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NEDRA NEWS
 

The NEDRA News blog features topical industry-specific articles submitted by our membership; book, publication, film, and resource reviews; op-ed pieces about emerging fundraising topics and issues; and information and news specifically related to NEDRA as an organization.  We hope these selections will be of interest to you - and we encourage you to share your thoughts and comments here!


NEDRA News was previously a quarterly journal of prospect research published by the New England Development Research Association from the organization's inception in 1987 until the end of 2011. Since 2012, we have continued to offer to you, our members, the same NEDRA News content you have come to rely on - but in a blog format tailored to meet the changing needs of our members, and featuring new content on a monthly (rather than quarterly) basis.


  • Membership Survey Now Available

    Fri, October 31, 2014 11:37 AM | Laura Parshall

    We would like to thank everyone who took the time to fill out the NEDRA membership survey earlier this year! Now, the long-awaited results are ready. Take a look to learn about what other organizations are doing in terms of their structure, protocols, and compensation, and about what sort of people make up NEDRA!

  • Looking Back: Coming Home to the Office

    Fri, October 31, 2014 11:31 AM | Laura Parshall

    As the weather gets colder, many of us start daydreaming of a workday without a commute. This article from 1996 has some considerations for those who would like to work from home.


    Coming Home to the Office.pdf

  • Peek Under the Hood: News from the NEDRA Board

    Fri, September 26, 2014 12:53 PM | Laura Parshall

    The NEDRA Board met on Wednesday, September 17. Among the topics discussed were an exciting change in membership renewal, past and upcoming programs, and the 2015 conference. Read on for more information!

  • Changes to NEDRA's Membership Year

    Fri, September 26, 2014 12:42 PM | Laura Parshall

    Good News, NEDRA Members! Effective this fiscal year and beyond, NEDRA
    memberships will now last for one calendar year from the date of joining/renewal instead of automatically terminating on July 1. NEDRA's Board of Directors voted to make this change to its membership protocols in response to feedback from researchers across New England. We hope that this procedural change simplifies the renewal process for members as you continue to enjoy the benefits that come from being a part of the NEDRA family.


    NEDRA's bylaws will be changed to reflect this new membership renewal structure. The new language will read as follows:

    "For purposes of membership the year shall be defined as beginning on the day on which membership becomes active and ending on the same calendar date of the following year."


    We will be taking a vote to ratify this change at the Annual Business Meeting at next year's conference.

  • 2015 Conference Update

    Fri, September 26, 2014 12:20 PM | Laura Parshall

    The Conference Committee is now seeking proposals for educational sessions for the 2015 Annual Conference. If you're interested in presenting a session on a topic related to fundraising research, prospect management, fundraising data, or analytics, submit your proposal online at the Call For Conference Speaker Presentations site. Presenting at the NEDRA Conference is a great way to gain speaking experience while sharing your unique skills, expertise and best practices with colleagues!

  • Engagement and Social Media

    Fri, September 26, 2014 12:01 PM | Laura Parshall

    In this article, Brent Grinna of EverTrue shares some thoughts on how to measure donor engagement, and it starts with social media.


    Engagement and Social Media


    We know that engaged donors are more likely to give. What’s still up for debate is how to measure that engagement in our newly social world to most effectively rate prospects.

    In a 2002 study, the MIT Alumni Association used data to prove that "involved alumni are much more likely to give." At that time—over a decade ago—the definition of “involved” was limited to reunion attendance, volunteerism, and club leadership. During the 12 years in between the MIT study and today, social media has emerged and proliferated the everyday lives of its now billions of users across the world.

    What hasn’t changed is the clear correlation between engagement and giving. In 2002, MIT’s data showed that reunion attendees were 30% more likely to give than those who did not attend.

    In 2014, EverTrue data shows that Facebook users who like your organization’s content are 92% more likely to give than non-likers.

    Donors are involved and engaging with your organization through social channels. Using social networks like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, they’re posting about life events and sharing other users’ content that they like and want to be associated with. That data can and should be collected and analyzed to inform donor and prospect ratings.

    Still, most educational institutions dedicate staff time and resources to tracking reunion attendance and very little (or no) time measuring social engagement. If you aren’t tracking who’s engaging with you on Facebook, you’re essentially hosting a reunion without keeping track of attendance.

    If you want to better understand your donor engagement, start by asking, “Who are our most engaged Facebook fans?”

    If you can’t quickly answer that basic question, you’re missing out on an important source of donor information. By combining insights from internal and external data, you can quickly and easily produce a high return on your social media investment.

  • Link Up With NEDRA on Social Media

    Fri, September 26, 2014 11:16 AM | Laura Parshall

    You go to the NEDRA website. You read the NEDRA News Blog. You attend the annual conference. Did you know, though, that there are two other great ways to connect with NEDRA? Join us on LinkedIn, at the New England Development Research Association group. Ask questions, share information, and get to know your fellow NEDRA members and other researchers from all over the world! You can also follow us on Twitter at @NEDRA_Tweets. Get real-time news and information from NEDRA, on your computer or your phone! Participate in Tweet chats!


    Don't miss out on these great ways to connect. If you have questions about NEDRA on social media, contact Social Media Committee Chair James Cheng.

  • Upcoming NEDRA Programming

    Fri, September 26, 2014 10:51 AM | Laura Parshall

    This month, two NEDRA programs took place: a RING to recap the APRA International conference, and a Residental Real Estate Review workshop. We hope that all who attended found them useful and interesting!


    Next up, there will be a Research Basics Bootcamp on Friday, October 31 at Tufts University in Boston. If you're new to the research field, or if you want to brush up on your basic research skills, then join Amy Begg and Roslyn Clarke for a day of intensive education! Keep an eye on your inbox, and on the Upcoming Programs page, for more information.

  • Many Thanks!

    Fri, September 26, 2014 10:42 AM | Laura Parshall

    The Conference Committee is now complete. In addition to co-chairs Anne Brownlee and Amy Begg, it will also include Christopher Lawler from Harvard University and Susan Grivno from the University of New Hampshire.


    The Conference Scholarship Committee is also complete. Committee chair Mary Taddia will be joined by Kyoko Ingalls from the Maine Coast Heritage Trust and Rebecca Francis from Bates College.


    Thanks so much to Chris, Susan, Kyoko, and Rebecca for being willing to volunteer!

  • Looking Back: Privacy in the Electronic Age

    Fri, September 26, 2014 10:35 AM | Laura Parshall

    Even though Carolyn Byrne wrote this article twelve years ago, the issues of online privacy are still relevant--more relevant than ever--and still affect our work.


    Privacy in the Electronic Age.pdf

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