A Job Well Done

It is especially challenging -- and always creatively fulfilling -- to be given free rein by a client. (Not free rein as in "anything goes", but as in "You know our goals, meet them.") Such was the case when the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund was preparing its innovative pilot project in conjunction with the Healthy Congregations in Action initiative.

The goal was to provide the participating churches with a communications campaign to support their efforts to reach out and address health from a holistic perspective -- physical, mental, and social as well as spiritual.

Because the churches were large and small, located in rural areas as well as cities, and had vastly varying needs, the communications materials also had to be wide ranging. The campaign included newspaper ads, radio spots, direct mail pieces, posters, door hangers, and church bulletin inserts.

Created around the theme Hallelujah Health, the materials centered around four thought-provoking messages on healthy eating and physical activity within the context of Christian life. We tried to walk the thin line between making the messages provocative enough to be attention compelling and motivational, while being respectful of the religious context which they represented.

Although we approach our work with the intent of accomplishing goals, not necessarily winning awards, we must admit it is gratifying the campaign was selected for national recognition by a prestigious group -- The Council on Foundations, an association of more than 2,100 grantmaking foundations and corporations.

A couple of samples from the campaign were also featured in an article in the non-profit world's national publication, The Chronicle of Philanthropy.

This is the second Council on Foundations' communications award for the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund. An oral health campaign developed by Catalyst for the Fund's Healthy Teeth initiative received an award in 2000.

Posted by: Bill