Where
Network for Strong Communities8764 Manchester Road
Suite 203
St. Louis, MO 63144
Driving Directions
How To Be a Courageous Communicator
About the Workshop:
How To Be a Courageous Communicator
How to be a courageous communicator or why codependent communications makes your brand boring
Nonprofits are so afraid of making someone mad or disappointing a donor, we tend to not take a stand. This fear of “we don’t want to say anything wrong so don’t say anything at all,” is keeping us from communicating honestly with our supporters. An organization that is confident in its communications will have a specific point of view and stick to it, though praise and criticism. Not that they are immune to feedback, but they take it and make it work for them, without derailing anything.
If your organization tends to be wary of saying anything interesting, or has trouble focusing its message, this session will teach you the reasons behind that hesitancy and how you can work with leadership to make the changes in thinking necessary to be strong, purposeful and engaging in your communications.
Nonprofits are so afraid of making someone mad or disappointing a donor, we tend to not take a stand. This fear of “we don’t want to say anything wrong so don’t say anything at all,” is keeping us from communicating honestly with our supporters. An organization that is confident in its communications will have a specific point of view and stick to it, though praise and criticism. Not that they are immune to feedback, but they take it and make it work for them, without derailing anything.
If your organization tends to be wary of saying anything interesting, or has trouble focusing its message, this session will teach you the reasons behind that hesitancy and how you can work with leadership to make the changes in thinking necessary to be strong, purposeful and engaging in your communications.
About the Presenter:
Maryanne Dersch
Strategist, 501creative
Maryanne Dersch has spent more than 20 years working in the nonprofit community relations biz, the last 10 at 501creative, where she helps clients reach their communication and branding goals. Previous to 501creative, Maryanne was a consultant at Vector Communications and the public relations officer for the City of University City.
Maryanne and her husband of 23 years, Jon Schmuke, adopted their three children, Patrick, AJ and Taylor, out of foster care. She currently serves on the board of the Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition and is a foster parent and volunteer for Stray Rescue of St. Louis.