Pepsi Refrsh Project Update

Today I stopped by a couple of buildings where we have day programs.  I brought a 12 pack of Pepsi and offered everyone a Pepsi that let me help them register.  I also showed them how to sign in tomorrow.  I hope it helped.  I probably registered a dozen folks.  We are now at 103.  Quite a jump from 279 where we started 15 days ago.  I think it is time to send out another round of emails to my personal friends. Do I have any left?  I have been grabbing people off the street to vote.  And we still only dropped a few places.  this is a little tougher than I thought it would be.  Butnot ready to give up yet.  The excitement at the office is catching on and we are getting some wonderful comments about our center. http://www.refresheverything.com/schooltocommunitytransition    Keep voting!!!!

Thanking Your Volunteers

Thought you might enjoy some ideas I found on Amazon.  These are inexpensive gifts that you can give a special volunteer.  The first item is from the Willow Tree Collection.  I really like this next idea.  It is a desk caddy gift basket.  The next one I found is a Scented Candle with a note of thanks.  Both the Willow Tree and Art of Appreciation companies have several variations to choose from,

The Power of Words

In the fund raising field there is a lot of writing.  Case statements, visions, appeals . . . the list goes on and on.  Below is a list of action words that I thought you might be able to use.


Achieve, Accelerate, Acquire, Address, Administer, Advocate, Aid, Allocate, Assist, Attained, Built, Care, Collaborate. Collect, Comfort, Consult, Contribute, Coordinate,Deliver, Demonstrate, Develop, Diagnose, Document, Eliminate, Enable, Enforce, Enhance, Ensure, Establish, Exceed, Expand, Facilitate, Formulate, Foster, Gain, Gave, Generate, Guide, Help, Illustrate, Implement, Improve, Increase, Influence, Illustrate, Initiate, Interpret, Introduce, Launch, Led, Listen, Manage, Master, Maximize, Minimize, Negotiate, Observe, Offer, Organize, Overcame, Oversee, Partnere, Persuade, Plan, Prepare, Prioritize, Produce, Project, Propose, Raise, Receive, Reduce, Response, Shape, streamline, Succeed, Surpass, Target, Test, Train, Validate, Visualize, Won.

Pepsi Refresh Project

Well with only 19 days left we are holding our own at 115. I know we have a long way to go but we didn't drop back on Friday afternoon so that means at least some of the people that received my email are voting over the weekend. I have faith we can still win this thing. One of the hardest parts is not knowing how many more votes we need to catch up to the number one or two spot.
I encourage everyone viewing this blog to click the link at the top of the page and vote for Devereux You must log in and then vote. A little tricky but a nice way to contribute without spending a dime.

EMarketing, Using Your Website as a Marketing Tool

This is the name of a Business for Breakfast session hosted by the Pocono Mountains Chamber of Commerce on June 8th. Jason Trump of JT Design was the presenter.

I liked this session for two reasons.
1. I knew what he was talking about. Some things I am already doing and other tips I could use to enhance my own blog and the social media I use for the non-profit I work for.
2. I got it! Many people in the room looked lost from the start but I could follow as Jason made practical suggestions.

A few useful tidbits I learned were that it takes 6 to 9 months to get a blog off the ground. Blog newbies need to keep blogging. Writing consistently helps to get you on Google’s radar.

Organic promoting of your blog also means free. Those free promotional offers that Google sent me in the mail were valuable and I should not throw the next one away. Instead I will use it to promote my blog.

Do you have to contact your webmaster to make changes on your website? Maybe there are more changes or corrections after the post. Is this all costing you time and money? That is why more businesses are adding a blog page to their website. Information can be quickly and easily added and it is so easy you can do it your self.

The best part of the social media world is that if you look on the internet many people will gladly help you with your questions. Allow me to recommend Jason’s Blog for more social media tips. http://www.jtdesigns.com/jtblog/

Pepsi Refresh Project

Just a quick update to tell everyone that on day 8 we have made it to 149. Still moving toward number one. I didn't send a reminder email out and the votes seem to have slowed down. Not to fear I will have a new email waiting for all Devereux employees in the morning. Hopefully everyone will see the importance of their vote. and get on the bandwagon.
You can also help by voting using the link at the top of this blog. The funds will help Devereux to expand its School to Work Transition program for folks with Autism and developmental disabilities.

Pepsi Refresh Project

Sorry no posts for a few days. I have been busy with this Pepsi Refresh Project. This is a wonderful idea for Pepsi. They get millions of people talking about them and they give lots of money away so that is good for the community.
Here is how it works. NPO's, businesses and just anyone with an idea creates a proposal online. You can add photos and videos. Once that is complete you wait til the last day of the month. At midnight you submit your request. Pepsi chooses over one thousand entries in four dollar amounts, $5,000, $25,000, #50,000, and $250,000.
There are categories such as education, neighborhood, etc.
It took me three months to get picked to compete. I was so excited about this opportunity, I work for a national organization with over 7,000 employees. This should be a piece of cake.
If only it was. . . After just 5 days this project has taken its toll. Here are some of the things I learned.
1. Just because I send an email requesting that the recipient votes doesn't mean people are going to jump on the bandwagon and vote.
2. You have to get a momentum going at the start and keep it going through out the month.
3. This is all about social media. You should have your face book, blog, website ready to go and filled with members.
4. There is a lot of competition out there.
5. Even with 7,000 emails we jumped from 219 to 171 in the rankings. Sounds wonderful but will not be enough to win.

I will let you know how we progress as the month goes on. . .