Snapping Selfies for Charity - Giving Tuesday

It's Giving Tuesday and the global movement is using the popularity of the “selfie” to encourage people to give to charities.

People are jumping on board #GivingTuesday by posting #UNSelfie photos to social media.

#GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to charitable giving which is being held today, has attracted more than 10,000 organisations worldwide and about 300 organisations in Australia.

It’s organised in Australia by national Not for Profit organisation, Connecting Up, and charities, businesses and individuals are harnessing the power of social media using #GivingTuesday to bring about real change in their communities.

The #UNselfie campaign is one of many being run as part of #GivingTuesday.  People are encouraged to take photos of themselves holding a sign that explains why they give back to their favourite Not for Profit and post it to Instagram and other social media sites using the #UNselfie and #GivingTuesday hashtags.

The idea comes as “Selfie” was named Word of the Year by Oxford dictionary.

“Selfies are already popular on social media and the UNselfie is a clever way to use them for social good,” ConnectingUp’s Ben Teoh said.

“People simply need to share a photo of themselves holding a sign about why they  support a cause or a Not for Profit and tag it using #unselfie and #GivingTuesday. It’s an easy way to turn supporters into social media ambassadors.

“In a digitally connected world, Not for Profit organisations need to encourage people to talk more about the positive things they do such as volunteering or donating.

“We need to make sure that conversations about doing good and giving back are right up there when people think about what to share with their networks.”

If people tag #GivingTuesday on Facebook and Twitter, GivingTuesday can “like” their #UNselfie and add it to their Storify.

Other campaigns that have been run as part of #Giving Tuesday includes Special Olympics Australia calling for supporters to spur on their athletes at  the Special Olympics 2013 Asia Pacific Games and on International Day of People With a Disability through social media.

“Participating in #GivingTuesday is a simple way for the Not for Profit and corporate sectors to come together and celebrate giving in Australia,” CEO of Connecting Up, Anne Gawen, said.

“Being part of a global movement will also give us the chance to showcase the positive work Australians are doing to make a difference in the world.

“Being involved on the day can be as easy as sharing a photo or story through social media that represents giving and using the #GivingTuesday hashtag.”

To find out more visit, http://www.givingtuesday.org.au/