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IABC Student Connection: Nonprofit Communication
January/February 2009 | Issue 10
Welcome to the IABC Student Connection. This edition focuses on the unique challenges and possibilities of nonprofit communication. Read on to hear tales from the inside about communicating a recent company-wide layoff to employees, the media and the affected community; discover what nonprofit employers are looking for in job candidates; and gain advice on how to integrate social media into a nonprofit’s marketing plan.
Janna White
Editor
Stacey Thornberry
Contributing Editor |
Features
FROM THE INSIDE
by Kivi Leroux Miller
I hear the same thing over and over again from nonprofits of all sizes, working in all areas: “We want to do more online, but we don’t know where to start.”
I also hear the same words of advice given to those nonprofits over and over: “Get an intern or a recent college grad to do it for you.”
It seems like an obvious answer. But if you are that intern, volunteer or new employee, there are three not-so-obvious guidelines you can follow to help you do the best job possible for your nonprofit.
WORKING PERSPECTIVE
by Rebecca Armendariz
The economy is taking its toll on all businesses; even one of the largest nonprofit hospital systems in the country. With charity care and bad medical debt on the rise, and elective surgery down, our company leadership knew the time had come to take action. We had to reduce our expenses (again). This time, unfortunately, the organization would be required to eliminate 334 jobs at Banner Health facilities.
As a new communication professional, I saw this rollout as an invaluable learning experience. It was a difficult message to communicate, and one that took a great deal of planning to deliver.
EXPLORING WORK ENVIRONMENTS
by Gillian Silver-Rodis, ABC, Ph.D.
Judith Pinkerton’s exuberance illuminates a room. Her high-energy approach leaves no priority project unfinished, and no dream is too lofty or ambitious to pursue. A nonprofit executive with more than two decades of experience, Pinkerton is the founder and executive director of the Center for Creative Therapeutic Arts (CCTA).
Pinkerton has always held communication professionals in high regard. She recognizes the complexity of developing a message that has integrity and appeal. And, in an economic downturn, Pinkerton recognizes that the capacity to convey an idea is crucial if the vital services and programs extended through CCTA are to continue.
RECOGNITION
The IABC Chapter Management Awards recognize the leadership abilities, management skills, creativity and teamwork of outstanding volunteer IABC chapter leaders worldwide.
Congratulations to IABC/University of Georgia, the 2009 International Student Chapter of the Year. Judges praised the combination of strategy, innovation and succession planning that IABC/UGA displayed across their programs. UGA chapter president Elizabeth Kirby was named Student Chapter Leader of the Year for her creativity and dedication in leading the chapter.
Honorable mentions in the International Student Chapter of the Year competition were awarded to IABC/Berkeley and IABC/University of South Carolina.
Visit the CMA web site to read best practices from these outstanding chapters and gain some fresh ideas for your chapter.
LINKS OF INTEREST
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