tips for telling your story
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What stories will you tell?
Scott Beaty and Rachel AyoubMN Youth Intervention Programs Association
Minnesotanonprofitsspeak up!
March 4, 2011
To Minnesota’s Nonprofit Community:
Welcome!
The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits welcomes you to the “Minnesota Speaks Up!” cam-paign. From early March to mid May Minnesota’s nonprofit community will be “Speaking Up” with legislators throughout the state—informing elected officials about the mission and work of their organizations and their critical role in enhancing the lives of Minnesotans. For decades, nonprofit organizations have been highly engaged in the public dialogue and well known for “Speaking Up.” Today, we invite you to join your nonprofit colleagues throughout the state in an organized effort to “Speak Up” together! Will you “Speak Up?”
Why now?
Minnesota’s unprecedented state budget deficit is the focus of legislators throughout the state. As budget proposals are debated this legislative session there will likely be discussions
about cuts to a variety of priority areas for nonprofits—human services, the arts, youth programs, mental health, legal assistance, environmental protection and many others. We know that state legislators have tough decisions to make and we understand that funding to some areas that are important to nonprofits may be reduced. We want to help state legislators be knowledgeable about the work of nonprofits in their communities and have the information they need to make in-formed budget decisions. If legislators are going to be informed, nonprofits need to “Speak Up.” Will you “Speak Up?”
What you can do
The “Minnesota Speaks Up!” campaign will give legislators throughout the state the opportunity to meet with nonprofits in their district. We ask you to invite your state Senator and House Representative to visit your nonprofit, in their district—tell them about your organization, share stories of your success, tell the stories of how
the community is improved by your organization’s work, educate them about your partner-ship with government, philanthropy, local business and other nonprofits in the community. And get to know them—what they care about, what nonprofit organizations they support as volunteers or board members, what they know about the needs in their community. If non-profits “Speak Up,” legislators will have the essential information needed to make informed decisions that are appropriate for Minnesota. Will you “Speak Up?”
The “Minnesota Speaks Up” campaign is designed for you!
The “Minnesota Speaks Up” campaign is designed to help you speak up by meeting with your state legislators in your community. In this booklet we provide tips, tools, samples, links to webinars, staff you can contact for assistance, and detailed information
We ask you to invite your state Senator and House Representative to visit your nonprofit, in their district—tell them about your organization, share stories of your success . . .
about your state legislators—the House and Senate members who represent the district of your nonprofit organization. We have organized this effort to help you, Minnesota’s nonprofit organizations, to “Speak Up” during this critical time. We will be following up with many of you over the next 8 weeks to ensure that legislators throughout the state are hearing from nonprofit organizations in their districts. We look forward to working with you!
Will you join us in “Speaking Up?” Please review the enclosed materials and make a commitment to invite your legislator to your office to learn about your nonprofit orga-nization and its role in their community. Tell us that you have made the commit-ment by mailing the enclosed postcard to MCN—we will support you throughout the process. Please join the statewide movement of nonprofit organizations “Speaking Up” today!
Many thanks, in advance, for “Speaking Up!”
From the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits
PS: Do you want to “Speak Up” in another way? Consider writing to your legislator, com-ing to the State Capitol or writing a letter to the editor. Check out www.mncn.org/speak-up for ideas and tips!
We can’t wait to get your postcard!
Alicia Frosch, Child Care WORKS
Minnesotanonprofitsspeak up!
Your Elected OfficialsThe Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (2314 University Ave W, St. Paul) is located in House District 26A and Senate District 26.
House District 26A is represented by Rep. Kory Kath (D), whose contact information is:357 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Saint Paul 55155-1206Email: [email protected]
Legislative Assistant: Kathy Anderson 651-296-3806
Committee assignments: Agriculture and Rural Development Policy and Fi-nanceEducation ReformVeterans Services Division
Home: Owatonna * 2070 Sunlight Ave., 55060; 507-451-0601
Occupation: High school economics/political sci-ence teacher
Education: B.A., political science and secondary edu-cation, Gustavus Adolphus College; M.S., educational leadership; Southwest Minnesota State University
Born: 7/28/77
Elected: 2008
Term: 2nd
Family: Married, spouse Melissa, 2 children
Senate District 26 is represented by Sen. Dick Day (R), whose contact information is: 113 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Saint Paul 55155-1206. Email: [email protected]
Home: Waseca804 9th Avenue SE 56093 (507) 382-8447
Business: SameSterling - Krystel LLCBusiness: (507) 382-8447
Born: 01/05/1953.
Family: Married, Spouse Kathy, 2children.
Occupation: Small business owner, marketing- motivation consultant.
Education: Brown Institute of Broadcasting.
Elected: special election 2010, re-elected 2010.
Term: 2nd.
Special Legislative Concerns: Business, job growth, education.
Committees: State GovernmentInnovation and Veterans, chair.
Note: if this is no longer your organization’s address, please contact MCN staff to locate your legislators (see final page for staff contact information).
Setting Up Your MeetingThe legislative session is framed by the adjournment date of Monday, May 23. Meeting early in the process is advised. Greater Minnesota legislators are often in St. Paul mid-week; Monday mornings, Fridays, and weekends may work best for them. Metro area legislators could be invited any day that works for your organization.
Fridays may work well as the legislature typically does not meet that day. Also, your legislator will most likely be in district during the holiday recess between Tuesday, April 19 and Monday, April 25.
Call your legislator’s staff with a few dates in mind to schedule the meeting, and follow up with an official invitation letter (see www.mncn.org/speak-up for a sample). If your meeting request is turned down due to scheduling issues or for other reasons, please call us (see final page for MCN staff contact information) and we can help you think about other approaches to getting time with your legislator.
Before the meeting
Agree on who should attend. Choose between 4-6 people from leadership, board, staff, or program participants who are willing to be spokespersons at the meeting.
Collaborate with other nonprofits. Consider scheduling the meeting in tandem with other nonprofits in your community. MCN can help identify potential partners.
Learn more about your legislator. It’s important to know your legislator’s back-ground, legislative interests, committee assignments and any leadership positions they hold (see facing page).
Create meeting materials and agenda (see following page).
During the meeting
Don’t be nervous: you are the expert on your organization and community! You have valuable information that your legislator needs in order to make informed decisions for Minnesota.
Can’t answer a question—get back to them. If you don’t know, don’t bluff—tell the legislator you will follow-up after the meeting.
Give the legislator a chance to tell you about himself/herself. Ask questions to un-derstand what motivates them and what they care about most.
Avoid complaining, overstating the case, or burning bridges! Rather than personal-izing differences of opinion, keep a focus on telling your story.
After the meeting
Immediately send a handwritten thank you note. Be sure to let them know that your organization is always there as a resource to legislators on your issues.
Let MCN know how the meeting went and what happened! Report back to us at: www.mncn.org/speak-up
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Tips for Telling your Story It takes some planning to create a polished, com-pelling story. Come prepared and use notes to help you remember key facts and points. There are several elements to consider when crafting an ef-fective and personal story:
Begin with what you think will most gain their attention and support.
Explain what your organization does and who you serve.
Explain and, if possible, quantify the benefit of your work for the community.
For example, “The average cost to treat a youth in the Youth Intervention Program is $205 compared to $40,200 a year to hold a youth in a juvenile correctional facility.”
Be prepared to identify the sources of your op-erating budget including government funding at the federal, state and county levels.
Explain how state investments make a dif-ference in the lives of people and communi-ties. Similar to how you offer examples of the benefits of your work for private funders, make the connection to how public funds are critical to your work and in the lives of those you serve or represent.
Make it personal. Whether you use your per-sonal story or a compelling example of some-one your organization serves, pick an example that stands out in your mind and that you think illustrates the impact of cuts or the need for adequate state funding.
Be ready with an ask. You’ve made your case. Now, what commitments will your representa-tive make to be a good partner in the shared work of strengthening your community?
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Sample agendaWelcome and introductions
Summary of your organization
Mission, history and who you serve
Share your impact statement
What needs or problems in the community to you
address?
How do you solve those problems?
What resources are needed to do your work?
What else in the community makes your work possible?
Government? Other nonprofits? Philanthropy? Local
businesses?
How do state government decisions impact your orga-
nization?
Site tour (if applicable)
Hear from your legislator: what are his or her priorities? How
will they be allies in your shared work of strengthening your
community?
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Adaobi Okolue, The Works
Need assistance? Online: Additional resources and information at http://www.mncn.org/speak-up
Call us anytime: Susie Brown, Public Policy Director, 651-757-3060, [email protected]
Jeannie Fox, Deputy Public Policy Director, 651-757-3083, [email protected]
Jeff Narabrook, Public Policy Associate, 651-757-3062, [email protected]
Join a webinar: Ready to “Speak Up?” Join us to learn how nonprofits can effectively reach their elected officials
Elected officials depend on constituents to understand commu-nity needs and identify solutions. The ‘MN Speaks Up’ campaign assists nonprofits in communicating with elected officials about the value and nature of the services they provide. In this webinar, learn more about how to plan and execute an educational meet-ing with your elected official and get any questions answered you may have about strategy and preparation.
March 11 12-1 PM
March 25 12-1 PM
April 8 12-1 PM
April 22 12-1 PM
RSVP to get login information online at http://www.mncn.org/speak-up
Don’t forget to mail the enclosed postcard!Thank you for “Speaking Up.”
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Civic Engagement and Public PolicyNonprofit organizations play a central role in the demo-
cratic process by providing a means for individuals to
deliberate on public policies and decisions that affect
them. To the extent possible, nonprofit organizations
should engage in public policy and advocacy activities
as a means to fulfilling their missions and promoting
community interests. Open communication and con-
sultation between policy makers and nonprofit orga-
nizations contribute to well-informed policies and the
effective implementation of them.*
*Adapted from Minnesota Council of Nonprofits’ “Principles & Practices for Nonprofit Excellence” For more information on nonprofit advocacy and lobbying, please visit http://www.mncn.org/info_public.htm
Christian Novak, Northern Clay Center
Minnesotanonprofitsspeak up!
2314 University Ave W. #20St. Paul, MN 55114