Exciting news for social media managers around the world and maybe some added anxiety for do-it-yourself non-profits already having difficulty managing all their social media channels: Google+ annouces that Non-Profits can now have pages. Many people are already familiar with Facebook Pages and every web development company is looking to strike it rich with this new revenue stream: social media management.  But, for many non-profits, there jus tis not enough time in one day to try and keep up with all the work that they are doing, let along manage another social media channel. All I have to say, "May the force be with you."  Ohhh, and if you are interested I found the best brief description of how to go about claiming and setting up your page at Non-Profit Tech 2.0.  Google+ Pages for Non-Profits allow organizations to: 1. Start real face-to-face conversations with Hangouts 2.Create circles to chare teh right message with the right people. 3.Help people recommend you on Google Search and Ads with the +1 button. While I am pro-social media for non-profits, even I have not ventured far into the world of Google+, nor do I know many people that have.  For me, time will tell.  But let me know if you use Google+, how you do it, and if you are interested in managing my Google+ account (for free).

Global Citizen Kelowna is more than a week of events...its about showcasing the good things going on in Kelowna and around the world 365 days a year (we only take off leap year days once every 4 years).   As such we have some amazing events that we would like to tell you about...   Global Citizen Week presents: Speaker Series with Dr. Samantha Nutt Thinking Globally: An International Perspective On Women's Rights.    Join Dr. Samantha Nutt, Founder & Executive Director of War Child Canada who was recently named one of Canada’s 25 Transformational Canadians,  as she reflects on 15 years of working with women in some of the most challenging humanitarian environments. When:  Wednesday, March 9thWhere:  Okanagan College Theatre - 1000 KLO RoadTime:  7:00pm to 8:15pm*Net proceeds to War Child's sexual and gender-based violence work in the Democratic Republic of Congo**Donations to both War Child and The Kelowna Women's Resource Centre accepted at the door.www.warchild.ca/aboutus/samwww.nsb.com/speakers/view/dr-samantha-nuttMore info about War Child:  www.warchild.ca For more information, please contact tdavis81@live.ca or rochelle.saddleman@gmail.com or call 250-212-0774     The Travelling World Community Film Festival BC's Largest Documentary Festival: 38 Films in 4 Days March 10 - 13   FREE ADMISSION   For more information visit: worldfilmfestkelowna.net

A Taste of Home was a huge success as a record number of people attended this year's event.  Taste of Home has been an annual event which is part of Global Citizen Kelowna Week now in its' seventh year.  Organizers Joyce Brinkerhoff and Linda Kovach were excited by the turn out and reported that more than 19 food booths featuring ethnic foods fed the crowd.    "This is a great way to kick-off Global Citizen Kelowna Week," says Joyce Brinkerhoff. "We are always excited to see this event grow each year.  We can't think of a better way to engage people to make inroads towards cultural understanding than through food.  Food is one common element that we share and by eating together we can begin to gain an understanding of each other."   The event was organized by the Intercultural Society of Central Okanagan with generous support from Canadian Heritage and the City of Kelowna.

Michel Chikwanine - a former child soldier and motivational speaker with Me to We and Free the Children - has been confirmed for Global Citizen Kelowna's 2011 Speaker Series.  Michel is an inspiring speaker who captivates audiences.  His story of hope and change resonate in all his audiences.  We are excited that Michel has agreed to join us.  The event will be held at Trinity Baptist Church on Springfield Rd.  Tickets are available through Ticketweb.  Click HERE to read more and to buy tickets.

We are excited to announce that Global Citizen Kelowna has a new website for 2011!  The site is full of information on all the events held in conjunction with GCK and information about GCK itself.  Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter!  Join our Mailing List.  Get involved with us by volunteering, sponsoring or attending on of the events!   We look forward to seeing you at the site!