Key Messages Development for Senior Advocacy Organization

My goal for this Taproot Project is to create a concise, powerful set of key messages that Voices For Seniors can use consistently across all of our work. We need clear talking points for different audiences — legislators, funders, media, and the general public — that communicate who we are, what we stand for, and why our work matters. The deliverable should be a practical key messages document that anyone representing Voices For Seniors can pick up and use confidently, whether walking into a legislative meeting in Albany, speaking to a journalist, or approaching a potential donor.

Through working with our organization on this project, the volunteer will support our mission by giving everyone at Voices For Seniors a common, consistent language to use in every conversation we have. Right now we are building relationships with legislators, potential board members, media, and funders simultaneously — and inconsistent messaging undermines our credibility. Sharp, tested key messages will ensure that every interaction we have advances our cause and reinforces our identity as a serious, credible statewide advocacy organization fighting for the dignity and safety of New York's seniors.

We have a 5-year strategic plan and are actively working on a broader communications plan and mission statement through separate Taproot projects. This means the volunteer will have strong context and supporting materials to draw from rather than starting from scratch. Our founding story — built around the 15,000+ seniors who died in New York nursing homes during the pandemic — is compelling and well-documented, giving the volunteer rich material to work with.