Third Sector Connector : Together We Can Change The World

Do You Need An "Inspiration Audit?"

Do you have people waiting in line outside your doors to volunteer, donate, and support your organization’s efforts in the community? If not, you may need an “Inspiration Audit.”

Pull out a copy of your vision, mission, and marketing materials and ask yourself these questions:

How can our vision be more inspiring? How can we reflect a better world if we reach our vision?
How does our mission communicate the real difference that we are making every day in the lives of the people we serve?
How does our elevator pitch, our website, and all of our marketing materials convey our passion for our vision and mission?

This may sound simple, but it can have dramatic results. Check out this blog post to see how this easy technique can revitalize your whole organization.

Published on 2009/10/25 18:00:00

Engaging The Community (And Potential Funders) Through Storytelling: 8 Tips

Can telling stories create real change? You bet it can! Hone your leadership skills by developing a set of stories that you can share with volunteers, funders, donors, and within the community as a whole. Remember that most good stories:

Create surprise.
Touch people’s hearts and generate real feelings.
Paint a visual picture.
Have a (sometimes unexpected) hero or heroine.
Engage others to tell their own stories.
Help people see reality a little differently.
Have a short version and a longer version.
Have a call to action built in at the end.

For more resources on storytelling, see this post from Kivi Leroux Miller.

Published on 2009/12/15 17:30:00

Is Your Mission Front And Center? 18 Places It Should Be.

Here's a quick checklist to make sure that your mission is always IN your mind, ON the tip of your tongue, and AT the ready.

Is your mission statement...

... in your annual report?
... on your website?
... at donor meetings?
... in electronic newsletters?
... on social media and social networks?
... at Board and staff meetings?
... in your personnel policies?
... on your Board, staff and volunteer orientation and training manuals?
... at site visits by donors, funders, volunteers?
... in your email signature?
... on your business cards?
... at coalition or partnership meetings?
... in your strategic plan?
... on videos?
... at employee recognition events and parties?
... in your reception area?
... on your blog?
... at public speaking opportunities?

What else do you do to keep your mission at front and center?

Published on 2009/12/22 16:00:00