Strategic Communications for Nonprofits

Thursday, May 17, 2012
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Workshop Presenters: Karen Jeffreys, Associate Director, R.I. Coalition for the Homeless, and Jennifer Leigh, Communications Director, The Poverty Institute

Workshop Cost: $99

Workshop Description

Communications is a crucial, but often overlooked component of our social justice work. While we are aware that the use of communications and public education tools are integral to raising public awareness and changing attitudes, we have not institutionalized within our organizations the ability to do effective communications and media advocacy.

Participants will learn how approaching media advocacy as a system and not as a quick fix for special events or crisis response can help organizations work collaboratively to implement communications plans, develop proactive media messages and strategize more effectively in getting the message out about our issues.

This interactive, hands-on training will be an opportunity for participants to learn the key building blocks needed to plan for – and implement – strategic communications and media plans in their organizations.

Agenda for the day includes:

• Assessing your organization’s current communications and media work as a first step towards making communications and media an integral component of your organization’s work
• Learning how to write a strategic comunications plan
• Learning how to develop proactive media messages and strategies
• Building the capacity of organizations to successfully access the media, including learning the tools to get the media to notice your organization
• Social media as a tool not a silver bullet
• Hearing from local journalists tips for interacting with the media

Presenter Bios

Karen Jeffreys joined the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless (RICH) in October of 2007. Prior to joining RICH, Ms. Jeffreys worked at the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence (RICADV) as the director of communications, where, for 10 years, she directed an integrated, innovative model of strategic communications. Under her direction, RICADV was successful in changing public attitudes, developing successful public awareness campaigns, using communications to change public policy and changing how the media covers the issue of domestic violence in the state of Rhode Island.

Jennifer Leigh is an integrated marketing consultant dedicated to nonprofits. Through her expertise in strategic planning, public relations and broadcast production, Jennifer has been able to deliver high-end, results-driven marketing to organizations throughout the region. Most recently, she has worked on communications strategies for affordable housing, healthcare and homeless advocacy organizations. In addition to her consulting work, Jennifer is also communications director of The Poverty Institute, a non-partisan think tank that advocates for low-income Rhode Islanders through tax and budget policy. Prior to her consulting work, Jennifer was a part of the team at The Link Agency, a full service integrated marketing firm in Providence, Rhode Island, where she worked with clients in the food and beverage, retail and non-profit sectors.

Next month: Advanced Facilitation