About Debra Askanase

My philosophy?

“It’s all about engagement.”

I chose the name Community Organizer 2.0 because I utilize basic community organizing principles when I work with clients: creating strategies for listening, engaging and moving people to act, online.

Community organizing has influenced my career and outlook. I worked as a community organizer for over ten years, working with multi-issue community organizations, member organizations, and tenant associations. My role as an organizer was to develop strong leaders, create community, and identify strategic paths to change. I loved working with leaders stepping into the power, just as I love advising clients who see the potential of social media.

For the next ten years I worked in economic development for various non-profit organizations in the Boston, MA area. I was the Executive Director of a local community organization dedicated to revitalizing and promoting a neighborhood business district through the joint efforts of neighborhood volunteers, organizations and businesses.  I also directed the Entrepreneurial Programs division of a local community development corporation.  I consulted individually with hundreds of emerging entrepreneurs on all aspects of starting a business, developed intensive entrepreneurial training programs, and worked with the community to develop niche entrepreneurial  training programs.

After moving to Israel in June 2007, I attended Bar Ilan University’s MBA program, focusing on International Business.  I now have my own consulting firm, Community Organizer 2.0, that analyzes and develops social media strategy for non-profit organizations and businesses, enabling them to engage meaningfully with stakeholders to achieve engagement outcomes. 

As a social media strategist and consultant, I translate basic organizing principles into online social media strategy. I listen and ask questions to determine what the appropriate strategy should be for each organization. Social media supports your goals, and its success can be measured.

I approach every client with these questions:

What are your organizational, administrative, and programmatic goals, and how are you currently using social media to further them?

How will you engage meaningfully with all programmatic and organizational stakeholders to discern their needs?

What do you need from your stakeholders for organizational success?

I can help  you get there.

Find me on twitter @askdebra, view my profile and send me a message on Linkedin, look up my delicious bookmarks,  follow and converse with me on FriendFeed, or comment on my Slideshare slideshows.

Of course, you can always drop me a line “web 1.0-style” to debra@communityorganizer20.com.

I look forward to the conversation!