A Little Thing Called Thank You

Likewise, Rayna - if there's one thing I've learned over the years, it's that we're all in this together and I'm happy to be part of the big collective family we have. Thank you for being here. :)

Oh, there was plenty anger, don't you worry about that, Marja ;-) But yes, I don't think it would have furthered the conversation to let that show (except for when the "attack" was made on the 12for12k team and supporters, direct or otherwise).Proud to have you alongside me - here's to more great conversations together (and I'll keep the accent for you!) :)

Cheers Ryan, I really appreciate that fella. One thing that shone out strong over the whole affair was the sense of community - to me, that's what social is all about and it's a privilege to be part of that group with you. Cheers bud.

It was definitely great to hook up, fella, and here's to more occasions like that soon. And there's a definite "local feel" to 12for12k in 2010 - I think you'll like, it seems right up your street :)

Cheers Mark - I thought it was the least I could do, but even then it didn't feel enough. If I could take everyone for a beer to say thank you I would. Maybe some day :)We'll have to chat sometime ourselves - take it easy fella.

You're a naughty lad, Mr. Schechter - thank you for being you and your always-there support, means a lot, fella.

Just as well, as I think I'm stuck with it! ;-)

To both you and Mickey, you know it's right back at you guys. What you do behind the scenes often goes unnoticed, but 12for12k wouldn't be half the beast it is without you pair and others like you. So thank you, guys :)

Hey Danny Brown -- hope you're feeling better, but mostly thanks for being so honest and open about what you do(and why). That is what makes you such a great contributor (and leader) in our social world. Happy to be a member of your tribe.

Danny,I didn't realize what was actually happening until most of the furor was over. Just wanted you to know that I really respect how you chose to deal with this situation. No back-biting, no tit-for-tat, and no outbursts of anger (at least here ;)). You just dealt with it, countered the accusations, and gave the facts. Thank you. It made me feel proud to be your follower and part of your online community. Hope you feel better soon!PS. LOVE the accent! :)

awww you're great! Get better soon xx

Now having read the original “rant” and subsequent “conversation,” I’m heartened by the passion inspired by the idea of raising money for charities. I’m delighted to see such a maelstrom of feeling, and now a plethora of ideas for how to use social media for the benefit of non-profits.Non-profits do some of our world’s most important work: feeding, clothing, housing, educating, healing. And they (we) do it largely with our money – whether through donations from individuals, tax dollars (again, our money), or grants from private sources. In most cases, charities don’t “sell” goods or services; they “sell” a mission, an impact, a vision, a result. Most of all, charities and non-profit organizations offer all of us the opportunity to participate in this incredibly important work. By donating funds, we all get to help heal people or feed or protect them – whatever vital service means most to us.Long ago, someone told me that if people criticized me, I was doing something right. So you and @unmarketing and @sarahrobinson and the other folks who’ve done 12for12K tweeting are clearly doing something right!The results of 12for12K are wonderful for a couple of reasons. One, it shows that social media can be used to raise awareness of and funds for causes. Two, it shows that social media fundraising is at its beginning, and can improve.Here’s my 2 cents contribution to the conversation:* I love Barbara Talisman's ideas about helping charities develop a bigger and more effective social media presence. I noticed that Share Our Strength welcomed 12for12K donors when they clicked through to donate and clearly articulated what the funding would accomplish. Other charities can emulate that strategy.* Some causes may resonate more with the Twitterverse than others. Feeding people is so fundamental and tangible, it may have been easier for people to understand in 140 characters. (Of course, I’m biased – I used to run City Harvest, a prominent NYC hunger-relief organization.) This is only a challenge to the Twitterverse’s marketing mavens and the charities themselves – how can we tell a compelling story in 140 characters? I know we can.* Charities raise money every day. Internet mavens raise money every day. Maybe there can be a meeting of the minds, a sharing of the techniques, a respect for each other’s expertise and experience. By joining together with good spirit and humility, I believe we can accomplish an amazing amount of good via digital and social media.

I was trying to figure out exactly how to comment on this video, but I can't say it any better than Gina. So, Danny -- this goes for me too! :)

Kudos to you Danny. I didn't comment yesterday b/c I felt like everything had been said that needed to be said, but this video continues to illustrate (as Gina said) your sincerity and the authenticity to your approach. We all appreciate it, and your contributions not only to charity, but our community.R

Some folks have class and some, not so much... don't be distracted by those that don't. You're doing it right Danny - keep up the great work!

Danny ... helping others is something Ive done for many yrs ,,, Your dedication to causes and your desire to help others speaks volumes of your character ,,In these difficult social and economic times , much more help is needed I enjoyed having a beer the other night with you and look forward to helping you in your endeavours ... John Piercy

I liked the way you used video to connect in a personal and poignant way. Very nice. I have enjoyed picking up the phone and actually calling some of the "friends behind the screen" and it was a similar impact seeing your face and hearing your voice. I need to do more of it. Thanks!

Yo Brown... hope they gave you some good meds to help with the pain. Glad to see you've put the meaningless words of a sad soul behind you and are refocusing on the 12for12k mission.You are definitely a bigger man than I am as I think her apology annoyed me more than the initial post. I just posted a special little comment for her that will probably never see the light of day... Keep doing what you are doing and keep reminding folks like me to do more with the time we spend online. Thanks as always for the inspiration and sorry you had to deal with that nonsense.

Very well said, Danny! And even with the recovery from the wisdom tooth surgery, I still love your accent. ;) Hope you're feeling better soon.

Danny,Your sincerity, honesty, and humility -- so well captured here -- is why we heart you so much. :) Feel better! And, thank YOU!

Yes, thanks for all that you do, Danny. Because of you, I've met many incredible people, made new friends, and discovered truly inspiring nonprofits (and learned more about the issues they address). I've also learned a LOT about social media, creativity, and generosity of spirit. :) Great video, very well done. Hope you're feeling better soon!

Speaking of thanks... Thanks, Danny, for starting #12for12K and leading an amazing group of people on a fun and meaningful journey. Thanks for always setting a great example for the rest of us to follow, and thanks for your generosity in general!Love you man!XOJA

Well. Done.

Hi Danny,Anytime; nicely done :)Feel better soon!Sasha

Likewise, Rayna - if there's one thing I've learned over the years, it's that we're all in this together and I'm happy to be part of the big collective family we have. Thank you for being here. :)

Oh, there was plenty anger, don't you worry about that, Marja ;-) But yes, I don't think it would have furthered the conversation to let that show (except for when the "attack" was made on the 12for12k team and supporters, direct or otherwise).

Proud to have you alongside me - here's to more great conversations together (and I'll keep the accent for you!) :)

Cheers Ryan, I really appreciate that fella. One thing that shone out strong over the whole affair was the sense of community - to me, that's what social is all about and it's a privilege to be part of that group with you. Cheers bud.

It was definitely great to hook up, fella, and here's to more occasions like that soon. And there's a definite "local feel" to 12for12k in 2010 - I think you'll like, it seems right up your street :)

Cheers Mark - I thought it was the least I could do, but even then it didn't feel enough. If I could take everyone for a beer to say thank you I would. Maybe some day :)

We'll have to chat sometime ourselves - take it easy fella.

You're a naughty lad, Mr. Schechter - thank you for being you and your always-there support, means a lot, fella.

Just as well, as I think I'm stuck with it! ;-)

You two lovely ladies sure know how to make a grown man blush - thank you :)

To both you and Mickey, you know it's right back at you guys. What you do behind the scenes often goes unnoticed, but 12for12k wouldn't be half the beast it is without you pair and others like you. So thank you, guys :)

Hey Danny Brown -- hope you're feeling better, but mostly thanks for being so honest and open about what you do(and why). That is what makes you such a great contributor (and leader) in our social world. Happy to be a member of your tribe.

Danny,
I didn't realize what was actually happening until most of the furor was over. Just wanted you to know that I really respect how you chose to deal with this situation. No back-biting, no tit-for-tat, and no outbursts of anger (at least here ;)). You just dealt with it, countered the accusations, and gave the facts. Thank you. It made me feel proud to be your follower and part of your online community.
Hope you feel better soon!

PS. LOVE the accent! :)

awww you're great!

Get better soon

xx

Now having read the original u00e2u0080u009crantu00e2u0080u009d and subsequent u00e2u0080u009cconversation,u00e2u0080u009d Iu00e2u0080u0099m heartened by the passion inspired by the idea of raising money for charities. Iu00e2u0080u0099m delighted to see such a maelstrom of feeling, and now a plethora of ideas for how to use social media for the benefit of non-profits.

Non-profits do some of our worldu00e2u0080u0099s most important work: feeding, clothing, housing, educating, healing. And they (we) do it largely with our money u00e2u0080u0093 whether through donations from individuals, tax dollars (again, our money), or grants from private sources. In most cases, charities donu00e2u0080u0099t u00e2u0080u009csellu00e2u0080u009d goods or services; they u00e2u0080u009csellu00e2u0080u009d a mission, an impact, a vision, a result. Most of all, charities and non-profit organizations offer all of us the opportunity to participate in this incredibly important work. By donating funds, we all get to help heal people or feed or protect them u00e2u0080u0093 whatever vital service means most to us.

Long ago, someone told me that if people criticized me, I was doing something right. So you and @unmarketing and @sarahrobinson and the other folks whou00e2u0080u0099ve done 12for12K tweeting are clearly doing something right!

The results of 12for12K are wonderful for a couple of reasons. One, it shows that social media can be used to raise awareness of and funds for causes. Two, it shows that social media fundraising is at its beginning, and can improve.

Hereu00e2u0080u0099s my 2 cents contribution to the conversation:

* I love Barbara Talisman's ideas about helping charities develop a bigger and more effective social media presence. I noticed that Share Our Strength welcomed 12for12K donors when they clicked through to donate and clearly articulated what the funding would accomplish. Other charities can emulate that strategy.

* Some causes may resonate more with the Twitterverse than others. Feeding people is so fundamental and tangible, it may have been easier for people to understand in 140 characters. (Of course, Iu00e2u0080u0099m biased u00e2u0080u0093 I used to run City Harvest, a prominent NYC hunger-relief organization.) This is only a challenge to the Twitterverseu00e2u0080u0099s marketing mavens and the charities themselves u00e2u0080u0093 how can we tell a compelling story in 140 characters? I know we can.

* Charities raise money every day. Internet mavens raise money every day. Maybe there can be a meeting of the minds, a sharing of the techniques, a respect for each otheru00e2u0080u0099s expertise and experience. By joining together with good spirit and humility, I believe we can accomplish an amazing amount of good via digital and social media.

I was trying to figure out exactly how to comment on this video, but I can't say it any better than Gina. So, Danny -- this goes for me too! :)

Hey Danny great video, as others have said, it was easy to see how you were touched by the support. Hope you recover from the surgery quickly!

Kudos to you Danny. I didn't comment yesterday b/c I felt like everything had been said that needed to be said, but this video continues to illustrate (as Gina said) your sincerity and the authenticity to your approach. We all appreciate it, and your contributions not only to charity, but our community.

R

Some folks have class and some, not so much... don't be distracted by those that don't. You're doing it right Danny - keep up the great work!

Danny ... helping others is something Ive done for many yrs ,,,
Your dedication to causes and your desire to help others speaks volumes of your character ,,
In these difficult social and economic times , much more help is needed
I enjoyed having a beer the other night with you and look forward to helping you in your endeavours ...
John Piercy

I liked the way you used video to connect in a personal and poignant way. Very nice.

I have enjoyed picking up the phone and actually calling some of the "friends behind the screen" and it was a similar impact seeing your face and hearing your voice. I need to do more of it. Thanks!

Love your work Danny! Feel better soon!xx

Yo Brown... hope they gave you some good meds to help with the pain. Glad to see you've put the meaningless words of a sad soul behind you and are refocusing on the 12for12k mission.

You are definitely a bigger man than I am as I think her apology annoyed me more than the initial post. I just posted a special little comment for her that will probably never see the light of day...

Keep doing what you are doing and keep reminding folks like me to do more with the time we spend online. Thanks as always for the inspiration and sorry you had to deal with that nonsense.

Very well said, Danny! And even with the recovery from the wisdom tooth surgery, I still love your accent. ;) Hope you're feeling better soon.

Danny,

Your sincerity, honesty, and humility -- so well captured here -- is why we heart you so much. :)

Feel better! And, thank YOU!

Yes, thanks for all that you do, Danny. Because of you, I've met many incredible people, made new friends, and discovered truly inspiring nonprofits (and learned more about the issues they address). I've also learned a LOT about social media, creativity, and generosity of spirit. :)

Great video, very well done. Hope you're feeling better soon!

Speaking of thanks... Thanks, Danny, for starting #12for12K and leading an amazing group of people on a fun and meaningful journey. Thanks for always setting a great example for the rest of us to follow, and thanks for your generosity in general!

Love you man!

XOJA

Well. Done.