift code to give to a classroom of your choice on DonorsChoose.org (Good for up to 4 tickets per purchase.)

For more information about the movie, or to buy tickets visit
http://www.WaitingForSuperman.com

To join the conversation visit Facebook at
http://www.Facebook.com/WaitingForSuperman

What does your school need? Tweet #MySchoolNeeds at http://www.Twitter.com/WaitingSuperman

I know we talked about a lot of different websites and it’s tough to write everything down! All of my social media related links are located on delicious here. If there is a link missing or you have a question post it in the comments below.

The Twitter activity at this conference has not been strong, in part due to no wireless access in the conference rooms besides mobile phones.  I’m also used to going to tech conferences where you’d have a riot if there was no internet.  At any rate, those who are tweeting have been posting some great thoughts and updates.  I’d recommend that you search for the tag #nynpconf.

Whether you are going or not, you can follow along on Twitter by searching for the tags #nynpconf and for my session #SMskinny. I’ll be live tweeting from @sandrasims. I also recommend following the other presenters for this session: @LemonadeJay @bfholmes and @jannschultz

With thanks to Brian at Coverville!

I will work from a center that is loving, forgiving and grateful. I will focus on being mindful of others. I will be generous with what I give and not be concerned with what I get in return.

I may fall short from time to time, my thoughts and behavior may not always be the shining example of what I want to be, but falling short is not a reason to quit. I will not change my self-image because of a few bad thoughts or actions. But I will challenge myself everyday to grow above pettiness and small mindedness to become a better person. When I shoot for the stars and only hit the moon I am still on the right track. Today I choose to shoot for the stars!

The best cause blogs are ones that consistently demonstrate gratitude.  While the authors give without expectation as John describes above, these blogs are often some of the most popular.  You’ll see more blog comments, more Facebook and Twitter followers and more traffic to these blogs.  It’s easy to see why with the following example.

Each month the bloggers at Heroes for Children, a group that helps families of children with cancer, recognizes a volunteer of the month.  But that’s just the beginning.

In a recent post titled Cancer Can’t Stop a Child (My experience at cancer camp) co-founder Jenny Scott said,

For the past six summers, I have been blessed to participate in Camp Discovery, a camp for kids with cancer ages 7-16….Just because these kids are cancer patients does not mean that they don’t have a blast. When I tell people I go to cancer camp, I often hear “oh, how sad.” No, not sad at all….I love Camp Discovery. It’s become a part of me, of who I am. The people have become my family. I have a t-shirt that says, “Until cancer is cured….There’s camp.” I’m so grateful for Camp Discovery and the week I spend with the volunteers and campers each summer.

In fact many of the posts include the words thank you! They thank their volunteers, fundraisers, donors, families, businesses, you name it.  You can tell that they are grateful to be able to serve the many children and families who need assistance.

Here are some recent blog posts about Facebook for nonprofit organizations:

Fundraising on Facebook from Ethan Austin, posted on Step by Step Fundraising

Ten steps to Facebook success for your nonprofit by Pamela Grow

Non-Profits on Facebook a guide published by Facebook itself

How to win at Facebook in three weeks not specifically about nonprofits, but great insights

Social Media Nonprofit Benchmarks from Allyson Kapin at Frogloop, interesting survey results

Three Ways to Define Your Target Audience A lesson in deciding who your audience is before you start blogging from Kivi Leroux Miller

3 Best Practices For Blogging by Abbi Siler; see #3 be passionate and know your audience

Blogosphere Trends + Your Blog’s Tone from Darren at Problogger

Know your sh*t. a look at why confidence and conviction are important in your writing from Olivier Blanchard

For a single person under the age of 65, the poverty threshold is an annual income of $10,836. In the state of California, a person who works full-time at a minimum wage job will make just over $15,000. That’s before taxes.

Read more Ten Things You Should Know About Poverty In America

Too many people have to choose between healthcare, utilities, rent or other necessities and food.  Take a look at the Hunger In America 2010 Key Findings from Feeding America for more shocking results.

Funding is a continual issue for food banks. The North Texas Food Bank is making an appeal to meet a big shortfall.  Other organizations seem to be fairing better, Food Banks Beating the Fundraising Odds in a Tough Economy. The Chronicle of Philanthropy reports Online Giving Continues to Grow but at a Slower Pace.

This season of The Biggest Loser ended this week but the Pound for Pound Challenge benefiting Feeding America continues.

As a reader of blogs there are a few things that I find really annoying.

1. Posted by “admin” – who is this famous admin person? Please use a real name.
2. Difficult to find contact information.
3. Default blog themes. Don’t use the default or basic theme that comes with WordPress or Blogger.
4. Speaking of… blogger standard themes are so cheesy.
5. Difficult to read text: white on dark background, small fonts and/or huge blocks of text.

So what are your blog pet peeves?  Leave a comment below.