Back at the end of 2008, I had an idea for doing something through social media to help charities.

Thanks to some amazing friends and people like you that supported with your time and donations, that idea turned into a great example of how we can all make change if we really want to.

The 12for12k project has raised over $100,000 for various charities to date – an amazing figure, given the “buy-in” was deliberately low, and the project took an enforced absence during most of 2010 and 2011.

The reason for its success? You, and the power of the crowd when there’s something to believe in. Your support; ideas; donations; awareness and more were crucial in all that 12for12k achieved, and if anything was ever a true team effort, 12for12k was it.

And now I’d love for you to take part again.

I’m currently writing Hope, Change, Belief – The 12for12k Story and the Lessons Non-Profits Can Take From It to Succceed in Social Media, and I’d love for your contributions to help shape it.

Because it will be a story that’s geared towards helping non-profits understand social media and how they can really benefit from it, the book will share the failures of 12for12k as much as it’ll share the successes. After all, we only grow from our mistakes and how we react to them.

To that end, I’d love for your thoughts on what worked and what didn’t work. What did 12for12k do right, and where did it go wrong? What was your overall experience with 12for12k, and what are your memories of the project overall?

Drop me your thoughts via the form below, and I’ll choose a bunch to add to the book’s chapters and upcoming addition to the 12for12k website, with full accreditation. Also, those chosen will receive a free copy when published later this year, and everyone else will receive a special discount code for taking the time to share their thoughts.

I’d really love for Hope, Change, Belief to act as a soundboard and guideline on how to really make the most of social media in the non-profit field, and with your thoughts and honest opinion, I think we can do that.

Thanks, guys, and look forward to reading your words.

PS – And look out for a new goal for 12for12k later this year, it’s going to be fun!

Hope, Change, Belief – The 12for12k Story and How You Can Be a Part of It originally appeared on Danny Brown - under a Creative Commons license.

Sadly, this is commonplace among stalking victims. Many victims begin being stalked when they are young. In Canada, for example, 11% of women aged 15 and older have been stalked. In the U.S., 14 in every 1,000 women of 18 and above are victims of stalking.

Jodi’s Voice aims to change the law on stalking. In this video, I share why 12for12k is trying to help Jodi’s Voice change the law on stalking and why the current laws are so outdated.

This post contains a video. If you can\'t see it displayed properly in your feed, click here to view it directly.

Why The Law on Stalking Needs to Change originally appeared on Danny Brown - under a Creative Commons license.

Two years later, I’m honoured that our social media-led charity initiative 12for12k is once again helping to raise funds and awareness for an organization right at the heart of the problem of stalking.

Jodi’s Voice

Jodi’s Voice is an organization led by the amazing Angela Daffron. I’m a little biased in my description of her, as I consider her a good friend, but the determination and strength in feeling she has about Jodi’s Voice, and the serious issues it deals with, make her pretty inspiring.

Jodi’s Voice was set up out of tragedy. It was named after Jodi Sanderholm, who was murdered by a stalker that had been watching her for ten years. Jodi was only 19 when she died – which meant she had been watched by her killer since she was only nine years old.

Sadly, this is commonplace among stalking victims. Many victims begin being stalked when they are young. In Canada, for example, 11% of women aged 15 and older have been stalked. In the U.S., 14 in every 1,000 women of 18 and above are victims of stalking.

And these are only the reported ones.

Sadly, for Jodi, it was too late, although her memory lives on in her family. Her sister gave birth to the family’s first grandchild while Jodi was missing, and her brother became a police officer to help others.

And through the organization Jodi’s Voice, we can help make sure Jodi’s tragic death is one that helped change the way the law deals with stalkers.

How You Can Help

On June 23, Jodi’s Voice will be having a massive event in Las Vegas called Fight Stalking in partnership with Sky Combat Ace. Celebrities from the world of entertainment will be going up against each other in aerial combat. Supporters of each celebrity can back their champions with donations and messages of support, and the funds raised will go to Jodi’s Voice.

For 12for12k, we’re looking to achieve the following, and this is where we need your awesome support! Between now and June 23, you can help in these ways:

• If you or someone you know has been the victim of stalking and you wish to share your story, share in the comments (anonymously if you prefer) or on our Facebook page.

• Add a 12for12k Twibbon to your Twitter or Facebook profile picture. Details can be found here along with instructions on how to change your picture.

• Write a blog post of your own, and either share your story or highlight what we’re trying to achieve for Jodi’s Voice. You can either link back to this post, or the main Jodi’s Voice page on the 12for12k website.

• Make a donation to Jodi’s Voice, a full 501(c)3 registered charity (we’re talking with a few organizations to make a matching grant). You can use the ChipIn widget below, and it will go direct to Jodi’s Voice and you will receive a tax receipt (payments can be made via Paypal or credit card) – just click on the green ChipIn button. You can also embed the widget on your own blog by using the Copy option.

• Embed the video below on your blog or share the link on Twitter and Facebook, and help raise awareness of some of the statistics around stalking.

These are just a few ways you can help. You can also share this with your friends and family, and we’ll be giving you more details soon on the event and other ways to help, as well as follow our 12for12k Twitter stream or Like our Facebook Page for more information.

Thanks guys – you’ve always been amazing in your support, and Jodi’s Voice is a cause that can really make a change with your voices too.

This post contains a video. If you can\'t see it displayed properly in your feed, click here to view it directly.

12for12k Supports Jodi’s Voice to Combat Stalking originally appeared on Danny Brown - under a Creative Commons license.

This is a cross-post from the 12for12k blog.

So it’s been a bit of a while since we last shared anything on here. Originally we decided to take a breather and re-energize, after what was an amazing inaugural year for the 12for12k project and our supporters.

That breather turned into a slightly longer rest period than expected, as personal needs and workloads took away the time from everyone involved with 12for12k. But, these things happen – and it’s simply made us more energized and focused for the next stage in the 12for12k journey.

Which brings us to now.

We’ll be relaunching properly on June 1, and the first charity organization we’ll be supporting is Jodi’s Voice.

As you can see by the logo at the top of this post, Jodi’s Voice is dedicated to increasing awareness and support for stalking in the U.S., which affects more than 3.4 million people every single year.

Jodi’s Voice was born from tragedy.

On January 5, 2007, Jodi Sanderholm was murdered by a stalker who had been stalking her for ten years. Jodi’s death led to Jodi’s Voice being born, and we’re humbled to be working with Angela Daffron and Jodi’s Voice to help in any way we can as our first project in 2011.

We’ll be sharing more details soon, along with how you can help and some of the events we’ll be either arranging or supporting, so please feel free to subscribe to our blog, or follow us on Twitter or Facebook for the latest updates. You can also subscribe to our newsletter by filling out the form below.

In the meantime, it’s great to be back. It’s been way too long, and it’s time to set the 12for12k army in motion again.

Ready to fight the good fight?

Relaunching 12for12k and Supporting Jodi’s Voice originally appeared on Danny Brown - under a Creative Commons license.

This weekend just gone, I was honoured to meet a guy I’ve admired for a long, long time, Mark Horvath (Mark’s in the centre, my business partner Troy Claus is on the right).

Based out of Los Angeles, Mark is someone with an incredible story. Fifteen years ago, Mark was homeless and sleeping on the streets of Hollywood.

But he managed to get back on his feet, and then some. He was at the top of his game – working in Hollywood, bringing some of the best-known shows on television to viewers across the world, a great future – Mark was living the American dream.

Then the economy collapsed. Mark fell into a mix of drug and alcohol abuse, lost his job, became homeless, and lost his way. He fought hard to get back on his feet again, and get his life in order. And he did. But he’s always just one step away from being homeless again.

From that time, Mark took the experience of being homeless, and the stories of the people he met on the street, and created Invisible People. A site full of video, it shares the stories of the homeless in L.A. and beyond, and lets you see the person behind the stereotypical image we let ourselves create when we see a homeless person.

It’s been a huge success and has opened a lot of eyes to what homelessness really is. Hint – it’s not all drug abuse and choice.

Now Mark has a new project, and one I really hope you’ll check out and offer your support to.

We Are Visible

We Are Visible is a simple idea – and simple ideas are often the best. Many homeless use their local library’s Internet-enabled computers to connect with others, and try and learn new skill sets that could help them get back on their feet.

They also can find medical help; companies and organizations that help the homeless; lost family and loved ones; and so much more. Yet often they only know the basic email and Internet access.

As Mark’s shown, social media offers an incredible platform to not only connect, but tell stories. And this is exactly what We Are Visible aims to do, by making social media simple for anyone homeless to understand, and use.

There are videos that show you how to set up a Gmail account, as well as a Twitter and Facebook profile. Additionally, We Are Visible shows you how to set up a free blog, and connect your profiles to it.

You can then share your story through the main We Are Visible social networks, as well as be put in touch with other homeless folks. And, where possible, be connected to companies that could help you get back on your feet and/or off the streets.

Last Christmas, 12for12k partnered with Mark to show people how they could help the homeless in their own towns and cities, and we’ll be doing something very similar this year again, starting in November.

In the meantime, however, We Are Visible is a brilliant concept, and one that I’m honoured to share with you. Please, check the program out, and if you feel you can help raise awareness of it, get in touch with Mark and see how you can help.

One way is to order promo cards (if you’re in the U.S.) and these can be ordered here. More information will be available via the networks below.

- We Are Visible website.
- We Are Visible on Twitter.
- We Are Visible on Facebook.

Making Homelessness Visible Through Social Media originally appeared on Danny Brown - under a Creative Commons license.

I’ve written about it more than once on here, and I use it on the three sites I’ve created so far, with more to be shared soon. In fact, it’s the only product that I’ve fallen in love with so much that I’ve signed up as an affiliate. So yes, when it comes to premium WordPress themes, Headway stands head and shoulders above everything else (at least I think so).

Yet as much as I recommend the theme, it’s still only words (and obviously the design of this blog, the 12for12k site and Just Kickin’ It) that tell you some of the cool stuff Headway can do. Sure, I can say it’s easy to use and it really does make your life a hell of a lot easier when it comes to designing your blog/website. But words only tell half the story.

Which is why this video from David Wang is perfect. In less than ten minutes, he takes the standard Headway theme layout and transforms it into a great-looking business site. Sure, it’s just the home page and you still need to add all your other pages and posts. But as an example of just how quickly you can begin to build your blog/site, under ten minutes is pretty damn impressive! Have a look for yourself.

Now that you’ve seen how simple it is to make the Headway theme sing on WordPress, what else does it have in store for you? Currently version 1.6 is in beta, and I’ve been messing around with it behind closed doors. Some of the cool features include:

• Live CSS editor. While the theme allows you to make a great website with absolutely no coding needed, it also allows you to get as down and dirty as you like with coding. The new live CSS box means you can drop CSS code in and see the changes take place right in front of your eyes – no saving and checking to see how it looks.
• Skins and Templates. When Headway first hit the premium WordPress theme market, one of the things it promised was the option for skins. This is where you can upload a specially developed skin that changes the look of your blog completely (if you don’t want to design your look yourself). This is now live with Headway 1.6 and you can access them from within the dashboard or from dedicated theme stores.
• Default Leaf set. Headway uses a system called Leafs, which is basically your content body and sidebars (albeit in a far cooler, interactive way). While you can use any mix of set-up for your blog, with a different sidebar on every page, Headway 1.6 allows the option of a standard leaf throughout your site. Perfect if you don’t want any extra work when designing your blog.
• Automatic SEO slug clean-up. This is a great new feature that cleans up your search engine visibility by removing words like “the” and “and”, etc, that Google doesn’t really bother with. You can switch this on and off in the SEO area of Headway.

These are just some of the features that the guys behind the Headway theme will be bringing to you soon. The beta is almost ready to go live, and will be available as a free upgrade for existing users and available for purchase to new users imminently.

Watching the new features that developer Clay Griffiths puts out in each new update is almost like a game in betting on just what he won’t add in each new version – it’s that crazy how much he gives WordPress bloggers. And the support is second-to-none as well.

If you’re looking for a new premium WordPress theme, Headway delivers in spades. And as a special promotion, any purchases of the theme via this blog in March will see all affiliate earnings go to the current 12for12k charity.

So, the best premium WordPress theme around and all Headway sales going to charity – what better time to upgrade your blog? Just click on the image to the right to get your copy.

• Update: The Headway Developer License now allows you unlimited use of the theme with no need for additional license costs – a huge advantage over other premium themes.

Note: This blog no longer runs on the Headway framework. Instead, it’s a custom WordPress design by Lisa Kalandjian of SceneStealer Graphics.

Why the Headway Premium WordPress Theme Kicks Ass originally appeared on Danny Brown - under a Creative Commons license.

I don’t think I need to explain the human disaster that’s unfolding in Haiti. An earthquake of devastating proportions has ripped the heart out of the country, leaving a trail of death and destruction in its wake.

There are fears that there could be more than 100,000 fatalities and countless more injured and missing. This is the immediate impact. Long-term there is the threat of disease, illness, malnutrition, and much, much more. 12for12k is asking for your support to help the people of Haiti.

We are partnering with Hope for Haiti to raise much-needed donations to send to this humanitarian emergency. The immediate funds will go to helping the survivors with aid, shelter, food, medication and other essentials. Then there is the long-term need from there.

I know this is just after the holiday season. I know this is coming off the back of a year when people suffered financial strain. Yet we showed last year how much the 12for12k community cares, and the change we can make in whatever way we can. Please help us help Hope for Haiti and show our continued caring. You can use the donation widget below, which uses Paypal and goes directly to Hope for Haiti itself. $0.95 of every dollar goes to the humanitarian program needs.

Thank you, and let’s make whatever difference we can. And please, tweet this on Twitter, share on Facebook/display as your status, email folks to come here – we can really help together. You can also copy the embed code and display the widget on your own blog/site to spread awareness.

You can read Hope for Haiti’s press release about their aid program here. Additionally, you can follow their progress in Haiti via the Hope For Haiti Twitter account.

Help 12for12k Support Hope for Haiti originally appeared on Danny Brown - under a Creative Commons license.

The father and son combination of Grant and Clay Griffiths, along with Michael Martine, have put an awesome piece of kit together for WordPress users. With its visual editor as well as custom coding, Headway is ideal for blogs, websites, membership sites and a whole lot more.

Now the best WordPress theme just got even better.

Thanks to the kind guys over at Headway, all 12for12k supporters can save 25% when buying the Headway theme. All you have to do to receive the discount is one of the following:

• Be an active part of the 12for12k community.
• Wear the special 12for12k avatar on Twitter (if you haven’t got one, email your Twitter username and picture to 12for12k).
• Provide a copy of Paypal or ChipIn receipt of any donation made to previous 12for12k charities.

Then, when you’re about to buy the Headway theme, contact me using the Headway option on my contact box for the special 12for12k discount code. Simple. And with 50% of all sales going to the current 12for12k charity on whatever month you buy, the 25% saving you make and free updates for life, what better time to get your hands on the awesome Headway WordPress theme?

My sincere thanks to the guys over at Headway for this amazingly kind partnership.

• Disclaimer. I’ve been impressed with the Headway premium WordPress theme from the start and it’s the only theme I’ve ever set an affiliate account up with. If you’re thinking of buying it and do so via any of my links, 50% of the affiliation revenue will be donated to the current 12for12k charity on your behalf.

Note: This blog no longer runs on the Headway framework. Instead, it’s a custom WordPress design by Lisa Kalandjian of SceneStealer Graphics.

Headway WordPress Theme and 12for12k Partnership originally appeared on Danny Brown - under a Creative Commons license.

Today sees the launch of the 12 Days of Christmas Homeless Push. As we’ve mentioned in the run-up, this isn’t about cash donations this month (although if you wish to donate money to your local homeless shelter or organization, please do).

Instead, 12for12k wants you to think of ways that you can physically help. To this end, and with the help of Mark Horvath and various homeless organizations, we’ve come up with these 12 suggestions for you. Themed around the 12 Days of Christmas, this is the 12for12k version – the 12 Days of Christmas Homeless Push.

It’s up to you which ones you choose, although obviously choosing all 12 will make the biggest impact. And whatever you decide to do, record it. Photographs, videos, blogs, social networks – your choice. Sharing can only make more people aware, and encourage more help – and that’s always a good thing. And 12for12k will share your stories on our community, so please consider joining if you haven’t already.

So… on with the 12 suggestions.

1. Day 1. Contact your local homeless shelter(s) and ask what they need. Make a list and work from there.
2. Day 2. Gather 10 friends each (family, friends, colleagues) in preparation for Helping Day.
3. Day 3. Challenge these friends to a bake-off. Bake a bunch of homemade goodness – soup, stews, cookies, etc – ready for Helping Day.
4. Day 4. Clean out your closet (especially your husband’s, 12for12k wives!), and pack up all the old clothes that you find. Coats, socks, underwear, shoes, jeans – anything and everything.
5. Day 5. Go through your linen closet and think of what blankets, sleeping bags, duvets, etc, that you no longer need.
6. Day 6. Check your pantry – do you really need all these tins of soup or canned stew? Collect and store.
7. Day 7. Invite a homeless person for coffee. Go to a Starbucks or McDonald’s, buy a combo, sit and talk. Get to know the person behind the story.
8. Day 8. Go grocery shopping. Find 2-for-1 deals and buy what you can afford. Save the second item for Helping Day.
9. Day 9. Kids are homeless too. Collect all your childrens’ unwanted toys and box up. This includes books as well.
10. Day 10. Go to your local fast food/coffee house and buy a bunch of gift cards ready for handing out.
11. Day 11. This one’s an easy one – share with your networks what’s happening and get them involved.
12. Day 12. This is Helping Day. Go to a shelter, take everything you and your friends/family have collected, and help. One hour; six hours; all day – it doesn’t matter. Help – serve food; give out packages; talk to people; befriend someone. Simply put – be human to another human being.

This isn’t an exhaustive list; it’s simply suggestions. Please, feel free to leave other suggestions in the comments, or join our community and let us know what you’re doing. And make sure you follow 12for12k on Twitter for all the latest updates on what everyone is doing.

Christmas is a time for giving; let’s give to those that need it the most. Thank you.

12 Days, 12 Ways to Help the Homeless originally appeared on Danny Brown - under a Creative Commons license.

Tomorrow, Friday December 11 2009, sees the launch of the 12 Days of Christmas Homeless Push. Here’s a quick pre-launch video – hope you can join us tomorrow onward.

If You Think YOU’RE Cold… originally appeared on Danny Brown - under a Creative Commons license.