Wednesday, 4 March 2009

Online collaboration means a great deal to charities

A partnership between comotivate and a global administration platform aimed at supporting good causes, is offering the not-for-profit sector free access to leading technology. 

High profile, well funded charities have certainly been quick to leverage the internet to strengthen brand awareness and drive down their administration costs. But the technological investment and skills have been hard to come by for smaller non-profit organizations.  

Now, Australian-based comotivate.com is helping overcome those barriers by partnering with GivenGain and offering six months free access to a leading integrated online cause administration platform covering: payment processing, donor management, online publishing and communication tools. 

GivenGain have already helped raise over $37 million for good causes. The service automates complex, critical processes from beginning to end, allowing organizations to cut costs, increase revenue, build and manage relationships and win broader support for their cause. Comotivate.com matches people with similar goals and allows them to collaborate in teams. It will soon integrate with GivenGain more fully to allow users to raise money in support of their challenges. 

Comotivate.com founder, Matt Lawton helps explain: “The online experience can make or break a fundraising campaign for donors, fundraisers and ultimately the charity. The GivenGain platform provides the complete solution.”  

Nobody taking up the introductory offer through comotivate is obliged to either continue on with the service or run activity on comotivate.com and Lawton believes that’s important. “I’m confident that those non-profits that begin to feel comfortable with an enhanced web presence will want to find ways of further leveraging their campaigns. Anyone unable to develop a sound online strategy is going to struggle more and more.”       

Charities interested in learning more should visit: www.comotivate.givengain.org and contact Matt Lawton.

Posted by comotivate at 7:28 AM in tell us all the good things
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Tuesday, 3 March 2009

Marriage - the key to finding happiness?

I went to an amazing wedding at the weekend. The ceremony took place under an ancient oak tree and the symbolic significance was portrayed in a very touching way - not laboured at all. Everyone 'got it' easily enough. The bride has a young son (6 years old) from a former relationship and the groom has been a terrific influence on him over the last few years. Their vows were so heartfelt and the gathering of friends (40% of them from interestate or overseas) were all feeling the love. The reception was a stand up affair in one of melbourne's lesser known nighclubs in a trendy part of town. The word 'nightclub' doesn't do it justice because it had a sophisticated burlesque feel to it, rich satin fabrics, dark hardwood fixtures and awesome cocktails! The speaches were all fantastic and kept to a good length and the atmosphere was just so relaxed and warm.

Several people noted that as the married couple, it's only at a wedding where one can truly enjoy the company of all your closest friends and family. The only comparison is one's funeral! And there, you don't actually get to mix with your guests!

Conclusion? Having great friends makes for a great wedding! But what's the lasting effect the next day?

Weddings are often happy events - 'the happiest day of one's life' it is often said. The marriage itself is obviously more important and it's very hard to see the beautiful and generous couple we saw enjoying anything less than bliss for the rest of their lives. The celebrant did talk about the inevitable challenges ahead as people change and the relationship changes. The key, it was proposed, rests in two things:

- the commitment to always keep trying with the utmost determination

- the bravery to keep communicating with utmost honesty

There's an inter-relationship between cause and effect when you think about marriage and happiness. What happens if you don't feel happy anymore in your marriage? Is it you changing, your partner or your relationship. Someone recently described a marriage/relationship to me in terms of it being an entity that itself required nurturing. What have you done recently to nurture your relationship in an unconditional way?   

Honesty and determination - the key to happiness...maybe! Sounds like hard work though! What happened to 'love'? I think love is your motivation. Arguably the best motivation there is.

Posted by comotivate at 12:25 AM in Find happiness Goal
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