This past week I had the opportunity to sit in a lecture delivered by Shaun Winn, founder of the Winn Group. The Winn Group is a creative agency that provides services to non-profits globally. During Winn’s presentation he stressed that the most important element in running a successful non-profit is finding what you are passionate about.
As a journalism student I have heard, time and time again, that establishing your brand is what makes your organization a success. However, Winn took this statement to another level. He said that it is not only your organization’s brand that puts you on the map, but that it is also the passion you put into your work.
“If you’re not passionate about your cause, you will never be able to convince others,” said Winn.
This quote stood out to be in the beginning of his presentation. As the lecture moved forward, Winn consistently asked the group what we were passionate about. I began to realize that he was right! As a student leader on campus I work with a lot of student organizations, and I can say that those students who show passion for what they do and put forth 110% of the needed efforts—those are the organizations who host successful programs, retain members and put their name on the map.
Take Invisible Children North Texas for example. This group of students has done more than design, hang-up and pass out flyers. They go through the motions of:
- · Learning their audience
- · Connecting with their audience
- · Setting goals
- · Utilizing social media
- · Publishing articles in the NT Daily
Invisible Children (I.C.) has managed to retain members within their organization, host screenings about their cause-that are open to the entire student body at UNT, fill the seats for those screening, raise more than their desired amount of money for I.C. and make their name known on our campus.
For more information please visit their Facebook page: IC North Texas
Or follow them of Twitter: @IC_at_UNT
When you are passionate about your cause and work at making your non-profit the best it can be, every poster, flyer, event, etc. will showcase how much your cause means to you.
