PJ profiles Clodagh Bastian
Executive director at International Focus Inc. in Raleigh, N.C.
International Focus’
mission is to foster cross-cultural understanding and cooperation on a
local level. Our main annual event is the International Festival of
Raleigh, a three-day celebration featuring international dance, music,
food, cultural exhibits and activities. At the 2008 Festival almost
1,000 new Americans were naturalized.
How has your nonprofit embraced social media?
We have just
begun to use Facebook, and have had a good response from our groups and
followers of the Festival. I hope to start some good discussion topics
and ask for more content contribution from our members. New social
media have great potential for reaching a wide audience without much
marketing outlay as well as being able to connect with a young
audience. When we get closer to Festival time, I also plan to start
incorporating Twitter, which is a good tool for instant updates and
short-term mobilization.
Share the most innovative marketing or fundraising idea you’ve thought of or come across in the past couple years.
New
technologies are making a big difference in how nonprofit marketing and
fundraising is conducted. We can solicit donations and tell our stories
through our website, YouTube and other social media, which allow people
from anywhere in the world to connect. The newest idea that I will try
this year is phone voting. We will set up a competition and ask
Festival attendees to vote for their favorite on their cell phone. This
will enable us to raise additional funds, while engaging our patrons in
a fun and inexpensive activity.
How have you tried to boost morale at your nonprofit?
It is important to present people with a plan of action to mobilize
them. In lean times such as these, it is essential that leadership
clearly communicates the way forward for the group. People tend to sink
into lethargy when news is bad and they can’t perceive a clear
direction to follow. By contrast, they can be energized even in
difficult circumstances when given a concrete logical path along with a
reminder of the core motivation for their work.
Describe your favorite pair of shoes.
My favorite pair of
shoes is my feet. Whenever possible, I go barefoot or just in socks if
it’s chilly. At home I am always without shoes, and I leave them off as
much as possible in the office, which sometimes leads to surprised
looks from unexpected visitors.
If you are interested in being profiled or know someone who would like to be profiled and who is a PJ reader, contact Cathy Harms at 919.573.4646 or charms@ajf.org
