Social Media Savvy, Tips & Traps for Nonprofits & Foundations - UTCLE 2014

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This session explores how the explosion of social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Youtube are transforming how foundations, public charities and social welfare organizations accomplish their Good work. Discussion will include the rules regarding nonprofit advocacy, fundraising and voter registration on the social web including the legal risks.

Transcript of Social Media Savvy, Tips & Traps for Nonprofits & Foundations - UTCLE 2014

2014 UT Law Nonprofit Institute

Round Table II: Social Media

Please view & download presentation here:http://vols.pt/UTCLE

January 16, 2014 #UTLawNPO

#UTLawNPO

Meet the Presenters

Karen BantuverisFounder & CEO

VolunteerSpot.com@VolunteerSpot

@VSpotMom

Lawrence MendenhallVice President,

General Counsel & SecretaryHumanity United

@HumanityUnited

Kelli King-JacksonProgram Officer

Simmons Foundation@TheSimmonsFdn

#UTLawNPO

Smartphone Ownership in U.S.

• 56% of Adults (Pew)• 65% of Moms (Nielsen Report)

Tablets

• New sales more rapid than smartphones

(Meeker Report)• 34% of US Adults own a tablet (Pew)

Social media usage among online adults• 67% Facebook • 20% LinkedIn• 16% Twitter • 15% Pinterest • 13% Instagram • 6% Tumblr

Tech Today

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Personal Org /Foundation Who’s

Responsible

Social Media Pulse

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Going Social: Foundation Case Study

Tips for Engaging Supporters

Legal Tips and Traps

Agenda

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It’s like having a conversation!

Listen

Share

Connect

Inspire

When we have calls-to-action, our community will be engaged.

Social Media Strengthens your Community

#UTLawNPO

TrustListen

Share

Connect

InspireActio

n

Building Trust and Action ‘Credit’

#UTLawNPO

TrustListen

Share

Connect

Inspire Action

$$$

Leveraging Social in Calls to Give

#UTLawNPO

The Simmons FoundationGoes Social!

Foundation Case Study

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Reasons For Foundations To Go Social

Stagnant website Changes at the Foundation Foundation emphasis on ‘community’ Consistent gaps among grantees/few

resources to address those gaps in-house Desire to grow impact

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Foundation Social Media Basics

Be SOCIAL! Be relevant Be visual Be quizzical Be timely Be responsive EXAMPLE - #UTLawNPO

#UTLawNPO

Legal Tip #1 - Have a Social Media Policy Before You Start

Social media implicates multiple legal rules and traps we’ll discuss Restrictions on lobbying and political campaign

activities Copyright and trademark infringement Employment law Libel/defamation and product disparagement Privacy and confidentiality State charitable solicitation requirements Event liability and insurance

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Facebook

308 Like

s

#UTLawNPO

Sharing resources

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Talking about

important community

issues

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Legal Tip #2 - Lobbying on Social MediaIs Still Lobbying

Be mindful of IRS and state law restrictions on lobbying and campaign intervention by nonprofits

IRS direct lobbying: Expressing a view on legislation to a legislator (e.g., in a tweet addressed to a legislator)

IRS grassroots lobbying: Expressing a view on legislation to the public and including a “call to action” (e.g., tweeting to your followers, “SB 657 is a bad idea, tell your senator!”)

No partisan political campaign activity or showing a preference for one candidate or party over another – compare with nonpartisan voter registration

You are responsible for your links (count clicks!) and likes Social media “friends” and “followers” are not members for purposes

of the IRS rules

#UTLawNPO

Twitter

#UTLawNPO

Sharing tips about the

grant application

process

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Live tweeting from meetings/conferences

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Legal Tip #3 - Not Everything is Tweetable

Certain information should not be shared on social media Confidential information of grantees, consultants or

other partners - how to know what’s confidential Defamation (false statement that injures) and product

disparagement (recklessness) – do your research and think about insurance!

Third party copyrights and trademarks – unless “fair use”

#UTLawNPO

Cost

Training Webinars (many are free) Workshops Google (most time consuming)

Time Initially 1 hr/day Currently 15-30 min/day

Risks Spammers Haters Legal trouble!

#UTLawNPO

Legal Tip #4 - Social Media and Your Employees

Understand who owns the employee’s social media accounts and plan for employee turnover

Don’t overly restrict employee social media activities – labor law protects the right to complain, e.g.

Give employees guidance on participating as private citizens vs. as employees – consider disclaimers!

#UTLawNPO

Sample Employee Social Media Disclaimer

“The views expressed in my [tweets/posts] are my

own and do not necessarily reflect the views of my employer.”

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Foundation ROI

Removing ourselves from ivory tower

Staying current/learning from others

Promote issues we care about

Reach more with limited resources

Positive PR

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Tips for Engaging Supporters

Advanced Optimizing for Social Media

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VolunteerSpot.com: Save Time/Boost Involvement

Simple FREE Signups & Scheduling For Anyone…Anytime Partnerships for State & Regional Organizations

#

#UTLawNPO

• Website• Newsletters• Emails • Blogs• Public gatherings• Corporate and

community partners

Build Your Community

#UTLawNPO

Add SOCIAL to your communications plan to Build Buzz, Participation & Profits•Walkathons & Races•Service Days•Legislative Action Days•Signature Drives•Auctions•Concerts•Galas

Real World Events & Fundraisers

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Legal Tip #5 - Fundraising Using Social Media Is Still Fundraising

Most states require organizations and hired fundraisers to register to solicit in advance – social media can trigger these requirements

Legal restrictions on sweepstakes and raffles Potential liability for events – whose event is

it anyway? Insurance – know your policies

#UTLawNPO

Identify…

• Timeline of When to Post

• Which Social Channels

• What Messages

• Who will share

• How to measure

• Legal risks and considerations

Create a Social Media Plan

#UTLawNPO

Include…•Onsite & Online tie-ins

•Social incentives

•Fun polls & ‘ticklers’

•Members, bloggers, community/corp. partners

•Check-ins

•Photo sharing

•Petitions (Change.org)

•Options to donate online

Create a Social Media Plan

#UTLawNPO

Social Media Plan

When Where What

1 month before

• Publish URLs & Twitter/Instagram hashtag on all materials (#4Luv)

• Our Auction is around the corner – preorder tickets & skip the lines! <click here>

• Post: Please sign up to help at the Auction <click here>

3 weeks before

• Who do you want a signed poster from? Vote!

• Check out these cuties – one can be yours at #4Luv Auction on 12/1. Learn more >>

7-10 days before

• Auction Fun next Sat. Thx 2 R sponsor @BigStore!

1 – 2 weeks before

Personal buzz from community

• Can’t wait for #4Luv Auction! Which dress should I wear? <photos>

• Definitely going to bid on this: <photo/link>. What’s your fav?

Example: Auction

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When Where What

2 – 3 days before

Photos of prep work, decorations, updates on entertainment, prizes, etc.

Acknowledge volunteers and sponsors

At Event

POSTERS

Hashtags#

Check in

• Join us Online! Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest• Please tweet! #4Luv & let us know you’re

here• Tell us your favorite item on Facebook and

get a free raffle ticket!• Project a Twitter ‘backchannel’ screen:

TodaysMeet.com• Social ambassador badges

“I for Cause, Do U?”

AfterLots of Photos & Video Thanks to volunteers and sponsorsRESULTS : $$ Raised, Impact to Group

Social Media Plan

#UTLawNPO

Pre-Event Buzz

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Day-of Buzz

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Recognize Volunteers & Sponsors

#UTLawNPO

Pinterest

#UTLawNPO

Pinterest Board Tips

• Boards speak to your Cause & your Supporters

• Highlight your Projects & Events

• Include Advocacy & Fundraising Links

• Recognize Volunteers, Sponsors & Partners

• Share, Follow, Repin

#UTLawNPO

• Highlight “hot” items

• Show off games and booths

• Show where the money will go

• Showcase your theme

• Photos of invitation

• Include website link below pin

Thanks to Sherry Truhlar of RedAppleAuctons for the great ideas!

Pinterest for Fundraisers

#UTLawNPO

People ask People for Money.

Social Fundraising & Friendraising

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Adding Small Donors

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Go $ocial!

• Every Donation button leads to SOCIAL SHARING

• Holiday Challenge Campaigns

• Socialize Events (e.g. Races)

Boost Online Giving by 50% or more

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Legal Tip #6 - Pulling It All TogetherYour Social Media Policy

Incorporate your other policies – the digital world is the real world, too!

Keep it general but give examples – tell employees exactly what you DON’T want to see

Don’t overdo it - respect employee rights Provide guidance on who speaks for the

organization Protect your social media property (accounts,

online names)

#UTLawNPO

Like the ideas, but don’t have time?

MAKE TIME! It’s Strategic

Add a volunteer leader: Social Communications

Coordinator& a TEAM of Online

Ambassadors

Get Help!

#UTLawNPO

Social Media Resources

Schedulers: FB Scheduler/HootSuite/Tweet Deck

Gurus: Beth Kanter Social Media for Nonprofits –

www.socialmedia4nonprofits.org Nonprofit Tech for Good –

www.nptechforgood.com

#UTLawNPO

More Social Media Resources

Facebook.com/VolunteerSpot

@VolunteerSpot

Pinterest.com/VolunteerSpot

#UTLawNPO

Legal Resources on Social Media

Bolder Advocacy – www.bolderadvocacy.org Council on Foundations -

http://www.cof.org/content/getting-started-social-media

Guidestar.org - http://www.guidestar.org/rxa/news/articles/2003/on-line-fundraising-some-dos-and-donts.aspx

Nonprofitvote.org - http://www.nonprofitvote.org/doc_view/10-a-voter-participation-starter-kit

State charities bureau sites Internal Revenue Service – www.irs.gov

#UTLawNPO

Join Our Online Communities

TheSimmonsFdn

@TheSimmonsFdn

The Simmons Foundation

http://feeds.feedburner.com/News-TheSimmonsFoundation

Humanity United

@HumanityUnited

Humanity United

http://www.humanityunited.org/blog/rss