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In the last few years, we've made a serious effort to both explore and teach the topic of networks and civil society. We published an academic journal on the subject. We have offered several online workshops. We've coached and consulted with clients. One of the most attractive questions that arises is how organizations can put formal online social networks to good use.
But most nonprofits are suffering from a flaw in their frame of reference, when it comes to the question of such networks. This revolves around the notion of what kind of asset they think an online social network is. Our attitudes seem to be shaped by the familiar metaphor of the mailing list - a broadcast model of communication that involves the organization asking and people on the list giving. But, as Michael Gilbert wrote recently at Nonprofit Online News, Online Social Networks Are Not Mailing Lists.
Mr. Gilbert's talk will build on the ideas from that article, address objections to its thesis, and briefly suggest a few alternative points of view that respect the notion that nonprofits still have to pay the bills. In the fifteen to twenty minutes allotted for the seminar, he will address three to five questions of participants, each of whom will be asked to submit their most important one. The primary outcome of this seminar is the clarification for participants of what an effective frame of reference may be for their organization, in terms of participating in online social networks.
Here is a related article by Michael Gilbert:
"I just wanted to thank you for the wonderful mini-seminar. It was really fantastic. If I had an actual marketing budget, I'd sign up for the "real" ones in a heartbeat. I greatly appreciate all you do to advance the cause of nonprofits."
This seminar will be taught by Michael C. Gilbert, the author of dozens of online seminars on communication issues for nonprofits. He is a long time coach and consultant on matters related to information and effectiveness in work and civil society. He is the author of Communication Centered Technology Planning, 2nd Edition, the Editor of Nonprofit Online News, and the Founding President of the Nonprofit Technology Enterprise Network. The Gilbert Center is now in the fourth year of its own online seminar program. For more information about Mr. Gilbert, please see his bio.
Our pre-packaged online seminar here consists of a 20 minute session.
Live Online Seminars: These are presented at a scheduled date & time, broadcast live, and include live Q&A time with the instructor. Live online seminars presented by The Gilbert Center are open registration seminars, which means that anyone can attend. Please see our calendar for upcoming events. You can also read technical requirements and other basic facts for this seminar delivery option. (Please note that our calendar of live seminars only goes out a couple of months and not all topics will show up there.)
On-Demand Online Seminars: On-demand means you can attend at a time that is most convenient for your schedule. It consists of the recordings of the most recent live presentation, and comes packaged with a 30 minute phone consultation with the instructor so you can ask questions about the seminar materials and how they can best be put to use in your particular situation. You can also read technical requirements and other basic facts for this seminar delivery option. The catalog of seminars available on-demand is listed down the right-hand side of that same page, and also the calendar page. (Please note that not all topics are available yet for on-demand viewing. See the On-Demand Info page for a complete list of current options.)
Private In-House Sessions: If you have a group of people to whom you would like to offer training, please consider our private, in-house seminars. Which means you can hire us to present this and any of the seminars listed on this site, as well as custom sessions, for your group privately; online or in person at your location. Please contact us for more information if you're interested.
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