I started with the idea that I bet I could easily list 50 things nonprofit websites could do better, and then decided I wanted to ensure that each tweak could be completed in under an hour.  Then I realized, that’s about 50 hours time… OR, 52 weeks… a year.  1 year to a better nonprofit website by devoting 1 hour a week?  That would be amazing.  And that is how 52 Tweaks in 52 Weeks was born.

I’ve since teamed up with my awesome colleague, Jono Young, who I think compliments my functional strategy experience with his design strategy experience, and we’ve submitted to a few more conferences, including SXSW (South by SouthWest) Interactive.  The way SXSW works is that thousands of sessions are proposed (nearly 4,000, actually) and then user (YOU!) get to VOTE and COMMENT on sessions you like.  The public’s voting accounts for about 30% the overall determination on which sessions are chosen (only 500 total will be) for SXSW Interactive in March 2012.

SO, Check out our session and, if you’re so inclined, we would greatly appreciate your feedback and VOTE!  (Voting does require registration, which is free and takes 2 mins).

Vote today for Better Nonprofit Websites – 52 Tweaks In 52 Weeks

We all hate airport security and we all feel as if the airlines are screwing us over… but maybe if we pass this information on, and maybe with a little luck, we can educate people on how to travel and make airline tolerable.

1) Be Prepared to Travel

Both for the airport and security.  Check-in online and print your boarding pass out at home.  If you can’t, use your bank or credit card to check-in at the electronic ticket machines and save the lines for people who need assistance re-booking.  NOTE: You do NOT need a credit card to use these machines, any bank card or even your passport will work, you can still check luggage AND they’re faster than waiting in line for an hour.

2) Be Prepared for Security

Put your electronics, belts, watches away BEFORE you get to the TSA Agent.  You should have nothing but your clothes, ID and ticket on you.  Do this while you’re standing in line, or better yet, before you even get to the airport.  If you have a laptop, make sure it’s in a spot you can easily remove and replace.  The FSA does NOT require that iPads are removed from bags, however be sure other electronics aren’t laid on top of them, otherwise they’ll require extra screening.  As for liquids, yeah, sure… put them in a zip lock.  3oz folks, no exceptions.  Don’t want to pay overpriced water prices? Take an empty water bottle and refill once through security.

3) Understand Boarding Procedures

Although there are some variations (mainly shuttles and Southwest), flight boarding generally starts with “those needing extra time” (children, elderly, disabled), then First Class, and then boarding by Zones, starting with Zone 1, then Zone 2, etc.  Don’t stand in front of the gate waiting for your zone to be called.  You’re in everyone’s way and your only delaying the entire flight–both you and me.  Want to be first on? Get up and ready when they call the zone, or group, before yours.

4) Turn Off Your Freakin’ Electronics

Sure, none of us trust that our cell phone or ipod is going to bring down a plane, but it doesn’t matter… those are the rules and there actually are reasons for these rules.  Turn off your phone, turn off all electronics and listen to the flight attendants to say when you can use what.  And for those of you trying to make 1 last call or “might need to be reached in an emergency,” … YOU ARE NOT THAT IMPORTANT!  Even if you found out something horrible happened on the ground, what are you going to do… tell the pilot you need to land?

5) Step Away From The Baggage Carousel

Stand 3 feet back from the baggage carousel when waiting for luggage.  This allows everyone to see what’s coming and provides plenty of room to step forward as yours gets close to your location and retrieve without taking out a neighbor.  If you have a baggage cart, leave it behind you and away from the carousel.

I could go on and on, such as don’t bring strong smelling foods onto the plane, wear deodorant, and don’t let you child kick the seat in front of you or even pound the tray, we can feel it.  But these 5 should serve as a starting point, a common sense traveler’s litmus test, if you will.  What tips do you have for your fellow travelers?

Ensure you have a Google Profile setup and a working Gmail address, and you’ll be on soon enough, as Google rolls out invites and access.

With that, I present to you teh rules SUGGESTIONS for #13nerds:  Any gathering of any size of a group of any folks interested in nonprofits and technology (esp social media) looking to gather for a real-life meetup.  Yup, that’s it.  Keep it simple.

Beyond that, individuals could use the #13nerds hashtag on Twitter to find like minded individuals and meet-ups in their own city and share back tips, resources, pictures or even drunk rants, garnered from the event.

So that’s it.  There’s no formal process, no dress codes, and no Klout scores required.  If you have an interest in nonprofits and technology–and know how to use social media to find or organize a meetup–go at it.

Thoughts? Yays? Nays?

Think about having a couple staff at your Gala or other Fundraising event offering the opportunity to get Photobooth pics taken with the Executive Director or maybe even a guest celebrity!  You ask for a nominal donation that’ll cover the costs of the photos with all extra going to the organization.  Of course we’ll have to see the details of how it’s setup (eg; who do the prints get mailed to, can that be changed per picture or will the Nonprofit have to receive and then mail out by hand, creating extra work)… but I’m sure it could be done and, for the right donation, worth it.

Not to mention, it’s fun!  Who doesn’t love photobooths?  You can sign-up to receive notification of launch at PopBooth — and if you refer 2 friends they’ll even give you your first photo for free.

June: Ft Lauderdale & Orlando
July: San Diego, Portland (OR) and Toronto
August: LA and DC
September: Vegas & Mt Zion, Utah
October: Baltimore, DC, NYC
December: Orlando
January: Park City, Utah
March: Amsterdam, Germany, Holland, Switzerland

Ohh yeah, you heard that right… Looking at my next European trip for early 2012… Can’t wait!!!

I was never an early bird growing up, but over the years I’ve taken great pleasure in those few morning hours I get alone… Before the city, or even my family, has awoken and before coworkers and clients are in full swing.

>>> Read 6 Takeaways From ShareThis’ Study on Social Sharing on the NetWitsThinkTank.com.

The odd thing is that the pain hasn’t been too bad, sans the initial trauma. It hurts when bent or pressure is applied, but otherwise is minimal… And being that I’m in Florida, my flip-flops are serving me well.