At the risk of going all Debbie Downer on you—and please stick with us here, there is a point!—consider these observations and predictions:
- Rates of depression and anxiety have increased.
- Some data suggest that divorce rates are on the rise.
- A new generation of poverty and debt is emerging.
- Domestic abuse cases are skyrocketing.
- The wealth gap is expanding.
Plus, with more than 500,000 Americans taken out by the virus, grief is rampant.
The focus you had a year ago is most likely misplaced—slightly or broadly.
Whether or not it is, your message has no doubt lost some of its impact.
Why Do People Fight?
Office politics are exhausting and expensive—in terms of both actual and opportunity costs. Just think of how much money we waste through continual turnover caused by a toxic work environment. And think of the incredible work people could do with the energy exerted playing the political games of who’s right and who’s more important?
MESSAGING ON A MISSION
Recent Podcast Episodes
Our podcast, Messaging on a Mission, launched in January and we’ve had some great guests from Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Trustees of Reservations, and Usefull. Episode 4 is now available and it’s all about the role of internal comms play in an organization’s messaging strategy. It’s fantastic, if we do say so ourselves!
Get notified when new episodes drop.
MISSION DRIVERS
Massachusetts Children’s Alliance
In this recurring feature of Focal Point, we profile people and organizations on a mission! If you have someone to suggest, let us know!
The Massachusetts Children’s Alliance drives the innovative work that is helping abused children get the best care possible by promoting interventions that work, delivering effective educational programming, and moving communities towards meaningful systemic and societal change.
People don’t have any idea that children are being abused at the heart-wrenching rate they are. At a minimum, one in ten children is sexually abused before turning 18. That means for every ten kids you know, one of them is statistically likely to suffer abuse. The Massachusetts Children’s Alliance pioneers the most promising, leading-edge ways that help victims of that abuse receive the best possible care.
Spencer Brenneman is proud of the work we have done with the Massachusetts Children’s Alliance. Watch for samples to come on spencerbrenneman.com.
CLIENT QUOTE
Center for Primary Care
Focal Pointing
Focal Pointing shares some of the books, podcasts, and emails that are helping us learn, create, and grow.
REPORT
Nonprofit Communications
RESOURCE
Preparing Disaster Relief
TRENDS
Trends in Social Entrepreneurship
Blog Posts You May Have Missed
Well Said
“Do what you feel in your heart to be right—for you'll be criticized anyway.”
—Eleanor Roosevelt
In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re featuring Anna Eleanor Roosevelt. Roosevelt was an American political figure, diplomat, and activist. She served as the First Lady of the United States from March 1933 to April 1945, the longest-serving First Lady in history, and was the first to take on more responsibilities beyond that of hostess. Roosevelt went on to serve as United States Delegate to the United Nations General Assembly from 1945 to 1952.
As chair of the U.N. Commission on Human Rights, she worked in the years after the Holocaust to prevent future world wars and spearheaded the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which the General Assembly adopted in December of 1948.
