In the past, I’ve mentioned that I’m a supporter of Habitat for Humanity in my local community. I believe in their work and their leadership and, after my alma mater, they’re my go-to nonprofit. At the national level, however, I have a beef. I hate their YouTube site.

I know, I know, it’s petty of me. But with the amazing stories they have to tell, it seems they could do better. Every day thousands of volunteers around the world are hammering, sawing and doing whatever it takes to build affordable housing. Smiling families are receiving the keys to new homes. There are heart-wrenching stories of the past, and new hopes and dreams for the future. In short, it’s a video goldmine.

Generally, I find the videos they create to be informative, but they’re SOOOO long and boring. Perhaps YouTube isn’t a significant part of their overall strategy. But with nearly 100 videos uploaded, and the most popular having only 28,000 views, I think this is a missed opportunity.

So, Habitat, if you’re reading this, find a volunteer who hates hammers but loves to create video. Give that volunteer a video camera and a goal: 2 minutes of magic. You’ve got the story, give it a voice! Better yet, crowdsource video submissions from around the planet.

Anyway, that’s my unsolicited opinion. . . take it for what it’s worth.

Here’s one from the Habitat YouTube site that doesn’t put me to sleep:

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If you’d like to see other fundraising videos, be sure to visit the GettingGiving YouTube channel. I don’t make ’em, I share ’em!

A couple of friends forwarded this video recently, and I loved it.  While it isn’t directly related to fundraising, it’ll make you feel good.  AND, you might take a few moments to think about how this concept could translate into your organization’s next video project.

I dare you not to enjoy it!

Two very different situations led to full-page ‘thank you’ advertisements recently. . . . different types of gifts, different reasons for the gratitude, and different approaches to the message itself.

First, we have a message from the Japanese Prime Minister, Naoto Kan.  His message of gratitude was placed in numerous newspapers around the globe.

Next, we have a full-page advertisement in the New York Times, placed by the University of Southern California celebrating the recent $110 million gift for the Mork Family Scholars program.

Frankly, I was amazed the Japanese advertisement didn’t get more attention.  I can’t remember a similar action before, and I thought it was an extremely classy move.  There are so many foreign aid projects, and we (along with others) are quick to help whenever a disaster strikes.  Being thanked made me feel good.  So, Mr. Prime Minister, thank you for the thank you!  Mission accomplished.

The USC advertisement is a lot more than donor stewardship.  While I’m sure it doesn’t hurt for the Mork family to see this in the NYT, the benefit stretches much further.  Prospective students see opportunity.  Prospective donors may be motivated to think big (not just at USC, by the way) and the world stage sees something great happening at the University of Southern California.  A full page in the Sunday New York Times isn’t inexpensive, but I guess if you’re going to do it, a $110 million scholarship program would be the time!

What do you think?  Strategic allocation of resources or big waste of money?

I’m not much of an events person.  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – nothing, and I mean nothing, is lower on my to-do list than putting on a tuxedo (or anything with a tie) and going out for a fundraising event.  I do it, but only when my paycheck depends on it!

That being said, I saw this post and wanted to highlight it simply to say THANK YOU to the good folks at Vivanista.  Their post on ‘Creating the Perfect Menu‘ touched me personally.

Why?

#5:  . . . . put all condiments on the side. . . .

Hallelujah!  Need I say more?

Being stuck at a long fundraising dinner (or catered lunch meeting) is one thing.  Leaving hungry is another.  From those of us who hate certain condiments, thank you Vivanista! You’re making the world a better place!

I’ve been in a bit of a funk at work lately. . . not the kind where you update your resume and start shotgunning it to every open position in the Chronicle, but the kind where a bunch of never-ending projects have started to get the best of me.  In my mind, nothing is worse than working on multiple projects that are so big they seem to have no end in sight!

My usual advice to folks in this situation is to get out and see the results of the good work they do.  In my business, that means heading to campus to see students or tour a new lab or building.  For others, it may mean taking an afternoon away from the fundraising grind to work the front lines distributing services to those in need.  Few things are more rejuvenating than seeing the actual fruits of your fundraising labor.

Last week, a little kick in the pants sought me out.  I happened to attend an event that featured a happy graduate talking to a group of students.  I had no idea the event would be so powerful.

Turns out, this gentleman took the opportunity to tell a detailed story about his philanthropic journey.  We had asked him to make a reference to giving in his remarks, but he delivered so much more.  By the end, everyone in the room was in tears and he challenged each and every student to support the university in the future.  This was no subtle challenge, and it came from a man who obviously understands that every gift makes a difference.  The atmosphere was perfect and I know the young men and women in that room will remember his story and challenge when they are asked to give in the future.

Few things are more powerful than a passionate story from an invested donor.  All the well-written collateral materials, videos and Facebook pages in the world can’t reproduce that single storytelling moment when somebody who ‘gets it’ tells their tale.  It’s truly inspirational.

Thank you, sir, for telling your story.  Your words were perfect for that student audience.  And for the rest of us as well!

As many of you know, we are entering college basketball’s biggest weekend, and the NCAA Champion will be crowned Monday night.  Given the circumstances, it seems like the perfect time to announce Volunteer of the Year award!

The 2011 GettingGiving Nonprofit Volunteer of the Year award goes to:  Butler Blue, II.

Huh?  How, you might ask, can a dog win such a prestigious award?

The answer is simple:  this ain’t your ordinary dog.  It’s Butler Blue the Second, the official mascot of Butler University. Like many other volunteers, he learned his love for Butler from hearing stories of his predecessor, Blue 1.  He’s a legacy, and his tireless efforts have helped Butler University in numerous ways just like Blue the First.  He works hard during the NCAA tournament, but it doesn’t end there.  He volunteers throughout the year.  He works with students, alumni, donors, the media and more.  If all of our volunteers worked as hard as Blue to spread the word about the good work our organizations do, we’d be set.

Boy, does he spread the word!  He’s all about engagement, and his efforts help others understand the exciting things happening at Butler.  He shares stories about what’s happening in the classroom, at events and activities, with the student population and, yes, on the court.

Turn on the television, and you’ll find Blue.  Open a newspaper, there he is again!  On the radio, in magazine interviews, in advertisements – nothing is beyond Blue’s reach.

When current and prospective donors come to campus, it’s not unusual for Blue to be summoned to say hello and pose for a photo or two.  He loves their generous support and they love him!  The same goes for numerous campus events.  From homecoming to gala dinners to the annual Senior Gift kickoff, Blue is always first to volunteer to attend and share the Butler Way with others.  He’s a great volunteer, quick to say yes but always following the staff’s lead on where and how he can make the biggest impact.

But where Blue really shines is social media.  His Facebook page has more than 3,800 likes.    He maintains a Blue Blog.  He has a robust Blue Youtube (BlueTube?) channel.  He has a flicker photostream and live webcam.  And, of course, he is @ButlerBlue2 on Twitter with nearly 4,500 followers.

Blue is quiet in his TV and radio interviews, but put those paws on a keyboard and he’s got greyhound speed in that squat little body.  To say he tweets a lot would be an understatement!  He maintains an ongoing rapport with fans, local celebrities, media personalities and more.  Each of these social media outlets is used to share the good news from his favorite organization, Butler University.

Blue maintains a comprehensive, entertaining and constantly updated social media empire.  And that’s why he’s the 2011 GettingGiving Volunteer of the Year!

I first met Blue several years ago when his human father, Michael Kaltenmark, was a client.  Kaltenmark is Blue’s father, owner, and primary manager/volunteer liaison in the development office.  He was Director of Annual Giving at the time and Blue, just a pup, would nap quietly (or not so quietly) in the corner when we would meet.  I had the sneaky suspicion Blue didn’t like me much, as my alma mater isn’t one of his favorites.  We Tweet at each other occasionally on this topic, and Blue doesn’t hold back, as he’s loyal only to the Bulldogs of Butler!  Kaltenmark serves as Blue’s translator and spokesperson when necessary.

Both Blue and Kaltenmark were unavailable to comment on their award, as they are traveling to Houston, Texas for the NCAA Championships this weekend.

While the VOY award is well deserved, Blue does not come without challenges.  Like any volunteer, the relationship must be cultivated over time, and there can be disagreements and issues to resolve.

• Blue likes to sleep.  He’s not a morning person, and when an early meeting or event is necessary, he can be a bit grumpy.  The advancement team knows this and works to accommodate his schedule as best they can.  Sometimes, however, duty calls.

• Blue can be opinionated.  He had days when he doesn’t listen well, and has a mind of his own.  The advancement staff works with him to explain why it’s important to ‘go potty’ outside rather than in their offices, why he can’t chew on the stapler, etc.  He may disagree but they need to set some rules, even though he’s a valued volunteer.

• He’s a volunteer, so he’s not getting paid.  But he, like other volunteers, likes to be wined and dined occasionally.  Luckily he doesn’t break the budget at the open bar (he prefers cold water to premium spirits) but he LOVES those hors d’oeuvres!  The events team knows in advance to order extra when he’s coming to the event.  Especially those little hot dog things!

• He can be high maintenance.  Seems a staffer needs to be around at all times to tend to his needs.  He likes his trinkets and sportswear, always requesting the latest t-shirt with his photo on it.  His own collar, his own fathead, his own varsity letter jacket, food bowls with his photo on it, and even his own custom ring from the NCAA Final Four last year.  He’s already said he wants a championship ring this year.  Geeze, greedy!

• Like some other volunteers, Blue is a bit shy when it come to making a direct ask for support.  Blue might be asked to leverage his vast social media empire a bit more to ask others to support Butler.  A few tweets each year leading his loyal followers to the Butler online giving page wouldn’t be asking too much, would it?

• Finally, he likes the ladies.  He’s always taking pictures with young undergrads and cheerleaders.  He’s a bit of a hound dog, and at the age of 42 in human years, those young ladies aren’t as interested as they used to be.  They do give him a lot of attention and scratch his ears, but the staff knows to watch over him so he doesn’t get too friendly and overstep his boundaries.

I hope you’ll join me and congratulate Blue on winning this big award.  Below you’ll find a recent television story about Blue and this week’s other big accomplishment of having a martini named after him.  A few photos are also included.  Good luck at the big dance and enjoy your weekend in the spotlight, Blue!  The 2011 GettingGiving Volunteer of the Year Award, a martini, and a Final Four – what more could a bulldog want!?!?!

Changing (or enhancing) your corporate culture is never easy. Organizations large and small have deeply rooted values and behaviors that aren’t easily modified – and no retreat or new vision statement can create change overnight. Having been thru plenty of retreats, I think that’s probably a good thing!

I had reason to research corporate change recently and was struck by how many articles referenced corporate storytelling as a dominant influence on an organization’s culture. Stories, past and present, play an integral role in forming the employee belief structure and many model their behavior based on what they hear others are doing. After giving this some thought, I believe many stories that have been passed around my organization for years have significantly impacted our own culture.

For example, one very senior member of our team was known for what might be considered a quirky habit of straightening pictures. There are many many stories about him being in a meeting, standing up while talking, and walking across the room to fix a picture frame which had somehow become askew. The stories aren’t making fun of him, they are simply reinforcing his belief that everything should be perfect. He had amazing attention to detail and we all knew it. We talked about it, we even joked about it, but we also modified our behavior because we knew that level of detail was expected of us as well. Those stories, which are still shared today, continue to shape our organization several years after his retirement.

Another example involves a vendor we often use for direct mail. In the midst of a crisis (or what seemed like a crisis at the time) we needed some live samples of a recent mailing and couldn’t find any in our files. He offered to FedEX them overnight, but we needed them that day. Without hesitation, he said he’d be in our offices in an hour. He grabbed a handful, jumped in his car, and drove 60+ miles to make sure we had what we needed. This was the owner of the company himself – he valued us as customers and friends and he wanted to help. We tell that story to others, we still use his services, and I’d bet we’ve helped him get new business as a result. More importantly, his employees probably saw his behavior too, and telling that story around the office likely helps him create a culture of exemplary customer service valued by each and every member of his team.

What stories do you hear around YOUR office? About you or your team? You can’t force an organization to do much of anything – and you can’t force change via storytelling. It just happens over time.  You can, however, pay more attention to what stories you hear around the office and think about how each story might impact the organization in the future.  Doing good work and acting in a way that creates the stories that lead to positive change can make quite a difference.  And it’s a lot more fun than trying to create that same change with a fancy new vision statement nobody reads anyway!