Step 5
Step 5: Make Visible to the Community
Purpose: To keep official and influential community members informed of CAP accomplishments and challenges
a. Update letters might work for you
An updated letter may be a good idea, which can give local officials and supporters more detailed information about the CAP site.
b. Finalize the mailing list
Send updates to who might influence budgetary and policy decisions, who have supported the CAP or who have expressed interest in future support. Add the local media to the mailing list.
c. Set a timeline
Decided in advance when you plan to send letters throughout the year. While you may not be able to send the updated letter every quarter, at the minimum try to send one at least once a year.
d. Write a concise letter
Your letter should be relatively short; one page is enough. A typical letter might include the following elements (See for specific example)
• An explanation of why you are writing
• A description of successes of the previous quarter
• An explanation of upcoming issues and ongoing concern
• A conclusion that thanks readers for their support and interests and encourages them to visit CAP site
e. Show up and speak at community meetings and functions
On a regular basis, attend community meetings and make two or three points.
Sample points could be:
• The brief description of CAP site
• A summary of how many people are using the computers and for what purposes
• The biggest challenges to sustaining the CAP site and how the CAP site hope to overcome it
f. Get visible
Look for opportunities where each one could make an announcement about the CAP site.
For example, a volunteer could promote the CAP site during the announce session of a church service. Or a staff member could remind other parents at a PTA meeting that the computers are available for children to use after school. These types of announcements can also be informal; tell your neighbor at the supermarket or at the theatre.
Sample Update Letter
(Put on CAP letterhead.)
[DATE]
[NAME]
[ORGANIZATION]
[ADDRESS]
Dear ______:
Thank you for your support of ______CAP site. IÂ’d like to take this opportunity to give you a brief update on what has been happening in our CAP site.
As you know, we have been able to provide our community with free access to computers and the Internet over the past _______.(time) I thought that you would enjoy the following snapshot of how successful this program has been in the last year:
• More than _____(No.) patrons have used our computers to conduct research, write résumés and e-mail far-away relatives and friends.
• More than ______(No.) citizens have taken advantage of our computer training classes.
• More than _______(no.) volunteers have donated their time and expertise
to support free public access to technology.
We are proud to provide this service; however, it does require staff time and other resources. To help support this service, we are planning a (INSERT FUNDRAISIEVENT, DATE AND TIME). We hope that you will join us.
If you have any questions about CAP program, please do not hesitate to call us at Phone number. Of course, we hope to see you in the CAP site soon!
Sincerely,
YOUR NAME
TITLE
PHONE NUMBER
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