How long have you been using the same old, tried and true methods with communicating your vision? Has it been years since you changed the look of your written materials?
The old adage 'don't fix it if it isn't broken' is an important one. However, that paradigm can be taken too far. Sometimes we keep things the same so long, the perception is you are out of touch with current resources or services. And perception is reality.
Comfortable and "same old, same old" can create an environment where your supporters go elsewhere because they don't really feel excitement and pride for supporting your work.
Consider this example:
An organization that builds affordable housing held the first 15 minutes of a meeting with key donors & volunteers under a bridge on a hot day last summer. Those attending got to see, up close and personal, where the people who eventually live in their affordable housing units come from. People were moved & inspired to really tackle the volunteer tasks they were being asked to perform. Those volunteers went on to help the organization raise hundreds of thousands of dollars a few months later.
I'm certain the impact of that meeting was much different than if it had been held in the board room!
Some ideas you might consider to freshen things up:
- Listen to what your customers are saying and think of new ways to respond to their ideas.
- Tell stories that bring alive your product or service; use them online, in print, in meetings.
- Take risks to enter the real world of your customers; go to them.
- Find ways to say thank you that are meaningful to your donors, customers or families.
- Plan meetings that are lively and adventurous -- take a field trip, bring in something exciting.
- Change the wording regularly on routine correspondence.
If your organization looks "just fine" and you portray an image that looks the same as it did 10 years ago, you probably look like you're not keeping up -- and you are sending a message that you are not knowledgeable to address current issues.
Find ways to keep your message fresh. Make it clear that providing services and solutions to CURRENT issues is a priority for you.
Check out all the updates at Pathways including:
It's here -- it's a new look! New website, new layout -- fresher, crisper and more current, to serve you better. Check it out 
Leadership training opportunities are offered in many ways to meet your organization's specific needs and budget. 
Teresa Gilbert