[MCON 2015] Lessons from MCON via Twitter

After spending last week in Chicago at MCON, a few things became clear:

1. Gathering many of the best and brightest minds in the country focusing on engagement and action is quite inspiring.

2. Millennials are making a big impact on the world. They cannot be ignored or put in a corner.

3. Spending 16 hours in an SUV with your coworkers is a lot of time, no matter how engrossing the Serial podcast might be.

The Nonprofit Hub staff listened to many speakers talking on the Power of Influence, which focused on art, media, business and place. While there weren’t a lot of specific solutions to help nonprofits with fundraising or ways to engage their volunteers better, there was a lot of successful, driven people sharing stories about how they are changing the world. Here are some of the more poignant thoughts shared during the two-day conference.

 Gary Knell, National Geographic CEO and President

"Humans need to be aware of problems in the world, but they also need wonder & to be inspired by the next frontier" @garyknell @NatGeo #MCON

— Blackbaud (@blackbaud) June 25, 2015

Fagan Harris, Baltimore Corps, CEO and President

"Is one person enough? No, but where else do you start?" – @faganharris from @BaltimoreCorps #MCON #Baltimore

— Renee Beck (@reneelbeck) June 25, 2015

Marc Roberge, lead singer and songwriter of O.A.R.

"This isn't about trying to do something, it's just about doing it." –@marcroberge @ofarevolution #MCON

— Jessica Nurack (@pasularia) June 25, 2015

Don't get too caught up in your image. Just be. @marcroberge #MCON

— Nick Small (@nickforgood) June 25, 2015

Carol Coletta, Knight Foundation, VP/Community and National Initiatives

"Millennials are 150% more likely to live within 3 mi. of a city's center. These are the people rebuilding our cities." @ccoletta #MCON

— Achieve (@achievecauses) June 25, 2015

Alexis Bonnell, U.S. Global Development Lab, innovation evangelist

"The most important thing in innovation is iteration." – @alexisbonnell at #MCON

— Jennifer Hood (@InTheGoodHood) June 25, 2015

Richard Brown, American Express, vice president of philanthropy

"Leadership development is not a luxury" nonprofits must invest in their leaders at all levels #MCON

— Harry Pizzano (@huwegypojelo) June 25, 2015

Vicki Escarra, Opportunity International, global CEO

https://twitter.com/DaniciaMonet/status/614113737532944384

"Really great nonprofits are run like private enterprises, but they have a mission and a heart." @VickiEscarra at #MCON

— Opportunity International (@OpportunityIntl) June 25, 2015

Ellen-Blair Chube, Ariel Investments, vice president

"Strong financial returns don't have to come at the expense of social responsibility." @blairchube #MCON

— Achieve (@achievecauses) June 25, 2015

Anna Palmer, Fashion Project, co-founder and CEO

“Do everything you can to drop what you’re doing chase your purpose.” – @annabpalmer @fashionprojct #MCON

— Madeline Turner (@MaddieTplease) June 25, 2015

Daniel Lee, Levi Strauss Foundation, Executive Director

https://twitter.com/jpappachen/status/614078777245593601

Stephanie Cordes, Cordes Foundation, vice chair

"#Millennials now look at work, life, blend, not just work, life balance." @sncordes of @CordesFdn #philanthropy #MCON #socent

— Jade Floyd (@JadeFloydDC) June 24, 2015

Sarah Harris, Incite, vice president and founder

"Non-profits have the opportunity to tell a compelling, authentic story. They need to find the way to leverage that." @inciteaction #MCON

— Achieve (@achievecauses) June 24, 2015

Jonathan Neman, sweetgreen, founder and co-CEO

"It's about execution and execution is about people." – @JonnyNemo Agree so much! A great idea is nothing without great execution. #MCON

— Amy Hood (@amyhoodlum) June 24, 2015

Tom Davidson, PBS Digital, Senior Director

Social media messaging : Don't broadcast. Engage in authentic conversation. @tgdavidson #MCON

— Swell Fundraising (@swellfunds) June 24, 2015

Stephen Kenn, artist

Fight comparison and discover your greater narrative. Comparison robs us of creativity. YES! @Stephen_Kenn #MCON

— Catherine LaCour (@CatLaCour) June 24, 2015

If you were at MCON or watched any of the presentations, tweet us @NPHub your biggest takeaway using #MCON.

Don’t forget to check out the rest of our MCON coverage:

• How to Develop Your Nonprofit Leadership with Minimal Resources
• Millennials More Likely to Donate, Volunteer When Recruited by Peers vs. Bosses
• The Problem With Nonprofits ‘Non-Yesterday‘