LEAD STORY
Five Questions to Help You Explain Complex Ideas
The need to explain complex ideas is not particularly new, however, it seems as if everything fits into that category now. Here are three reasons that clear and concise messaging often eludes us:
The more details we introduce people to in the beginning, the less they will remember. If we provide just enough to entice them to learn more, they will.
The world is more complex. The world itself is much more complex than it was just 20 years ago. People are finding their non-binary voices, 9-to-5 jobs are almost extinct, and selecting something to watch on television requires multiple accounts and streaming devices. The work we do is also more complex as well, which makes explaining what we do more challenging too.
May is National Mental Health Month
Mental Health Awareness Month was first celebrated in 1949. It was commemorated by the Mental Health America organization, which was first known as the National Committee for Mental Hygiene. (EDITOR’s NOTE: Boy, was that a name begging for a rebrand!) Complements of National Today, here are three ways to observe National Mental Health Month:
- Take care of yourself. Life has numerous ups and downs. Some are solvable but others not so much. When your mental health acts up, seek the right treatment and make yourself better because, after all, life has much more to offer than just pain and suffering.
- Take care of your loved ones. Check up on your friends and family. Many times, all people need is a shoulder to cry on and/or an ear to listen. Support and encourage them if they are being treated for any mental problems.
- Talk about mental health. One of the best ways to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month is by talking about it with your peers. The more you talk about it, the more normalized it will become. This is one of the aims of the month as the stigma attached to mental health has led to countless delays in treatment and research.
You may also want to check out a recent episode of our podcast, Messaging on a Mission, Discussing Mental Health.
WORKSHOP ANNOUNCED
How to Improve Your Organization’s Message
As a follow-up to April’s webinar in conjunction with Top Nonprofits, Spencer Brenneman President Douglas Spencer will lead a virtual workshop this month. This two-hour workshop will provide participants with insights, approaches, and tools to review and improve their organization’s message and its impact on: fundraising, decision-making, overall efficiency, talent management, and media relations. Receive the early-bird rate of $49 now through May 7, 2022.
How to Improve Your Organization’s Message Where it Matters
May 19, 2022, 2:00-4:00 PM EDT
MISSION DRIVERS
Grateful
In this recurring feature of Focal Point, we profile people and organizations on a mission! If you have someone to suggest, let us know!
Connecting businesses with the nonprofit organizations their customers and employees want to support.
Grateful is a platform where businesses give to nonprofits that matter most to their clients and employees via Grateful Cards as part of their customer appreciation and employee recognition programs. Grateful Card recipients can pick from all US 501c3 charities to donate to.
At Grateful’s core, they believe business and technology should have a moral purpose and create positive change in the world. Nonprofits can use the Grateful mobile or web app for FREE to post causes in need of support and share the impact on their non-profit profile. Learn more at grateful.org.
MESSAGING ON A MISSION
Listen Up: New Episodes Available!
Check out our two episodes of Messaging on a Mission from April! From content management to making inclusive decisions, there’s a lot of good information waiting for you!
If you or your organization have a story to share about how your message impacts your work, don’t be shy! Let us know! We’re always looking for new guests.
Focal Pointing: Education
Focal Pointing shares some of the books, podcasts, and other resources that are helping us learn, create, and grow. This month, let’s show a little love to boards of directors!
Board Governance Education
The Handbook of Board Governance
Nonprofit Governance: An Introduction To Managing Your NPO
Blog Posts You May Have Missed
Well Said
"In recognizing the humanity of our fellow beings, we pay ourselves the highest tribute."
—— Thurgood Marshall
On May 17, 1954, Thurgood Marshall argued Brown v. Board of Education before the U.S. Supreme Court. The Court unanimously ruled that segregation of public schools “solely on the basis of race” denies black children “equal educational opportunity” even though “physical facilities and other ‘tangible’ factors may have been equal. Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.” Marshall went to become the first African American appointed to the Supreme Court.
