How artreach found a volunteer public speaking coach
1. HOW ARTREACH FOUND A VOLUNTEER
PUBLIC SPEAKING COACH
THE ORGANIZATION
Artreach is a unique organization that uses the creative and performing arts as tools for
personal growth for individuals who have psychiatric diagnoses. ArtReach has been a
Catchafire partner for one year and has completed 4 Catchafire projects.
THE CHALLENGE
Becca, the Executive Director of Artreach has just received national recognition for her artistic
contributions and has been asked to give a presentation. However, she has always struggled with
public speaking. She approaches Catchafire looking to equip herself with presentation skills.
“I present with Second Step players (ArtReach’s theater troop) a lot but I have a terrible time with
anxiety and stage fright. I’ve been doing this my whole life and it scares me to death all the time!”
~ Becca
CATCHAFIRE CONSULTATION
With Catchafire’s help Becca determines her organization’s priorities and establishes three objectives for her
project:
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Transform Becca into a highly skilled public speaker and spokesperson for ArtReach.
Integrate the use of an effective PowerPoint into presentations.
Receive detailed “Best Practices” report that Becca can use going forward.
THE MATCHING PROCESS
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Becca lists a Public Speaking Coaching project on Catchafire.org.
Catchafire lists the project on LinkedIn.
Arthur receives a notification from LinkedIn about skilled volunteer projects of interest.
Arthur applies to ArtReach’s project through Catchafire.
Catchafire facilitates a two-way interview call to help Becca and Arthur decide if it is
the perfect fit.
2. THE PROJECT
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Becca and Arthur discuss goals for the project and
design a training schedule.
Arthur and Becca meet for six training sessions,
including an on-site session, to provide feedback
on her presentation style.
Arthur provides Becca with daily skill-building
homework tasks and periodically checks in to keep
her new learnings top of mind.
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Arthur and Becca utilize Catchafire’s project
milestones and check in with Catchafire’s Account
Managers regularly to ensure the project stays on
track.
After Becca’s final presentation, Arthur presents
Becca with a guide that includes best practices and
lessons learned for use in the future.
Arthur’s 30 hour project resulted in $5K saved for ArtReach.
THE IMPACT
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Under Arthur’s guidance, Becca discovered her most effective public speaking style and gained the
confidence to secure talking spots on radio and cable shows as well as conferences.
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“I’m excited about future workshops and keynotes! When somebody asks or when I decide I want to do one, I’m
ready.”
“The wall has come down for me about going to do radio interviews and cable shows. I don’t hesitate because I’ve
discovered that I’m good in an interview setting. I’m better in conversation so what Arthur said to me, which was
genius, is ‘call the conference you want to do and ask them what kind of slots they have for interview keynotes,
so that somebody would interview you like a panel discussion.’ That was really smart because that’s how I show up
best. Locking that down was really good!”
~ Becca
Following the completion of this project Catchafire worked with ArtReach to ensure that all objectives were met
and desired impact was achieved.
LinkedIn For Good helps nonprofits leverage the LinkedIn platform to find volunteers. LinkedIn For Good works
with trusted providers like Catchafire to ensure high quality volunteer experiences.
Catchafire takes the hassle out of recruiting and managing a great volunteer. Catchafire sets you up for success by helping you select
the right project to fit your needs and write a compelling posting, facilitate the application and interview process, and intermediate any
issues that may arise throughout the project.