Ten Minutes from Annapolis . . . @jlalo Rocks!

I work with some amazing folks and Julie Lalo happens to be one of them.  It's a blessing and a stroke of luck that in two very unique professional roles for me I surround myself with individuals who have so much to contribute, share and impact so many in such a positive way.

 

I am committing my space to Jule who shares a piece she calls "Ten Minues from Annapolis"  - she is so passionate in promoting nature and the outdoors in and around the Chesapeake region.  Here is a taste of what Jule shares with staff at NWF - You ROCK Jule.  Happy Holidays to you as well!

 

Happy holidays, everyone!

 

I think it should be mandatory that you make at least one snow angel in your lifetime. It's a perspective-changing experience that you can do anywhere, I can attest! And now, my anecdotal research is verified. National Wildlife Federation has launched our national "Be Out There" initiative for the express purpose of reminding all of us of the gifts we can give ourselves and our families every day. Take an extra ten minutes sometime soon to check out the new Be Out There website. I'll warn you that you'll need more than ten if you spend any time looking through the photo-sharing site, or plugging options into the NatureFind tool. I gave that link as a free gift to my nephew. He's just come back from a posting in South Korea, and is now ready to explore Maryland with his six-year-old. (Spoiler: I am not getting her the puppy she asked me for. The craft kits, books and princess tiara will have to suffice.)

 

And in the new year, consider sending the links below to a teacher you know, with the following introductory note:

Be Out There™  is National Wildlife Federation's initiative to inspire families across America to open the door and get outside! A daily dose of the outdoors improves children’s physical, mental and emotional well-being. Join the Be Out There movement to get children outside, connecting to nature.

The benefits of outdoor play are real: healthier kids with a life-long appreciation of wildlife and nature.

www.nwf.org/beoutthere

www.nwf.org/campusecology

www.nwf.org/ecoschools

www.greenhour.org

It's been my pleasure to get to know each of you this year. You have all been a great gift to me. May your travels be safe, your days be joyful, and your burdens be light.

 

Julie Lalo

Regional Representative (DE, DC, MD, NC, PA, VA, WV)

National Wildlife Federation

Chesapeake Mid-Atlantic Office

Annapolis, MD  21401

Posted via email from Michael's Ramblings . . .

The games are afoot - so is your cell phone bill

via time.com

Happened to catch this piece in Time a few weeks back and part of me was elated to see such a successful use of the social networking environment, not to mention the boom of gaming that I always knew had the potential to explode in so many new ways - while at the same time all these flares went up both good and bad.

I'm excited to see this explosion as more and more people start getting the urge to explore the social networking use of games as Zynga has offered. From Farmville to Mafia Wars those who out there know what I'm talking about, the addictive rates appear to be staggering.

I'm not going to get into the revenue aspects of this world, in fact I applaud how they are using various resources the Time article touches upon. Caution on the part of us who dabble is always rule number one, or like this unsuspecting parent found out an extra $170 was tacked on to the cell phone bill. But still consider how easy it was for these guys to harness that integration of technology and revenue? As a technologist looking for that simple means to help raise money and awareness for good is always on the top of my task list.

On a pod cast I recently heard from The Chronicle of Philanthropy Social Good they spoke about the amazing growth of the business and how widely accepted it was becoming. Games for Change is creating interactive game systems that raise awareness and revenue for causes which for me is a really exciting opportunity. No longer is online gaming just geared towards teenage boys, in fact over 68% of all American homes are engaged with some sort of digital gaming and half of them according to the pod cast are women.

With the demographics quickly changing and people spending between 30 min to hours per day "playing" the opportunity to be harnessing this fast growing market is tempting. Which is great news as I see my oldest who has such a creative streak, tremendous programming skills and an uncanny ability to understand games will one day make his mark on the industry.

Mobility like the iPhone apps and easier access to game development are just the start. Interactions with others "playing" via Twitter and Facebook as Zynga demonstrated is only a natural expansion of this genre. Just keep an eye on your phone bill.

Posted via web from Michael's Ramblings . . .

To LED or NOT to LED - who else is on the fence?

via youtube.com

Couldn't help but notice how few homes I see this year that are not switching to LED and in fact haven't put up ANY decorations on the outside this year? I'm wondering if it's the R reason or just people not feeling festive. Not sure.

I was on the fence about even replacing my decades worth of antiquated lights, in fact there was a recent poll from Frugal Living that seemed to indicate I wasn't alone. Almost 50% of those participating hadn't done so either but were considering.

Either way I'm still putting up my Festivus Pole, if I can only find my tinsel.

Before you choose below are some really good points made by the Home ImprovementDepot you may find of value.

enjoy and Happy Holidays!

The Home Depot’s Christmas Light Trade-In offer is being advertised as a “green” and environmentally friendly gesture, but truth behind that claim may be arguable. Last year we did an to see if they really could save you money and energy. Some of the things we found:

LED Christmas lights are still much more expensive than regular incandescent Christmas lights. Saving $3 per strand of lights is good, but the LED lights will almost definitely still be more expensive than regular Christmas lights if you compare cord length or even number of bulbs to light sources per strand.

LED Christmas lights do use much less energy and they are much less expensive to run through a holiday season. But you probably need to use those LED lights for lots of seasons to even begin to get back the money you initially spent in purchasing them. Unless energy prices skyrocket in the next few years your LED Christmas lights will still have a “higher cost of ownership” when you consider energy cost as well as purchase price.

LED Christmas lights are made of plastic and all those old Christmas lights you turn in are just going to end up in a landfill. Even those new LED lights will one day end up in a landfill, so the more Christmas lights you buy, the more trash you’re generating (that can be said about most things, though).

Posted via web from Michael's Ramblings . . .

"it’s only on the brink that people find the will to change" - Basil Fawlty has the answers . . .

If you haven't seen the "The Day The Earth Stood Still" remake don't worry, you're not missing much - well except for what was an anti war movie now has an environmental twist.  In a nut shell the Earth is visited by an alien who has decided the planet needs to be saved and the one species who have fraked it up needs to go - that would be us.  But reasoning with the alien ( Keanu Reeves ) on a scientific level is none other then . . . Basil Fawlty or rather in a very serious role, Monty Pythons very own John Cleese.

 

In what was one of the few if not only standout moments in this rather odd remake caused for me what can only be called an "ah ha" moment when it came to Cleese and Keanu.

 

Cleese plays a Nobel Prize-winning scientist ( I'm not joking ) – the dialogue which I painstakingly had to use the pause, rewind, play and pause button several times went something like this:

Cleese: Well, there must be alternatives. You must have some technology that could solve the problem.

Keanu: The problem is not technology. The problem is you. You lack the will to change.

Cleese: Then help us change.

Keanu: I cannot change your nature. You treat the world as you treat each other.

Cleese: But every civilisation reaches a crisis point eventually.

Keanu: Most of them don’t make it.

Cleese: Yours did. How?

Keanu: Our sun was dying. We had to evolve in order to survive.

Cleese: So it was only when your world was threatened with destruction that you became what you are now.

Keanu: Yes.

Cleese: Well, that’s where we are. You say we’re on the brink of destruction, and you’re right.  But it’s only on the brink that people find the will to change; only on the precipice that we evolve. This is our moment – don’t take it from us. We are close to an answer.

This past week I've heard the term "political will" along with "being on the brink" then comes this flick and it all makes sense.  Seemed poetic to see this nicely summed up in a random viewing of a movie I never had pegged as a call to action to protect the planet.

 

When we are at the brink of Copenhagen and global climate change this coming week I hope they play this movie on the airplanes of all those who are going because we are close to that answer and we are on the brink.  This is our moment otherwise the ending of this movie may become a reality where we pay the ultimate price: no electricity, no cars, no trains, no oil, no man made pollution - wait a minute I'm waiting for the bad part.

 

http://www.imdb.com/video/hulu/vi1047461913/

Posted via email from Michael's Ramblings . . .

Derreck Kayongo - proof that you can make a difference

via youtube.com

Meeting inspiring people like Derreck Kayongo who began The Global Soap Project which recovers and recycles soap from American hotels and facilitates a process by which it is sanitized, melted and remolded into new bars, then distributed to refugee camps in Africa.

Uplifting and inspiring - proof positive that behind every revolution there is someone with a vision and in this case Derreck is putting that vision into action! http://www.globalsoap.org/

Posted via web from Michael's Ramblings . . .

On the last train to Charleston

via flickr.com

This marked my 8th year attending the Blackbaud Conference in Charleston SC. They have been doing this now for 10 years and I swear each time they reinvent the process.

When you see tweets like: "Best NPO Conferences I've been to. Great speakers, networking, idea sharing. Technology/ people rock!" You know you're part of something a little bit magical. It's like almost coming home and much of that is the relationships that are formed from within Blackbaud and the amazing, inspiring people you meet and continue to connect with.

The market place is a reminder of just how innovative the planning team gets in keeping the attendees engaged, relaxed and well fed. I was also watching the flow and process which maximized how the vendors interacted, the options for breaks even the chair massage - oh I would have killed to have sat in one of those chairs!

Of course there was the gestapo afternoon break folks who worked for the convention center. They refused to allow anyone access to the soda pail until 3:15 sharp. Didn't they know who I was? I actually had the bottle of soda in my hand and was told to put it back - should have licked the bottle as my Navy Alumni buds suggested, that would have been fun.

For me this year was a very different experience. I got to stretch the old noodle a bit and presented on a topic I was not all that comfortable with. I actually think I pulled it off even though I couldn't remember NWF's mission statement. Got ribbed for that one! I don't know my scores but as my "life twin" Kate who is sitting next to me said, I was "very animated, engaging and fun to listen and watch." Of course she told me this at the evenings reception hour so maybe I need to factor in the "tipsy" aspect of the review!

I attended a series of events I don't normally follow and I have to say it was liberating in a way to learn more about topics that I don't have to directly support. I find the learning to be invaluable as a technologist because you never know when I have to apply something I encountered to the job. I was also impressed that how in just a short time frame, folks attending many of the social networking sessions, were no longer questioning the terminology - they got it! So not the case last year.

I had the dubious honor of being listed at the conference as a top tweeter - http://wthashtag.com/Bbcon not sure I can include that in my resume but I understand I will have an ASP named after me. What I did get from all the tweets . . . is how by highlighting the session points during the engagement I can now go back and reference those comments, it's better then note taking! AND - connecting with other Tweets who were in the same or different sessions, priceless.

I FINALLY got to meet Holly Ross from NTEN http://twitter.com/ntenhross who used the geographical search feature on Twitter and found me at the session. For about 2 hours I was looking for a gal wearing a pair or Red Shoes and a Navy Blue blouse. We hooked up at her session where I publicly professed my love for her, she was as engaging in person as she has been online and spoke to the very point of what being a technologist means to me and how we use those skills to support those and provide service to do good in todays world. http://www.youtube.com/user/blackbaudinc#p/u/7/NhW4WCAfejI

I'm looking forward to sharing more about this awesome event http://twitter.com/#search?q=bbcon and to nurture the relationships both new and old as a result of my latest Charleston trip. Until next time.

We are of Peace. Always.

Posted via web from Michael's Ramblings . . .

Trekking to Charleston, again

It's that time of year.  Ahhh yes, November when the leaves begin to turn and fall, holiday preparations and family plans are being discussed, breaking out the warm attire begins and of course it's the annual Blackbaud Conference for Non Profits - this is either my 7th or perhaps 8th time that I am making this visit.  I think after 10 years they name a DLL or a process after you, so like Bill Murray in Caddyshack when discussing his reward from the Dalai Lama, I got that to look forward to.  Of course I'm looking forward to seeing some great friends I have had the good fortune to make over the years and then there is the PACKING challenge.  In all the time I've traveled to Charleston I try to see how little I can get away with packing for the 3 days, which hasn't always worked out.

One year I had to purchase some Blackbaud shirts as I miscalculated or did I slurp one too many oysters and stain a shirt?  Last year I made the tactical mistake of not bringing a coat and it ended up being the coldest week ever. I swear I saw snow falling in the morning - but then again there were many mornings I was a bit bleary eyed thanks to the engaging and non stop energy attending a Blackbaud session such as this can provide.

This year however will be a little different for me, this year besides looking at the forecast, I will be attending the conference as a representative of the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) and NOT the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF).  Why is this different?  and I should be clear, different does not mean bad different or good different, different in this case is related to the scope of service which the two organization has chosen Blackbaud to partner with.  CBF followed the same rule of thumb my friends at Navy Alumni used, if Blackbaud made it we bought it.  NWF on the hand only has a limited engagement with their Raiser's Edge (RE) product.  RE is the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) component both organizations use to manage key members and it's only used for a small segment of NWF 4 million membership.

I was fortunate during my 10 years at CBF to not only witness the Blackbaud product line grow and take off as it has to encompass a great many needs of non-profits but also help guide and be part of that development by taking an active role in various early adopter programs and review panels on first versioning of Blackbaud's software solutions.  

NWF is much different in that there are already well placed teams and high capacity systems in place that have established the collection of data and the flow which in turn created partnerships with other competitors in the direct marketing field like Merkel.  My level of influence along with my understanding of the work flow on this front is still at it's early stages.  The history of the process and and what makes up the volume is also at its infancy as it's only been 6 months being in the role of lead Technologist.  Was I surprised that Blackbaud had reached out and asked me to participate in a Direct Marketing Panel discussion titled:  The Challenges and Successes of Managing an Advanced, Integrated Marketing Strategy and in this case representing NWF?  Oh, yes I most certainly was - while I was happy to have the opportunity it was clear I was not treading in unfamiliar territory.

Back in April I had the good fortune to do something similar in Boston at the Target Analytics session as part of CBF and Amelia Koch the CBF Director of Membership was with me answering the tough Marketing questions.  I won't have that safety net this time even though Amelia was also invited to be on this current panel along with Misty Thornton from Heifer International   I have to admit I'm a bit nervous now, before I could speak to a great many topics as I knew the CBF organization inside and out.  Not the case with NWF.

So now that I have the panel questions in hand I have two tacts to take:  take the opportunity to spend the next week trying to immerse myself in all things Direct Marketing related to the NWF organization or . . . and it's a gamble but here it is:  focus instead on where I see the organization moving forward on the Direct Marketing front and not worry about stats and what NWF has done in the past.

So to recap -

 

• November, good month, leaves, turkey, family.  
• Charleston, look at the forecast, pack accordingly this time, try to save brain cells and liver.  
• Blackbaud conference, excited to see many friends and partners, maybe even a Baudcast.  
• Direct Marketing Panel, speaker, pray, shoot from the hip - ask questions later.

I pitched them the idea of me participating in a more technical track but noooooo.  It's OK, really.  But fair warning - I'm bringing all my product flair.  Can't be seen only wearing the RE and Speaker flair on my name badge, I have a reputation to protect.  Chucktown, here I trek!

 

Posted via web from Michael's Ramblings . . .