In a December exit interview, Ford Foundation’s Susan Berresford said nonprofits “need to do a much better job than we have done so far talking about what our sector does, what its shape and size is, what its issues are, and what its value is,” according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy. Though some are better communicators than others, nonprofit leaders individually and collectively have to constantly improve our communications skill set. 

Communication is a vital part of the Roundtable’s work: how well we communicate with Members, among staff, with the media, with policy makers determines the success of our work.  This is nothing new to any nonprofit – effective communication with Boards, clients, volunteers, and of course, those ever present funders, is a daily demand.  How nonprofits could/should do this has generated a maze of books, organizations, and, of course, blogs. 

In 2007 the Roundtable experimented (rather loosely) with different types of communication including:

- Facebook and LinkedIn: This has been more an individual staff effort but it seems to have more (unknown) potential – particularly Facebook.  For example, several Members have ‘Facebook Cause’ pages including CentroNia, DC Vote, Martha’s Table, and Impact Silver Spring which can lead to stronger communication.  My letter to the editor in the Washington Business Journal confesses my personal confusion about these ‘social networking’ tools in response to their recent editorial.
- The Roundtable’s wiki (you may need this password: ‘nonprofit!’):  We tried using a wiki for a conversation on collective leadership.  It was not a raging success - I suspect maybe six people clicked onto it and one participant added a comment (yeah Susan!).  We may give it another try – based on what we learned.  For a much better example, see this wiki on a nonprofit bootcamp.
- Polling on Events: Our Communication Directors’ Table for Ten tried using a poll to determine what our next event would be on – about 50% of the group voted – and as a result, on February 21, we will have a lunch with an editor of WashingtonPost.com.  (Communication/Marketing staff of Member organizations are welcome!)

It may be an auspicious time to get a blog going:  ‘Bloggers Say Stress of Posting Is a Hazard to Their Health’ headlined the New York Times; and earlier this month, the Whitehouse blogged into action.  

In the spirit of interactivity, let me know or comment below how you might finish some of these sentences:
- Blogs are ____________.
- My favorite blogs include _________.
- I would like to blog about ______________.

Here are some of my answers:
- Blogs are largely entertaining but can be informational.
- My favorites include the Bivings Report and the Chronicle of Philanthropy’s blog roundup.
- I would like to blog about how Roundtable Members define leadership