T’ai Chi Chih 2013 Conference and Social Media Expansion

Why An Issue Dedicated To Conference 2013
The Minnesota T’ai Chi Chih community created an incomparable conference that embodied both a gravitas and lightness. The outpouring of material contained in this issue is a testimony to the spirit and execution of their event. May it serve to unite the teachers who could not attend. And spur more teachers to attend next year.

Social Media Breakout Session
Taking responsibility for filling significant but unmet challenges, The Vital Force has been building out T’ai Chi Chih’s ever-expanding social media presence. The conference committee allowed me 30 minutes to present overviews of T’ai Chi Chih’s social media presence on various “platforms” – for which I was (and am) grateful. And to explain why social media is so important to spreading TCC, thus growing classes and building a market for Justin’s works. And to explain how each of you are completely essential to the success of these ventures.

Platforms (called out below) are where we communicate, rather than sell. Through our message, we earn trust, which is built slowly over time. It’s about the same human qualities of connection that have existed for thousands of years. It’s about offering something that others want in their lives. It’s about attraction rather than promotion, as they say in Alcoholics Anonymous.

Mostly: it’s about empowering others (you!) to spread the message, influencing your friends and their friends.
All URLs are on the last page of The Vital Force. Briefly, TCC has a presence on:

• YouTube: The world’s second biggest search engine. Teacher demos are side-by-side with Justin’s instructional videos.
• Twitter: Where journalists and reporters hang out. So TCC must too.
• Instagram: Photo-sharing. TCC is a visual and is particularly well-suited to good photography. See page 18 of the August 2013 issue.
• Flickr: The world’s largest photo repository. Sets of TCC images include groups, movements, “how to,” Justin, Andrea Cole imagery, seated TCC, conference images, a teacher training, and Where in the World.
• Pinterest: The TCC target demographic, i.e., women of a certain age. TCC homepage “boards” are grouped around: inspiration, health benefits, press clippings, movements, the ap,p and much more. See page 19 of the August 2013 issue.

• Facebook: The granddaddy of social media. Our page has grown to almost 1500 followers under Lisa Otero’s guidance. See page 23 of the August 2013 issue.

  Vital Force Wrap-Up: The 30-Minute Conference Presentation
  The Vital Force has also pushed forward in the last 12 months:
  Practical Stuff

• The Vital Force now accepts credit cards over the phone; call 505-797-7300.

• You are now able to renew for two years (@ $75US, $95CA) and three years ($110US, $140CA).
• Financials were posted; The Vital Force balance sheet is $1300 in the black, thanks to generous donations that fill the gap.
• Subscriptions continue to decline, but we are looking at more effective renewal methods.
• There is no printed directory; please visit taichichih.org/the-teachers for an up-to-date list.
• The Justin Stone May 2012 “memorial issue” is available online for $12 per copy.
• All back issues are available online (free or paid) @ taichichih.org/vital-force.

www.taichichih.org
This website – a fountain of TCC information for the world to see – was put under the umbrella of The Vital Force before my time. It is completely supported by donations. Thank you.

Please visit the blog and add your voice @ taichichih.org/category/blog. Please visit the teacher resource page @ taichichih.org/teacher-resources and send ideas for additions.

Vital Force Improvements
We did a bit of brainstorming about how The Vital Force can better serve the community. Don’t be shy about letting me know what you like, and don’t.

Scholarships
When I began in 2007, there were funds earmarked for scholarships to attend various events. The earmarked scholarship funds have now all been used. In fact, The Vital Force distributed $650 more than it had collected. That said, accepting funds for dispersal to individuals requires a lot of IRS paperwork and strict adherence to rules and regulations. Which is beyond the capacity of this volunteer organization.” That is why The Vital Force pulled out of that business.

New Teachers
After some discussion, The Vital Force was happy to learn that a one-year subscription would continue to be included for every newly accredited teacher. We think this is an easy way to unite the teachers, and we were happy for the support of the community.

Charitable Giving Over The Last 12 Months
Your donations have been put to effective use and continue to make an impact:

• We printed 10,000 TCC postcards (free to all teachers) – thanks to one gift.
• We created a dedicated webpage for each conference – thanks to one gift.
• We archived past issues thanks to two major gifts and many smaller ones..
• We increased our social media presence thanks to one major gift.

Year-End Giving Opportunities

• Consider doubling the reach of your gift if your company offers matching funds.
• Consider a donation of $500, which covers 6 months of maintenance for the website, which reaches 50,000 people.