Tag: see3

Calling All DoGooders!

Posted on by Author Lisa Colton Leave a comment on Calling All DoGooders!

Announcing the 2014 DoGooder Video Awards!

Presented by See3 Communications, YouTube, the Nonprofit Technology Network, The National Youth Media Network and National Alliance for Media and Culture

See3 Communications (which merged with Darim Online in 2012) is once again teaming up with the amazing partners listed above to host the 8th Annual DoGooder Video Awards. This is a HUGE opportunity for Jewish organizations to showcase fantastic videos created in 2013, and to get the word out about the good you're doing. Check out the video and the press release below for more information, and let us know if you submit – we'd love to cheer you on!

See3 Communications, the leader in online video for nonprofits, and YouTube, the world’s largest online video community along with the Nonprofit Technology Network, announced today the launch of the 2014 DoGooder Video Awards. The DoGooder Awards recognize the creative and effective use of video in promoting social good. Cisco, a global leader in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), is generously contributing a cash prize to one contest winner. Cisco combines human and technology networks to multiply its impact on people, communities, and the planet. The National Alliance for Media Arts and Culture in partnership with the National Youth Media Network & with support from The National Alliance for Media Literacy Education and others, will also provide additional prizes to the winner of the new Youth Media category.

In addition to prizes provided by Cisco and the National Alliance for Media Arts and Culture, contest winners will receive free registration to the Nonprofit Technology Conference, the signature event hosted by the Nonprofit Technology Network (NTEN). Finally, the winners will see their videos (and their message) featured on the hugely popular YouTube Spotlight Channel.

Now in its 8th year, the DoGooder Awards program is dedicated to giving those cause advocates that use video a place for their work to shine. This year, the program is excited to open up participation to include younger do-gooders ages 12 to 21 who best communicated their thoughts on pressing social issues in a way that inspired others.

"We are really excited to launch another year of the DoGooder Awards," said Michael Hoffman, CEO of See3. "When we started the awards 8 years ago, no one knew why they needed to focus on video. Now, the majority of all bandwidth is video and video messaging has become more important than ever for nonprofit organizations around the world. This year, we are pleased to present the Most Inspiring Youth Media Award, where we can showcase the up-and-coming video makers dedicated to social change. Once again we have the investment of YouTube, NTEN and Cisco to make this all possible and we are grateful for their dedication to the nonprofit sector."

Beginning February 1st, video submissions will be accepted via the contest website until February 15th, in the following categories:

  • The ImpactX Award: honoring those videos that have demonstrated impact for their causes.
  • The Best Nonprofit Video Award: honoring nonprofit organizations using video to make change.
  • The Funny for Good Award: Recognizing effective use of comedy to make people laugh and take action.
  • The Most Inspiring Youth Media Award: For youth who best communicated their thoughts on pressing social issues in a way that inspired others.

Members of the YouTube community will have the opportunity to vote for the best among the finalists from February 28th through March 10th.

The winning videos in each category will be featured on YouTube’s coveted Spotlight Channel, receive a free registration to next year’s Nonprofit Technology Conference and will be recognized at the Nonprofit Technology Conference in Washington, D.C. on March 13, 2014. The winners in the ImpactX category will receive a cash prize from Cisco to help them harness the power of human and technology networks to multiply their impact on the people and communities they serve. Additional prizes will be awarded to each winner as well.

Celebrating its eighth year, the DoGooder Video Awards has awarded thousands of dollars in grants and prizes to support the work of organizations doing good. Last year, over 800 entries were submitted from more than 300 nonprofit organizations, with winning videos from Rainforest Alliance, Pathfinder International and more.

Organizations and individuals can enter the contest by going to www.youtube.com/dogooder.

Being Thankful

Posted on by Author Lisa Colton Leave a comment on Being Thankful

Thanksgiving may be over and Chanukah is winding down, but it's ALWAYS a good time to show your organization’s supporters how grateful you are to have them onboard.

Just like receiving a handwritten note is a lot more special than a text message “thx,” getting personal with your supporters, and letting them know how each contribution is having an impact, is a great way to show them you really care.

There are so many creative directions to explore — but here are some fun ideas for going the extra nine yards in saying thanks to your biggest cheerleaders:

Personalized thank you video
Every year, charity: water staffers get in front of the camera to say thank you — dedicating videos to the class of 3rd graders who donate their lunch money and the bloggers who get the word out about their crowdfunding campaigns. It looks like they’re having a blast producing this series — and it’s a great way to retain supporters and keep them engaged.
 

Connect support to impact
A striking infographic is a great way to illustrate how the money you’ve raised this year is being put to use in the field. Connect the dots between clicking donate in your email inbox and tangible outcomes on the ground — and get ready to brainstorm some evocative analogies for your work.

A personal note
Bring your supporters together with the people who are seeing your impact firsthand. Maybe your organization works with refugees, or vulnerable children, or homeless families — let your constituents and staffers share, in their own words, how much the support of your donors means to them. You can forward their note in an email, or collect short video testimonials to share — like these messages from Nature Conservancy scientists around the world.

Saying thank you isn't just a nice thing to do — many organizations, like the International Rescue Committee, see a real return on investment when they share messages of gratitude with their donors.

We hope this gives you a jumping off point for putting together a heartfelt thank you campaign. And to all of our clients and friends of See3 and Darim Online, thank you, so much, for the work you do to make our world a better place.

What's the best thank-you you ever received from an organization? What made it so special for you?

Expanding Capacity, Maturing the Field: Darim Online and See3 Communications Together.

Posted on by Author Lisa Colton Leave a comment on Expanding Capacity, Maturing the Field: Darim Online and See3 Communications Together.


Jewish organizations, big and small, are prioritizing digital communications and embracing new models of leadership and organizational development. While this may seem like an obvious statement to some, for those of us who have been banging the digital drum for some time, it truly feels like we’ve finally reached a critical tipping point. The question no longer is “should we?”, it’s “how do we?”

The hunger for training, coaching, models to emulate, and savvy staff to power the work has skyrocketed.

This is a thrill for all of us at Darim Online where, for over a dozen years, we have been advancing Jewish organizations’ use of current technologies in ways that help to achieve their missions and open Jewish communal life to be more accessible, appealing and compelling. What started as a selfish pursuit to support my own Jewish life while living in Vermont as a 20-something just back from Israel, became a personal and professional passion, a rapidly growing business, and a widely recognized lever for institutional and communal advancement. The needs of the Jewish community are continually evolving and diversifying. I have often said that every 18-24 months it’s like I have a new job: From websites and email, to Facebook and Twitter, and most recently expanding into network weaving and Connected Congregations.

For the past few years I have worked quite intentionally to expand the talent that can support this work in our community. Rather than growing the Darim Online staff, I have sought to bring the best of the best into the Jewish community.  Rather than creating our own conference, with support from The Schusterman Family Foundation and The Jim Joseph Foundation, we have brought Jewish leaders to the Nonprofit Technology Network Conference. Rather than build a team of staff consultants, we’ve engaged Big Duck to provide their top-notch services in the Jewish Day School Social Media Academy. And rather than develop the Social Media Policy Workbook on our own, we partnered with Idealware to create a rich product that is also a resource for the general nonprofit community.

And even after all of that, we’ve reach our capacity. The Jewish community increasingly understands how critical it is to become smart users of digital media and are seeking assistance to achieve this. Darim alone is unable to fully serve all those that need our help. To fulfill our mission of helping Jewish organizations thrive in the digital age, we need to expand our capacity and increase our expertise in core areas including video, campaign strategy, online distribution and SEO and others.

We are thrilled to announce that Darim Online is merging with See3 Communications, a Chicago-based agency helping nonprofit organizations succeed online. See3 completely aligns with our mission, culture, and commitment to the Jewish community. I have followed and admired See3’s work for many years, and worked closely with their founders, Michael Hoffman and Danny Alpert, and am thrilled to be joining their amazing and talented team. See3 has the infrastructure and expertise that enables us to expand our work in the Jewish community, increase the depth and breadth of professional development and offer a suite of implementation services to organizations that are ready to take action on dynamic online efforts.

See3 is an interactive communications agency that works exclusively with nonprofits, foundations, associations, and social causes, and specializes in online strategies and campaigns, video production, and web development. See3 already has a special focus in the Jewish community, working with The Foundation For Jewish Camp, The AVI CHAI Foundation, American Jewish World Service and others. See3 is currently producing the Jewish Day School Video Academy, in partnership with The AVI CHAI Foundation, now in its third iteration, and has raised the level of capacity of day schools to produce videos for recruitment and fundraising.

In addition to augmenting Darim’s work with expertise in many new technical areas, See3 also brings a wealth of experience working with large, national and international organizations, which we believe will be an asset to the organized Jewish world. Some of these See3 clients include the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, Sierra Club, Environmental Defense Fund, UNICEF and many others.

As our integration is completed, you can continue to rely on the Darim brand, including our website, Facebook page and groups, and Twitter channel to provide the best and most relevant content and discussions for the Jewish community.

As we enter 5773 next week, I am excited to share this new beginning, and open a new chapter of collaboration, creativity and excellence with so many of you. May all of us working to support the Jewish community and its institutions go from strength to strength. L’shana tova!

 

More info at http://www.see3.com/darim-faq

Day School Video Academy Awards Announced

Posted on by Author Lisa Colton Leave a comment on Day School Video Academy Awards Announced

While the Grammys may have captured the CBS viewers, the Jewish Day School Video Academy Awards were filling the screens of many who were watching, voting and hoping to win the big bucks. The contest attracted 116 video entries, and 17,500 votes from the public. That’s right, over seventeen thousand votes.

Conceived by The AVI CHAI Foundation and produced by See3, The Jewish Day School Video Academy helped Jewish day schools improve their use of online video through training webinars, free one-on-one consultations, and this video contest with serious prize money. I watched many of these videos, and enjoyed seeing the creative approaches many took. They ran the gamut, from serious infomercials (I mean that in the best way, meaning marketing videos with rehearsed talking heads) to very creative student work, and down right silly fun.

It’s interesting to note what makes for an effective video. I encourage you to watch the following 6 winning entries and then reflect on what grabbed and kept your attention. What feeling do you actually walk away with? What’s your impression of the school? It’s also interesting to note that the 3 videos the panel of ‘expert’ judges chose were different than the people’s choice. Why do you think that is? What’s common to each grouping?

I can say that good lighting, great sound, reasonable length are absolute foundational elements of any decent video. And some playfulness never hurts. Rumor has it that they may offer another contest this spring, so study up and then pick up your camera! Take a tour of the winners:

Judges ratings:

1. Admissions Video (The Weber School Doris and Alex Weber Jewish Community High School)

2. Milwaukee Jewish Day School Trailer (Milwaukee Jewish Day School)
3. MJGDS 50th Anniversary Video Invitation (Martin J. Gottlieb Day School)
People’s Choice
1. If a Picture is Worth a Thousand Words (Columbus Torah Academy)

2. A Gem in the Valley (Lander-Grinspoon Academy)
3. Put the P Back in PTSA (Greenfield Hebrew Academy)

DoGooder Nonprofit Video Awards

Posted on by Author Lisa Colton Leave a comment on DoGooder Nonprofit Video Awards

Video has increasingly become the most powerful medium for communicating your mission and programs, and engaging supporters in sharing your content through their social media channels like Facebook. Nonprofits are learning to take advantage of this medium in creative and powerful ways, with creative approaches, great storytelling, and fun graphics. Each year, See3 Communications, in partnership with YouTube, hosts the DoGooder Nonprofit Video Awards. This year, winners will again have the chance to win one of four $2500 grants generously provided by the Case Foundation, awesome video cameras from Flip Video, a free registration to next year’s Nonprofit Technology Conference provided by NTEN and more. New this year: for small nonprofits that have small funds in the video department, there is a new category for the best “thrifty” videos produced for under $500. On top of all this, the winning videos will be featured on YouTube’s HOME PAGE in March. Talk about a boost to traffic. Submissions for Best Small, Medium, and Large nonprofit organization videos must be a video that was made in 2010. Entries for the Best Thrifty Video category can be for videos made any time before the end of the submission period. Each nonprofit can submit as many videos as they would like, but, we encourage only the best work from each organization.

  • Entries cannot exceed 10 minutes in length and are limited to nonprofits from the US, the UK, and Australia. See contest rules here.
  • All nonprofits are welcome to enter their video. There are no specific categories or missions we are looking for.
  • You can submit your videos from February 4, 2011 until March 2, 2011. Tell your friends to submit as well!
  • Starting March 7th, voting is open to the public, so be sure to share the word (Email, Facebook, Twitter, carrier pigeon).
  • Your organization MUST be a member of the YouTube Nonprofit Program. If you’re not, make sure that’s the next thing you do after you read this post. If you’re picked as a semifinalist, we’ll make sure you’re a member by the time voting begins.

And of course, this post wouldn’t be complete without a video. See, this is why it’s so powerful – I can embed this video in a blog in 10 seconds, and it just brings the text to life, don’t you think?

For more info on the context, visit http://www.youtube.com/nonprofitvideoawards You might also want to check out our previous posts on online video. Let’s see some entries from the Jewish community! Got a video to brag about? Post a link in the comments!

Webinar Part 3: Developing A Media Library

Posted on by Author Lisa Colton Leave a comment on Webinar Part 3: Developing A Media Library

In our last few postings, we’ve been looking at ways to tell our organizations’ stories through the use of online video. Today, we will explore the basics of creating a media library. This post is based on notes from the Darim Online Learning Network for Synagogues webinar with See3 Communications CEO, Michael Hoffman.

Develop a media library for your congregation. This library should include video, photos, and audio. It is important to organize and annotate materials so that they can be reused and repurposed into many different pieces.

  • Determine what to collect for your media library. As previously suggested, review your program calendar with an eye toward collecting material. Document interesting and important things your institution does; capture what it means to be a member of your community. Collect video, photos, and audio.
  • Ask videographers for the raw footage as well as the edited product. When you hire a vendor, stipulate in the contract that your organizaiton owns the footage.
  • Invest time in watching video footage and logging what is on the tapes. This is a good project for a volunteer or intern.
  • Be aware of privacy issues and implement policies. Ask people for their permission to be included in any video or photographs. Institutions are increasingly including photography/video releases into their membership forms. Allow people to opt out/ opt in. Parents need to provide permission for the filming of children. Be sure to have your legal ducks in a row.

For additional resources, see See3’s Guide to Online Video, especially this segment on “Building a Media Library:”


3. Building A Media Library from See3 Communications on Vimeo.

A huge thank you to Michael Hoffman and to the synagogues who participated in these webinars!

Does your synagogue have a media library? What are other tips and techniques do you have to share?

Archives of the recent webinars, “The Age of YouTube: An Introduction to Online Video for Congregations,” as well as previous webinars are available to members of the Darim Online Learning Network. Access to the archives and other webinar-related material can be found on the Darim Online website in Dirah, under “Learning Network Info.”

Not yet a member of the Darim Online Learning Network? Click here for membership information for your organization and to register.

Webinar Part 2: Community Strategies for Integrating Online Video

Posted on by Author Lisa Colton Leave a comment on Webinar Part 2: Community Strategies for Integrating Online Video

Welcome to the second in a series of posts based on the Darim Online Learning Network for Synagogues webinar with video guru, Michael Hoffman of See3 Communications.

Think of your organization’s online presence as your channel. As such, consider how to integrate online video into your overall organizational strategy. Online video can be an effective means to strengthen connections among your community’s members. Remember, people relate best to other people, less so to institutions. As you think about this, determine where your community members – and potential members – “reside” online and meet them there.

  • Be strategic when program planning. Think in terms of telling your community’s story and use your organizations program calendar as a guide. Determine: what do we need to capture? What do we need have professionally filmed and what can be documented by staff and or volunteers? What types of footage would be good for recruitment, for community building, for fundraising?
  • Go deep rather than wide. Effective marketing involves repetition, creating conversation, portraying real human relationships, and providing real engagement.
  • Meet the parents. And congregants. And staff. And lay leadership. Ask community members who they are, what they do, and why they care about the community – on video. This is a terrific way of creating transparency with the community at large, by showing them who are the people in your neighborhood. These types of videos also foster people-people connections which in turn create connections to your institution.
  • Map your community online. Focus on places your community and potential community live online – social networks, Facebook, discussion lists, etc. Conduct a survey to see what online spaces your people inhabit. This is a great marketing exercise in general!
  • Capitalize on influencers and supporters. Tap into the people who are already your constituents and empower them to share videos and other resources with their friends; be viral to the right audiences.
  • Grab attention outside of your current membership. Reach out to potential members by alerting them to special activities in which your community is engaged. For example, a program on Judaism and the environment could be marketed to groups outside of your immediate membership… bring your community to them.
  • Push and pull. For example, send out an email to your congregation’s discussion list that includes a note from the Rabbi with a link to a video clip on your website. Highlight special clips in your newsletter. Share “how to videos” on Jewish life on your website – and ask members for recommendations for additional resources.
  • Reach your peeps. Use Groundswells social profile technology profile tool to help determine how to prioritize efforts. Who and where is your target audience and what kinds of relationships do you want to build with them?
  • And… “Action.” Provide video training sessions for staff and volunteers. Invest in a good video camera with an external microphone. People are more likely to watch bad quality video with good sound, than good quality video with bad sound. A low-cost video camera, like the Flip, is good to have handy. It does not, however, take the place of a better quality camera. In general, the Flip does well at close range, with someone speaking directly to the camera in a quiet place, but it is not great for covering large events.

What are some of your strategies? Do you have a few tips to share? What is your favorite use of online video to promote your community? Post your ideas and links in the comments below!

Take a look at See3’s Guide to Online Video for more tips and techniques.

Additional Resources:

Educause: 7 Things You Should Know About Flip Camcorders

Synagogue Examples:

Chizuk Amuno Congregation, Torah Dedication, Baltimore, Maryland
Chizuk Amuno Congregation – Rosenbloom Religious School, Baltimore, Maryland (see YouTube links)
Congregation Beth Elohim, Brooklyn, New York
North Shore Congregation Israel, Glencoe, Illinois (see link to Building for the Generations campaign video on home page)
Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester, Chappaqua, New York (capital campaign video)

Archives of the recent webinars, “The Age of YouTube: An Introduction to Online Video for Congregations,” as well as previous webinars are available to members of the Darim Online Learning Network. Access to the archives and other webinar-related material can be found on the Darim Online website in Dirah, under “Learning Network Info.”

Not yet a member of the Darim Online Learning Network? Click here for membership information for your organization and to register.

Coming up… Developing a Media Library

Darim Online Webinar Recap: Online Video with Michael Hoffman, See3

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Video is not an organizational goal – but it can help you achieve your goals.
– Michael Hoffman, CEO, See3 Communications

We had the pleasure of hosting Michael Hoffman, CEO, of See3 Communications for a series of excitng webinars with the Darim Online Learning Network for Synagogues. Nearly 40 participants from 28 organizations participated in “The Age of YouTube: An Introduction to Online Video.”

What Weve Been Hearing
Synagogues are expressing an increased interest in using online videos in various aspects of their work, including fundraising, community building, documenting community moments, and project-based learning. Some of our organizations are just beginning to explore the potential of video, others are in the midst of experimenting, while several congregations are already actively integrating video into their communitys strategic plans.

  • There is a growing awareness of the power of the medium to communicate community values and events.
  • Video can be used to tell a synagogues story in a powerful, visual style.
  • Synagogues are interested in employing multiple media to connect with members and potential members.

What Weve Been Learning
Congregations are looking at more comprehensive strategies for communicating and fostering community online. There are many reasons for including online video in your organizations work and strategic plan. These include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Video is portable its online, downloadable, shareable; members can help market your community by sharing with their other social networks.
  • It can help broaden a communitys reach and audience.
  • Video delivers your communitys message and helps build relationships.
  • Video captures significant moments in your communitys history.
  • Online video makes your community accessible by bringing community to members who can access activities, events, and services that they might not otherwise be able to attend
  • Video can be used to augment synagogue websites and blogs
  • Video can highlight targeted campaigns
  • Learners – students, youth groups, adults – can develop video projects to showcase their work

Be sure to check out See3’s Guide to Online Video for more tips and techniques.

Additional resources:

Beth Kanter’s Blog post: A Look at Nonprofits and Vlogging
Mashable’s 150 Online Video Tools and Resources
Video in the Classroom: Digital Storytelling

Examples of Video Hosting Sites:

BlipTV hosting service for online video
TeacherTube video hosting service for teachers and students
UStreamTV hosting service for livestreaming
Vimeo hosting service
YouTube
YouTube: Nonprofit Program

Darim Online Resources: How Do I Add Video to My Site? for Darim Online members

Archives of the recent webinars, “The Age of YouTube: An Introduction to Online Video for Congregations,” as well as previous webinars are available to members of the Darim Online Learning Network. Access to the archives and other webinar-related material can be found on the Darim Online website in Dirah, under “Learning Network Info.”

Not yet a member of the Darim Online Learning Network? Click here for membership information for your organization and to register.

Coming up… Community Strategies for Integrating Online Video

Video Within Reach

Posted on by Author Lisa Colton Leave a comment on Video Within Reach

As broadband internet has become the norm, and the value of compelling content online has become key to capturing and retaining user’s attention, online video has become more popular and more powerful. See3 Communications, a fantastic firm headed by Michael Hoffman out of Chicago, has released their Guide to Online Video.

The 7-part entertaining, informative and inspiring Guide is your best introduction to the WHY and HOW of online video for publicizing your organization, increasing momentum for a campaign, and spreading your message virally. Michael serves as your docent through the series of short 1-3 minute videos, each with complementary links and resources. Non-technical and very accessible, Michael teaches you how to be an online storyteller.

Check out the first part in the series below. Then proceed to the full Guide to Online Video on the See 3 site.



1. The World We Live In from See3 Communications on Vimeo.