Core Functions: Communications
It is important to establish and keep consistent COMMUNICATION with local club members, National/State Program staff and external supporters to ensure sustainability of the club. Make sure to follow the Special Olympics logo and brand guidelines and establish connections with other local clubs to learn from their experiences.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
- Communicate regular, clear messages about club events
- Make sure your communication is consistent with National/State Program communications.
- Everyone has different access and interests. Adjust communication style and frequency to each group.
- Do not rely solely on social media. Diversify your communication channels. Be mindful of content posted to social media. Some information is only appropriate for closed groups, not the public.
- Keep the list of contacts current. Add new people and remove those who moved on.
BASIC COMMUNICATION GRID
Communication Tips
Identify and train individuals qualified to speak to the media and public about the club and its activities.
Engage youth and athlete leaders in all types of communication.
Athletes are your club’s best ambassadors!
Have a look at other successful clubs and how they communicate and connect with their community. Borrow their best ideas!
Check out other Special Olympics Clubs across New Zealand and connect with them for advice, support and help.
Special Olympics Coaches are the heartbeat of our movement. Without coaches, we have no sports programs. Recruiting and training a team of quality coaches is the best thing you can do to attract and retain club members—here are the top 3 things to help your club make this happen.
What do you want to communicate?
Create relevant messages using targeted methods for different audiences. In simple terms – it’s about telling your story. As a club you are making a difference in your community, and you have many stories to tell. So, make sure you set up systems to capture your club stories in an easy way to share them with the wider community.
Who are you communicating with?
Have you asked yourself this question? A club’s target audience generally involves anyone who does or can have any affiliation with that club. This includes: current and former athletes, coaches, volunteers, supporters, prospective members, general public living near your club location, local media, local schools, local authorities, sports organizations.
How can you communicate best?
Communication is a two-way engagement – it’s not only about telling your story, its about connecting with people and getting their feedback and involvement. You can communicate using social media, internal communications, and engaging with stakeholders through newsletters, meetings, open days, forums and email updates. With today's technology there is such a wide range of options to reach out and connect with people in your community.
It’s as simple as 1 – 2 – 3!
It’s not really. That’s why we’ve provided a more detailed walk through in the next pages…
Putting it into practice…
What do you want to communicate?
One
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- What are the most important messages for your club to share?
- What stories will resonate most with your community?
- What do you want people to know about your club?
Two
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- Success stories and recent activities
- Training, competitions, events and sport-based content
- Club news, volunteer opportunities and recognition
- Partnerships and fundraising events
Three
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A simple communication plan can be a big help is setting out what you’ll communicate and when. This makes it easier to achieve success.
Who are you communicating with?
One
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- Who are your members? Can you easily reach them for regular communications?
- Who would be interested in your club's communication?
Two
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Make sure you have an easy-to-use communications database that includes all the relevant info of your members, stakeholders, supporters, funders and media.
Three
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Also think about how people in your community can opt in and access communications and information from your club.
How can you communicate best?
One
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- How can you reach the most amount of people in the easiest possible way?
- How do you key different audiences with different messages?
Two
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Social media is free and easy. It enable direct communication and keeps your community informed.
Test other types of communication (e.g., newspapers or radio)
Three
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Keep your communication lively, concise and professional. Remember – you represent the Special Olympics brand!