Launch Preparation and Checklist Copy
A launch event is the first step in helping nonprofit leaders experience fundraising as a joyful calling.
Expected lesson duration: 18 hrs
Read, take notes, and prepare to discuss with your AD Trainer
What is a Launch?
A launch is an experiential event that introduces the MI approach to fundraising to Christian nonprofit leaders in a community. It demonstrates how fundraising can be ministry, and is grounded in the dual calling of stewarding the mission and growing the people God brings. This event gathers together Christian nonprofit leaders to begin equipping them to work together, to reach their community for Christ.
As a result of attending the launch, leaders will:
- Understand the type of support they can receive from their local area director
- Interact with fellow ministry leaders in their community
- Experience a small portion of the MI resource collection
- Hunger for a deeper engagement with MI
Your Big Debut
The launch event is your first major, public presentation as a Mission Increase Area Director.
Typically, this event includes:
- a 2.5 hour workshop
- facilitated discussion
- teaching
- networking
- breakfast offered before the workshop
- hosted in a large venue (hotel, church, conference space)
If this sounds like a lot – it is! But don’t worry, we’re here to help you get ready.
A major outcome of this onboarding course is to get you ready to confidently lead your launch event.
Assignment #1: Familiarize Yourself with the Launch Material
Launch Background Paper
Read approx. 2 hrs
Begin your launch preparation by reading through this launch workshop background paper. The content contained in this document will serve as study material for you to know the content in order to teach it.
Presentation Template
Review approx. 1 hr
As you read through the teaching deck, you can begin to add content from the background paper, examples and stories to help bring your presentation to life.
Launch Event Resources
Review approx. 1 hr
The launch workshop will have a resource page. Spend some time reviewing the resources available.
Launch Checklist
Review approx. 1 hr
NRC Staff members are hard at work ensuring that your community’s launch goes off smoothly. To see what is happening on your behalf, behind the scenes.
Assignment #2: Watch Launch Clips
Approx. 30 mins
Watch the ALL of the following short clips of area directors delivering sections of the launch material. The purpose of watching these is not for you to imitate them, but to see a variety of examples of how other ADs present material. As you watch, listen for:
- How they illustrate certain principles
- How they emphasize certain points
- How they transition from one point to the next
Note: Some of this material presented in Scott’s launch has been modified as our curriculum has been updated.
Assignment #3: Prepare and Practice
Approx. 8 hrs
Over the next few weeks, you will be preparing for your launch by practicing sections of it on your own, and then delivering it to your mentor for additional practice and feedback.
This week, focus on the first section of the workshop (slides 10-17).
Spend time in the teaching notes and the background paper to start crafting this section your own voice. Add in your own stories and examples, and additional supporting content from the background paper that helps drive for learning transfer.
Between now and the next meetings with your mentor, practice delivering the material out loud. When practicing, try to make sure your standing to allow yourself to not only practice the words, but the posture and stage presence. Below are some ideas for practicing:
- Audio record yourself saying it out loud. Listen and evaluate to your recording.
- Deliver your material to your pet.
- Practice in front of a mirror.
- Record a video of yourself. Rewatch and evaluate your recording.
Assignment #5: Film your Crowd-Building Video
Approx. 30 mins
One of the tools we’ll use to help crowd-build for your upcoming launch is ThankView, a video communication platform. Using this script as a template.
After your video has been recorded and sent through our ThankView system, Karla Roe will use it to create your crowd-building campaign. If you have questions – reach out to Karla.
Additional Study Materials
Approx. 3 hrs
Watch Ashley’s full launch recording.
Take note of her cadence, transitions, stories, and emphasis.
NOTE: The deck you will be working from is a condensed version from the one Ashley taught from. Your’s will allow for more time to work through tools and get practice building the specific skills.
Approx. 1 hr
Review most recent launch leader evaluations and make observations.