Organizations are most successful when they empower their internal community – especially their leadership – to advocate on their behalf. We work with a variety of organizations who are interested in social change, including healthcare, education, affordable housing, and environmental protection. We have seen that almost every person who wants to be an ambassador for their cause has the innate internal skills and capacity to help others understand why their issue matters.
Protesting social service budget cuts in Sacramento.
Recently, we worked with a small group of young men and women in Coachella Valley and asked them to elaborate on what they thought made a good and effective ambassador. These individuals were scheduled to testify before a legislative committee on the status of boys and men of color in California.
The goal of the training was to help them identify how they could best communicate their personal experiences and connect it with the reforms they believe are necessary for boys and men of color to be able to succeed in the state.
Believe it or not, they echoed themes we’d heard in trainings as far away as Toronto, Sacramento, Hawaii, and even in online webinars.
From conversations with people like these, we have identified seven simple strategies for helping those closest to your cause serve as an effective ambassador. Your job is to empower your boards, your staff, and your donors to be your best ambassadors.
Before beginning outreach in the community, we encourage organizations to take some time to discuss who you want to engage, what your goals are in engaging the community, and what the 2-3 most important messages are when talking about your cause. With this foundation, your ambassadors can internalize your priorities and be ready to begin their communication efforts.
1. Be specific about your 2-3 most important points
