I attended the February meeting of the Kansas Human Relations Association and ran into a familiar face. Gordon Criswell, human relations director for the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kan., was there. He said the Human Relations Commission he facilitates was meeting soon to choose what community activities it would participate in this year.
Gordon’s timing seems right on to me. With spring fast approaching, this is the time to grab a community calendar and look for some opportunities to see and be seen.
These three questions may help guide your plans:
- At what community activities should we have an on-ground presence? Think about the audience size, the tone of the event and the opportunity for visibility. Are red-carpet and society page events where you should focus, perhaps because of the opportunity to interact with key decision-makers? Where is the best photo op? In your community, do people show up for the afternoon parade or the nighttime ball game?
- Who should be there? Is it the kind of event for which you want two dozen volunteers? Would it be more effective to identify a small cadre of staff, board members and donors? Is an unattended booth or a page in the program enough?
- How does the plan further your mission? Promotional activities are too costly in time and dollars to engage in lightly. What part of your strategic or marketing plan does this activity address? Are there ways that your participation can also reinforce your mission? For example, if your organization promotes early childhood learning, could you sponsor an activity for families with young children at your community picnic?
Please comment below to share your experiences with representing your organization at community events. Or catch me at the fair – I’ll be the one in line at the roasted corn stand.
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| Photo courtesy of ms.margie |
