Reframing newsletter

Resolve to Reframe

January 11, 2018

Happy New Year, Reframing Network! Last year, we saw tremendous progress in the number of organizations learning about and implementing the FrameWorks Institute’s human service reframing recommendations.

As you consider your goals and strategies for 2018, we hope that each of you will recommit to reframing your communications. From the ways in which we describe our organizations’ missions and programs, to how we engage the public in our advocacy and fundraising campaigns, there is just so much potential to significantly increase support for our sector when we speak with a collective voice using the research-based Building Well-Being Narrative.

As for the National Reframing Initiative, we recommit to developing practical tools and guidance that will make it easier for the sector to adopt the new narrative for human services. In addition to our ongoing exploration of FrameWorks’ findings and recommendations, here are some of the topics we’ll dive into in 2018:

• Getting Started. After trainings and workshops, we often hear that people are excited to start reframing, but are also a bit daunted by the idea. We’ll provide tangible strategies for early implementation of reframing, including recommendations on communications to prioritize and how to address common roadblocks.
• Sustainable Implementation. We’ll look at specific steps organizations can take to fully integrate the recommendations into their communications, and we’ll offer tips for sustaining reframing implementation over the long-haul.
• Building Organizational and Stakeholder Support. We’ll share strategies for building buy-in for reframing among key stakeholders, including board members, organizational leadership, coalition partners, and funders.
• Reframing in the Real World. We’ll continue to share examples of reframing that we collect from organizations across the country, and to develop sample messages for issues of particular relevance to the sector.

As always, we invite you to share your reframing successes, challenges, ideas, and questions with us throughout the year by contacting Bridget Gavaghan, Director of the National Reframing Initiative.