Learn how to create and implement effective yet flexible communication strategies for uncertain times in a five-part webinar series.
As I write this, we’re just a few days away from Inauguration Day here in the U.S. I’m hearing from so many of my friends who lead nonprofit communications that they - and their teams - are on edge and worried about the future. Layered on top of democratic uncertainty is major technology disruption from AI, a flood of mis- and disinformation, and the polarization of the media landscape.
Nonprofit communicators are doing amazing work, but it feels harder than ever to reach and connect with your most important audiences. “Enshittification” is everywhere. And nonprofit leaders are facing burnout and increasing challenges with staff retention.
Phew. It’s a lot.
But I argue that with the right strategies, we can do more than just “get through this.” We can thrive in the midst of this chaos.
I’ve teamed up with my friend Tim Frick at Mightybtes to put together a five-part webinar series: Navigating Chaos: Communications Strategies for Uncertain Times. Our goal is to help responsible communications leaders and their stakeholders connect and thrive during disruptive, unpredictable events.
If you need to create a meaningful plan of action that drives impactful marketing or advocacy efforts throughout 2025, this series can help.
We’re bringing together some of the smartest people we know to talk with us about storytelling, resilient communications, community building, and organizational agility. We’ll tie it all together with a community session for our final webinar, with an opportunity to share and learn from one another. You’ll leave each webinar with useful strategies and resources that you can implement right away.
Join us for the whole series or whatever you have time for. Registrants will receive event recording and helpful resources after each event.
For each event, Nicole Hunter, with Mightybytes, will facilitate the conversation and we'll leave plenty of time for Q&A.
Webinar One: Foundations of Impactful Storytelling
January 30, 2024, 12:00 PM Eastern / 11:00 PM Central
Neuroscience has proven that strong storytelling is a must-have communications tool. During this webinar, we’ll cover some key foundational storytelling techniques you can use to build relationships and inspire action. We’ll also tie these techniques to proven strategies for impactful communications.
You will learn:
Why good storytelling is essential for an effective communications strategy.
Science-based storytelling techniques that inspire action.
How to use these techniques in your own communications or marketing efforts.
Plus, you’ll get free resources, like worksheets and checklists, to improve the stories you tell.
About Our Guest Speaker
Jill Pollack’s (she/her) life’s work has been giving voice to as many stories as possible. As Chief Story Wrangler at StoryStudio Chicago, which she started in 2003, Jill helps people find and sculpt their stories, and build their creative confidence and skills as storytellers.
Thursday, February 13, 2025; 1:00 PM Eastern / 12:00 PM Central Time
When external factors disrupt our best laid communications plans, chaos might not be far behind. During this webinar, we’ll explore how to craft inclusive, accessible, and more sustainable communications strategies that are resilient enough to withstand disruption yet effective enough to ensure your marketing or advocacy efforts reach their targets.
You will learn:
How to nurture abundance and a growth mindset during times of chaos and scarcity.
How to co-create an effective message architecture to drive successful communications.
Tactics for an impactful content strategy in the age of ‘enshittification’.
We’ll also share strategy resources to use in your own communications and provide plenty of time to answer your questions.
About Our Guest Speaker
Bridget Hayman (she/her) is Communications Director at Access Living, a leader in disability rights advocacy. While heading end-to-end communications and media relations for the organization, Bridget also leads Access Living’s consulting and training services, integrating disability inclusion best practices into the diversity efforts of companies, nonprofits and foundations.
Tuesday, March 11, 2025; 1:00 PM Eastern / 12:00 PM Central Time
Communities and coalitions grounded in shared values can create collective impact. However, in times of chaos, it’s easy for these efforts to go off the rails. In this conversation, we’ll discuss how coalition- and community-building creates opportunities to go further together and how collaboration, co-creation, and resilience strategies can help you maintain consistency over time.
You will learn:
The value of collaboration, co-creation, and facilitation in designing effective strategies.
The role of scale, reciprocity, and personal investment in community-building.
How to tie coalition- and community-building efforts with impactful content and communications strategies.
We’ll also share tools and resources to help with your own community- and coalition-building.
About Our Guest Speaker
Kellen (Kel) Moody (they/them) is a community cultivator and placemaker. As founder of Alluvium Gatherings, they create and uplift movements through the design, planning, and implementation of gatherings. They have a passion for convening communities and leading teams to create meaningful experiences.
Tuesday, April 1; 12:00 PM Eastern / 11 AM Central
Organizations that innovate and embrace agility can better navigate—or even thrive in—chaotic times. In this conversation, we will cover how to operationalize agility, embrace innovation techniques, and use data to understand when to pivot.
You will learn:
How agility and innovation practices create better organizations and how to incorporate these practices into your organization.
Methods to nurture team confidence and build capacity when dealing with uncertainty.
Ways to merge these practices with impactful communications strategies.
We’ll also share agility and innovation resources that you can use in your organization.
About Our Guest Speaker
Jennifer Sconyers founded Abundance Leadership Consulting (ALC) to facilitate connections and to break down systems hampering social impact. ALC helps organizations and teams not just perform better, but to see themselves as part of a larger community ecosystem.
Thursday, April 17; 12:00 PM Eastern / 11 AM Central
Political chaos and technological disruption are twin challenges that can undermine the work of communications, marketing, and advocacy teams. Join us for a collaborative webinar during which we’ll share lessons learned throughout the Navigating Chaos series themes: storytelling, resilient communications strategies, coalition- and community-building, and organizational agility and inclusion.
To maximize collaboration, we’ll break into facilitated groups based on the themes above and explore lessons learned through question prompts and collaborative exercises.
Attendees will:
• Create action items for your own work based on lessons learned from seasoned communicators.
• Connect with other communications leaders working on similar challenges.
• Get resources for your own campaign and advocacy work. We’ll share a communications guide that covers Navigating Chaos series themes mentioned above.
This webinar is the last in a five-part series on Navigating Chaos: Communications Strategies for Uncertain Times. Our series explores how to create a meaningful plan of action that will drive marketing or advocacy efforts during times of disruption and uncertainty throughout 2025 and beyond.