The Passover Seder is the most widely observed Jewish ritual around the world.  Many are drawn to the religious aspects of the observance; others to the family and community elements.  Perhaps it is because helping organizations tell their stories is what I do for a living, but I think that it’s the emphasis on story-telling that draws so many into this holiday.

Passover commemorates the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery in Ancient Egypt.  The focal point of the holiday is the Seder, a fifteen-step family-oriented tradition and ritual-packed feast.  At the seder, participants read from a book called a Haggadah, which tells the story of the Exodus from Egypt.

Quick, think of a good story you’ve heard in the last few months, or even years – any story (children’s bedtime story, narrative joke, story in a presentation at work, etc.)

Now think of a couple of good statistics you’ve heard in the last few weeks.

Stories can have a profound effect on people, and can powerfully affect behavior.  People learn best – and change – from hearing stories that strike a chord within them.  This is because personal stories feel “real,” unlike abstract concepts, statistics or logical arguments.  Stories capture people on an emotional level, creating a deeper, more intimate bond.  Stories are memorable.   And today when we are drowning in information, good stories can cut through the noise.

According to Rabbi Ayelet Cohen, the most revolutionary aspect of the Passover Haggadah is that it’s a collage of many different voices, a collection of stories from the Talmud and a compilation of biblical and liturgical quotations. “The most common misunderstanding is that it’s just the story of the Exodus,” says Cohen, a consultant to Beit Simchat Torah, a gay and lesbian congregation in Manhattan. “One of the most damaging misconceptions in Jewish life is that there is only one version of one story, and that the stories of women’s experiences and those of others who are marginalized because of economics, physical ability, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity are not part of that Jewish story.” The Haggadah teaches that there isn’t just one story, she says. “That’s the telling we are obligated to continue.”

I believe that the popularity of celebrating Passover, and reading and creating new interpretations of the Haggadah, reveals the revolutionary power of story telling.  Recalling the plight of the Israelites helps us figure out how to most meaningfully experience and best appreciate our freedom today.

To talk more about the story or Passover, your story, or storytelling in general, please contact Evelyn at Becker Impact, http://www.beckerimpact.com.  720.648.4546; ebecker@beckerimpact.com.

Communications are the key to any fundraising strategy.  This is an underlying value of what we do here at Becker Impact – helping nonprofits, foundations and other do-gooders develop compelling messages and rooting them in the minds of stakeholders so they can move public opinion and action, and inspire donations.  Communications are the means by which you raise the funds needed to make your mission a reality; communications are the work you do to realize the goals of your organization; communications are how you make a difference.

Both communications and fundraising are processes of uncovering shared values.  Both for-profit endeavors and nonprofit organizations have a product they exchange with a consumer who values it.  In today’s 24/7, total access mobile world, there are so many choices of which media outlets to use in order to facilitate that exchange.  Communications and development must act together and make strategic decisions about how and where to allocate resources.   Messages have to be unique and compelling.   Key audiences must be clearly identified and you must know how and where to reach them.

The challenging financial times of the last several years create even greater exigency for nonprofits to make the most of their scarce resources and get their development and communications experts working together.  Our target audiences don’t care what we call the departments and professionals who do the work necessary to make the missions and visions of the nonprofits we represent compelling.  They need – and want – to be moved to action, to be inspired to donate their money and their time.  By integrating your development/fundraising and marketing/communications/PR teams’ efforts, you will significantly increase your effectiveness.

Nonprofits are getting it.  They are learning how much more of an impact they can make through their communications and fundraising work when messages are shared in an integrated way across multiple communications channels.  Interested in learning more about how your organization can jump on board?  Contact Evelyn Becker at Becker Impact, 720.648.4546.

Becker Impact has three public relations tips for your nonprofit organization or foundation to keep in mind as you secure your keynote speaker, create those invite lists, reach out for sponsorships, produce that moving video and plan your menu.

1.  Make sure your message makes an impact.  Now is the time to make sure that your messaging is on target.  By the end of the month, your stakeholders and constituents’ inboxes will be inundated with invitations from a cacophony of causes vying for their attention.  Now is the time to make sure your brand is perfect, and that your nonprofit organization or foundations’ message is the one that stands out and gets noticed, makes an impact, and moves someone to action.

2. Have an issues management and crisis communications plan in place.  Don’t let the time and energy it takes to plan your spring event bog you down to the point that you neglect to look for, anticipate, and respond to shifting stakeholder expectations and perceptions that are likely to have important consequences for your organization.  Now is an important time to review and update your proactive public relations plan and make sure that you are influencing how important issues for your organization are framed.  If a major event involving an issue critical to your nonprofit or foundation were to happen the day before your big spring event, would you be ready to respond?

3. Start getting ready NOW for the year end fundraising that is so critical for nonprofit success.  Determine how you will use the momentum created by the strategic communications efforts implemented around your big spring event to move your organization’s goals forward through the spring and summer, and into the fall.  Now is the time to craft a proactive earned and social media plan, build your lists and get an editorial calendar in place so you’ll be ready to raise more money in Fall 2012.

Becker Impact LLC is a boutique public relations firm in Denver, Colorado that helps nonprofit organizations, foundations, government initiatives and corporate social responsibility programs effect change through the strategic use of innovative public relations and communications.  To learn more about how to maximize the spring nonprofit fundraising season and make an impact, please contact: Evelyn Becker, 720.648.4546; ebecker@beckerimpact.com.