On Communicating: My work at Community First Step

On Communicating: My work at Community First Step

My work at Community First Step

I have been working as a Communications & Resource Development Officer at a Non-profit organisation since the beginning of this year. Many people get confused about what exactly that means and understandably so.

Communications is such a vast field. The importance of both effective and internal communication is vital to the growth of any organisation. 'Corporate Communications' as it is often referred to in organisation encompasses all main areas of networking, public relations, marketing and the tools employed to create a brand image. These include the conventional newsletters, Annual reports and now the more extensively used e-mail marketing, websites and other social media tools.

My role at CFS mainly focussed on Media liaison, developing publications and marketing materials, writing press releases and also contribution to identification of Income Generation Opportunities (Tenders/Grants) and assisting in final submissions and record keeping.

For posterity and also as a marketing tool, I am uploading here a few pages of one of the community newsletters and the Annual report  I worked on this year. These were created in Adobe INDesign CS4 software which I learnt to use through the course of my work and was very proud of myself when I prepared my first Annual Report for the organisation.

Why post this on my blog? Well... why not? My work is an important part of myself and I like to share my thoughts with others. Feel free to comment.

Donate generously for Pkaistan Floods

Keeping inspired!

Inspiration does not come that easy as we would all like to think. It takes some effort to break away from one's comfort zone and look for answers in the outside world. Especially when you are working in a position that relies on your creativity and imagination, I feel we need some inspiration to keep us going. We have all heard of writer's block. There was a time when I used to think I am a moody writer. My writings are often inspired by my moods. Sometimes the words would just flow like a humming stream and there are many times when they seem to just get all stuck and jumbled up in my brain.

It's ok if you just write as a hobby, but if it is what you do for a living, you have to figure out ways to work around it. So, recently I realised what I really need is some inspiration. Most of the time I  am happy working  in my cubicle but my socially active nature seeks more. I realize I need inspiration to keep me going. Here are some simple ways that help me keep inspired.

1. Reading
I just devour any information I get related to my work. By subscribing to useful newsletters and following blogs, I keep myself up to date with what's happening. This keeps my mind fresh and although I may not employ all the strategies mentioned I feel more equipped to handle new situations.

2. Meeting People
People are just marvellous. One small story or a comment can lift my spirits and fuels my drive to write something. After all, these people are the living stories around us. What better way to get inspired than by spending some time with them. Listening to their accounts and helping to give a voice to their challenges and perceptions.

3. Interaction
Discussions, Brainstorming sessions and activities that engage our Mutliple intelligences is a sure fire way of getting inspired. It is also a great learning process. The worst thing anyone can do is have a closed mind and rigid approach. If only we are open to receive and let things sink in and process with time, we can come up with very insightful observations and learnings. These are essential tools for any writer.

4. Mentors
Ah yes! the Gurus. People who have struggled, worked through their challenges and present themselves as role models. Follow their work, keep in touch and if possible communicate. They will always respond to kindered souls.

5. Teamwork
I am a firm believer in the Teamwork approach. While I am confident about taking my own decisions, I feel two heads are definitely better than one. Working with a team helps you keep motivated. Individuals bring their own perspectives and add value to the project. Not only that,  I find that it also increases ownership. If we get people on board as advisors, they feel valued and start owning the project themselves. I find this is a great strategy to increase people's involvement.

If you have any tips or strategies that help you keep motivated, please share here. Would love to know what helps you keep fired up!

How non-profits should use story telling

The importance of storytelling to nonprofits from JD Lasica on Vimeo.

Guarding Your Nonprofit Brand and Guiding Your Marketing Partnerships: Principles to Follow

Guarding Your Nonprofit Brand and Guiding Your Marketing Partnerships: Principles to Follow

On Communicating..

Communication seems to be the most rapidly growing industry in the 21st century. With an almost explosive rise in the addition and use of new communication tools every day, the average person looks bewildered. The bombardment of information in the form of e-mail marketing, videos, social media networks have left people feeling overwhelmed. Is too much information really a good thing?




Well, on a personal level I must admit I often feel drowned with this information overload. I would like to be kept informed about what is going on around me but I also believe in de-cluttering my life and keeping it simple.

As a Communications professional, I understand the value of the marketing strategies and the importance of communicating. We are all trying to capture our audience and busy telling them what we feel they would be interested in knowing. But is that really true?

I work as a Communications Officer at a not for profit organisation. As a believer in the right of each individual to a better life, I am personally touched by the stories of people who benefit from the various services provided. My aim is to voice the impact of the service and share the concerns and needs associated with them. However, I am left stumped when the newsletters I have painstaking worked on don’t elicit the response I am expecting.

Is it because people are so desensitised with hearing such stories all the time that nothing seems unique any more. Or maybe, I have not targeted my audience. But once in a while, there is a breakthrough and I am pleased that my objective has been accomplished.

I know the power of a good story can attract much needed support. I see myself as a novice in this field eager to learn and try out new initiatives. I guess, what I am looking for is FEED BACK, something that people shy away from for different reasons.

In this blog, I will be sharing my own thoughts on communicating, the lows and highs and often posing questions that are my way of exploring and clarifying my own thinking. I hope you will engage with me on this blog and share your own experiences as a communicator. No matter what field you are in, there is always an aspect of your job that deals with communication. If nothing else, you are communicating with your colleagues and your boss or the people you supervise. Feel free to share your interests and experiences.