I’d like to offer a few thoughts on one of the fundamental instruments of social media. Blogging is an incredibly simple and far more effective tool than many non-profit organizations realize. And for JCCs it can be particularly valuable. With speed and precision, a “J” blog can accentuate the center’s bond to the area while gauging with unprecedented sensitivity the community’s pulse on a range of topics. It manages to be personal and collective, outward-focused but with a strong, distinctive voice. Community members need to see the JCC not only as a dependable bricks-and-mortar operation, but also a proactive digital platform always looking to the future.

Below is a list of blog topics for your consideration. These represent ideas in two major categories of concern for JCC executive directors – The Jewish Experience and JCC Operational Excellence. For a more complete list, visit our web site at http://www.accrisoft.com/jcc.

THE JEWISH EXPERIENCE

State of Israel and K’lal Yisrael
The Internet represents an unprecedented leap forward in our ability to bridge geographical divides. Jews have always reached out to each other in spite of distance. Blogging about Israeli news, international developments, and other matters tied to the status of Jews around the world facilitates discussion, action, and connection. The Jewish experience is global; use your blog to shrink whatever gaps exist.

Jewish in America
Never before have Americans been so engaged in the political process and so hungry for news and perspective. To be Jewish in this country is to infuse your citizenship with unique ethical and cultural ideas. Blogging about current affairs with an eye toward their resonance in our community is an excellent way to invigorate the J’s website.

Jewish Community

Check in with other local Jewish organizations doing interesting work. By linking to their sites and having them do the same, you’ll strengthen the connective bond among all regional operations while giving members insight into opportunities for volunteer work, social action, lectures, fundraising drives, and a host of other developments critical to the health of local Jewish life.

Holidays
The Jewish calendar is filled with celebrations, remembrances, and times for spiritual renewal. Use these frequent holidays as an opportunity to connect visitors more directly to their deeper meaning. It’s an easy way to make your blog a worthwhile read year round.

Educational Offerings
The J is a place for learning – for young children, for elders, and for everyone in between. Make sure that members and other visitors checking out your blog have a chance to see what’s going on with Early Childhood Education programs, continuing education, study groups, and the array of other educational options the center provides.

Social Offerings
The J also serves as a meeting place for people throughout the local community. Highlight upcoming events, ask for feedback from members about what they’d like to see the center coordinate next, and use the digital townhall as a way of boosting in-person attendance at all of the J’s many opportunities for fellowship.

JCC OPERATIONAL EXCELENCE

Events
Keep the public updated on the Center’s many goings-on. Habits have changed. People are much more likely to maintain their calendars online than to coordinate their lives around snail mail announcements. Take advantage by blogging about what’s coming up.

Staff Profiles
The Center has great people doing great work to make the “J” a vital part of the community. Why not highlight them with quick profiles that personalize the Center while drawing attention to its breadth of involvement?

News
By posting frequent news updates, the Center’s blog will be seen as a “living” entity with topical relevance. You can use the space to highlight third-party news that affects the “J,” as well as internal developments of interest to members and visitors alike.

Membership
People curious about joining the Center will likely first search for you online. Why not hit them with the details and benefits of membership right away? Especially in the context of a blog that’s already supplying news about everything going on at the “J,” posts related to membership can be extraordinarily compelling.

General Announcements / Press Releases
It is a good idea to keep the Center’s major announcements tagged in one place. Have a weekly round up of Center-related activities and news. Use the blog to post quick third-party announcements of special interest to members.

Community Development
The Center is an integral part of the larger community. Highlight this point with posts demonstrating how other local developments – cultural, social, or political – tie into the J’s work.

SUMMARY

We hope you consider the ideas here and make them your own. Your blog should be a reflection of you; your specific interests and concerns. And encourage your audience to comment on your blogs; blogs are designed to get the conversation started and draw your community together.