I despise meetings. Even though I have been self-employed for 20+ years, I remember my corporate life before that, and the thing I hated most was the endless meetings.
I remember thinking, “Can we stop talking about doing it and just DO IT?”
That said, as a grant writer, I attend a few meetings because they enhance my grant writing.
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Here are the meetings I attend and why:
Board Meetings: I (virtually) attend a board meeting at least twice each year. I gain important insights into strategic planning and the current state of the organization. I also get to know the board members. I provide a brief grant report and remind them to send me any grant opportunities. I am more prepared to answer grant application questions about strategic plans and leadership now that I attend a few meetings.
Marketing Meetings: I began (virtually) attending marketing meetings and have found them valuable. Much of grant writing involves marketing the organization to grant funders, so learning about the organization’s marketing direction is valuable. I am also included in the shared media drive, so I always have access to the most recent program and event photos.
Program Meetings: I love attending the quarterly program meetings because I gather information about the people we serve, new programs, etc. But, what I love the most about these meetings is that program staff share anecdotes and endearing stories that I can incorporate into my narratives. The organic nature of program details shared in these meetings is invaluable to my grant writing.
You don’t have to attend every meeting, but popping in every so often keeps us connected to the heart of the organization, and that comes through in our writing.
Until next time,
Write Epic Grants
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