Information Communication Technology (ICT) majors enrolled in ICT 390: Social Media and Society - The Nonprofit Sector with professor Seungahn Nah completed a semester-long community service-learning project. 

The course is designed to explore the relationship between social media and society with particular emphasis on how social media benefits underserved communities, community organizations, groups, and citizens. As the semester progressed, students worked in teams to develop communication strategies that furthered the mission of a local nonprofit organization. 

The Nonprofit Awareness and Engagement Project (NAEP) intends to meet three learning objectives: 

• To gain knowledge regarding the nonprofit organizations as voluntary-based and charitable organizations in terms of their social, political, and economic status. 
• To understand the importance of the nonprofit organizations in local communities through their history, missions, and activities. 
• To learn communication ways that the nonprofit organizations have developed through social media along with information and communication technologies (ICTs). 

Each team identified a charitable nonprofit organization in Lexington, Kentucky. The Spring 2016 class chose The Plantory, Bluegrass Conservancy, and the Boys and Girls Club. Students toured the facility of each organization, collaborated with executives, and ultimately initiated a long-term, value-added partnership. 

The Plantory | Where Good Grows

hosts an innovative and energizing coworking hub that fosters collaboration and nurtures growth for positive, passionate, and community-minded businesses and nonprofit organizations. Contact: //info [at] plantory.org/" rel="nofollow" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(140, 104, 203); font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; background-color: transparent; outline: none; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">info [at] plantory.org

Our group has been dedicated to analyzing The Plantory's current social media platforms and producing suggestions to improve their current efforts. We will be focusing on enhancing their Facebook and Twitter content.

Bluegrass Conservancy | Protecting the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky through land conservation for future generations

is dedicated to helping local farm families protect their land. We’re also working on partnering with area farms and community groups to provide programs that connect people to farms and nature, and add value to local farmers. Contact: afreels [at] bluegrassconservancy.org

Our overall goal is to increase traffic to Lexington's Bluegrass Conservancy social media venues in an effort to raise awareness for conservation of central Kentucky's landscapes. We hope to achieve this goal by helping them implement a social media strategy for the future based on our research.

Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club |  Doing the Most Good

enables all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Contact: scott.vanfossen [at] use.salvationarmy.org

The members of our group want to improve the Boys and Girls Club's Lexington web site and their social media platforms. We hope that our ideas will increase the overall awareness of this nonprofit.

Professor Nah highly recommends and encourages students to continue their involvement with each organization whether it be through membership, volunteer work, or donor contributions. 

If you're interested in learning more about the ICT program's nonprofit engagement initiative, please contact Harlie.Collins [at] uky.edu.