Newsletter, July 2004
By Karen Lemke, Client Development Manager
Nonprofit Neighborhood
A host of new clients
As part of a unique partnership between thedatabank and the Minnesota DFL , we're offering a special discount to endorsed Democratic candidates. Thanks to the Teresa Daly for Congress campaign for being the first to sign up! Campaigns in Minnesota and elsewhere should contact us for details on affordable database technology.
We would also like to welcome these new clients:
- The National Wildlife Refuge Association will use the e-ActionMax advocacy system to mobilize grassroots activists in support of protecting, enhancing and expanding the National Wildlife Refuge System.
- Speak Up Minnesota has selected e-ActionMax as a means to re-engage people politically and empower citizens by making it easy for them to take action on issues that are important to them.
- Third Street Community Center brings the magic of life-long learning, and the confidence that comes with it, to the low income residents of downtown San Jose, California. DonorMax with help them manage and track fundraising.
- No on the Amendment ( Kentucky Families for Fairness ) is a grassroots campaign to defeat the Kentucky state constitutional amendment banning gay marriage and domestic partner benefits. thedatabank will provide data management and communication tools for an intensive mailing and canvassing effort.
NRCM achieves success with e-ActionMax
The Natural Resource Council of Maine achieved an important success this year with e-ActionMax, when rules to prevent "cut and run" logging passed the Legislature. This is a major victory marking the first significant change in Maine's forest practices in over a decade.
According to NRCM, member contributions to the effort made all the difference. Throughout the legislative process, Representatives referred to the number of emails and phone calls they had received in support of the rules. One legislator said that he was going to vote for the rules because he could not ignore the number of emails he received from his constituents.
It was a tough fight. Despite the myriad of industry lobbyists brought in to defeat the rule, it passed initially by one vote in the House (66-65) and four in the Senate (19-15). It was finally approved by a 74-59 margin in the House and 20-14 in the Senate.
Tip Du Jour
Hosting: What does it mean?
When we say we "host" your data, what does that really mean? Do we offer to take its coat, and politely introduce it to the other data? No, we're not that kind of host.
In this month's Tip, thedatabank CEO Chris Hanson sheds some light on the term hosting. His essay is the first in a series of "Techno-Babble Briefings."
Techno-Babble Briefing #1: ASPs
Karen's Blog
Hostess with the Mostest
A few days ago I hosted a small group meeting at my house. As I stood in the kitchen, wearing my grandma's apron and spreading pink frosting onto a home made cake that I planned to serve to my guests, I got the giggles. It was as if I had been caught in a time warp...or perhaps I was channeling June Cleaver. Seriously, who makes pink cake these days?
It's not just the party food that has changed in the past few decades. Obviously, technology has had a huge impact on our lifestyles. And it has given birth to a whole new vocabulary, as Chris pointed out in this month's Tip.
One thing that has not changed is people still like to get together. Electronic communication, while valuable, can not replace face to face contact. We still want to be guests and hosts.
This summer, there are a number of opportunities for you to visit with us in person. thedatabank will be in Washington, DC in August to attend the Alliance conference and meet with clients and friends. We're also presenting a workshop, in partnership with Public Allies of Delaware, on how technology can be used to build an online community with real results. (Contact me to arrange a similar workshop in your city.) And, we're hosting an Open House in our new office on August 26.
I'll look forward to seeing many of you in the coming weeks!
Karen
Announcements
System Upgrades
Templates can now be saved for bulk data entry.
Events
thedatabank will exhibit at the Alliance for Nonprofit Management annual conference in Washington, DC on August 12-14th.
When Knowing Isn't Enough: Using Technology to Achieve Real Behavior Change
August 11th
Wilmington, Delaware
Register Online
Save the date!
Open House August 26th, 4-8pm at our new office near downtown Minneapolis.
Just For Fun
A modern hostess can't do without the Gallery of Regrettable Food. Also available in print, for the fashionable coffee table.
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