RLP #4: Planning Successful Campaigns

RLP #4: Planning Successful Campaigns

By NHS

Earlier this week we hosted our fourth of five classes in our Resident Leadership Program, “Planning Successful Campaigns”. Our executive director, Jim Paley, facilitated the class after being introduced by Stephen Cremin-Endes, our Community Building Specialist.

Jim opened the class by asking participants to share, in one word only, what they believe to be a “key ingredient” in a successful campaign. Answers were written on the board behind him and ranged from connections to money, from influence to volunteers, and so on. Jim then shared that he believes the number one necessary ingredient in a campaign is “passion” because through passion all other ingredients are possible.
 

A powerpoint presentation documenting the history of Neighborhood Housing Services followed. Jim discussed all of the elements of a campaign, such as goals, reasonable timeframes, knowing who is a stakeholder, and knowing how to measure your campaign’s success through its outcomes, using NHS of New Haven as his example. A montage of before and after photos of homes that NHS has rehabbed provided participants with imagery to further contextualize NHS’s campaign to revitalize neighborhoods in New Haven.
 

The group was then charged with completing an activity regarding campaigns that they would like to start in their communities, including goals such as raising funds, trash removal, and inspiring young women.

It was a great class and we are very much excited for the next and final class, “Leading Great Meetings,” facilitated by Sarah Parmenter, Senior Specialist, Community Building Program at NeighborWorks America.