Communicate with Confidence/Project Report

              tokens or take them out for dinner. It is important to
recognize the efforts of all... your members and your
contacts.
Methods of pnblicitv
Word of Mouth is one of the strongest promotional
tools. Be sure each member is knowledgeable about the
group's membership, objectives and accomplishments.
Keep them up to date on what is happening at all times. Be
sure no member has a problem with the club and is
' washing' it in public. A very small amount of negative
publicity can wipe out years of positive.
Posters and Event Boards to advertise local events or
publicize a project you are working on. You've seen signs
on construction sites, " Future home of... , built by...." . If
a company spends money on these, you can believe they are
effective , so copy what works.
Posters should be eye- catching: A bright neon
colour? a different shape? ( cut it or add something which
extends over the rectangular border) Make it stand out from
all the others on the bulletin board. A good poster has all
the info necessary ( What, when, where, who is doing it,
cost and contact person). But, keep it as simple as possible
so it can be read quickly. Computer or stencil - lettering is
easier to read than hand- lettering. If the event was
successful, put up new posters for a week thanking those
who attended, supported, etc.
Event boards can be very effective. Put them in a
highly travelled area. It is worth your time to make a neat,
noticeable board, with your club name and logo.. then
NEATLY print the upcoming event. When the board is not
actually advertising, why not have a thank you notice on it?
( " A B C . Club thanks the the community for their support
( either in a specific way or on- going)" keeps your name in
the ' news'.
NOTE: Always remember to take down posters and erase
event boards IMMEDIATELY after the event. If people get
used to seeing an out- dated advertisement, they will not
even notice when you put up a new one.
Literature If you don't have a club pamphlet. design and
print one. In fact, some clubs have more than one. ... an
information pamphlet, with your logo, name, mission
statement and general awareness of what you do. ... a
recruiting brochure with information on why a person
should join, and how to get more information about joining
( a contact person? a mail- in reply card?) These can be
combined or separate.
... a pamphlet or brochure about a special project or program
( such as the " Communicate with Confidence" from Alberta
Womens' Institutes)
These can be left in waiting rooms and local
businesses, should be enclosed in all correspondence and
every member should carry a few. If someone has access to a
computer and photocopier, very effective pamphlets can be
made inexpensively.
A complete information package, in a folder with your name
on it.... for prospective members, prospective donors and
prospective speakers. This should include the information
pamphlet, recruiting brochure and all or some of the
following:
... history and information about the projects and
programs of the whole organization ( international, etc )
... history of the local club; completed and on- going
projects and programs
interesting facts; ie: , noteworthy people who are, or
have been, associated with or involved in any aspect of the
organization, local or international, and noteworthy
activities.
... a copy of a picture or article from a newspaper or
magazine that highlights or praises your club.
... a copy of a recent club and/ or international newsletter or
publication.
Always use letterhead. And. get some ' club' notepaper for
thank- you cards and invitations. Everything that is seen by
non- members should have your name, logo and, if
appropriate a short ' blurb' on what you do.
Business cards. Design and print a generic card with
club logo and name on front ( with space for member to put
bis name) On back have a short ' advertisement'. Every
member should carry them, and hand them out. Again, these
can be designed on a computer and printed quite
inexpensively.
Flyers, . one page of information on an upcoming event,
or project.
NOTE; Free advertising. Local utility companies might
put a small flyer in their mailouts. Make it about 3 X 8
inches, to fit their envelope. Many towns have a
community newsletter, . use it. Other organizations may
give you space in their newsletter for similar consideration.
MacDonalds have a ' Community Calendar' on their
placemats. Some companies ( Fas Gas, for one) will post a
community event on their big signboards. Many stores will
stuff a flyer in customer's bags.
' Permanent' posters. These are worth spending a bit of
money, as you only need one copy, and they are used for a
long time Suggested. a picture of some completed project
( or working on it), local or international; a poster about the
club with logo and mission statement; or a ' theme' poster
( ie: " Lions, Working for sight") These should be posted
around the meeting room anytime you have guests, in a
booth at local events, on bulletin boards and around
projects that are open to the public These posters could
( should?) be a larger format. In some cases, a box of " Take
me" pamphlets could be attached
NOTE If you leave one on a bulletin board, check it often
that it has not become shabby... a bad image for your club.
Check that the supply of pamphlets is adequate
Banners and signs. A permanent banner for parades,
over booths and at project sites is effective. In some