@JoelECarlson – Hello everyone, and welcome to the Twitterview of @stremcha, a self proclaimed Geek of the Twin Cities. Lets get started!
Q – #1 To start @stremcha, please share where you grew up and what kind of schooling/training you received that led you to what you do now.
A: I physically grew-up in Northfield, MN – about 45 mi straight south of the city on I-35.
Professionally, I grew-up @concordiastpaul working in alumni relations.
I’ve earned a BA from @csbsju and an MA from @concordiastpaul
Q – #2 Smarty pants! :) So what kind of work do you do?
A: Nah. I just like to learn.
I work for @childrensmn in the foundation raising money to advance children’s health in MN and the upper-Midwest.
My focus is online fundraising, so I use web content, social media, email and mobile technology to raise money.
I also work closely with @randyran and @cavan to engage patients and families online to support the hospital.
Practically, I do work support all of our fundraising teams: events, cause-marketing/corporate relations…
…and our major and planned giving teams.
Functionally, I’m part of the ‘annual’ team, so I also work to connect our direct mail fundraising online.
Q – #3 Lots of work I can imagine. Have you seen the economy make a hit on your efforts?
A: We’ve been fortunate and seen our fundraising results run counter to the larger national trends.
We had a record fundraising year last year, and I think will have another strong year this year.
There’s a couple reasons for that, IMHO.
1) Historically, the foundation raised money with a relatively small staff focused on direct mail and events.
We’ve grown the team and diversified our efforts to include corporate relationships and more emphasis on major giving.
We’ve also seen substantial growth by focusing on online gifts.
2) Unlike some, we were never dependent on grant funding from fdtns(which reduced giving as a result of reduced assets)
Q – #4 What kind of departments or functions have been helped by your efforts?
A: We raise money online for a wide variety of areas in the hospital.
On the events side, the Cancer Kids fund and Cardiovascular Care are big beneficiaries.
In general, we provide support for Clinical Excellence, Family-Centered Care and Community Care.
Check-out http://tearstotriumph.org
As a hospital caring for kids, we focus a lot on experience: helping kids understand whats going on and be comfortable.
We believe @ChildrensMN that experience results in better clinical outcomes/healing.
…but insurance doesn’t cover it, so philanthropy/generosity/donors/giving play a big role.
Giving helps provide care to those who can’t afford it.
Q – #5 Lets now focus attention on you. Why do you consider yourself a geek? What elements of proof can you provide?
A: 4% of the population/6% uses Twitter. Those are daily activites for me. Clearly that puts me in a minority
I also like spreadsheets and data visualization a lot. I read. I cook. I don’t watch much TV.
In short, I do a lot of stuff the world doesn’t think of as ‘cool.’ I guess that’s why I think I’m a geek.
That and my co-workers tell me so! :-)
Q – #6 Geeks are the “New Black”, so you’re cool! Now to favorites: restaurant, store, MSP neighborhood & tech gadget.
A: I’m not much for favorites, so how about lists?
@JoelECarlson – Sure, like Top 5 would be fine.
Restuarants: I like the Highland and Longfellow Grills a lot; Supatra’s Thai; Cheeky Monkey; Brasa; and Pizza Luce.
I like the beer selection at the Happy Gnome a bunch.
Store: far and away – Costco! (more evidence of geekiness)
Neighborhood: I’m squarely a St. Paul guy: Highland Park, Mac/Groveland, Summit/Grand, Selby/Dale/Cathedral hill, Dwtn.
TechGadget: my iPhone, although I’m not really a gadget guy.
Apps: Angry Birds Seasons, Pulse News, NYT, iMapMyRun
Coffeeshop: @kopplins
Q – #7 If you could have any 1 guest (dead/alive) eat dinner with you, who would you pick and why?
A: I had in school suspension once in my life. This was the ? on which I had to write an essay, so I don’t like it much.
I’m going to say Mary Meeker.
She’s been on the right side of a lot IPOs; I’m fascinated with mobile; and, now she’s a VC.
Q – #8 I understand. What goal(s) do you have for yourself either professionally or personally for the near future?
A: Professionally, in December; it’s important to kid’s health we raise $ for @ChildrensMN (& online is my part of that)
Pro. more broadly, I’m working to help nonprofits, hospitals and fundraisers understand the value of online tools.
Personally, I try to be a good, healthy dad and husband.
@JoelECarlson – Thank you so much for your time and comments today @stremcha. You are doing a good work for children in need!
@stremcha – Thanks for including me – it’s been fun!