ASL
Overview

An important way that businesses communicate with their audiences is through informative literature. Traditionally, this literature took the form of brochures, newsletters and fliers that could be distributed by hand. However, in today’s world, the Internet has become another effective way for businesses to communicate. Both paper documents and websites can provide information about upcoming events, business services, goals and needs, and provide contact information.

This assignment will serve multiple purposes: first, you will design and create an effective, professional document of your choosing (either a paper document or website). However, in order accomplish this, you must contact a local non-profit organization and meet with that organization’s officials to determine its communication needs. A list of potential organizations has been provided to you, or you may find one on your own. Secondly, you will reflect on your work and the process of volunteerism as a learning tool.

Non-profit organizations rely on volunteers to meet their goals—this is your opportunity to give much-needed help to an organization of your choice while simultaneously putting the skills you have acquired in this class to use. Don’t forget that volunteer work is also a great way to boost your résumé for potential employers!
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Requirements

· In accordance with your organization’s needs, create a professional, informational document (brochure, mailing, newsletter, website, etc.) that increases their ability to conduct business or further their cause, preferably in the long term.
· You should be in contact with your organization regularly to ensure that you’re meeting their needs adequately. Contact may be in person, over the phone, or via e-mail.
· All e-mails should CC: the instructor.

· You are not required to participate with the organization any more than the requirements of this assignment; however, you are encouraged to participate as much as you are able, and to consider continuing your volunteer work beyond the project.
· You will be expected to submit the following along the way:
o Project proposal
o Letter of agreement with your partner organization
o Audience/Use Profile or design plan worksheet
o Progress report
o Final draft
o Post-project reflection

Due dates for specific portions of the assignment are listed below and on your syllabus schedule.
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Choosing a Nonprofit Partner

First and foremost, it’s important to choose a partner whose mission or cause is something you also believe in. That’s a good place to start your research: try making a short list of what’s important to you (youth, veteran, animals, etc.) and then searching for local organizations that advocate for those causes.

Some requirements for partners include:

Must be a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, or be in the process of applying for nonprofit status.
Must be in the business of helping others, (charity, advocacy, education, etc.), usually a specific population, as its primary purpose. A church, in general, would not qualify; however, a specific outreach program or ministry housed by a church would qualify.
The nonprofit should not be owned or run by a family member or close friend. At the very least, your contact at the nonprofit organization should not be a family member or close friend.
The Process

· Meet with a local non-profit organization that interests you and determine its communication strengths and needs. Ask the following questions:
o What is the target audience?
o What message needs to be conveyed to that audience?
o What image does the organization wish to portray?
o What documents/websites does the organization already have in circulation?
· Decide upon a project you think would be beneficial to the organization and is within the scope of your abilities and create a project proposal. This should be submitted to your instructor on Bb and e-mailed to the nonprofit partner for approval.
· Once approval from everyone has been achieved, sign a Letter of Agreement with your nonprofit.
· Create a design plan and draft a tentative document, using the principles of visual design and writing skills that you have gained in class.
· Contact your organization via a progress report and let them review your draft. Ask them the following questions:
o Did I accurately describe your organization?
o Did I accurately convey the message you needed to communicate?
o What can I do to improve this product for you?
You will also receive feedback from your instructor and fellow students.
· Revise your draft according to the organization’s responses.
· Submit your final product to Blackboard with a brief post-project reflection, explaining the following:
o Why you chose to work with this particular organization.
o How you assessed the organization’s needs.
o What decisions you made to meet those needs—particularly what choices you made to suit the document to the desired audience.
o Why the nonprofit should use the document.