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Spreading The W
For Nonprofits

By Benji Rosenzweig

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34 July 2012 I

RED TIMID

know I am passionate about JVS.
hen I was growing up,
They can click the link and find out
my grandmother and her
more information.
friends baked at the syna-
gogue every week. They made yel-
•Check in on Foursquare/Face-
book when you go to the nonprof-
low pound cake, cinnamon buns,
marble cake and other delicious
it's location or to events. People will
foods. Every Saturday morning
notice and know you are participat-
they would prepare platters of their
ing at the moment.
•Tag yourself and others in their
baked goods, plates of herring
and crackers as well as pour shot
pictures. Make sure to do so only
glasses of Canadian Club. No one
when it's relevant. See the photo of
my daughter wearing a onesie that
was allowed in the social hall until
"the Hungarian Mafia," as they were
says "If I could walk I would Step
lovingly referred to, said it was OK
Forward."This was the night before
the Federation's Su-
to enter.
My grandfather
per Sunday. I tagged
my friends who I
was the vice presi-
knew were participat-
dent of the syna-
ing in the event and
gogue for close to 50
friends who work at
years. One of his jobs
Federation.
was to find a spon-
•Comment on
sor for the weekly
and share important
Kiddush; without the
posts on Facebook.
funds he raised, the
You do it for funny
volunteers couldn't
memes and articles,
prepare food for the
why not for your
congregants.
favorite nonprofit?
Being a young pro-
•Re-Tweet posts
fessional in Detroit,
that you like and use
money is tight and I
their hashtags on
can't always donate
Twitter.
Don't overdo
what I wish I could. I
Ellah Rosenzwe ig, 1
it or you risk losing
am also a father and
credibility with your
a husband so my
circle of influence.
volunteer time is extremely limited.
It's arguable that a blog is con-
My grandfather may have scoffed
sidered social media, so it gets an
at those two excuses, but tradition-
honorable mention here. Comment
ally there were only two ways to
on blogs. It not only lets the organi-
help a nonprofit: donate money or
zation and your networks know
your time. Both integral resources
how you feel, it also helps with the
for a nonprofit. In today's world
site's analytics, which increases
there is a third option; it's called
their social capital. The same
social media engagement.
suggestions apply for YouTube,
By spreading the word via
Instagram, Socialcam and any other
social media of our affiliations and
network.
involvements, we open the oppor-
I am not saying that if you take
tunity to exposing more people to
these suggestions, you don't need
that organization. It's free market-
to donate money or volunteer. It's
ing for them — better than any
just another way to help out. My
marketing they could pay for.
grandparents held parlor meetings
As a consumer, you are more
in their home; these suggestions
likely to believe your friends'
are the modern digital equivalent.
endorsement of a product than a
I believe if my grandparents were
paid-for ad. The same is true in the
my age, Bubby would be posting
nonprofit sector. Your engagement
pictures of food she made on Pin-
in an organization does a ton for its
terest and Instagram daily! Zaidy?
presence.
I'm not too sure about him — he
Here are a few suggestions of
was always a tough nut to crack. 7,-;
how you can help your favorite
organization:
Benji Rosenzweig is a commercial real estate
•Add your service work to your
broker, blogger, father, husband, Detroit
Linkedln profile and tag the organi-
advocate and musician. The order of those
zation. I put my JVS board member-
things changes daily. Read him at www.
ship in my current position. Every
BenjiUnSpun.corn.
time someone sees my profile, they

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