Meaningful Engagement in Social Change:

Choosing and Getting Involved with a Nonprofit

Minnesota Rising 2012 Un/Conference

September 22, 2012

Moderator & Panelists

Lynette Dumalag Moderator

Stephanie Payne Panelist

Katie Tharp Panelist

Katie Imholte Panelist

Lynette Dumalag

Stephanie Payne

THE GROWING POPULA RITY OF “ YOUNG PROFESSIONALS” GROUPS

Why do nonprofits care about young people?

My Story – Why propel?

YP’s overlooked because they were thought to be “low return”

Long term engagement strategy Build loyalty Infuse organization with new supporters Marketing opportunities

Why now? What has changed?

For the nonprofit organization:

Organizations need to build meaningful connections with younger donors

New strategies are necessary to reach the new generation of donors

Peer-to-peer influence is the most effective strategy. Concern for future health of organization and

community Opportunities for collaboration

Why now? What has changed?

For the individual:

The competitive job market has made networking and relationships more important than ever Valuable skills, experience and contacts are obtained through volunteering Increased opportunity to find professional mentor and references YP’s are seeking meaningful ways to engage

What do YP’s bring to the table?

New energy, excitement, commitment and passion. Time, talent, resources and outside the box thinking. Fresh, new perspective and insight on technology

and ways to engage young supporters. Can address cross generational challenges. Ability to make a great impact collectively. Build awareness. Peer-to-peer influence! Willingness to give.

What makes a great volunteer?

Passion for the mission. Commitment and follow through. Participation in events and activities. Willingness to spread the work and engage friends. Resourceful. Dedication to achieving goals. Energy, excitement and positive attitude. Generous in time and talent.

Katie Tharp

How do you choose where to get involved?

Two Options

OR

Things to Consider

Values

Areas of interest

Skills

Sample Values

Compassion Community Connecting Courage Creativity Empowerment Family Freedom Giving back Healing

Heritage Independence Innovation Justice Knowledge Leadership Learning Obligation/duty Opportunity Respect

Responsibility Risk-taking Security Self-sufficiency Service Spirituality/fait

h Tradition

Values Exercise

What is something you are very proud of? What motivated you to do it?

What is an experience that helped shape who you are today? Do you see some of your values there?

Who has expressed generosity to you and how? Why was it so meaningful to you?

Areas of Interest - Examples

Animals Arts Children/youth Civil rights Civic engagement Computer literacy Cultural heritage Curing a disease Disabled

populations Disaster relief Economic justice

Education Environment Faith/religion Health Homelessness Human rights Hunger Immigrant issues International

development Nutrition Parks and land use

Peace Poverty Public policy Science and

technology Seniors Violence prevention Issues for a specific

group – LGBT, women, etc.

Skills - Examples

Professional skills – legal, accounting, web design Marketing/communications Organizing people Teaching/coaching Writing Art/design Social media Language skills Connecting people Working with kids/seniors/a specific population Fundraising Event planning

How do you find it?

See what’s out there Network Try out an easy event Manage your commitments

While You’re Researching

Questions to consider: How much time do you want to commit? Do you want a short- or long-term

opportunity? What kinds of people do you want to

meet? Do you want a hands-on job, or more of

an advisory role?

Katie Imholte

Developing Professionally

Build your network Build a new skillset

Build your brand

Logistics of Networking

When to go vs. when to say no Going alone vs. with a friend Entering into and exiting from

conversations Continuing the relationship

Q & A