Does Your Message Soar?

Photo credit: www.cedarpoint.com

It's a warm September afternoon. You're enjoying family time at Cedar Point. You and your family are thrilled to get right on the Skyhawk, the ride pictured above. 

As the ride takes, off, happy, energetic Josh gets on the broadcast system, "Hello and welcome to the Skyhawk. You are about to enjoy the world's  tallest and fastest swing. With today's fun at Cedar Point, you will reach speeds of 60 miles per hour and heights of 125 feet. It's what you imagined you might do on your swing in the park as a kid. Welcome to the fun!"

Josh's deep smile transferred to his message. His message added depth, breadth and credibility to the Skyhawk swinging experience.  Josh and his message soared.

How are you transferring your passion for Fire and EMS service to those around you?

What message that soars are you sharing about the lives your mission saves and changes? 

Are you able to communicate the value you bring in three sentences or less? 

Share your thoughts, ideas and experiences below.

FlashPoint offers communication services to help your message soar. Email us or call us at (319) 775-5210 to discuss options for  taking your communication to new heights. 

United Way Campaigns in Your Community: A Fundraising Opportunity?

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/amodiovalerioverde/

As fall approaches, today's topic explores a potential fundraising connection that may benefit your good work for the community.

If your community and/or employer conducts an annual United Way campaign, chances are you will be hearing about your opportunity to give during 2012 soon. 

If your fire or EMS organization or association  is an IRS-recognized 501 (c) (3) nonprofit, did you know you can participate in your local United Way campaign? 

United Way focuses on human service needs in the community. Because of this, it is not widely advertised that those who pledge to each campaign have the option of designating their gift to any 501 (c) (3) organization that the donor chooses. 

If you weren't aware of this and it applies to you, here is a list of recommended action items with your new knowledge:

• Make sure your members and supporters are aware that if they are pledging to a United Way campaign, they have this option.
• If possible, work with those who conduct your local United Way campaign to learn exactly what steps a donor needs to take to designate their contribution to your organization.
• Know that there will be an administrative fee that applies to pledge payments when they are processed by United Way. There will be also be some delay in the payments being transferred to you by United Way due to operational realities of payroll processing. 
• When you receive pledge payments from United Way, thank your donors with either a phone call or note. Work with your local United Way campaign to identify the donors if this information is not provided to you.
• If your organization receives pledge payments from United Way, respond to any requests from the local campaign for more information or reporting promptly.  

The United Way moves human service needs forward in communities across the country. As admirable as that is, the final decision on where a most generous gift of treasure goes should always rest  with the donor. If you or others you know are so inclined, use the upcoming United Way campaign to donor designate to your favorite 501 (c) (3).

Please share any United Way campaign experiences you have in the comments section below.

Remembering All Those Lost Ten Years Ago Today: A Story You Might Not Have Heard

No singular day of our generation is more galvanized into our collective mindset than the September 11 terrorist attacks memorialized today on their 10th anniversary. 

For those in the Fire Service, the memory is particularly poignant as the 343 members of the FDNY are remembered, along with all of those they had hoped to save. It's the most hallowing possible reminder of the risk that's always there when you sign into the emergency response family. 

In the aftermath of the attacks, you may or may not have heard the story of photojournalist Bill Biggart. I encourage you to read the full story and appreciate his photo essays by clicking here. 

Bill was not far from the first tower when it fell. After being overtaken by the dust cloud, he photographed the devastation all around him. Wendy, his wife, reached Bill on his cell phone shortly after the first tower fell. He told her not to worry, he would meet her in 20 minutes at his studio. “I’m safe,” he assured her, “I’m with the firemen.” It was the last time they ever spoke. About 20 minutes later, the second tower collapsed. Bill’s body was found in the rubble four days later, along with six rolls of film and 150 digital images.

To view some of images Bill took when he was with the firemen, click here. There are a number of other photo essays available on his site here.

To visit the FDNY home page, click here.

Thank you, Bill, for being "with the firemen" and sharing the story of such a stunning day through your lens. Wendy and family, our thoughts are with you and all those who lost loved ones ten year ago. We pray for your continued strength.

You are welcome to share any thoughts, memories or anything in the comments below.

Where Can You Add Extra Sprinkles to Your Service?

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/33404001@N03/

Last weekend, the Hiawatha Fire Department kicked off its MDA Fill the Boot drive in advance of Labor Day Weekend to give volunteers who travel over the holiday an additional chance to contribute to the campaign. 

On that Friday night, three Hiawatha Fire members, Jake Hatch, Josh Holland and Eric Hoover broke a volunteer value record by bringing in $250 for MDA for each hour they volunteered at the Boyson and Robins intersection in Hiawatha. 

By the second shift on Saturday, the intersection volunteers looked they could use a little pick-me-up. Queue Culver's in Hiawatha.  It was peanut butter frozen custard day Saturday! A casual conversation with the Culver's staff yielded the information that the custard was headed for the dedicated MDA volunteers.

When the cups of custard were prepared, Culver's had added extra peanut butter sprinkles to the top of each two-scoop cup. They delivered the extra sprinkles with the widest possible smile and asked that their appreciation be passed on to the volunteers.


The smiles on the volunteers' faces were equally wide when they were surprised with the custard and the "extra sprinkles" and good wishes from the staff at Culver's.  This simple gesture had tremendous impact on a demanding weekend for the campaign volunteers.


As you look towards the rest of 2011, what can you start doing today to add "extra sprinkles" to the emergency response experience for your fellow members, your patients and your community? Share your ideas and thoughts in the comments section below.
 
If you're interested in more information the strong connection between MDA and the Fire Service (both volunteer and career), click here. 


If you're interested in more information on how you might make a difference for people impacted by more than 40  debilitating muscular diseases during the 2011 Labor Day Telethon being broadcast tonight, click here.