Joan Roberts Consulting

Last week in Toronto I attended a one and half day session hosted by ONN.  The Ontario Nonprofit Network (ONN) is a network of networks that helps to build communication and coordination amongst nonprofit organizations working for the public benefit in Ontario.

The event was annual province-wide forum for nonprofits in Ontario - "Our Sector, Our Vision". The purpose was to come together to start building a cross-sectoral agenda of priority issues. The agenda will be further developed in upcoming fall regional consultations.

I thoroughly enjoyed the session and am delighted to see progress on a united front. There are so many issues that need co-ordinated action across the non-profit sector and the need for a collective voice in discussions with government. I urge you to get involved. The website is www.ontariononprofitnetwork.ca.

Carol Goar of the Toronto Star wrote an insightful article which you can access at  C:\Users\Joan\Documents\TheStar_com Opinion Many names but not much of a voice.mht.

In her comments to the session, Carol gave some great tips to Non-profits on getting your message out there.

Dos:

• Do show people the difference you are making.
• Let the people you have helped speak.
• Use a news hook to grab the reader's attention.
• Put yourself in the shoes of your audience.
• Connect your mission to the listener.
• Explain why you are dependent on government money and why you relinquish control of your agenda to government ( in return for funding).

• Contact reporters who cover the topic

Don'ts

• Don't rely heavily on statistics.
• Don't use wooly language (jargon and buzzwords).
• Imagine yourself talking to your neighbour.
• Don't assume the internal workings of the NPO sector matter to the audience. They are not issues outsiders care about.
• Don't rely on polls-they have little credibility.
• Don't let setbacks defeat you.

Great advice!