Over the last few weeks we’ve been working on a project taking place in 190+ locations throughout the United States and Canada. We’ve been communicating with staff in all of those locations. This has included a lot of email communication. While all of these folks work for the same organization, their email etiquette and style are wildly different. During those interactions, I’ve noticed a wide variety of email signatures.
Inspired by the silly article that previously inspired our prior blog post about meeting communication, I thought you might enjoy a snapshot of the different email signatures in the nonprofit world.
Activities Alex
The person who provides the entire organizational calendar and all upcoming activities in their email signature. You have a conference, a retreat, a planning meeting, two walks, and a gala coming up. Alex lets everyone know!
Inspirational Izzy
Do you have a quote in your email signature? You’re an Izzy. Extra points for Margaret Mead’s “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
Title-ist Taylor
Taylor’s signature is dominated by multiple titles. One won’t do. Taylor wears a lot of hats and the email signature is an opportunity to share that information.
“Call me!” Casey
The person that lists their direct line, cell phone, and general office phone. They want to talk on the phone and are always available for “just a quick chat”! This week I encountered someone who also had a pager. Their pager was the fifth phone number in the email signature.
Avoiding Avery
The opposite of Pat. This the person who does not put a phone number in their email signature and goes out of their way to ensure that you do not find out their phone number. They send emails and do not want to interact outside of that medium.
Educated Emerson
Do you have several advanced degrees, certificates, and/or associate degrees? Do you list them all in your signature? You’re an Emerson. You worked hard. You got the diploma to prove it.
Comic Sans Sam
Sam loves Comic Sans. Sam doesn’t care about the haters. The signature is Comic Sans and it’s large! And often multiple colors.
Let us know if we missed anyone. If you want to read less silly nonprofit news, check out these links.
- Caryn Stein from Network for Good discusses research from the Money for Good 2015 research project.
- Looking for more analysis of research? Amy Butcher from NPQ reviews a Charities Aid Foundation report.
- In case you missed Social Media for Nonprofit’s Twitter chat last week about #GivingTuesday check out their Storify.
- Finally, if you want to dip back into humorous content – Jeff Brooks from Future Fundraising Now asks if you’re more of a Batman or Yoda fundraiser.
Image source: Someecards
Justin (he, him) is a Principal and Co-Founder of Social Change Consulting. He has over fifteen years of nonprofit experience, with expertise in online fundraising, digital communications, and data management. Justin helps organizations connect their communication strategy to their income development needs. When he’s not on the clock, Justin is exploring Berlin, running, listening to too many podcasts, and drinking too much coffee.