Words: 514
The paper should include the following elements: Assessing Capability Brief description of the nonprofit organization or public agency. What Is the (mission) or mandates (public agency)? Identify key stakeholders – internal and external. Describe the “culture” of the organization or agency. For example, what are the norms and values? How are decisions made? Assessing Need for Proposal Idea Provide a clear statement of the problem/need and its consequences
Problem/Need = Goal + Impediment(s) to the Goal Gathering Necessary Data Outline the types of Information necessary to document the problem/need, and Indicate sources of Information. Defining the Approach What are the possible strategies to address the problem/need? How will you build support for your proposal idea? Part II – Creating an Elevator Speech Current with assigned readings 1 OFF Watch the brief video on Storytelling as Best Practice Click on Publication and to Free-Range Thinking Select and read the February 2008 issue Context
Place yourself in the role of the executive director of the nonprofit organization that you have chosen for the course assignments. It is your responsibility to seek funding for your nonprofit organization and, as such, you need to be networking. If you are to be successful, you better have a well-crafted elevator speech. An elevator speech is a short introduction you can use in situations where you are meeting people. At 15-30 seconds in length, an elevator speech is your response to the question, what does your organization do?
Components of an Elevator Speech Elevator speeches are supposed to begin dialogue; it is not intended to be a monologue. It should provide enough focused information to engage the listener in conversation. An elevator speech is not about you. It is about the people listening to it. A strong elevator speech should generate four or five more specific questions, if the listener is interested. Steps The first step to developing and lord fine-tuning your elevator speech is to write out your response to people when they ask what your organization does.
For each statement you write down, ask yourself the question, who cares? If the statement doesn’t pass the test, eliminate it. Talk about the benefits your organization brings to the listener or community at large. Focus your remarks on the benefits and value. When crafting your elevator speech, keep these tips in mind: Keep it short and practice it often (15-30 seconds). Make sure you are articulate and enthusiastic. Being cliche©. Your elevator speech should be used to spark a conversation.
Write down and practice your elevator speech. Practice makes perfect. Make sure it comes across as natural and not too rehearsed. Keep your sentence structure short and use phrases that help paint a picture about what your organization does. Be careful not to ramble. Avoid Jargon. Show your personality, style and warmth. Let your passion for the work shine through. Smile, make eye contact and use a firm controlled voice. Create several versions of your elevator speech for various situations and audiences.