#BeCommunityAction

The celebration of National Community Action Month is more than spreading awareness of our programs and services; it’s about sharing the achievements throughout our network, celebrating the successes of our customers and strengthening our communities by helping people and changing lives. This year, agencies across Ohio are not only celebrating our successes, achievements and stories, but many of you are celebrating 50 years of innovative thinking and progressive programs that have helped inspire, motivate, encourage and overcome obstacles to allow opportunities for low-income families and individuals to reach self-sufficiency.

The Community Action Partnership has called on agencies and associations to be inspired, proud, innovative, enthused, motivated, and to #BeCommunityAction. Agencies don’t need to host a major event to do this and, though it sounds like fun, they don’t need to host a flash mob (though if you’re interested in hosting one, be sure to check out the toolkit)!  All you need is a few minutes and social media to get that two-way communication going with your customers, your community, your local elected officials, your volunteers and of course, your staff. Keep your community engaged by asking staff, volunteers, board members and more, to share #MissionMoments and post them on your social media pages or website. You can also take advantage of the sample social media posts provided by Community Action Partnership in the toolkit.

OACAA is proud to be part of this network and pleased to celebrate Community Action’s achievements every day of the year. Let’s show our community how we continue to #BeCommunityAction! 

Kathryn A. Clausen,
OACAA Communications Director

Kathryn has over a decade of nonprofit experience with more than half of that time spent directly in the Community Action Network. She earned her bachelor’s degree in communication Summa Cum Laude from Franklin University, her associate’s degree from Ohio University and is currently pursuing her graduate degree from Kent State University. Kathryn manages the association’s public relations including regular communication federal and state lawmakers, media, OACAA members and the general public. She also supports CAs across the state as needed in their communication efforts. 

Will you be joining #GivingTuesday?

#GivingTuesday

Social media has created a number of opportunities for nonprofits to increase fundraising goals while lowering campaign costs. It has successfully launched several viral micro-donation campaigns such as the Cold Water or ALS Ice Bucket Challenges and it has enhanced year-end and year-round fundraising. 

You've likely heard of Black Friday and Cyber Monday though have you heard of Giving Tuesday? The social media campaign, founded by New York’s 92^nd Street Y and the United Nations Foundation, created an outlet encouraging others give back after they grabbed a few holiday sales. The campaign quickly went viral and has since turned into a global movement.

“We have two [days] for getting deals. Now, we have #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back.” ~GivingTuesday.org

Like the annual sale-day traditions, Giving Tuesday follows the Thanksgiving holiday. This year, it lands on December 2, 2014. In 2013, over $300 billion was donated to charities across the United States with much of that being donated in November and December. On Giving Tuesday, donations connected with the campaign are expected to increase 90% over last year’s contributions. The campaign continues to gain momentum with social media boosts while it creates new donor traditions.

For more information, news, webinars, and tools for joining the Giving Tuesday campaign, visit www.givingtuesday.org.