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Jordana Merkin, Voice for Good

When your board questions your messaging

Published 2 months ago • 1 min read

Hi Reader,

"Our board members keep describing what we do differently."

I just heard this from an executive director (again). She laughed—but we both knew it wasn't actually funny.

Her organization had evolved over the years. They'd expanded programs, updated their approach, grown their impact, but their messaging hadn't caught up.

So when her board members were asked "what does your organization do" at events, during fundraising conversations, or out in their communities, they each gave a slightly different answer. Some didn't really know what to say at all.

Words matter. Here's why.

Your board members are your ambassadors. They have the networks you need to reach. When they're meeting potential donors and community leaders, they should be opening doors—not inadvertently closing them because they don't have clear language to share.

This shows up as:

  • Fundraising conversations that go nowhere
  • Strategic opportunities you miss
  • You personally rewriting every external communication because you're the only one who can explain what you do

The ED I was talking to realized she was touching every single piece of communication. That's just not sustainable for her, and it likely isn't for you either.

But here's how you fix it.

With a strong strategic messaging foundation, everyone—you, your board, staff, and volunteers—can get on the same page and start speaking and writing about your organization with confidence.

That's what a clear messaging guide does. It gives you all shared language that engages the right people and reflects who you are now.

And if you need someone to put all that clear messaging into practice with clear marketing and fundraising writing, I'm here for you too.

Sound like something you need?

If your board or staff describe your organization differently from how you'd like, or differently from each other, and you're rewriting everyone's materials so they're consistent and align with who you are now, that's the signal that it's time to clarify and formalize your messaging.

I'm booking for March, and if you've been nodding along, it doesn't sound like you should wait any longer. Click here to book your discovery call so we can talk it through together.

Rooting for you and your whole team,

Jordana

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Jordana Merkin, Voice for Good

Nonprofit Messaging and Marketing

Jordana Merkin helps nonprofits clarify their messaging to attract and engage with the right people for them. Subscribe to have actionable nonprofit messaging and communications tips and insights delivered straight to your inbox.

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