~Crafting Messages that Matter~
With Coaches Dalya F. Massachi, MA and Denice R.
Hinden, PhD, ACC (see below for bios)
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Fall 2012 Public Series:
Oct. 2- Nov. 13
(Register by Sept.
21 for $50 off!)
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Try the FREE version:
Writing Wednesdays! |
Imagine...
...boosting your marketing and fundraising effectiveness
...crafting stronger pieces more quickly than ever before
In the Leaders' Writing Circle, you will become a more confident
communicator than you ever thought possible. Join a select group
of up to 6 leaders of socially responsible organizations—and
2 coaches—as we tele-convene to facilitate each other's
growth as writers. With 6 weeks of professionally guided practice,
feedback, and concrete suggestions, this results-oriented group
will help you:
- Polish your printed and online words
- Tap your creative juices
- Develop your own expert writing voice
- Streamline your writing process
- Get excited about writing!
Work on your annual report, a presentation, a proposal, a
webpage, your newsletter, a fundraising
appeal letter, or a blog. It's your choice! In the Leaders' Writing Circle, you will focus
on writing a specific piece or pieces you can use right away.
You will also strengthen your overall writing skills and meet
new colleagues.
Of course, writing well can help you
think more clearly about your work and what it means to you and
your community. Clear and compelling writing often spells the
difference between spouting off a half-baked idea and promoting
a coherent message.Whether you're an emerging writing
or a seasoned wordsmith, the Leaders' Writing Circle will support
you as you rise to your next level of writing excellence. We'll
work together from anywhere there's a phone and Internet connection.
How many of these situations
apply to you?
You know that you win credibility with great writing and lose
it with poor writing.
You
realize that not only what you write, but how you write,
makes a lasting impression.
You
understand that your published materials say a lot about you—and
your organization—when you are not around. In the marketplace
of ideas, those who can write well are seen as the “experts”
at much more than just putting words on a page.
You are sure that powerful writing will make your work stand
out from the glut of information. And you know that this is especially
important for surviving and thriving in today's economic climate
and extremely cyber-connected environment.
Your time is at a premium and you are looking for guaranteed
results in a convenient, high-value, low-cost, and supportive
professional environment of your peers.
Well, we are with you!
Writing can be a lonely business, but
it doesn't have to be that way. It is much more fun and often
more productive to be accountable to someone else in the writing
game.
As with a fitness class or a jogging
routine, it helps enormously to work alongside others involved
in the same activity. (If you have ever tried to motivate yourself
with workout DVDs or music alone you might agree.) A group can
support you through the tough times, cheer you on at the good
times, and provide feedback and concrete suggestions to help
you grow as a writer. No matter how careful you may be in drafting
your piece, other perspectives from trusted peers are bound to
improve it.
As you hone your craft, don't you deserve
to work with other writers on a regular basis?
Who is the Leaders' Writing
Circle for?
We will create a deep learning community of only 6 leaders
of socially responsible organizations (nonprofits, green businesses,
public agencies, etc.) and 2 coaches. If you are a leader
in your community, you are welcome to join us!
By keeping the group small, we will be able to get to know
each other and provide high-quality feedback and concrete suggestions
to each other in a reasonable timeframe. The Leaders' Writing
Circle encourages a spirit of commitment to the group process,
where we will read and review our work to learn from each other
and practice our editing skills. The Circle is open to those
of any writing background; the only requirement is the motivation
to work with others to improve your writing skills. If you have
a writing project (or projects) in mind that you would like to
work on, great! If you need some help getting started on an idea,
that is fine too.
What can you expect?
- Sector-specific guidance from coaches with decades of experience
in diverse settings with diverse issues
- Continuous constructive feedback, concrete suggestions, and
encouragement
- Support to enhance specific documents or overall skills
- Lots of ideas and insights to make your documents educate
and activate
- Advice customized to your needs
- Help to identify and address your individual writing challenges
- Tools for getting "unstuck" from old writing habits
- A genuinely safe space to try out new ideas
- Coaching with a positive attitude and a touch of humor
- New colleagues from a wide array of backgrounds from across
the U.S.
- Untold amounts of inspiration to take your writing to a new
level
- Your copy of Dalya’s 2011 book, Writing
to Make a Difference: 25 Powerful Techniques to Boost Your Community
Impact
- Please don't expect the group to judge you harshly, rip
your work apart, or try to change your personal writing style.
Instead, we will build on your strengths and support you as you
fine-tune your documents.
- How does it work?
The Leaders' Writing Circle features group coaching sessions
over a 6-week period. All you need to participate are a phone
with long distance service and a computer with an Internet connection!
We will convene 4 phone calls of 75 minutes each, every other
week, through a private conference line. The calls will include:
1) 30 minutes for group review of 3 writing assignments: all
members turn in their writing via email; and 3 get oral comments
during each session (so everyone gets fully reviewed twice)
2) 15 - 20 minutes to discuss what we learned in the writing
assignment and how to apply it to our own situations
3) 20 minutes on a new topic
4) Regular check-ins to make sure our group process remains
valuable to everyone
Before the first call, all Writing Circle members will be
asked to submit an initial writing sample, a bio, and a sense
of her/his learning objectives. Throughout the 6 weeks, you can
work on self-identified writing project(s) or focus on coach-identified
writing exercises.
On the weeks between the calls, you will have the opportunity
to ask your coaches questions and give input for the next call's
agenda. You will also receive email reminders, thought-provoking
questions, and support. The Leaders' Writing Circle will stay
connected via an online discussion group.
In addition, you can sign up for two 30-minute sessions of
one-on-one laser coaching for individualized support. You can
use this time for getting encouragement, exploring feedback,
overcoming fears about writing, or discussing specific issues
that did not surface in the group. You will set up a private
call with your coaches at the scheduled time through our conference
line.
Writing Circle members make a commitment to themselves and
to each other to attend all sessions (with the understanding
that unforeseen events will occasionally require an absence).
What topics will we
be covering?
Group coaching is not about what your coaches want to teach
you; it's about what you want to learn. So the group's needs
will guide our assignments. In this context, your coaches are
prepared to focus on a wide range of writing-related topics that
emerge as needs of Leaders' Writing Circle members. Examples
include:
- Adapting your writing to your organizational context
- Engaging your specific readers
- Finding your own style and voice
- Strengthening specific aspects of your writing, (e.g., conciseness,
punctuation and grammar, flow and sequencing)
- Breaking through writer's blocks
- While this group is not specifically designed to focus on
general organizational writing issues, such as strategic communication
plans or staff/board writing skill development, if the group
is interested we will adapt.
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- When will it be?
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- Public Series: Tuesdays, October
2- November 13. We will decide
as a group on the best time of day to meet.
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- Private Series: At your convenience! Schedule a Leaders'
Writing Circle series at your organization, for at least 3 leaders,
on dates that work for you. We will coordinate our schedules
to make the series accomodate everyone, wherever they may be
working (home, office, traveling). Please email
us.
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- What is included?
- 5 hours of catalytic support over 6 weeks in 4 group coaching
telephone sessions, each 75 minutes long
- Feedback via email on your writing assignments between group
calls
- Up to 60 minutes of one-on-one laser coaching for individualized
support (in 2 sessions)
- Unlimited access to your coaches via email for quick questions
and problem-solving
- Helpful ideas and tips to improve your writing and change
your writing mindset
- Your copy of Dalya's 2011 book, Writing
to Make a Difference: 25 Powerful Techniques to Boost Your Community
Impact
What is the fee?
The fee for participating in this unique, tight-knit writing
coaching group is an affordable $89 per hour with your coaches.
You will also receive a copy of Writing to Make a Difference:
25 Powerful Techniques to Boost Your Community Impact (if
you already have it we will deduct it from your fee). The full
fee is only $554 per person. At registration pay half: $277.
The remaining $277 is due after Session 3. If you prefer, we
can also arrange for monthly payments to cover the second half.
Register by Sept. 21 and get
$50 off!
Your success as a socially responsible
leader matters a lot to us. And we encourage you to think of
the return you can realize over time as you hone your writing
skills to strengthen your messages. Any investment you make in
this area will more than pay for itself.
To sign up today for one of only 6 slots,
simply click the button below or email us at dalya@dfmassachi.net or call:
510-839-1544 to make payment arrangements
that will work for you.
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