• Unified Communications
• The Social Enterprise – New!
• Mobility
• Planning/Implementing IP Telephony
• SIP and SIP Trunking
• Video and Collaboration
• The Cloud and Virtualization
• Managing Costs, Technology and People

The Enterprise Connect Expo is the only place where all the leading suppliers can be found in one location. Special Offer: Use this link to register today and save $1000 off the onsite price for the 3 or 4 Day conference package or a FREE Expo Plus pass.

Hope to see you there!

Please join them in their efforts to raise community awareness of crime victim services and prevention as they celebrate Crime Victims’ Rights: Fairness, Dignity & Respect. Your organization’s attendance and participation will be greatly appreciated. A table will be provided for your organization to share brochures, pamphlets, handouts etc., (at no cost). This event will allow you the opportunity to embrace the many victims that are in need of your services, while informing the community of your organization’s services. Please contact Tenna Kirk if you would like to make a reservation for your organization and request a table. Tina Kirk can be reached via email at tkirk@lancaster-tx.com .

This event is free and open to the public. Many awards and prizes will be distributed.

For additional information regarding this event, you may contact Nakeya Fincher, Crime Victim Assistance Coordinator at 972-218-2751 or email her at nfincher@lancaster-tx.com.

On behalf of all the families who have found safety, Harbor House of Central Florida would like to thank all donors who provided cell phones in the month of September. With your help we were able to connect hundreds of survivors of Domestic Violence with life saving resources throughout Central Florida.

Our partnership with 911 Cell Phone Bank is a necessary and irreplaceable relationship, providing essential connections to women and children whose lives are at risk. 

We continue blazing new trails in the fight against domestic violence. With your continued support we will be able to continue education programs, provide essential services and save lives.

If you would like more information about these and other opportunities to help, please visit the Harbor House website at http://www.harborhousefl.com/dvm/oct-main/  or call Jessie Motley directly at 407-886-2244.

Congratulations Jessie!

Thanks to a generous donation from Brio Tuscan Grille, t

Rob Anderson, the General Manager at the Mall at Millenia location, has made it possible for us to reward one of you with a $50 gift certificate! He has also committed a Chef Table as a yearly Grand Prize…more on that soon.

Congratulations to the May contest winner UCF Victim Services. The crew there collected over 250 cell phones during the month of May. Program coordinator Christine Mouton, has been a huge supporter of ours since the beginning. Enjoy Buca di BEPPO!

We also want to thank Vanessa Venable the Sales Manager at Buca di Beppo who made this generous gift possible.

Get ready for a steep decrease in donations to your emergency cell phone program. According to a recent study by the research firm In-Stat, the Global recession will make the next two years unusually difficult for the cellular industry and cell phone handset upgrades will be specifically impacted.

It makes sense. In Stat reports that three quarters of all cell phone handset sales are expected to be replacements or upgrades, a discretionary purchase that can be delayed in hard times. They predict a 20% decrease! No new cell phone purchased…no old cell phone to donate.

Here are a few things you can do now to stay ahead of the decline.

1 – Expand Your Partnerships – Reach out to all the organizations in your area and form partnerships. This can be the best way to increase donations and build a strong kinship with other community service organizations. Don’t forget to talk to your large corporate supporters about their support. They may be able to help expand your collections to other places as well.

2 – Make it Easy to Donate – A great way to make it easy is to build a network of drop off locations. These can be at your offices, retail stores, government buildings…anywhere the public is likely to go. A well marked permanent container can be a great way to advertise your collection program and stay in front of potential donors.

3 – Promote, Promote, Promote – Talk about your cell phone collection efforts at every opportunity. In your newsletter, emails, interviews, press releases….keeping your needs in front of your community. Your community will support you when they clearly know how.

4 – Network with Others – This may take a little getting used to since most of you are probably not networked. You may even feel a little intimidated meeting new people but with diligence and a dose of courage you can use the time you spend at events to your benefit. For some tips on how to make the most of networking events read one of my previous posts.

These are just a few ideas we have found successful. If you have any ideas to share please send them in.

It’s happened to all of us; we talk to someone about our emergency cell phone program, they get very excited and vow to donate their cell phone at the first opportunity…but the excitement wanes after they leave your presence. In the crazy, busy world we live in, how can you keep people engaged and thinking about your collection efforts when you’re not around? Here are 5 ways that have worked for others.

Get people personally involved

Most people support causes because they have a personal tie. For instance, cancer survivors are more likely to support the organization that helped them; parents will support their sons Boy Scout Troop.

The key is identifying with the person or group you are talking to. When speaking to a group determine who makes up the audience and make a personal appeal to them. For instance, if your program provides cell phones for Seniors  relate an experience where a cell phone saved a Senior, appeal to you audience with something like “that cell phone was donated by someone like you”. Follow up with something like “if this was your mother, wouldn’t you be glad someone remembered to donate their cell phone? The next time you see your mom remember donating your cell phone can make a big difference in the life of someone else’s mom”. Do you see how they can identify with your program now? You are not just asking something you’ve asked a hundred times; you are helping your audience see how they can help.

Make it easy to donate.

“Donors should not have to go out of their way to donate a cell phone” says Michelle James a brand marketing expert with The Branding Network. “Let people know how easy it is to donate the first time you meet.”

A great way to make it easy is to build a network of drop off locations. These can be at your offices, retail stores, government buildings…anywhere the public is likely to go. A well marked permanent container can be a great way to advertise your collection program and stay in front of potential donors.

Leave people a reminder.

Keep handouts, key chains, magnets, business cards, pens…anything that will remind them of you and how to donate. One recent suggestion was to print removable labels that say “Don’t forget to donate me to XYZ Charity” and ask people put them in the battery compartment of their cell phones as a reminder.

Do you have any ideas that can help others with their collection programs? Submit them to us and we’ll share your thoughts in an upcoming post.