Creating Dynamic Messages To Get Out The Vote

  • Post category:Advocacy
  • Reading time:2 mins read

Wednesday, August 21st, 2-3 pm ET

Telling the story of the National Wildlife Refuge and Hatchery Systems is crucial for public awareness and legislative support; but we know it can be daunting to create effective messages from scratch. This webinar will focus on two broad campaigns, presenting Friends Groups with a framework to tackle these important conversations locally while also sharing in a nationwide effort.

One of the campaigns will focus on a “get out the vote” effort to which, as 501(c)3s, Friends Groups are allowed to engage in. We will discuss how to effectively talk about the needs of your site while staying non-partisan. We know that in every election National Wildlife Refuges and Hatcheries are on the ballot, but it’s up to us to encourage the public to consider how their vote will affect them. Our Refuge and Hatchery Systems rely on elected officials. Other than our collective vote, wildlife have no real voice for their protection.

Many politicians, from across the political spectrum, value and support National Wildlife Refuges. We want to encourage everyone to register to vote, research their candidates and vote with wildlife in mind.  

We will also share some ready-to-launch campaign assets developed to help Friends Groups across the country get the word out. 

Presenter: Matthew Emmer President, Friends of the Savannah Coastal Wildlife Refuges. Board Member, Coalition of Refuge Friends and Advocates.

Continue ReadingCreating Dynamic Messages To Get Out The Vote

Creating a Buzz: How to Use Social Media to Build Awareness & Support for Refuges & Hatcheries Friends Groups

bee on a flower

This webinar helps your refuge and hatchery friends group leverage social media to share your story and support campaigns. We covered best practices for creating engaging content, building an online community, and amplifying your message to a wider audience. We’ll also share tips and tools for using social media to support the National Wildlife Refuge Association’s ongoing refuge staffing crisis campaign and provide a toolkit to help you get started.

Presenter
Eden Taylor, Communications Manager
National Wildlife Refuge Association

Continue ReadingCreating a Buzz: How to Use Social Media to Build Awareness & Support for Refuges & Hatcheries Friends Groups

Webinar: Building A Board That Works

Wednesday, February 15th, 2023

To be effective, nonprofits must recruit and retain board members who support their ideals, represent the diversity of the community, and bring a wide range of skills. This workshop covers:

  • How boards change as organizations grow and change
  • Finding and filling the gaps on your board
  • Creating and using a board job description
  • Board orientation strategies

This is an interactive webinar, so come prepared to participate!

The stories we tell about our organizations let folks know why we exist and the impact we’re having on those we serve. The stories we tell about the work being done on our refuges and hatcheries should motivate folks to care about and support these sites.

Sign Up!

Presenter
Andy Robinson provides training and consulting for nonprofits, businesses, and government agencies. Over the past 27 years, Andy has worked with clients in 47 US states and across Canada. 

Since the pandemic began in March 2020, he has designed and facilitated nearly 150 online meetings, webinars, and remote workshops covering a variety of topics, including fundraising, board development, marketing, leadership development, facilitation, planning, change management, and train-the-trainer programs.Andy is the author of six books, including Train Your Board (and Everyone Else) to Raise Money, www.trainyourboard.com. His latest is What Every Board Member Needs to Know, Do, and Avoid. He lives in Plainfield, Vermont.

portrait of Andy Robinson

Continue ReadingWebinar: Building A Board That Works

Webinar: Engage Your Audience With Stories

Wednesday, January 18th, 2023

Double rainbow over field of grain

Don’t you love a good story that engages your senses and makes you want to take action?

We’re wired for stories. From the very beginning, as individuals and as a species, we immerse ourselves in stories from the arrival of our children to reminiscing about family members who have passed.

The stories we tell about our organizations let folks know why we exist and the impact we’re having on those we serve. The stories we tell about the work being done on our refuges and hatcheries should motivate folks to care about and support these sites.

This webinar addressed:

  • Why storytelling is effective
  • Essential building blocks of a story
  • Types of stories needed
  • Finding and sharing your stories
  • Outcomes and measures

Here are the materials from the webinar:

We want to thank the presenters which were you, the Coalition of Refuge Friends, and Advocates/National Wildlife Refuge Association team

Continue ReadingWebinar: Engage Your Audience With Stories