Latest News
Feb 22, 2012How do you Use Your News?
We all have news events coming out of our organizations. But do we always use them to the best purpose? Let me use a Press Release from this morning to illustrate my point.
"Mast Repairs Completed on Battleship" headlined a press release from the USS North Carolina this morning. At one level the Memorial was letting us all know that a step in their repair process had been completed. It was a progress report.
But at another level it was promoting continued support of the Memorial and its mission. And hint, hint, supporters, please keep supporting the Memorial.
The press release neatly let readers know: 1) a project was completed, 2) it was on budget and on time, 3) the funds came completely from the Battleship's operating budget. Those are three powerful arguments for further support. It's a form of saying thank you and that donors' money was well used.
The Battleship always reinforces their themes with a standard ending paragraph. The conclusion extols the Battleship's virtue of being completely self supporting without any government support. They don't count on anyone remembering this point so they repeat it all the time.
In short, the Battleship folks used a somewhat mundane event, the completion of some repairs, to make their case: The Battleship Memorial is worthy of supporters' support. They showed that they carried out a project satisfactorily. They showed accountability. They reminded readers that there was more work to do. And they reminded folks that what happens is up to what donors choose to do, donors are important.
In her Fundraising Calendar, Gail Perry asks a simple question: "Are you systematically developing relationships with current and potential major donors?" The Battleship has taken a step here to answer Gail's question in the affirmative.
You can find Gail's calendar here: Perry Calendar.
And here's the Battleship's Press Release...
WILMINGTON, NC– Repairs continue on the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA as officials announced today the completion of extensive rebuilds on the forward and main masts of the Ship.
As part of the continual preservation of the Ship, the SK2 radar on the forward mast was lifted off the platform in December. The structure was rebuilt for reinforcement and placed back on the Ship in January. Now, as it sits on a sturdier foundation, maintenance staff will work on motor detail to have the radar turning by this summer.
Safety work fulfilled on the forward and main masts included rebuild of handrails, strengthening of braces and strut supports for platform and yardarms. Exclusive to the main mast, a safety tether leading up to the radar was reinforced along with completely replacing one section of the ladder.
Taylor Brothers Marine Construction, the company contracted for the starboard bow repair work, executed the work. The $110,000 project came in on budget and time, funded by the operating budget of the Battleship.
The Battleship NORTH CAROLINA is self-supporting, not tax supported and relies primarily upon admissions to tour the Ship, sales in the Ship's Store, donations and investments. No funds for its administration and operation come from appropriations from governmental entities at the local, state or federal levels. Located at the junction of Highways 17/74/76/421 on the Cape Fear River. Visit www.battleshipnc.comor follow us on Facebook.com/ncbb55 and Twitter.com/battleshipnc for more information.
For occasional updates from Wilmington Gives Back. And we promise, we won't clog your inbox!
Click here to sign up for updates