Visibility and Impact
One problem often encountered is that not many people know about our organization. Prospective members who are approached say that they have never heard of us. Their first question is "What do you DO?"
Recruitment is easier if your organization has a high profile in the community. Effective use of the media to highlight results of your activities helps to make this possible. Visibility also gives your member the credit they deserve and inspires them to do more.
- Do your activities meet community needs? Initiatives that are targeted to community needs are the most likely to attract new members and supporters and to generate local media coverage.
- Is visibility a central concern in determining the content of your programmes and projects?
- Do you have a publicity committee?
- Do you have your own Internet webpage or a page on IFUW's site?
- Do you plan for effective use of the media: newspapers, television, radio? Focus on special events and results of your initiatives; don't waste time reporting about meetings.
- Have you identified and do you network with key women in the media - newspapers/radio/television? Keep a list of those who have written about the organization in the past and automatically send them an invitation to your special events, a news release or a prepared article. Talk with them about your programmes; invite them to advise and join your group.
- Are brief, clear news releases ready in advance for all special events? Prepare a press kit with appropriate background materials and distribute it to the press at least six weeks in advance. Don't forget to mention that your group is part of an international network of over 180,000 women graduates throughout the world.
- Do you keep a press book with copies of news articles to show to members and prospective members?
- When important issues of concern to your organization are being discussed in public forums, do you provide the local press with a statement by your president summarizing your position?
- Have you thought about increasing your visibility in local universities, both through advertising and special programmes so that women students will be familiar with your organization before they graduate? Have you thought about inviting student interns for project work?
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