We had a really interesting panel discussion on Thursday night with the topic. "Can Humanitarian Space be Empty". We had very special guest Alex de Waal on the panel as well as our Execuitve Director, Kelvin Peterson and our Inepd Logistician Shane Thompson who was recently released from custody in the Congo. I hope you enjoy the following lively discussion we had on twitter.

Live Tweet Panel Discussion: "Can Humanitarian Space be Empty"

Mercedes: Right I think we are ready to go for tonight’s Live Tweet Panel Discussion “Can Humanitarian Space be Empty!”    1:12 PM Sep 17th

Mercedes: The easiest way to follow tonight is to search on #Inepd   If you want to post a question use  #Inepd  so I can follow.1:14 PM Sep 17th

Mercedes: I will now introduce our Panel.   1:16 PM Sep 17th

Mercedes: Firstly a man that needs no introduction Alex de Waal @AdWaal   1:16 PM Sep 17th

Alex:        @InepdMercedes Thanks and glad to be here   1:17 PM Sep 17th

Mercedes: Also on the Panel is the Executive Director of Inepd International @InepdKelvin    1:17 PM Sep 17th

Kelvin: @InepdMercedes Thanks, looking forward to it   1:18 PM Sep 17th

Mercedes: Inepd International logistician and recently released from custody in the Congo @InepdShane    1:18 PM Sep 17th

Shane: @InepdMercedes Thanks   1:18 PM Sep 17th

Mercedes: So to begin @AdWaal do you think Humanitarian Space can be Empty?    1:19 PM Sep 17th

Alex: @InepdMercedes Well I certainly believe that Humanitarian Space can be created from Emptiness.   1:20 PM Sep 17th

Alex: @InepdMercedes In Darfur we have created already a lot of humanitarian space by using the phrase Peace Process.    1:21 PM Sep 17th

Alex: @InepdMercedes It was a pity the ICC put in danger the Peace Process. But I’m glad to say things are back on track in Darfur.  1:22 PM Sep 17th

Mercedes: And @InepdKelvin what do you think?   1:23 PM Sep 17th

Kelvin: @InepdMercedes Certainly I agree with Alex, I would say an empty humanitarian space is better than no humanitarian space at all.  1:23 PM Sep 17th

StephenSidlo: What do you mean by Humanitarian Space..like definition

Mercedes: RT @StephenSidlo    What do you mean by Humanitarian Space..like definition?> Thanks for the question. I will give this to Alex1:27 PM Sep 17th

Alex:        @StephenSidlo Humanitarian space would best be described as a place where humanitarians can feel a little relaxed, not too pressured.  1:29 PM Sep 17th

Shane:        @InepdMercedes You know sometimes, even the emptiest humanitarian space can found be in a humanitarian enclave.   1:24 PM Sep 17th

Shirley: RT @InepdShane even the emptiest humanitarian space can found be in a humanitarian enclave> That was so beautiful Shane and so true   1:26 PM Sep 17th

Shane:        @InepdShirley I didn’t know you were online. I thought you were editing the UN guidelines on Therapeutic Feeding Programs tonight.   1:30 PM Sep 17th

Shirley: @InepdShane I got so an with them http://bit.ly/1nVxlP Their cure and mortaility rates are so unrealistic.    1:31 PM Sep 17th

Shane:        @InepdShirley Yes I remember, we never came close to meeting their mortality rates, even after adding Strawberry or Banana flavouring to the Therapeutic Milk.   1:32 PM Sep 17th

Mercedes: @InepdShane & @InepdShirley this is getting a bit off topic. Sorry @InepdShirley but we have to get back to it.   1:33 PM Sep 17th

jmpieda: Humanitarian space = the ability to evaluate needs, + to deliver aid freely + to access the aid reach the target group  1

Mercedes: RT @jmpieda Humanitarian space = the ability to evaluate needs, + to deliver aid freely + to access the aid reach the target group  1:34 PM Sep 17th

Mercedes: @jmpieda Thanks for your definition but Alex de Waal @AdWaal is an expert in the field and we are going to have to take his definition.1:35 PM Sep 17th  in reply to jmpieda

Tathra Express: @InepdMercedes I wanted to ask  @AdWaal if he thinks there is progress on peace after 5 years of conflict in Darfur.   1:36 PM Sep 17th

Mercedes: @tathraexpress this is a serious topic to discuss and not for the press, sorry.   1:37 PM Sep 17th

Tathra Express: @InepdMercedes But you said anyone at the beginning the discussion is open.   1:38 PM Sep 17th

Mercedes: Ok, one question only @tathraexpress   1:38 PM Sep 17th

Tathra Express: @InepdMercedes I wanted to ask  @AdWaal if he thinks there is progress on peace after 5 years of conflict in Darfur.   1:36 PM Sep 17th

Alex:        @InepdMercedes @tathraexpress Certainly there has been progress, before the conflict there wasn’t even a Peace Process. The organisational structures, processes and administration have developed tremendously in the last 5 years.  1:41 PM Sep 17th

Tathra Express: @AdWaal @InepdMercedes But hasn’t the humanitarian situation continued to deteriorate.   1:42 PM Sep 17th

Mercedes: @TathraExpress I said only one question.   1:42 PM Sep 17th  in reply to TathraExpress

Tathra Express: @InepdMercedes It was a follow on question.   1:42 PM Sep 17th

Mercedes: @TathraExpress Sorry @tathraexpress but no follow on questions. There are hundreds of people wanting to post questions.   1:43 PM Sep 17th  in reply to TathraExpress

Tathra Express: @InepdMercedes We just waited 2 minutes no one has asked a question.   1:45 PM Sep 17th

Kelvin: @InepdMercedes Well I would like to follow up on what Alex said.1:45 PM Sep 17th

Kelvin: @InepdMercedes Darfur is of course a concern and  no one could argue that more humanitarian space is not needed.   1:46 PM Sep 17th

Shane:        @InepdKelvin @InepdMercedes I would say the problem is not the emptiness of the humanitarian space but the lack of humanitarian space   1:46 PM Sep 17th

Shirley: @InepdMercedes @InepdShane is right. In Darfur we just didn’t have enough to go around. It was so thin almost empty.   1:47 PM Sep 17th

Shane:        @InepdShirley Many times in the Land-Cruiser on the Darfurian desert roads. The Humanitarian space felt so empty. Like a void.  1:48 PM Sep 17th

Shirley: @InepdShane It was so eerie wasn't it. Like we were the only two people in the world.   1:49 PM Sep 17th

Shane:         @InepdShirley I don't think I have ever felt anything more empty in my life.   Except for that small patch of eternal love burning brightly in our Land-Cruiser.   1:51 PM Sep 17th

Mercedes: Right I think the discussion has drifted off again. Unfortunately that’s all we have time for.   1:53 PM Sep 17th

Mercedes: I would like to thank @AdWaal @InepdShane & @InepdKelvin and the uninvited tweeters @tathraexpress and @InepdShirley.1:54 PM Sep 17th

Mercedes: Special thanks also to @jmpieda @twarning & @StephenSidlo for joining in the discussion and your input.1:56 PM Sep 17th

Mercedes: Will keep you posted on new Inepditude campaigns coming up in the US Next launch will be "Poverty Development more than a campaign slogan"1:58 PM Sep 17th

Last week I was in New York on 42nd Street doing some fundraising for Inepd International. Samantha the PA of our Executive Director helped out by tweeting the conversations I had with potential donors. Hope you find how I went about fundraising on the street useful. See below the text of the live tweets:

The Tweets from the Street:
Going into the last topic today on "Time Poor Donors" workshop. It is "Integrating non-profit giving into Hospice Care"2:25 PM Sep 9th

Running now to the station. Conference finished a little late today. Will be live tweeting soon, Oh I am now.5:58 PM Sep 9th

Ok I'm on my way. 6:18 PM Sep 9th

Every year Inepd International staff are asked to give up one day of their normal work to see what work is like in the field. 6:18 PM Sep 9th

They forgo a warm cappuccino and a cubicle in the open plan Inepd office, 6:19 PM Sep 9th

Risking life and limb they head onto those mean city streets to raise funds for Inepd. 6:19 PM Sep 9th

So I'm here in New York heading up to 42nd street to raise funds for Inepd International, to get a bit down with the people as they say here 6:20 PM Sep 9th

Great day at the conference in New York today. Discussion on "Time Poor Donors". 6:21 PM Sep 9th

NY office has been targetting Time Poor Donors on Cruise Ships. Absolute bonanza, to think we'd been trawling old peoples homes in London 6:22 PM Sep 9th

Now Catching the subway from 51st to 42nd. 6:23 PM Sep 9th

Bit of an unsettling experience haven't been on public transport since we had one of those walk to work days for the environment. 6:23 PM Sep 9th

Terrible experience, broke a slingback pump and had to attend a standup cocktail fundraiser later in the day. 6:23 PM Sep 9th

I am with Samantha today @InepdKelvin personal assistant and she is going to help with the live tweets. 6:24 PM Sep 9th

I am wearing a lapel microphone and I will be standing outside the West Bank Cafe on 42nd street 6:24 PM Sep 9th

Samantha will be inside listening and tweeting my conversations with the public. 6:24 PM Sep 9th

Ok so here we go just walking. Just about to reach 42nd street. Will tweet when we get out. 6:25 PM Sep 9th

If you are on 42nd street feel free to say hi and maybe sign up as Inepd International monthly sponsor. 6:2 6 PM Sep 9th

You can also directly support one of Inepd Camapigns with Attitude or Inepditude Camapaigns like "Climate Change not in our Lifetime" 6:2 7 PM Sep 9th

Now on 42nd street and just about to give the iphone over to Samantha. 6:28 PM Sep 9th

Hi I'm Samantha, I will be live tweeting Mercedes fundraising efforts. Just ordered a latte with a slice of mud cake. 6:29 PM Sep 9th

Mercedes is saying “testing 1, 2, 3” now she is saying “2,2,2” now in a really low voice “Test, Test, Test” now a high pitched squeal. 6:29 PM Sep 9th

I have just given her the thumbs up. 6:29 PM Sep 9th

Mercedes is wearing a black Bohemian casual tube dress with Satin Tuxedo style jacket with an Inepd International badge& slingback pumps 6:30 PM Sep 9th

She is just about to approach her first member of the public. 6:31 PM Sep 9th

Good looking young man in early twenties wearing jeans, fake Armani chocolate jacket with black T-Shirt. 6:31 PM Sep 9th

Mercedes says: Do you know who I am? 6:31 PM Sep 9th

Young Man: No sorry, have we met? (Looks a bit puzzled). 6:32 PM Sep 9th
Mercedes: (She laughs) Of Course we haven't met, I'm from Inepd International and I'm raising funds today. What do you do. 6:32 PM Sep 9th

Young Man: I'm a student at NYU, I'm a Chemistry major. 6:32 PM Sep 9th

Mercedes: Oh, how nice for you, Yes, well, I thought your jacket was Armani, 6:33 PM Sep 9th

Young Man: No(laugh), discount store. Did you want to ask me something. 6:33 PM Sep 9th

Mercedes: No, Nice to meet you.(Young man still standing a bit confused). Mercedes says bye bye 6:34 PM Sep 9th

I'm Samantha just tweeting for Mercedes. She has a lapel mike and I'm tweeting her street fund-raising conversation. Just got my Mud Cake. 6:35 PM Sep 9th

Mercedes is approaching a man in a business suit now. Very attractive and he smiles at Mercedes. Mercedes flicks her hair and also smiles. 6:35 PM Sep 9th
Mercedes says: Do you know who I am? 6:35 PM Sep 9th

Business Man: No, but I think I might like to. Looks like you work for some kind of non-profit by your badge. 6:3 6 PM Sep 9th

Mercedes: Not really my day job, just helping out today to raise some funds for Inepd International. I am actually Inepd's Comms Director. 6:3 7 PM Sep 9th

Business Man asks: What does Inepd International do? 6:3 7 PM Sep 9th

Mercedes says: Well we do lots of charity type thingies, helping poor people who can't help themselves and enabling poverty development. 6:38 PM Sep 9th

Business Man: Sounds impressive. 6:38 PM Sep 9th

Mercedes asks: Yes, now what type of work do you do? 6:38 PM Sep 9th

Business Man: I'm into banking 6:39 PM Sep 9th

Mercedes: Fantastic, Marvellous, close call last year, but thank god the bonuses are back everything is back to normal. 6:39 PM Sep 9th

Business man smiles a little 6:39 PM Sep 9th

Mercedes asks: Which bank? 6:40 PM Sep 9th

Business Man: I work for an Ethical bank. 6:40 PM Sep 9th

Mercedes just snorting really loudly and nearly blew my ear out with kind of a high cackling laugh. Onto my second latte. 6:40 PM Sep 9th

Mercedes smiles, flicks her hair again and says: And you've got a quite an impressive wit. Are you hiding your wedding ring? 6:41 PM Sep 9th

Business Man: Well, No, 6:41 PM Sep 9th

Mercedes: Now what about a small contribution for Inepd International per month. Since we're almost in the same business ( laughing again). 6:42 PM Sep 9th

BM: Yeah sure, I would love to support you, Inepd International 6:42 PM Sep 9th

Mercedes: Now how much per month? 6:43 PM Sep 9th
Business Man: 25 per month. 6:43 PM Sep 9th

Mercedes: Very generous, just let me fill this in and if you give your details here. 6:44 PM Sep 9th

Business Man: No $25 not $25,000 6:44 PM Sep 9th

Mercedes: But, what, Oh (laughing again) you have to stop playing games, you are a devil( I think she patted him on the buttocks). 6:44 PM Sep 9th

Business Man: No, I really meant $25. That's what I give to most non-profits I support and I really work for an Ethical Bank. 6:45 PM Sep 9th

Mercedes: (Silent, looks stunned) How dare you, playing me along like that you donating GIGOLO!! with all your little donations. 6:4 7 PM Sep 9th

Business man is now walking backwards away from Mercedes, looks a bit confused. He seemed so nice. 6:4 7 PM Sep 9th

If only I hadn't ordered another slice of mud pie I could go out and comfort him. 6:4 7 PM Sep 9th
By the way I'm Samantha I live tweeting from inside the West Bank Cafe on 42nd street in NY and Mercedes is outside with a lapel microphone. 6:48 PM Sep 9th

Someone's approaching Mercedes. Female student type in skinny legged faded jeans with bat-winged off the shoulder hemp crop-top. 6:49 PM Sep 9th
Student says: Hi, just interested in what you are raising funds for. 6:49 PM Sep 9th
Mercedes: Oh, really (stepping back). I work for Inepd International. 6:50 PM Sep 9th

Student says: I'm doing international Development studies, interested in what different organisations do. Where does Inepd work. 6:50 PM Sep 9th

Mercedes says: Africa, Asia, Walthomstow. Right must go just saw a friend. 6:51 PM Sep 9th

Mercedes has just walk straight into a tall looking man. Casual, very well built with a touch of stubble. 6:51 PM Sep 9th

Mercedes says: Sorry to bump into you but I was literally pounced on by street person and just managed to get away. You are tall. 6:52 PM Sep 9th

Casual Guy: Happy to help. 6:52 PM Sep 9th

Mercedes: You are a dear. Oh by the way I'm fundraising for a little longer with Inepd International. Would you like to support us. 6:52 PM Sep 9th

Casual Guy: Well I could offer you a drink. I know a little about these types of programs. 6:53 PM Sep 9th

Casual Guy: I work for Medecins Sans Frontieres or Doctors without Borders in English. 6:53 PM Sep 9th

Mercedes: Oh how exotic. It must be teriible difficult working with no anesthetic or instruments in those ghastly countries. 6:53 PM Sep 9th

Casual Guys: I work in surgical programs and it's not quite like that. 6:54 PM Sep 9th
Mercedes: Oh, a SURGEON!!, you really have been a life saver today, maybe you could make a small donation as well. 6:54 PM Sep 9th

Casual Guy: Well, I guess I could but I am actually a Nurse. 6:54 PM Sep 9th

Mercedes: Oh a nurse, oh must be very.(looks very disappointed). Must be difficult being a man. Nice to meet you. I better go. 6:55 PM Sep 9th

The Nurse asks for Mercedes number. Mercedes says to him just say the number as she has a photogenic memory(I'm sure she said photogenic). 6:5 6 PM Sep 9th

Mercedes walks away from the nurse looks a bit disorientated, she standing in front of the cafe just staring in. Now she's seen me. 6:5 7 PM Sep 9th

I'm giving the iphone back to Mercedes 6:5 7 PM Sep 9th

Hi I'm back now tweeting again. Really difficult conditions out their in field. 7:00 PM Sep 9th

The 30cents of every dollar we give to those high street fundraising contractors is absolutely worth it. 7:01 PM Sep 9th

Well I better dash. It's the end of conference Gala tonight and we are having a Inepd Fairtrade product launch of Fairtrade Trade Winds Rum.  7:04 PM Sep 9th

This is part 2 on my 4 part series on Marketing and Communications tips for NGOs. Hope you enjoy!

Deadlines: Real Deadlines Work!
It has been shown that setting a Deadlines in Marketing Camapaigns work in both the commercial and Non-Profits world. Here are some tips on what they are and how they work. In the Non-Profit sector Real Deadlines are the most effective campaign tool you have.
A deadline in Non-Profit marketing refers to the “instant where the  fund-raising target is; matched to and makes possible a  developmental or humanitarian event”.  A deadline campaign needs the following:
1. Monetary target: “Unless we get $X”
2. A short term target date: “In the next two weeks”
3. Humanitarian event:  “X thousand will die”

The following from UNICEF is a fantastic example of a Deadline Campaign(I have highlighted the critical phrases):
“The UNICEF Representative for Somalia, Christian Balslev-Olesen, says children are the most vulnerable of all and many will die unless UNICEF receives $10 million within the next two weeks to maintain life-saving programs.
"For the time being, we have 90,000 children who need immediate, nutritional, supplementary and therapeutic feeding. If we are not able to do so, these kids will die," said Christian Balslev-Olesen.” Source: VOA
In the above example UNICEF was able state an exact monetary target, a clear short time-frame and a Catastrophic Humanitarian Event. This is what we call a double negative deadline campaign:
No Money= Catastrophic Humanitarian Event= Strong Campaign Message

A lot of Non Profits agonize over finding a suitable suitable Catastrophic Humanitarian Event Figure to headline their campaign.  Many times a Non Profit Organisation doesn't have the time or resources to be able to produce a big Catastrophic Humanitarian Event figure with some type of supporting methodology. The answer is not to panic, just wait a few hours!!. A leading UN organisation (UNICEF, WFP) or Oxfam, World Vision or Save the Children etc. will come up with a big quotable figure you can use in your Deadline Campaign.

Fair Trade: Can Blended Products Work?
At Inepd International we are now trialling two new innovative lines that expand our Fair-Trade product range. These are Fair-Good Price and Fair-Quality. Fair-Good Price responds to our consumer research that shows they are searching for not only a product that will help the poor but also a product that doesn't hurt their hip pocket. Fair Quality is a product line that is aimed at the those with substantial spending power and don't want to scrimp on quality. As an example we have two new coffees:
Inepd Fair-Good Price coffee is a special blend of Papua New Guinea Fair Trade Coffee with Nescafe. Inepd Fair-Quality Coffee is a special blend of Columbian Fair-Trade with LaVazza.

We will also be launching Inepd Fair-Trade Blended Rums and Whiskeys in the coming weeks, so look out for those on the shelves!.


Do Charity Events have to Make Money?
No, many Non-Profits really get themselves in a twist over this dilemma. What is important is not how much money the event makes but how much publicity it generates. In the business we call this a publicity or fund-raising inventory. At Inepd International we target important international and national media organisations such as OK Magazine and Hello Magazine. We use these to cover our events and help promote the fantastic work and build publicity inventories. This strategy has produced much better results than scrimping on charity events only to produce a forgetful nights.

Viral Marketing Campaigns do They Work?
The answer to this questions is a pretty big no if the aim is to raise money. These viral campaigns are only followed by student types with no money. However, viral campaigns are great internal communications tools. If you feel moral is down in the fund-raising, marketing or communications department(and there are always dips), set the Interns the task of coming up with a new viral campaign. There will be enthusiasm and a lot of fun produced getting a campaign together.

One warning don't do this too often as there will always be someone in the Logistics and ICT departments who will start taking the piss. In short great internal communication tool to use once or twice a year.


Next week we will be focusing on communications and some of the topics will be:
1. Advocacy more than Speaking Out, Up and In!
2. Networking: The sponsored visit journalists and celebrities.
3. Images of Children: Happy or Sad?
4. Creating great copy if all you’ve got is program department reports

I am often surprised when I see basic mistakes in marketing and communications being made by even the largest non-profit organsiations. I am often asked for advice, and so, I thought why not finally put down some of my tips could helping other marketing and communications professionals. So I hope you will find this 1st part in my 4 part series on marketing  and communications helpful.

Clear simple messages: What’s in a name?
The most important marketing message is your name and brand. It’s as simple as that. What makes a great name? As an example here’s how we became Inepd International. When Inepd International was formed a few years ago, we thought hard and long about what name we should adopt. At that time 5 international organisations were amalgamated in an affiliate structure of mutual co-operation; but what name to adopt? We took a strategic approach where each word in the acronym formed should have a special significance. Here is how we did it:
ـ The first word we chose was Poverty. Our research showed that no organisation can survive in the marketplace today without poverty in their acronym.
ـ We needed a word that gave the impression of moving forward, not necessarily in any specific direction but at least  going somewhere. Debra an intern thankfully proposed Development in our very last workshop. We were all amazed that the more experienced among us missed this crucial word.
ـ Next we needed a word that signified partnership, a helping hand, a push in the right direction or to start taking responsibility for yourself. Enabling was voted unanimously and I believe it is one of the most essential words we have.
ـ Why International? We wanted a word that invoked bringing people and organisations together around the world. As well we wanted to ensure that a potential donor’s interests could be covered by one of programs. So whether people want to help Africa, Asia, Aids, Climate, Poverty, Hunger etc. etc. International says it all. We even used it twice in Inepd International.

Are beneficiaries needed for programs?
The answer is of course yes, but not as many as you would think. Beneficiary counting has become a real science in recent years. One term to avoid is Program Participants. This seriously underestimates the number of beneficiaries to mention in copy. Here are some rough estimates we use at Inepd International:
Beneficiaries = Program Particpants x 10(program department always wants to use 5)
1 x Community Program = 3,000(Africa) -10,000(Asia) beneficiaries
Another tip to increase your organisations beneficiaries numbers is to support local partners. A few thousand pounds can go a long way to support a local organisation and all its’ beneficiaries without having to cover the whole cost of a program.

Significant change: As long as you were there!
A few years ago Inepd Interenational adopted a new system of monitoring and evaluation. Increasing amounts of funds were going into finding out if programs did something. The marketing department was brought in to assist in finding a new methodology that would serve the needs of Inepd International and particularly our external communications. Our methodology is called:
Significant Change: Just being there can make a difference
The methodology involves collecting unique stories from beneficiaries on what has changed in their lives while you ran a program in the last year or two in less than 100 words. These little stories can fill the gaps and communicate to the public much better than those complicated monitoring and evaluation reports that our program department is always wanting to go back to.

Emergency Appeals: Let the public choose!
One of the most difficult decision facing any humanitarian organisation such as Inepd International is where do you allocate limited funds for emergencies. With so many emergencies and so many different types how could any organisation make a decision. Thankfully emergency appeals eliminate many of these nagging questions and they give you concrete funding figures to design a program around later. Remember always deduct your administration costs before sending the funds to the field. We now exclusively send money to partner organisations or Inepd Affiliates, this cuts down a lot of HQ running around and the emergency team are a lot happier with more time for family and friends.


Marketing to time poor potential donors
Many potential donors literally don’t have the time to plough through reams of information. Many “Time Poor” donors as we call them just want simple and clear messages that target their present giving needs and wants. When donors are nearing the Autumn of their giving life they often look for a targeted program that could live long after they have passed off this mortal coil. We have taken great care to establish a sensitive approach in our “Time Poor Donor Program”. Our marketing staff undertake special training to market Inepd International  bequests and large gifts to the elderly and the terminally ill. We also have an affiliate program(or spotters fees) for care-givers to identify potential large donors.