Can you explain what your program does in the 30 to 40 seconds it takes to get from the first floor to the top floor on an elevator? So-called "elevator speeches" are one way to focus on the core messages of:
- What your organization does
- How it does it
- Who it helps
During orientation, have your members collaboratively develop and practice an elevator speech so they can confidently present themselves and their work to the public.
Click the play button to see a role play of one such speech.
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Now get specific. Lisa Keyne, North Carolina Campus Compact (Elon, NC) prints "quick facts" about her program on business cards that are given to new members. That way, everyone's message about the organization is consistent, and it's always close at hand.
Click here to view an example of this practice.
Ben Nowell, a VISTA trainer from New York, helps members put together elevator speeches at their pre-service orientation. He encourages members to focus on their specific site in order to build resources for their local community program. Ben encourages members to end with an "ask" to see if the community member is willing to volunteer or support the organization in another way.
Here is a sample dialogue between a community member and a VISTA:
Q. What do you do?
A. I run a Youth Employment Program that helps kids ages 16-21 find meaningful jobs.
Q. How do you do that?
A. We match motivated young people with employers who have appropriate jobs. Research shows that young adults who are employed at least part- time are more engaged in their community and more likely to succeed.
Q. Tell me more!
A. We are always looking for motivated young people to join the program and for employers who might hire them.
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