This was my first ComNet conference, and I have to say that it was much more manageable than other conferences in the philanthropy industry I've attended, such as COF. Obviously, the size is considerably smaller. But because the topics and audience were focused on communications, everything from the dispositions of attendees to the break-out sessions had more appeal. I could walk up to someone and talk about, say, how foundations are profiling their grantees or tailoring messages around diversity and inclusion without eliciting a polite smile and a swift goodbye.
My participation on the Gorilla Squad also helped break the ice when I met someone I didn't know, which, particularly because I'm new to the conference, characterized nearly every encounter. I learned how to handle a flip cam with, well, a flip of the switch and became proficient at enticing complete strangers to open up with a quick anecdote about themselves on camera.
My participation on the Gorilla Squad also helped break the ice when I met someone I didn't know, which, particularly because I'm new to the conference, characterized nearly every encounter. I learned how to handle a flip cam with, well, a flip of the switch and became proficient at enticing complete strangers to open up with a quick anecdote about themselves on camera.
The takeaway from this conference is that, I think, foundations are starting to get the message about actually incorporating social media into their communications on a more widespread basis. A number of breakout sessions focused on this, and most people I talked to commented that they were implementing plans this year or soon. As well we should. Social media is inexpensive and offers the opportunity to foster strong relationships with our audiences--and relationships are gold mines to philanthropy.Fostering more interactive communication and being trusting enough to surrender some of our tightly guarded control really has more positives than negatives.
I caught your presentation on diversity and really loved your approach, Paul. And, kudos on being such a stellar gorilla!
Posted by: Susan Herr | October 17, 2009 at 06:51 AM