We don't just fist pump on Staten Island

Staten Island was supposed to be just a brief stopping point as I migrated to the rest of my life.  The 5 year plan turned into the 10 year plan and after 15 years Staten Island officially became my home.
 

I couldn’t leave.  Staten Island met the criteria.  Close to Manhattan and my roots in Brooklyn.  An easy ride to New Jersey and points South.  Heck,  it was in the middle of everywhere.  The only problem for me was with Staten Island’s image. People not from here thought the whole island was covered by the worlds largest dump.  Stereotypes like the Situation, Snooky and Mob Wives are accepted as the norm and  Staten Island was not getting the recognition this culturally rich and exciting boro deserved.
 

We don’t just fist pump on Staten Island.  It is Not a place to be to be forgotten,   Staten Island is an integral  part of the most exciting city in the world.    Abundant in philanthropic activities and people who dedicate their lives to art, culture and social enterprise.  An Island steeped in history, filled with thousands of acres of parkland and beaches. AND  only a free 20 minute ferry ride from Manhattan.
 

Never one satisfied with the status quo I always hoped  that something would change.  I found that there were other’s like me that see such potential for our home.  Like a Jedi,  as guardian of conversation,  I harnessed the mystical energies of engagement.  Facebook, Twitter, linked In, Youtube and Flikr became my light saber and the social media force was definitely with me.  Immediately I began working on  projects with local Non-profits.  

What a great way to satisfy my passion for helping my community and really  DO something.   I knew there were  social media strategies I could use  to increase cause awareness, raise funds, and draw audiences to their events.


My first project was for  the  Jewish Community Center of Staten Island.  I had 2 months to promote  ReelAbilities a NY disabilities film festival dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories and artistic expressions of people with different disabilities.  The previous year had a small turnout and the goal was to increase it.  Simply posting on twitter and the real time internet, I was able to amplify the message and reach those interested.  Hundreds turned out for the showings.

The Business Council for the American Cancer Society of Staten Island decided to use social media to promote  their 2011Comedy for a Cure fundraiser.  Using a few tools and strategies  all of the members of the council participated in the online campaign and raised almost double the amount of money projected.

June  2010  brought the first LUMEN to Staten Island presented by the Council on the Arts and Humanities for Staten Island,  Lumen is  a cutting-edge video,  art,  and projection show.  It features work by emerging Staten Island artists, as well as established video, new media, projection, and animation artists from New York City and beyond.   LUMEN highlights a diversity of artists at the forefront of their media in an industrial landscape on Staten Island’s waterfront.  We needed to get the word out to everyone in NY that this incredible and awesome event was taking place.  Twitter was the perfect tool, raising the noise levels in the data streams drawing attention from art sources, news media outlets and over 700 guests.  This year’s LUMEN will be at the site of another favorite project of mine; the proposed National Lighthouse Museum.

Twitter  and the “real time Internet” has permanently changed the landscapes of media, communication, and marketing. It is crucial for Non Profit organizations to be part of this emerging trend.  By building communities online and having conversations that are relevant to them, these and many other Non Profit Organizations have been able to facilitate connections engage their audience.

For non-profit organizations and other charities, social media is an incredibly powerful tool to create word-of-mouth, connect with constituents, gather support, and even raise money. Through social media, non-for-profits have the opportunity to positively affect their organization's perception, visibility and brand experience by taking part in online and mobile conversations. The expansion of the social web is impacting all organizations, and non-profits of all kinds must be prepared to embrace this  fundamental  universal shift.

One person can make a difference you just have to have a vision and take a chance. Take the first step, make some noise change your world.