IFC Online 12 May 2009

Updates from the world's first econference on online fundraising

RT @Alanjbird: very excited that UNICEF have just struck a deal to patch the IFC Online #ifconline into their worldwide intranet!
by howardlake via twitter 5/12/2009 9:39:06 AM
only 2 hours until the #ifconline goes live GMT time!!
by IFCOnline via twitter 5/12/2009 9:39:08 AM
Today marks the start of the world's first econference on online fundraising, run by the Resource Alliance (www.resource-alliance.org), organisers of the International Fundraising Congress in Holland for the past 28 years. For the first time, they are taking elements of this event online, focusing appropriately enough on online fundraising.

Now delegates can attend from anywhere in the world that has a PC and Internet access.

I've registered, carried out the tech check to make sure my PC can handle the sound and video from the event, and have introduced myself.

As well as the content of the seminars, I'm also interested in how the whole event is put together. The main website is based on WordPress.
by howardlake5/12/2009 9:54:46 AM
by howardlake5/12/2009 10:05:28 AM
Fundraisers from 42 countries will be attending the 1st IFC Online #ifconline global fundraising eConference today! bit.ly
by Alanjbird via twitter 5/12/2009 10:06:07 AM
Looking forward to Session No. 7 of #ifconline in 90 minutes, which oddly, is the first of the conference
by cynan_sez via twitter 5/12/2009 10:12:32 AM
Follow #ifconline via twitter at bit.ly RT @howardlake
by damianobroin via twitter 5/12/2009 10:19:29 AM
The conference seems well organised for a global event. There are six versions of the schedule to account for different time zones - London, Paris, Tel Aviv, New York, San Francisco, and Rio de Janeiro. Delegates can then find the most appropriate schedule for them.

In the UK, the first event begins at 12.30 today (11am tomorrow) and the last one starts at 9pm.

Not sure what timezone you're in and how it relates to the schedule? Resource Alliance are offering an handy interactive world map to help you. I'll post that next.
by howardlake5/12/2009 10:23:10 AM
by howardlake5/12/2009 10:41:21 AM
by howardlake5/12/2009 10:44:43 AM
@SeanTriner - you know you can still register and watch the #ifconline sessions as recordings at a time that is suitable for you!
by IFCOnline via twitter 5/12/2009 11:19:56 AM
#ifconline logged on in time to hear someone say 'soundcheck from Finland' then advice to top up tea and coffee. Sound advice.
by IanMacQuillin via twitter 5/12/2009 11:26:54 AM
twitpic.com - #ifconline they're just doing soundchecks now for the first session at 12.30 - looks impressive anyway
by damianobroin via twitter 5/12/2009 11:26:57 AM
Maric Tikkanen kicks off the #ifconline in 10 mins GMT!
by IFCOnline via twitter edited by howardlake 5/12/2009 11:27:01 AM
@cyan_sez - glad you are excited for Mari's #ifconline session - we are too! Let us know what you think of it!
by IFCOnline via twitter 5/12/2009 11:27:13 AM
Here we go. I'm going to be attending Mari Tikkanen's session on 'Using Social Media to Re-energize relations and mobilize support from government donors'.
by howardlake5/12/2009 11:29:59 AM
We're using Adobe Connect as the platform for the conference sessions. Sound is broadcast over Voice over IP (VOIP). We are being encouraged to type questions in the box on screen for the presenter to answer during the question and answer session at the end.
by howardlake5/12/2009 11:32:00 AM
Mari has begun speaking. She is presenting from Helsinki, Finland. Slight problem that images aren't being displayed on her slides, but that's being worked on.

She's starting with some intros and definitions to social media.

The event is being recorded.

The session is incidentally an audio session - it's not video. Will upload a screenshot of what we get to see.
by howardlake5/12/2009 11:35:22 AM
#ifconline Not complaining or anything, but had thought there might be video. Sure there's a good reason. Just audio and slides.
by damianobroin via twitter 5/12/2009 11:38:58 AM
Yes, video would be good. Wonder if some of the Powerpoint presentations will include some short videos - that would do for me. Not sure if a simple webcam of the speaker would be that good.
by howardlake5/12/2009 11:40:09 AM
No questions from delegates yet. No-one likes to go first. I bet as soon as the first question comes in there will be a flood of other questions.

I'd like to know how many other people are following this presentation. Can I communicate with them, either now or after the event?
by howardlake5/12/2009 11:43:43 AM
Mari Tikkanen's #ifconline session is now being held live over the web
by IFCOnline via twitter 5/12/2009 11:45:22 AM
Mari says that charities/nonprofits should focus on getting their website working well before they spend too much time on social media. I agree.
by howardlake5/12/2009 11:46:25 AM
"People expect to be able to re-use this information". Make sure your information and content is available for others to re-use and embed onto their website. This applies to governments as re-users too.
by howardlake5/12/2009 11:47:15 AM
What is everyone thinking about the first #ifconline session?
by IFCOnline via twitter 5/12/2009 11:49:56 AM
IFC have just replied: "we arent using video due to the firewall blocks we would get with 42 countries taking part..." Fair enough.
by howardlake5/12/2009 11:50:38 AM
@IFCOnline First session at #ifconline is good. Sound quality good for me. Slides clear and good. Mari is good speaker too.
by howardlake via twitter 5/12/2009 11:52:56 AM
Anyone else reporting on this event online? Via a blog, Twitter etc? If you'd like to report here, just email me at hlake@fundraising.co.uk.
by howardlake5/12/2009 11:54:22 AM
"Fastest growing demographic on Twitter is 35-38 year olds" and "fastest growing demographic on Facebook is women over 55".
by howardlake5/12/2009 12:00:33 PM
Alan Bird at Resource Alliance has given some more background about the use or non-use of video for the conference.

He said:

"Just to clarify about the lack of live video - the platform we're using
Adobe Connect, can accommodate both video stream (from webcam) as well
as displaying PPT slides. The issue at hand is that any video will be
sharing the same bandwidth as the PPT and the audio - not an issue for
participants on a fibre optic network connection, however for those
joining us on dial-up or lower-speed DSL, the results could be
horrendous.

"Currently we have 42 countries signed up to attend the
conference so we've decided to go with the least risky option ensuring
that no one will be inconvenienced!

"We will use streamed video content in the other sessions however, just
not live webcam".
by howardlake5/12/2009 12:01:28 PM
75 sites worldwide now watching Mari Tikkanen's #ifconline session!
by IFCOnline via twitter 5/12/2009 12:02:29 PM
@IFCOnline #ifconline It's really difficult to feel that Mari is talking to us. Am seriously missing eye contact! But enjoying the info!
by scribblybark via twitter 5/12/2009 12:02:48 PM
#ifconline new approach of social media at Mari presentations.I am thinking to interact with people in my session in 2 hs. Ideas for that?
by marceloiniarra via twitter 5/12/2009 12:06:49 PM
@marceloiniarra Yes, we interacting #ifconline - happy to vote, laugh and give you applause using those icons in bottom left.
by howardlake via twitter 5/12/2009 12:06:56 PM
#ifconline conference is fighting with our network speed!
by louisebarker via twitter 5/12/2009 12:07:00 PM
We're now onto questions and answers. First one from a fundraiser in Cape Town, South Africa. I've been lucky enough to attend physical fundraising conferences, including the International Fundraising Conference in Holland, so have experienced the buzz of meeting and learning from fundraisers from around the world.

But I'm still enjoying the fact that I'm live online with fundraisers internationally. The current question comes from a fundraiser in India.
by howardlake5/12/2009 12:09:10 PM
Mari is now answering my question asking "do you have any tips for finding these government e-fluentials?"

Mary said: "It's about getting to know you donor better".

She added: "UNDP Finland keeps a list of 15 e-fluentials that they target. Mainly academics and corporate leaders.

"It's a painstaking task to map out these e-fluentials. An example for maternal health issues in the UK is Sarah Brown, the Prime Minister's wife".
by howardlake5/12/2009 12:15:19 PM
Yes, the questions are flowing now.

Mari recommends mashable.com, nielsen.com is good for research (for trends, users etc), techsoup.org, socialmediaclub.org.
by howardlake5/12/2009 12:15:56 PM
#ifconline questions now being asked to Mari Tikkanen - one being answered now from India
by IFCOnline via twitter 5/12/2009 12:18:34 PM
@marceloiniarra What about getting people to interact thorough SMS in your session at #ifconline ? You've done that well in the real world..
by scribblybark via twitter 5/12/2009 12:19:15 PM
Mari is now answering a question on metrics. Need to move on from page views and clicks. If you're posting a video, how many comments does it generate? Same with Twitter posts. The softer side is important - how much comment and discussion does your content generate?
by howardlake5/12/2009 12:20:59 PM
Kristina at Resource Alliance suggests that delegates with any tech issues should email
help@learningtimes.net "who will be able to help them with everything".
by howardlake5/12/2009 12:24:54 PM
Orla Quinlan commented that there is "a room full of staff here at Oxfam GB". Good to see charities getting best value out of this online event. I know that UNICEF have already signed up to stream the event to many of their staff via their intranet.
by howardlake5/12/2009 12:26:44 PM
#ifconline had to sneak off to do some work, but feedback on first session seems to be good. Gonna be tuning back in for Jeff Regan at 2pm
by damianobroin via twitter 5/12/2009 12:31:33 PM
Oxfam GB have just posed a question to Mari Tikkanen at the #ifconline - a large staff team is participating in the live event!
by IFCOnline via twitter 5/12/2009 12:31:40 PM