Action Strategies' blog

is heading off to Bogota for the next two weeks/ s'en va a Bogota pour les deux prochaines semaines.

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Action Strategies' blog

is on the train returning from a business trip in Toronto...very interesting insights into non-profits & charities/ est de retour de Toronto

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Action Strategies' blog

is heading off to Melbourne, Ontario to be with family/ s'en va a Melbourne, Ontario pour etre avec la famille

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Action Strategies' blog

is looking for a volunteer Press Chief for the CPC www.paralympic.ca/ cherche un Chef de presse pour le CPC www.paralympique.ca

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Action Strategies' blog

wonders how to leverage social media to create communities/ se questionne comment on utilise les medias sociaux pour creer des communautes

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Action Strategies' blog

is at the Canadian Paralympic Committee, looking over last minute stuff before the holidays...9 days left to Bogota!

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The Internet for Non-Profits & Leveraging your Lobbying

Two recent articles featuring my advice have been posted to Charity Village. Dealing specifically with how non-profits can be effective communicators and lobbyists, you can find the first article at:

Online PR for nonprofits

In the second article, I am quoted by Elisa Birnbaum. Check it out:

Government communications: Speaking politically.

Let me know your thoughts!

Taking the Year's End to Analyze Advocacy Efforts

While I've written that the end of 2008 necessitates associations and NGOs consider how their communications efforts link up with their membership strategy, there are some certain things that I have also learned valuable in terms of non-profit advocacy efforts.

Just as with the need to communicate effectively keeps association members engaged and recruits new ones, advocacy can in many ways play an effective role in membership strategy. Many associations have a role in defending the industry interests an association represents. In fact, for many the reason to join an association or cause is just that - defending a cause. Effectively planning an advocacy effort demonstrates value.

But conducting a campaign is not enough. Association executives need to develop strategies to keep members involved, providing tools, training and insight into the ongoings of Parliament Hill. So as 2009 comes upon us, especially with a budget coming in early January and a raucous Parliament (not to mention a possible NDP-Liberal Coalition), how are you linking your membership strategy with demonstrating value to members? More importantly, what is your plan to keep on the government's radar screen in the new year?


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Mark Buzan is Principal of Action Strategies, a GR Consultancy for non-profits. Subscribe now to his Lobbying tips newsletter at www.actionstrategies.ca/Action_Strategies/Newsletter.html

Linking Communications to Membership Strategy

So, we've arrived at year's end. Notably, I have seen most non-profit and association offices rapping up their work and settling into Christmas parties. But as staff gather around the eggnog and water cooler, this also becomes the time NGOs must analyze the past year and that which is coming. 2009 is upon us and if there has been anything at all that I have learned about the non-profit sector is that membership recruitment and retention is the lifeblood of an association.

Communications is really the heart that pumps the blood of membership outreach efforts. Without an effective communications strategy, members feel disconnected from their association. Donors don't connect with a charity's cause and result, don't see the need to donate! For all to occur wherein donations keep flowing and members become potentially involved in the board and its committees, an organization's intrinsic value needs to be communicated and understood. The same goes especially for campaigns. Here, not only do your audiences need to feel related to, your campaign should have a strategy to relate those campaigns back to the overall value you wish to have identified when thinking of your association.

In all, while I may sound harping, year's end really is the time for non-profits to think of this as the perfect period for a Communications Strategy New Year's Resolution. Namely, let's think of ways that membership and donor strategy can and should be linking to how audiences need to be communicated with.
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Mark Buzan is Principal and Chief Magnifier in Action Strategies, a full service Strategic Communications, Public Relations and Public Affairs Consultancy for non-profits and associations. Make sure to contact him for advice on reaching audiences you may or may not have yet considered in your marketing communications and PR campaigns. Drop him a line if you are looking for help in developing a public relations campaign. You can view his website at www.actionstrategies.ca.

A Coalition Government of the Minority of the Minority?

Wow! How could anyone claim Canadian parliamentary politics is boring?! The possibility of a Liberal-NDP Coalition government supported by the Bloc drives home a point I have long called upon. Namely, one cannot afford to avoid developing and nurturing relationships with the opposition parties. With the real possibility that some of these previously obscure MPs may become Cabinet members, those who might have only focused their efforts on the governing caucus may find themselves short. If you're a non-proft exec, the time is now to work your parliamentary network and reach out!
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Mark Buzan is Principal of Action Strategies, a GR Consultancy for non-profits. Subscribe now to his Lobbying tips newsletter at www.actionstrategies.ca/Action_Strategies/Newsletter.html