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Use your words.

“Great leaders must have two things: a vision of the world that does not yet exist and the ability to communicate that vision clearly.” Simon Sinek

Communication is a basic element of your success.

Think about your heroes. What do they all have in common? They speak, they tell stories, they get your attention through words.

Throughout history our most respected and memorable heroes are great orators, or great writers, or both. Whether they are founders, philosophers, politicians, scientists, leaders in religion, the art, or business, the most influential are also the best communicators.

From ancient Greeks to hip-hop artists, great communicators get attention!

Today, among your personal heroes may be an elected official, a speaker with a motivational podcast, or an inspiring author. They have a voice and they use it to connect.

That’s what great communication does.

Why does this matter to you?

When you become a strong communicator you have the power to influence people. You make connections.

As a nonprofit leader at any level, your communications will win advocates, donors and volunteers. They will make you and your organization stronger and more influential.

✔️Use your words to build a bigger, better organization.

✔️Use your words to attract donors.

✔️Use your words to make the world a better place.

Communication is a key to success. Start with a clear vision for a quick connection. The rest is magic. 

 

Merle Benny, author of Sparkle!, writes and speaks to inspire Nonprofit Champions. The discovery that happy healthy nonprofits raise more money and grow faster (and, in turn, make the world better) is the result of a lifetime of service to nonprofit organizations. Merle has raised millions, been the voice of numerous organizations and continually brought innovation to the sector. Merle is a developer and presenter of the Nonprofit Consultants Institute.

You need money. You need time. You need people.

You need me.

For over 20 years I’ve worked with nonprofit founders, leaders, boards, and dreamers to build stronger organizations, create memorable brands, increase funding, and become Leaders @ the Center™.

Build a stronger nonprofit, one that is ready for the future. Sharpen your vision, hone the message. Retain and inspire employees. Build strong, collaborative networks including funders.

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Lessons from the lectern, becoming a great speaker

I’ve made every public speaking mistake.

At one big event, I forget the words I had memorized and stood there like a dummy with my mouth open and nothing coming out. Embarrassing!

I’ve been boring, talked too fast, and read every word.

It took practice to get better. I had to take chances, get honest feedback, and seek out opportunities to speak. It was worth the effort.

You have a voice that deserves to be heard.

You have the power to recruit volunteers, attract donors, and inspire action. The better you communicate, the greater success you’ll have.

Good communication is the basis for nonprofit success.

Throughout history our most respected and memorable heroes are great orators, or great writers, or both. Whether they are founders, philosophers, politicians, scientists, religion, artist, or business leaders, the most influential are also the best communicators .

From ancient Greeks to hip-hop artists, orators use the stage and written words to get their message out.

Today, among your personal heroes may be a great conversationalist in your family, a speaker with a motivational podcast, or an inspiring author. They have a voice and they use it to connect.

Good communication is the basis for nonprofit success.

Explore opportunities to find your voice. Your organization needs you to share the dream and attract support. Practicing your communication skills is key.

You have the power to make a difference. It starts with communication. Look for opportunities to practice your speaking skills, get publicity, and spread the word. Here are opportunities to explore:

Toastmasters. Clubs all over the world give you the chance to practice and learn great speaking skills.

National Speakers Association. The regional and national club offer training and events.

Podcasts. Take a look at the podcasts for nonprofits, or for your cause. They are often looking for guests! Here’s a list of popular nonprofit podcasts.

Tours. Inviting people to come, hear, and see your work is a perfect way to practice your skills while benefiting your organization. Virtual or in-person, it’s a fun, smart way to make new friends for your cause while you become a great speaker. Learning to inspire people to care by telling your story in 10 minutes or so, is the best thing you can do for your organization.

Speaking. Look for easy entry points to the speaking world. Talk to a local group about your organization. Share your own story or your founders story with a group of volunteers. Accept invitations to sit on panels.

Your organization needs you – as a dreamer, messenger, and champion.

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Communication: 4 reasons it matters today

Building an organization of communicators is more urgent every day.

There has never been more urgency for nonprofits to step up their communications. Each and every employee and volunteer should be empowered to speak for the vision and mission of the organization.

Why now? Here are four reasons why it matters every day in 2022 – on the front lines of service, in your social posts, on your website, and at your community events.

Let’s explore why that is so important right now and how you can use this moment to create an organization that continually moves closer to your Vision:

1. Diversity – There is a comfort level and a natural tendency to speak with people that look like you, as a result you continue to build an organization of like-minded people with similar world views. Additionally, nonprofits haven’t done much better than for-profits in diversifying their staffs. The vast majority of nonprofit managers and directors are white.

The way to go beyond that is to intentionally create a more diverse organization and to acknowledge the diversity that already exists but may not have a voice. You honor and support everyone by giving them access, tools, and information needed to share the Vision.

A diverse group, with their own experiences and perspectives, will communicate the organization’s message, building a network of varying ages, races, economic standing, and lifestyles for your organization.

2. Crisis – The pandemic is a lesson in rapid change and adaptation. Communication has taken new forms as a result. The quick replacement of in-person events, from staff meetings to fundraisers, showed what could be done in ways we wouldn’t have imagined as recently as 2019.

Supervision no longer requires being in the same room, overhearing conversations, or eating lunch together. Those organizations providing emergency services, health care, and education saw frontline workers, whether or not they were prepared, become the voice of their organizations. Crisis showed you how important it is to have independent workers, able to communicate for the organization.

3. Technology – Every department and service of your organization depends on technology. Those with the skills to develop and use these tools have become critical players in every nonprofit. Whether they are using social media for marketing, online platforms for events, fundraising apps, measurement tools, customer relationship management (CRM) programs, or accounting software, it is essential that they have a full understanding of the Vision so they can support it and deliver it through technology.

4. Advocacy – Nonprofits are called on to speak for those they serve. Being advocates, in addition to providing service, has become critical for growth and success. With record unemployment, wage disparity, and health threats it is critical for many voices to advocate, not just for those you serve but for employees, clients, and the community at large.

Communicate is step one in your growth strategy. By becoming a communicator, and offering that opportunity to others in your organization, you are giving yourself, and them, the ability to lead your organization in unprecedented ways.

Merle Benny
Merle Benny, Nonprofit Champion

Merle Benny writes and speaks to inspire Nonprofit Champions. She believes that every nonprofit is created with love and deserves to thrive. Her marketing communications expertise and years of study led her to write Leader @ the Center. Everyone has the potential to be a leader and a Nonprofit Champion.

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A Letter to Brittany

Dear Brittany:

Congratulations on your new job. Today is the beginning of an opportunity and a challenge for you.

The good news is there has never been a better time to work for a nonprofit.

You are so creative! I bet that showed in your interviews. You have ideas and experiences that will help the organization grow and prosper. They were smart enough to realize they needed you. Now, you get to lead them to a brighter future.

I know you don’t feel like a leader yet, but you should embrace that role. In fact, nonprofits need leaders at every level in the organization. The world is moving way too fast to expect one leader to make all the decisions.

When you define leadership as “critical and collaborative thinking and action given what you see in front of you,”1 you begin to see howleadership is for everyone. That includes you!

I’ve seen you in action and I know what you are capable of, now is your chance to shine.

Your fresh ideas, willingness to work hard, and optimism for the future are needed right now. You are on a journey of discovery. I’ve mapped out a path for you (yes, it is a book written just for you and other rising stars), to inspire and prepare you to move your dream for your new organization forward and to take others with you. I call this new role Leader at the Center.

You already know how important nonprofits are, yet, now more than ever, they are called on to do more with less. They need you!

It’s been a tough time. The sector faces big challenges including limited resources, lack of leadership, and the need for vocal advocates to drive change and progress. Add to that the great adjustments required to operate during the pandemic and a heightened call for the sector to lead the way in diversity, equity, and inclusion.

It’s not a simple task Brittany. It’s not all on you, but you have an important role to play in your organization and in your community.

Remember! These threats are also opportunities.

I’ve written the book because I’ve seen the exciting things that happen when you use your voice. I’ve also seen missed opportunities. And every missed chance can result in a loss of funds, the inability to serve a child in need, or saying no to the needy or disabled.

In your new position you will have the opportunity to use your voice to connect with individuals, businesses, government, and philanthropists to fulfill a vision for a better future.

I love having the chance to share this with you. You’ll quickly discover that it is a simple game plan with three vital steps: Communicate, Connect, and Convene. I know these will come naturally to you. Start where you are right now, today, on your first day in your new job.

Each step of the game plan is offered as an opportunity for you to gain a fresh perspective, use your skills, and enjoy the challenge. These every day practices will inspire and renew you as you attract the resources your organization needs to create a better community.

More than ever the sector needs fresh thinking, renewed energy, and an optimistic outlook. It needs you, Brittany. You are a rising Nonprofit Champion.

Sending best wishes and a big hug.

* Forbes, Should You Really Build Leaders At Every level of Your Organization?, DougSundheim, November 17, 2020.

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Are you boring or engaging?

When I gather with a group of nonprofit leaders and ask them to introduce themselves, I hear one person after another talk about the work they do. They use jargon, insider-speak, buzz words. They talk about the boss, a challenge they are facing, and find a variety of ways to describe their day-to-day work.

My reaction? Like everyone else, I’m confused and bored.

What would I like to hear?

I want to know your dream for a better world. I want to hear something I can understand and relate to. I want to hear your passion for the work, that’s contagious. Your introduction is the beginning of our relationship. Your words should make me curious; they should pique my interest.

Let’s explore how to do just that.

A Vision-focused approach

Keep in mind your goal: to get people to be curious and responsive. You’ll do that by starting with vision!

Vision is the big dream that inspires others. Your organization’s Vision is that big, bold dream of a better world. The simple statement gives you and everyone in your organization a clear view of the big picture. Examples like, Oxfam: A just world without poverty and Toronto Zoo A world where wildlife and wild spaces thrive, clearly communicate a dream.

A Vision statement for your organization has value:

  1. It is your guiding light, continually inspiring your work;
  2. It helps you and your organization set priorities and choose programs and services that are aligned with it;
  3. And, it acts as a safeguard and measurement, keeping everyone on track towards common goals.

Taking it a step further, your Vision Message, the personalization of your organization’s Vision:

  • Reflects your feelings and your personal motivation;
  • Is the start of a conversation, it works like a magnet to attract interest and curiosity;
  • Conversation leads to the connections you will need for ongoing, continued growth and development.

Your Vision Message is your own personal version of the Vision. It is how you express your purpose. It’s a short story about why you do what you do. It is emotional and engaging. It naturally appeals to listeners.

Your Vision Message is not a branding slogan. You do not have to look for clever wording or an advertising headline. You are looking for a few words to express the dream that makes your organization important to your community and to you personally.

Practice being engaging. Share your dream for a better world. I’d love to hear it!