Photo Credit: Joseph Farris from www.Cartoonbank.com

Yesterday, in the Union Train Station, I met up with K, a fellow volunteer with the organization I’m working with to create exhibit tours on human rights.

L, the head of the organization, is looking for ways to increase her web presence as well as create avenues for contact besides the standard word-of-mouth and snail mail campaigns.

I suggested she start an e-newsletter, launch a mega-upgrade of her website, and while she’s at it, create a blog (and get on Facebook!). Why not?

Understanding the playing field

Blogs are wonderfully creative ways for small NPOs (as well as small biz/startups) to cultivate interest in their mission as well as develop connections with potential donors and supporters.

Blogs behave as your “active” link between your organization’s website and its official publications – and their awesomely fun, too! Plus, it fosters an environment for e-brainstorming with supporters, donors and other sponsors - people love to suggest things when given an open (but seemingly semi-private) forum.

The e-newsletter that L, K and I are working on will be developed by www.myemma.com, a nifty little website that requires no software, no crazy programming and best of all – it’s super affordable. It only requires a carefully tailored list of contacts that will be uploaded to Emma’s server and divided (as we choose) in various categories of our creation.

I can’t say anything more in particular detail yet, but I’m quite excited! It’s a great feeling to see your suggestions put to (much appreciated) good use.

Establishing Goals

Our goal with the e-newsletter is to be short and sweet. I believe it is bad e-etiquette to clog inboxes with an overbloated newsletter or blast readers with publications that have the visual display equivalent of a 4th of July fireworks show.

Therefore, K and I want to make sure that the initial newsletter is finely tuned to only include very little text and teaser paragraphs about upcoming initiatives and community engagement. We have to figure out other (but, relatively boring) nuances like official organizational wording and formatting, but we are having a blast so far.

This is a great outlet for me, as well as a way to hone my more creative passions. I wouldn’t say that volunteering is for everyone, but if you find yourself bored to tears with a job (or looking to change jobs altogether) volunteering is a great avenue to tread. You can make dozens of contacts, develop a bigger social circle as well work with a cause you care deeply about (or want to learn more about).

Honestly, I feel like my work with L and K is much more meaningful than anything I’ve gotten paid to do in the last 8 months – and that’s all that matters for right now.