Communication at Hammer The goal of the Hammer Communication Department is to increase awareness in communities and enhance the visibility of Hammer to change public perception about developmental and intellectual disabilities and encourage a more inclusive culture within communities. We do this by sharing success stories about Hammer, our staff members, the people we support, and the people who care for them. The Director of Communication is Barbara Brandt, Barbara@hammer.org. The Communication Specialist is Hannah Barnes, Hannah@hammer.org.
Our Communication Strategies: • •
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Lead external communication efforts to share Hammer stories of success, news updates, and organizational information with communities. Create and publish the new Discoveries magazine, featured twice a year. Communications leads the effort to identify research and report on the stories that move us and demonstrate how Hammer provides individuals with developmental disabilities opportunities to experience life to the fullest. Proactively work with our Program team to identify and develop stories that put a face on the services we provide to individuals with disabilities while sharing their voice.
Proactively seek out targeted public relations opportunities to tell our story through media publicity. • Lead a robust social media strategy broadening our reach through platforms that include Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Hammer's interactive blog and Pinterest, sharing the stories of the individuals we support as well as the professionals who care for them. • • •
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Coordinate regular maintenance on our website to ensure that it is up-to-date with new information for audiences to engage with Hammer. Manage the creation of short and compelling videos that can visually tell our story and introduce us to new audiences. Support Hammer’s annual fundraising event, Reach for Ralph, typically including 350+ guests, a dinner and party with live and silent auctions as well as a missionfocused program. (Support additional Hammer events and speaking opportunities as needed.) Develop an Annual Report that shares the latest numbers and financial health of our organization with all of our constituencies. Lead internal communication efforts with employees to communicate important organizational news as well as convey their value to the organization. Develop and nurture new relationships for Hammer that provide more opportunities to share our stories.
How YOU can work with Us: • • • • •
What is the story you have to tell? What photos or brief information can you share with us to help illustrate your story? Are there any upcoming opportunities for us to document or attend an event to help develop a story? Does your loved one want to be a voice for individuals with disabilities? Do you want to contribute a future article to our Discoveries magazine, or write for our weekly blog? Do you want to highlight a caregiver for the high quality of their service — why? (Please provide details.)
How YOU can help: Like us and share posts on Facebook. Talk about Hammer to your friends and family. Refer someone to work at Hammer. Come to our events, invite your friends, spread the word!