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DIGITAL SKILLS FOR GERMAN-AMERICAN ORGANIZATIONS

A Free Four-Part Webinar Series

Clarity over complexity. Consistency over intensity. Simple tools and repeatable systems.
Practical digital tools for the volunteers and leaders who keep German-American organizations thriving. 

Your organization does great work. Do people know about it?

Is your organization struggling to keep its website current? Wondering what to post on Facebook or Instagram? Looking for a better way to reach members through email?

This free four-part webinar series will help German-American organizations build a practical, sustainable digital presence, without requiring a marketing department or hours of volunteer time. Led by digital communications specialist Vanessa von Hilchen, the series emphasizes simple tools, realistic workflows, and strategies that small organizations canactually maintain. Each session is about 60 minutes.

What You'll Learn

Session 1 — From Overwhelm to Clarity
September 16, 2026, 11 a.m. CDT
Build a simple digital system and identify what your organization should tackle first.

Session 2 — Social Media for Engagement and Visibility
September30, 2026, 11 a.m. CDT
Learn practical ways to use Facebook, Instagram, Canva, events, posts, stories, and reusable content.

Session 3 — Email Communication and Community Building
October14, 2026, 11 a.m. CDT
Create useful newsletters, strengthen your email list, and develop a realistic communication schedule.

Session 4 — Website, Visibility, and Measuring What Matters
November 4, 2026, 11 a.m. CST
Improve your website, Google visibility, basic analytics, and long-term digital routines.

FREE • LIVE VIA ZOOM
Registration is for the complete four-session series. Please register only if you plan to attend all four sessions. Because participation is limited to 30 people, early registration is encouraged.

The workshop series will be recorded and the recordings will be made available after the series.

Register here

About the speaker

With more than 15 years of experience in political and digital communications, Vanessa von Hilchen knows how to turn complex issues into clear, compelling stories that reach the right audiences. Having worked with NGOs, foundations, think tanks, ministries, and international cultural institutions, Vanessa brings hands-on expertise in digital strategy, social media, storytelling, and community engagement. At the heart of their work is a simple goal: using communication to inspire participation, strengthen communities, and create meaningful change.

Vanessa von Hilchen

Contact

This workshop was made possible through a microgrant from Among Friends: New Horizons, a project of the Goethe-Institut USA.

The workshop is organized by Daniel Hoisington, New Ulm Turners; David Ringler, DANK Grand Rapids; and Paul Bishop and John Nowak, German American Society in Peoria, IL.