Outreach Skills Part 3 – Messengers

On October 5, 1947, Harry Truman gave the first televised White House address. A message delivered by the President often empowers some while enraging others – the relationship of the speaker to the audience makes a big difference in how a message is heard. The messenger’s ability to reach and motivate target audiences is critical to the success of preparedness efforts. A government official, a religious leader, a teacher, a neighbor, and a community service provider will all be heard in dramatically different ways by different groups.

Look at who you want to reach with your preparedness and response information, and consider whether your messenger will be trusted and understood.