The Universal Tool: The Ask

Is this fast enough? “It may seem slow, but it’s what works...You are not selling toothpaste. You are asking people to make a meaningful commitment of their time and money based on deeply held values.” Building Powerful Community Organizations by Michael Jacoby Brown

The Elevator Speech Keep it brief Avoid League lingo Show your passion! (i.e., your personal story) Speak to your audience and their values (i.e., LISTEN) Get to an action point

What is your personal story? Think about the following questions: How has the work of the League impacted my community? How has being a member given me skills and knowledge that has enhanced my career and life? What motivated me to join the League of Women Voters? What does being a League member mean to me?

Making the Ask: Getting to Action Scenario A At a candidates’ forum: Imagine that you are a “membership ambassador” mingling with attendees. Engage an attendee (who happens to be in your target audience) in conversation and make an ask of him/her. Scenario B At a candidates’ forum: Talk with a current member to assess their interest in deepening their experience in League. Ask him/her to move up the leadership ladder.

Universal tool Membership Leadership Money/resource* Allied outreach/partnerships Media It all about relationships!