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I can be a real snob in some ways, and if it's possible for me, then I know I'm not alone. If you have attitudes such as "if it's good enough for me, then it's good enough for them, too" or "I've made my point, so if they don't understand, then it's their fault" - then an attitude adjustment is in order. Kick me please if that's an insult.

Any degree program in a four-year college these days requires that you complete one or probably more courses in composition (basic writing). Most other courses require that you be able to answer essay questions in an organized and literate fashion, using correct grammar, spelling and composition elements. Even at that, the quality of writing in America has gone straight down hill, and many facets of society are suffering for that.

Do you want to use your promotional materials to their best advantage? Do you have hopes of being granted money from a foundation? Will you want to send press releases to the media in a way that'll reflect your organization in the best possible light?

If you're a small organization, then you're probably trying to be a dozen people at once, and maybe being a writer isn't one of them. You might find someone in your volunteer base who's good at writing and can work with the volunteer who does graphics for you. It's a coordination puzzle, but also extremely important.

Unlike the lazy little blondie at the top of this page, people in general judge an organization by various areas of success. As an animal welfare group, you're judged by how well you take care of your residents, the cleanliness of your facilities, your people's attitudes, your energy level, the quality of your promotional materials, the effectiveness of your programs, and more and more and more. You're also judged (by a variety of contacts) by the way you get your point across. If, for example, you apply for a grant from a foundation and your proposal is poorly organized, has sundry grammatical mistakes, and never answers the questions asked for by the grant-givers - then you probably won't get the money. Similarly, if you produce a brochure that repeats itself, fails to get to the point, has spelling errors and compositional taboos, you run the risk of that publication falling into the hands of someone who might otherwise become among your biggest supporters.

If you're proficient in oral and written communication, then you'll no doubt be just fine. If you need help, give us an email and voice your questions. Also, check the newsletter and web site updates for information on grant writing, clean writing, and other topics under the heading of making yourself clear.