DV in SC

This article seems like a fitting summary to end our class. It offers more discussion on the epidemic of domestic violence in South Carolina, paired with the lack of funding or laws to address it properly. I hope the members of this class will go out into the world, continuing to do what they can to counter this horrific, widespread problem.

Read the Greenville News article here.

Thank you

This semester has been wonderful. As a class, we have raised money and awareness for Safe Harbor, taught others about domestic violence and how to seek help, applied our social media skills to promote Safe Harbor, and learned how to work together to accomplish amazing projects. I am proud of these students and all they have done. Thank you all for producing:

• A fundraising evening at Chick-fil-A in Clemson
• Purple-ribbon promotion and an education/outreach booth during Clemson's Homecoming
• A fundraising evening at Fratelli's restaurant in Easley
• An educational speaker event on campus
• A social media guide to help R.E.P., Safe Harbor's education program for high schools

This class' enthusiasm and hard work were inspirational. I will miss you all. Have safe, happy and healthy holidays...and please keep in touch.

Guest Speaker

This week, we'll Skype in guest speaker Vanessa French (and possibly her business partner Casey Kincheloe) from Pivot Point Communications. Based in Alexandria, VA, Vanessa and her team provide marketing and branding strategy services, with a particular focus on social media. She started the company a few years ago (in the middle of a recession, no less) and it has become quite successful. Vanessa and I worked together, and I was always impressed by her passion and interest for all things PR-related.

Class, be sure to visit Vanessa's website, or follow her on Twitter at VanessaFrench. Be sure to come up with some questions about strategy, campaigns or job hunting. She's a great resource!

Last Event tonight!

Please join the class for dinner tonight at Fratelli's restaurant. Ten percent of all proceeds made between 6 and 8 p.m. will be donated to Safe Harbor. Fratelli's is located on 123 in Easley, behind the Ace Hardware. The class has been working hard to promote an event in the Easley community,so come eat Italian for a great cause!

Discussions for Class Today

We are now working through the book The Networked Nonprofit, by Beth Kanter and Allison H. Fine. The book discusses how nonprofits need to give up control of their organizations and make them truly networked, influenced by free agents, discussions, engagement, and full interactions with people around the world. Nonprofit's causes are often better spread through social media than traditional operations.

Students, as you write your blog posts today, please think about these questions, which we'll discuss in class tonight:

• What is the difference between posting and engaging? How do organizations listen?

• Regarding the Ladder of Engagement (pg. 69): Where are you with some of your favorite companies/nonprofits? What actions/campaigns have made you move up (or down) the ladder?

• In past internships you've had, were the companies Fortresses, Transactionals or Transparents?

Education Event Tonight!

Our class is a co-sponsor (and the PR team) for tonight's domestic violence education event on campus. Join us at 8pm in Daniel 100 to learn about Safe Harbor's mission and how to help yourself or a friend in an unhealthy relationship.

Professional Meets Personal

It is hard for a class that is handling such a difficult issue like domestic violence to not get personal. It's even harder when a incidence of violence occurs in our community. I posted about this on my personal blog, as well as some of my feelings about this class, if you'd like to take a look. Thank you, students, for taking on such an important issue.