National Consumer Supporter Technical Assistance Center: Resources

• Community Needs Assessment
• Assessing Communities for Systems Transformation
• A Cultural Competency Toolkit: Ten Grant Sites Share Lessons Learned
• Fundraising Basics
• Guide to Proposal Writing
• How to Conduct a Candidate Survey
• How to Establish and Maintain a Consumer Advisory Board
• How to File for 501(c)(3) Status
• How to Work with the Media
• Launching a Successful Voter Empowerment Campaign
• Meeting the Challenge: Ending Treatment Disparities for Women of Color (301kb pdf)
• Seclusion and Restraint Standards
• Working with Volunteers

Fact Sheets:

• Fundraising Basics
• Guide to Proposal Writing
• How to Conduct a Candidate Survey
• How to Obtain Computer Donations
• How to Establish and Maintain a Consumer Advisory Board
• How to File for 501(c)(3) Status
• How to Work with the Media
• The Seven Phases of Recovery
• Tom Wolff's Principles of Success in Coalition-Building
• Working with Volunteers

Q & A's

1. How do I write a strategic plan?

A strategic plan lays out the route to achieving your organization's mission. A strategic plan should include your mission, vision, values, goals, objectives, strategies and programs. For detailed information on preparing a strategic plan, consult our technical assistance manual, How to Establish 501 (c)(3) Status.

2. How do I write by-laws?

By-laws are the rules and regulations that govern your organization. Sample by-laws are included in our technical assistance manual, How to Establish 501 (c)(3) Status.

3. How do I write a business plan?

The business plan is the framework within which your organization operates. A business plan must include an executive summary, an overview of your organization, a description of your services, a market analysis, an overview of your strategies for implementation, and a financial plan. For detailed information on preparing a business plan, consult our technical assistance manual, How to Establish 501 (c)(3) Status.

4. How do I write articles of incorporation?

Articles of incorporation are filed with your state and establish your organization as a legal entity. Sample articles of incorporation are included in our technical assistance manual, How to Establish 501 (c)(3) Status.

5. Where can I find funding?

Governmental agencies (federal, state and local), private and corporate foundations, and public charities are all potential sources of funding. Funders may be found on the internet, through the Federal Register, at the Foundation Center, through the Office of Management and Budget or through the National Institute of Mental Health -- to name a few possibilities. Refer to our technical assistance manual, Guide to Proposal Writing, for specific contact information on funders.

6. How do I write a case statement?

A case statement is a concise document explaining your organization's activities and funding needs to potential donors. A sample case statement can be found in our technical assistance manual, Fundraising Basics.

7. How do I write a grant proposal?

In a grant proposal, your organization presents its funding needs for a particular project or for specific activities to a potential donor. Our technical assistance manual, Guide to Proposal Writing, provides detailed information on writing grant proposals.

8. How do I recruit volunteers?

Volunteers may be recruited at schools, religious centers, community centers, sports facilities, libraries, clubs, clinics, and through the media (to name only some avenues). Our technical assistance manual on Working with Volunteers can provide you with various recruitment strategies.

9. How do I handle insurance for volunteers?

If your organization has volunteers, it is important that you be insured for such contingencies as liability, injuries, driving accidents and special events. Some insurance companies offer special policies for volunteers while in other cases you may be able to insure your volunteers under workman's compensation. Consult our technical assistance manual on Working with Volunteers for more specific information on insurance.

10. How do I plan a media strategy?

In developing a media strategy, you must consider your organization's goals, your target audience, and possible media outlets before refining your message. Our technical assistance manual, How to Work with the Media, provides exercises you can work through in order to plan your media strategy.

11. How do I write a news release?

A news release is a brief report that you provide to reporters to inform them about a project or an event. News releases are quite formulaic and examples are provided in our technical assistance manual, How to Work with the Media.

12. How do I organize a news conference?

If your organization is planning a particularly newsworthy event, you may wish to organize a news conference. In a news conference, you present your story to a gathering of journalists. Tips on organizing a news conference are provided in our technical assistance manual, How to Work with the Media.

13. How do give an interview?

The main things to remember when giving an interview are that you should (1) know what you want to say, and (2) know how to say it. You should be informed, prepared, and polite, and you should be able to follow-up with further information that a reporter requests. More suggestions on giving interviews are available in our technical assistance manual, How to Work with the Media.

14. How do I recruit for the board of directors?

Recruiting for the board of directors requires a great deal of thought and effort. You must consider what types of individuals with what range of skills you wish to bring to the board (more information on this is available in our technical assistance manual on How to Establish and Maintain a Computer Advisory Board). You must also consider how to make contact with these individuals (more information on this will be available in our upcoming technical assistance manual on "Facilitating Change through the Board of Directors.")

15. Should members of the BOD sign a contract?

Yes, it is wise to have board members sign a contract that clearly explains what their responsibilities will be. This helps members to focus on their duties, and it also helps you if you ever need to let a board member go. Sample contracts for board members will be available in our upcoming technical assistance manual on "Facilitating Change through the Board of Directors.")

16. What should I expect from the BOD?

Aside from the fact the corporations are required by law to have a Board of Directors, board members should set your organization's direction and should play a heavy role in fundraising. Our upcoming technical assistance manual on "Facilitating Change through the Board of Directors" will explore the board's role in depth.)

17. Where can I obtain donated computers and software?

Various foundations and corporations offer free computers, accessories and software. Our fact sheet on How to Obtain Computer Equipment provides contact information for donors.

18. How can I start up a new consumer support organization?

Starting up a new organization requires a great deal of effort and thought. You will need to develop a mission statement (see our manual on  How to Establish 501 (c)(3) Status.  If you decide to incorporate, you should again consult our manual on How to Establish 501 (c)(3) Status. For tips on recruiting volunteers, look at our manual on Working with Volunteers. Our manuals on How to Establish and Maintain a Consumer Advisory Board and  our upcoming manual on "Facilitating Change through the Board of Directors" will provide information on establishing a board. Finally, you may contact the National Mental Health Association's Constituency Building Department at (800) 969-6642, x7516 for information on establishing an NMHA affiliate.