Beinga NAMIA mbassador

							                      REMEMBER
            YOU ARE AN AMBASSADOR FOR THE NAMI MOVEMENT
When you give a presentation for NAMI, you are reducing stigma and connecting people with
resources they might not know of otherwise. You give the audience a glimpse of universal
experiences surrounding mental illness while making it personal. NAMI volunteers are most
effective when they speak first from personal experience and secondly present a consistent
factual message.
A few things to remember . . .
STICK TO THE SCRIPT          Please stick to the script very closely, to help track how well the script
                             works, plus—some of our grants require it!
THINGS NOT TO SAY            Do not make factual statements without verifying them with NAMI. And
                             please, never give referrals to specific providers or professionals when you
                             are representing NAMI. Instead, refer people to the NAMI office.
LEARN THE BASICS             Learn the basics about current programs, information meetings, and
                             resources available at NAMI and be prepared to mention them as appropriate
                             (See the Ambassador Fact Sheet).
REPRESENT NAMI’S             Learn the public policy positions of NAMI- and do not
POSITIONS                    disagree with them publicly if you have even the appearance of
                             representing NAMI (See NAMI-MD’s Public Policy Platform).
BE AWARE OF TIME             Keep an eye on the clock and move through the script using the
                             guidelines for time. Try to preserve the time slotted for
                             discussion—usually at the end. If you are scheduled for a
                             longer time than the script calls for,
                             1. Talk more about NAMI resources as you distribute
                                 handouts
                             2. Have a longer discussion period
                             3. Tell more about your personal experience
PROVIDE AN                   Always provide an opportunity for people to sign-up for free
OPPORTUNITY TO SIGN          mailings. If they get a packet and 6 months of mailings, they
                             are more likely to eventually get connected with NAMI and its
UP FOR MAILINGS
                             programs.
COMMUNICATE WITH              NAMI must keep track of presentations (the topics, the
THE NAMI OFFICE                  number and type of audience) for our grants and for the
                                 national and state organizations with which we are
5210 YORK RD.                    affiliated.
BALTIMORE, MD 21212           You can always give out resource materials provided by
410-435-2600                     NAMI – please contact the office to see what is available,
                                 and allow 5 business days for us to produce what you need.
                              When you think the script can be improved, let us know!
                                 We welcome your suggestions, preferably in writing, so we
                                 can see how we can work them in.