True Stories: Using Narratives to Market Your Organization and its Programs

Wednesday, November 5, 2014, 9 a.m. - Noon

Registration is closed. Thank you for your interest.

Hosted by North Park University, Chicago, IL

Half-Day Workshop: $90

3 CEUs

About this Session:  Do you ever feel like your organization is one of the best kept secrets in your community? Do you need to increase the awareness of your program so that you can raise more money or increase program enrollment? Discover how you can transform community awareness of program and attract new audiences through the lens of marketing and public relations. This workshop will focus on developing a robust strategy through the use of social media, events, strategic partnerships, and multi-media and give you tools for implementing a results-focused plan to get the word out about your organization.

Who Should Participate: Marketing, communications and fundraising staff

About the Presenters: Tom Bracy, M.B.A. is Executive Director of Merit School of Music. Tom originally joined Merit as a faculty member from 1989-1992, and then returned in 2004 to teach in its Bridges: Partners in Music Program. In 2005, he joined the staff as director of operations in charge of facility management. Over the next four years, he earned other duties, including acting director of development and director of human resources, and in 2010 he became Merit’s chief operating officer. Tom started his career in music education in 1986 as a young band director for the Archdiocese of Chicago while attending Northeastern Illinois University. He continued as a band director for more than 20 years. His primary instrument is percussion with additional studies in trombone. Before joining Merit’s staff, Tom was executive director of the Association for Catholic Music Education, and from there moved up within the Chicago Park District to become area manager for the Uptown, Lakeview, West DePaul, Lincoln Park, Bucktown, Wicker Park, Cabrini Green and Gold Coast neighborhoods. He earned a bachelor’s of arts degree in organization management and leadership and a master’s of business administration from North Park University.

Libby Duncan is Marketing and Communications Manager at Merit School of Music, where she handles all marketing, public relations and social media initiatives for Merit's programs and events. She previously worked as marketing coordinator for the Decatur Park District and served on the 2011 Illinois Parks & Recreation Association’s communication task force. Prior to that role, she served as a brand ambassador on the ADM Natural Health Tour, a nationwide experience marketing tour. Libby earned her B.S. in Integrated Marketing Communications from the University of Kentucky. At the 2004 American Advertising Federation’s National Student Advertising Competition, she served as a member of the school’s presentation team, which won the regional competition and advanced to the national competition in Dallas, TX. A lifetime Wildcat, Libby remains an avid fan of college basketball, as well as horse racing, after working at Kentucky’s esteemed thoroughbred race track, Keeneland.