All Volunteer, All Heart from Binky Patrol
501c3 Tips
Episodes
2 days ago
2 days ago
Volunteer time management is often overlooked as a value, as an asset. But it is the most valuable donation your organization receives. The dollars you receive are precious - are they being used most effectively? Tracking the time your staff and volunteers spend will help you see where you are getting the best outcomes and where you may be spinning your wheels. Listen to this short episode for some ideas about time and volunteers.
Wednesday Mar 27, 2024
EP54: Protecting Your Non-Profit from Image Copyright Scams
Wednesday Mar 27, 2024
Wednesday Mar 27, 2024
Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their attempts to exploit individuals and organizations. As a nonprofit or small business, staying vigilant and protecting yourself from photo copyright infringement scams is crucial. In this informative PSA episode, Susan Finch from All-Volunteer, All Heart from Binky Patrol shares her recent experience with a suspicious email claiming image copyright violations. With the help of an IP attorney friend, Susan dissects the red flags in the email and provides valuable insights on handling such situations. She also offers practical advice on sourcing legitimate images for your website and the importance of having access to legal counsel for your organization. Join us as we explore these critical issues and learn how to safeguard your nonprofit or small business from falling victim to these deceptive schemes. Stay informed, stay protected, and stay focused on making a positive impact in your community.
Key Points:
Be cautious when using images on your website, and ensure you have the rights to use them.
Consider sourcing images from reputable stock photo websites, hiring a professional photographer, or finding a volunteer.
Be wary of suspicious emails claiming copyright infringement, especially those with unprofessional language or sketchy links.
Do not click on links in suspicious emails, as they may be attempts to extort money or gain access to sensitive information.
Consult with an IP attorney or legal professional if you receive a suspicious email or have concerns about copyright infringement.
Consider having a legal consultant on call to review any potential legal issues.
Get to know your volunteers and their professional backgrounds, as they may be able to offer valuable expertise to your organization.
Wednesday Mar 13, 2024
EP53: Invaluable and FREE Resources for 501C3 Organizations
Wednesday Mar 13, 2024
Wednesday Mar 13, 2024
Are you running a small non-profit organization and looking for ways to save money and maximize your resources? In this quick podcast episode, Susan Finch, our founder, shares some valuable tips and resources that can help you streamline your operations and promote your cause more effectively. From free email services to volunteer recruitment platforms, Susan covers a range of tools that can benefit your organization without breaking the bank. Listen in to discover how to take your non-profit to the next level!
Key resources mentioned:
Google Workspace: Offers free, unlimited email accounts for non-profits with their domain (e.g., @binkypatrol.org).
TechSoup (techsoup.org): Provides discounts on software, equipment, training, and accounting services for 501(c)(3) organizations.
Nextdoor: A platform where you can register your non-profit, post events, and engage in conversations with the local community.
Local media outlets: Television stations, newspapers, and community broadcasting stations often have opportunities for non-profits to promote events, volunteer opportunities, or share success stories.
Local service organizations: Connect with groups like the Scouts, Lions, Elks, and Kiwanis, as they may have resource directories or volunteer opportunities.
City resources: Register your 501(c)(3) with your local city to be included in their community resources and post volunteer opportunities.
VolunteerMatch (volunteermatch.org): A platform to create and manage volunteer opportunities at a low cost with excellent support and resources for non-profits.
Here are some key questions listeners should discuss with their non-profit leadership to identify additional local partners and resources:
Have we reached out to local businesses to explore potential partnerships, sponsorships, or in-kind donations?
Are there any local community foundations or grant-making organizations that align with our mission and could provide funding opportunities?
Have we connected with local schools, universities, or educational institutions to discuss volunteer recruitment, internship programs, or collaborative projects?
Are there any local faith-based organizations or religious institutions that share our values and could become partners in our cause?
Have we investigated potential partnerships with other local non-profits that have complementary missions or serve similar populations?
Are there any local professional associations, trade groups, or industry-specific organizations that could provide resources, expertise, or networking opportunities?
Have we explored partnerships with local government agencies, such as social services departments, to identify areas of collaboration or support?
Are there any local service clubs, like Rotary or Kiwanis, that we could engage with for volunteer recruitment or community outreach?
Have we contacted local media outlets to discuss potential partnerships, such as public service announcements or featured stories?
Are there any upcoming local events, festivals, or conferences that we could participate in to raise awareness about our organization and build community connections?
By exploring these questions and proactively seeking out local partnerships, non-profit leaders can tap into a wealth of resources and expand their organization's impact within the community.
Wednesday Feb 14, 2024
EP51: Nonprofits Amplify Your Voice Through Toastmasters
Wednesday Feb 14, 2024
Wednesday Feb 14, 2024
Susan Finch is joined by Coleen Gose, a professional speaker and domestic violence survivor, to explore the power of storytelling for nonprofit leaders. Gose's journey from finding her voice to becoming a professional speaker is inspiring and insightful. The episode delves into the importance of nonprofit leaders honing their speaking skills, the value of joining organizations like Toastmasters, and the impact of feedback in improving speaking abilities. Coleen and Susan also discuss the versatility of storytelling across various platforms, such as public speaking, remote presentations, and fundraising.
This episode is packed with valuable advice and encouragement for nonprofit leaders looking to enhance their speaking skills and effectively share their organization's mission and impact. Get ready to be inspired and equipped with practical tips to take the stage with confidence and drive action.
Links from this episode:
Coleen Gose on LinkedIn
Coleen's website
Coleen's book, "A Woman's Journey of a Lifetime: Thriving Through the Transitions of Life."
Find your local Toastmasters Chapter here.
About Coleen Gose:
As a Professional Speaker and Healthy Relationship Coach, Coleen has made it her mission to help corporate professionals build healthy relationships by teaching them transformational skills to build lasting and enriching connections. Coleen believes that we all deserve the room to grow unjudged, take risks, find the best version of ourselves, and still be loved
Coleen earned her BA in Law and Justice from Central Washington University and an MBA from the University of Phoenix. She is a Certified Professional Coach, Certified Trauma Informed Coach and Published Author. She is the founder of Life 2.0 Coaching with Coleen.
Wednesday Jan 03, 2024
EP48: Upgrading Your Nonprofit Website: An Initial Guide
Wednesday Jan 03, 2024
Wednesday Jan 03, 2024
Upgrading your nonprofit's online presence can be daunting, especially with limited resources. In this insightful episode, we walk through the initial steps small nonprofits should take when considering revamping their website. Susan shares practical tips on evaluating your current site, defining goals for an upgraded one, estimating costs, and more. Even if a full site overhaul isn't feasible now, Susan offers simple ways to make improvements, like updating content and switching to a more sustainable web host. Tune in to get an introductory game plan for sprucing up your nonprofit's digital face to better serve your community. With Susan's guidance, you'll be well on your way to an achievable website upgrade.
See the new Binky Patrol website here.
Tools mentioned in this episode:
TechSoup
ThemeForest.net
Avada
Rocket.net
Google Analytics
Tuesday Nov 07, 2023
EP45: The Power of Purpose - How to Engage All Ages in Community Service
Tuesday Nov 07, 2023
Tuesday Nov 07, 2023
Welcome to another episode of Volunteer All Heart from Binky Patrol. I'm your host Susan Finch, and today we have two of our amazing volunteers joining us to share their experiences hosting Bink-A-Thons in their communities.
First up is Binky Patrol director, Carolyn Berndt, one of our dedicated volunteers who helped organize a small but mighty Bink-A-Thon with kids from a local charter school. She knows the power of involving youth in service.
We'll also hear from Daphne Boyd, a longtime New Jersey Binky Patrol Area Coordinator who partnered with her local library for a Bink-A-Thon. Daphne knows the importance of engaging senior volunteers, using online volunteer platforms, and allowing flexible participation.
Both ladies have great tips to share from their events, which the MrBallen Foundation sponsored. They'll inspire you with how our volunteers unite to make blankets and hope for children and families nationwide. Stay tuned!Here are some key tips from this episode and our recent event:
Partner with organizations receiving donations to help promote and recruit event volunteers through their newsletters, social media, etc.
Involve youth groups like Girl Scouts or school kids to participate in service activities. It teaches them to help others.
Engage senior communities in making items, giving them a sense of purpose.
Use online volunteer platforms like VolunteerMatch.org to manage and recruit volunteers. Have multiple admins.
List your non-profit in volunteer directories like 211 and United Way to increase visibility.
Consider hosting events in different seasons to provide more opportunities for involvement.
Block enough time for setup, the event itself, and clean-up when planning. Allow some flexibility.
Develop partnerships with local schools, companies, stores, etc. to host drives or service days.
Provide options for volunteers with limited time, like setup/cleanup help only.
Learn more at https://binkypatrol.org
Wednesday Oct 18, 2023
EP43: Beyond the Ask: Building Donor Relationships with Handwritten Notes
Wednesday Oct 18, 2023
Wednesday Oct 18, 2023
With fundraising and volunteer engagement always top of mind, nonprofits need to maximize their donor relationships. Susan's penmanship can be challenging to read, even with the most heart-felt card she sends. Simply Noted provides nonprofits an easy way to personalize communication through handwritten notes, helping donors feel appreciated. Their customizable templates, bulk mailing discounts, and automation integrations enable nonprofits to scale personalized donor touches throughout the year. By sending consistent, meaningful communication outside of solicitations, nonprofits can improve donor loyalty and lifetime value. This outline explores how Simply Noted enables nonprofits to show extra appreciation, share updates, and invite supporters in a more genuine, memorable way. Binky Patrol is fortunate to have a sponsor for this account for the year. It's time to get started on the piles of return addresses on blanket boxes and get those thank you's out. We're also going to use it to send our volunteers anniversary cards - we'd be nothing without their hearts and time!
About Our Guest:
Rick Elmore is founder and CEO of Simply Noted in Tempe, Arizona, a company that utilizes software and robotic technology to create personalized handwritten notes for its 300,000 monthly users.
Learn more about Binky Patrol here.
Wednesday Oct 04, 2023
EP42 Onboarding, and Retaining Regional Chapter Leaders
Wednesday Oct 04, 2023
Wednesday Oct 04, 2023
This is not your episode if you want to remain with only one location and not scale your organization. If you want to grow - even slowly, here are some tips to increase the success of that growth and help retain your regional chapter leaders.
Here are a few ideas covered in this short episode:
How-to videos.
How to edit their info on your site - profile.
Where are their tools - central location to make it easy for them to create letters, social posts, flyers, and thank you cards with their local info. Lock it down except for those pieces to keep it consistent with your brand.
Ask for feedback once a year or more to ensure you still address your audiences with the materials.
Who pays for printing? Do they need to submit expenses?
Ask them for faqs you can add to the site - and credit them - they will feel supported and heard!
Press kit they can easily access to make local grant-writing and sponsorship processes easier.
Tuesday Jul 11, 2023
EP35 It’s Easy to Help Others Instead of Watching Reality Shows
Tuesday Jul 11, 2023
Tuesday Jul 11, 2023
Susan's guest, Steve Squillante, co-founder of Tiny Transplant Titans, opens up about the nights he and his wife spent at the hospital with their son, who is awaiting a liver transplant. The encounters with other families and transplant patients illuminated the challenges faced by those who lived far from medical centers or lacked the support of a partner. Steve realized the privilege they had of living just a short distance away and being able to care for their son together. Witnessing the struggles of other caregivers who couldn't easily leave the hospital, they saw the significance of the little things they often forgot, like coffee gift cards, cozy blankets, or brand-name toothbrushes.
Their experiences sparked an idea: to create care packages containing these forgotten items, relieving financial stress for families unable to leave the hospital. They aimed to offer a sense of ownership and familiarity, providing comfort during their stay. Susan emphasized the importance of feeling at home and having personal belongings in the hospital.
Amidst their son's health challenges and nonprofit work, Steve and his wife balance jobs while working from home. Their desire to positively impact motivated them to utilize their support system to help others. The journey of Tiny Transplant Titans is just beginning, but the positive feedback and smiles from families receiving their care packages inspire them to continue.
The emotional tone of this summary reflects the resilience, compassion, and determination of Steve Squillante and his wife. It underscores the significance of small acts of kindness and their impact on families navigating the difficulties of pediatric transplants. The listener is moved to support Tiny Transplant Titans and witness the transformative power of their work.
Impact4Good sponsors this podcast.
Impact for Good is the one source for bringing community service to your next event. Excited and engaging team-building activities are just part of what they offer. Let them identify the best cause or beneficiaries to support, manage the donation logistics, and bring the spirit of community service to your group from your initial request through the day of your event. Impact4good handles all the details. Be sure to visit them at Impact4Good.com.
Monday Mar 27, 2023
EP32 Scaling Your Non-Profit: Tips and Strategies for Growth
Monday Mar 27, 2023
Monday Mar 27, 2023
In this episode, Susan Finch and Russ Cassvah discuss the ins and outs of starting and running a small nonprofit. They cover important topics such as conducting research, building a community, and finding strategic partners. They also share their experiences with fundraising events and employee matching programs, as well as the importance of being flexible and having a clear vision for your nonprofit.
Some key points covered in the first half include:
Conduct research to identify the need for your nonprofit and the organizations and individuals who can help you achieve your goals.
Building a community through social media, in-person events, and other outreach efforts.
Finding strategic partners, such as companies that offer employee matching programs or provide materials for fundraising events.
Some key points covered in the second half include:
Being prepared for the time commitment required to start and run a nonprofit.
Building a network of friends and colleagues in the nonprofit sector.
Being flexible and willing to pivot in response to changing circumstances.
The importance of having an active and engaged board of directors.
Utilizing tools such as ChatGPT, Zapier, and AI transcription services to streamline your work and improve your output.
Learn more about Little Bricks Charity here.
Learn more about Binky Patrol here.