Upload
bijan
View
72
Download
0
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
Writing Your Agency Success Story. Rappahannock United Way. Agenda. What is a Success S tory? Why Write Success Stories? How to Write Success Stories - Demonstrate Positive Impact - Show Human Interest - Keep It Simple Examples. What is a Success Story?. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Citation preview
Rappahannock United Way
Writing Your Agency Success Story
Agenda
What is a Success Story?
Why Write Success Stories?
How to Write Success Stories
- Demonstrate Positive Impact
- Show Human Interest
- Keep It Simple
Examples
April 22, 20232
What is a Success Story?
• A story that shows how the program has made a POSITIVE difference in people’s lives.
• A narrative description of the program. Sets a scene, tells a story and describes how the program made a difference.
April 22, 20233
Why Write Success Stories?
• To show the value of the program to those who give money and other resources
• To be accountable to donors• To communicate how we have made a difference
April 22, 20234
How to Write a Success Story
• Four Elements
• Situation – What was the problem, issue or concern?
• Response – How did the program solve the problem?
• Results – What was the outcome? Who benefited?
• Evidence – What were the changes and benefits using qualitative and/or quantitative data? Quote beneficiaries
April 22, 20235
How to Write a Success Story
• Answer the 5 W’s and an H
• Who?• What?• Where?• When?• Why?• How?
April 22, 20236
How to Write a Success Story
• Length• No length requirement, but use good judgment
• 5 pages is probably too long, but 5 sentences is probably too short
April 22, 20237
Demonstrate Positive Impact
• Keep stories positive – want to show success of program, not failure
• Don’t write a sob story• Unique is good – what did your agency do for the individual that
nobody else could/was able to?• Be specific – how did you help? What was the outcome of the
program?
April 22, 20238
Develop an Angle
• What do you want reader to think/do/feel?• Human Interest – Great angle for success stories
• Makes it personal, relatable
• Talk about a person, family, etc.
• Give them a name– Don’t just say “Client A” and “Client B”
• Use quotes. How does he/she feel about this?– Ask open ended questions
• Other angles include uniqueness, conflict, helpfulness/special interest
April 22, 20239
Keep It Simple
• Use short sentences• Use adjectives sparingly• Get the point across • Make it quick and easy to read in one sitting• Focus on facts, not fluff• Avoid jargon specific to your field• If you can say it in 10 words rather than 20, say it in 10
April 22, 202310
Keep It Simple
• Before – Too wordy
• PHHS Block Grant funds are used to provide population-based prevention services to reduce tobacco use by adults.
• After
• PHHS Block Grant funds are used to reduce tobacco use by adults.
April 22, 202311
Keep It Simple
• Before – Too wordy
• PHHS Block Grant funds are used to present 31 basic and advanced level Emergency Medical Services (EMS) classes in communities statewide during the 2003 fiscal year thereby insuring that an adequate pool of personnel are available to staff the local community ambulance services.
• After
• In 2003, PHHS Block Grant funds were used to carry out 31 basic and advanced level Emergency Medical Services (EMS) classes in communities statewide. Courses insure that a well-trained pool of personnel are available to staff local community ambulance services.
April 22, 202312
Exercise
Good vs. Bad
April 22, 202313
Thank you
Rappahannock United Way