Here at emote360 we’ve been doing some research and putting together case studies about non-profits and the ways they utilize (or neglect) multimedia to advocate for their cause. Here’s what we’ve found:

A Nonprofit’s use of media to successfully capture the attention of their target audience can actually make the difference between their success and failure…even more than their cause, effectiveness, or quality of work. (www.philanthropyjournal.org, 2007) (www.nptimes.com, 2008)
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The target audience for nonprofits is getting younger… “Generation Y” will judge your organization (and decide whether or not they will support you or get involved with your cause) by your website, media, communication and how engaged they feel by your organization. (Momentum: Igniting Social change in the Connected Age, Allison H. Fine, Jossey-Bass, 2006)
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One study of nonprofit leaders aimed at learning about their use of technology found that “participants felt a ‘common struggle’ in understanding which tools are critically important to their work. ‘I’m in a perpetual state of anxiety about which tools I’m supposed to be paying attention to.’ Most of the attendees were at a loss as to where and how to get help for selecting and using new social media tools.” (Overbrook Foundation Web 2.0 Assessment, 2007)
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That same study found that Overall, the grantees are firmly entrenched in the Web 1.0 world, meaning that grantees use the web largely as a source of information rather than interactivity. However, none of the participants dismissed the need for communications technology as an essential part of the way that they work. (Overbrook Foundation Web 2.0 Assessment, 2007)
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Financially successful nonprofits are the ones with excellent media, outstanding communication about their work, and opportunities for their supporters/donors to interact with them. (www.philanthropyjournal.org, 2007)

Most nonprofit’s reason for bad marketing and media is “lack of funds”… however we believe that the real reason is lack of education regarding the importance of media, and therefore a failure to prioritize funds for the strategic and effective use of media.

According to the study referenced above “The focus groups expressed almost universal exhaustion, fear and competition for funds. Organizations are frantically raising money and do not feel that they have time to stop and think about how they work, how they engage their constituents, and what the most appropriate approaches to social media are for them. This leads to a culture of pushing the new tools away because the groups don’t know enough about them, don’t have the staff to explore and learn about them, and are working in environments that are often on the wrong side of the digital divide.” (Overbrook Foundation Web 2.0 Assessment, 2007)

OUR RESPONSE?

We MUST help non-profits, especially in these trying times when donors dollars aren’t that accessible. NPOs need a strategic media solution at a cost they can afford… that’s the tough part - the finances.

Emote360 and Kevin Kubota have been featured in this months issue of Professional Photographer Magazine. Go ahead and pick up a copy at… places where you’ll find magazines The article is near the end, pg 146 titled “Building A Future”. Just something we wanted to share. It’s so rad to see and hear stories like Kevin’s about people using their talent to give back. That’s what we’re all about - creatively giving back and enabling others to do so!

Tell us a little bit about yourself?
I am passionate about being with my family and love spending as much time as possible with them! I have an amazing husband David, and 2 unbelievably creative and inspiring children, Charlie and Olivia.

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Where is home?
I was raised in Jackson Hole, Wyoming so that always feels like home when I go back to visit or work. Now after 5 years of living in Bend and beginning to plant some roots here by getting more involved in the community, Bend is starting to feel more and more like home.

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How long have you been in the event biz?
I think I’ve loved a good party since birth, but professionally for about 14 years now.

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What’s the best part of being an event coordinator?
The end result. I love sitting back at the end of an event and seeing all of the hard work come together! All the food and cake tastings are fun too!

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How would you describe your style?
I love new & trendy ideas and always look for what is cutting edge in the event world. But at the end of the day, I always go back to ‘classic elegance’. Years ago I worked for Ralph Lauren and his timeless style always inspires me and has helped shape my own style a bit.

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Who or what circumstance inspired you to give back?
The huge catapult in my life that inspired me to give back happened in 2003. During an event meeting I had a stroke, followed by open-heart surgery a few months later. I knew that my life was completely out-of-control, working ridiculous hours & drinking 2 pots of coffee a day. Something had to give and because I’m a slow learner, that something had to be extraordinary to get my attention! I think when you are faced with a mind-blowing trial like that, it makes you assess where you’re at in your life and what you are putting your energy into.

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Tell us how you are currently giving back?
I have been planning various events in the community for non-profits over the past few years and they simply energize and inspire me like no other event can. I get to plan amazing, fun, and creative events knowing that what I do can make a difference in the world somehow! I am currently involved with KIDS Center, Morning Star Christian School, The Center Foundation and FrontLine Foundation—a Christian version of “United Way” that is just being launched here in Bend. I have also worked with Pregnancy Resource Center and faithfully pray for them and Ransom Wear as they are doing amazing work in our community and globally.

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Something you’re still learning?
That I cannot do it alone. I try all the time…and God so faithfully & gently reminds me that I’m a total dork and that it is really Him who works through me and in me. It is humbling and awesome! Oh, and I’m learning balance! That’s a hard one for me as I tend to have a ‘go big or go home’ kind of personality. Hard to do on a non-profit budget!

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What advice would you have for others who are looking to start giving back and don’t know where to start?
Follow your heart. I have stepped out over the years in many different directions only to have my path redirected. Huge waste of time if you are not using the gifts that God has given you or are doing it for the wrong reasons. “Success is going from failure to failure without a loss of enthusiasm”–Winston Churchill

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How can people be involved in what you are doing?
Email me at aimeeb@bendbroadband.com or contact the various non-profits I have listed above directly. Volunteers are always needed and resources are always appreciated!

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Readers can find more out about you or your work at:
Your Website: www.bendeventco.com
Your Blog: http://bendeventco.blogspot.com/
(both under construction)

Jane Johnson

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Tell us about yourself:
I am a: wife | daughter | twin | aunty | designer | photographer. Creating is at the core of my being. I love to show people things they have never seen, never thought of, or see in an entirely new light. I don’t just take pictures. I HAVE to tell the story of what lies behind the smile. I suppose that makes me a documentary photographer. Regardless of my title, I am fascinated by people.

I was born in Arizona, but have spent the last 16 years in Oregon. I studied photography at Oregon State, and moved to Bend in 2004 as a brand new bride to help start a church with my husband and three other couples. After three years of acting as a barista, office slave, make-up artist, and graphic designer, I decided to pursue my own career in photography and founded Ethni Photography in 2007. I am currently running Ethni, and am the art director for True North Parenting, a local parenting magazine.

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What does giving back look like for your photo biz:
The vision for Ethni Photography was born out of a large realization that the world is already saturated with so many gifted photographers. Although I knew I was specifically called to pursue photography while I was on a mission trip in Rio de Janeiro in 2001, I was very aware that I wasn’t the only person in this world with that gifting. Last year I found myself on my face asking God what He wanted to do differently with me in the photography industry. I firmly believe that people aren’t gifted creatively to simply get rich doing it. During three days of heavy prayer, the vision for Ethni came together: 25% of every session fee goes as a donation to a missions organization of the client’s choice. Why 25%? Because when I’m shopping I consider anything less than 25% off not worth my time.
“Ethni” comes from ethnos, the greek word for nations. I dropped the “-os” and added an “i” to make it a little more feminine, and it became my business name. I thought I had just made up a word, but interestingly enough, I stumbled across a wikipedia entry just a few weeks ago, nearly a year after Ethni began. It turns out that Ethni is actually the name of a Hebrew man in the old testament, who David assigned to the music ministry of the tabernacle in 1 Chronicles 6:41. However, as I studied the word further, I was even more convinced that I was on the right track with Ethni. The original definition of the word is bountiful and munificent (extremely liberal in giving, very generous, characterized by great generosity). I don’t think coming up with that name was pure coincidence. And in only five months, I was able to donate nearly $2,000 to local, national, and global organizations. I know that’s just a drop in the bucket in light of what God will do in the future.

Just think of the impact that can be made in a country where the donation from one wedding ends up being twice a person’s average yearly income! I’m excited at the possibilities.

So I take every session, and write every check, while continually remembering my life verse: The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. (Matthew 6:22)

Here’s to illuminating the rest of the world.

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Website: http://www.ethniphotography.com/
Blog: http://www.ethniphotography.blogspot.com/

It’s crazy how many media folks are “giving-back” as we take a look around the west coast - even in our little city of good ole Bend, Oregon. It really is inspiring, however, there are still countless non-profit organizations in communities all over the nation that still need lots-o-help! So, we want to challenge other artists out there to give-back locally and globally. Here in the next few weeks we will start our campaign To Inspire. We will be featuring various artists who are volunteering for awesome causes, we’ll be showing their work and telling their story TO INSPIRE other artists to do the same. Life is too short, it should be meaningful.

FGM involves cutting off a young girl’s clitoris. FGM is seen in some countries as a way to ensure virginity and to make a woman marriageable. In Africa, about three million girls are at risk of FGM each year, according to the UN.

Here at emote360 we’re passionate about A LOT of human rights issues, one in particular is to stop a practice called FGM (female genital mutilation) in Uganda. We were part of team who went to Uganda last Feb & March to make a documentary film called “One Girl” to expose the practice that is still happening in Uganda. It’s a complex issue, but it’s awesome to see things moving forward in parts of Uganda. There’s no doubt that there is still work to be done in other countries and more minds to change still in Uganda. But nonetheless, it’s good news to our ears! Check out the article HERE.