Ralph Serpe, CFRE VP, Development Baltimore Community Foundation 9 WAYS TO BE A GREAT AMBASSADOR

What does it mean to be an AMBASSADOR ?  Promote the organization in the course of daily activities.  Spot opportunities and spread the word about the mission.  It’s a role that any volunteer can fill.  And it greatly expands the organization’s marketing reach.

Managing Expectations: Being an Ambassador is Part of the Job 1.Document the role of ambassador in the job description for board members. 2.State this responsibility during the recruiting process 3. Develop collective priorities for all 4. Create individual plans for each board member. 5. Monitor progress and report status as you go

Be open about your board service Identify yourself as a trustee at every opportunity  when you introduce yourself to others  any time you are interviewed or honored  on your CV/resume/web profile  include web address in your signature  like them on facebook, follow on twitter

Get to know me Invite a friend to have coffee with you and a staff member

Say “Thank-you” Ask your development director for a list of donors to call and thank

Connect with connectors Share the names of your professional advisors with the organization and ask them to prepare a letter to those people, over your signature, encouraging them to learn about them from you, and offering to introduce staff to them. (or) Forward the monthly electronic e-news to them and copy staff.

Open Doors Invite staff to speak at meetings you attend:  nonprofits  church/synagogue  professional associations  service groups  staff meetings at work

Share the Wealth Bring staff to  benefits  presentations  other public functions

Six degrees of separation Think about introducing staff to  the executive staff of other organizations  elected officials  private foundation trustees

Make some introductions Bring staff to your workplace (or former workplace) and introduce them.

Find something new to talk about Tell your friends and colleagues what’s happening at your organization when they ask you “What’s new?”

What’s your number 10?