Reaching Out
An important part of the FLI process is reaching out to community organizations, businesses and leaders to gain information and support for a student project idea. Below are sample emails students can cut and paste to use in their outreach. Students should be sure to include their FLI Guide in all emails they send out related to their FLI Project. It is strictly against FLI policy for students to meet or communicate with community members without the supervision of FLI Guides and/or staff.
Outreach can be challenging, so its important for students to research any organization and/or individual they contact to be sure they're a good fit. The more emails a student sends, the more likely they are to get a response.For a good place to start, be sure to browse the Mentor Profiles on FLI's Network for Change or visit the FLI Mentor Database.
About the Sample Emails
Students should feel free to cut and paste this email and use it to reach out to local community organizations, businesses and other leaders or individuals they think might be able to help them with their proejct in any way.
Take the time to insert any personal information and to fill in the blank sections with information about who you are and your interests. Read over your final draft prior to sending it out and be sure the links in the email are still there once you've copied and pasted!
Introductory Email - Cut and Paste Below
Dear [Name of Individual or Organization]
My name is [Student Name] and I'm currently a [freshman, sophomore, junior, senior] at [name of high school]. I'm enrolled in an exciting program called The Future Leaders Institute, where students like me are able to explore their personal passions and create a project that makes a difference in the world. My passion is [explain your personal passion] and I'm thinking about trying to [explain what you hope to achieve]. You can learn more about the program here.
In order to do complete my program, I'm contacting people like you who are experts at what you do!
I'd like to invite you to become either a Community Partner or a Mentor with FLI so that you can help me as I work on finishing my project and help me in my mission to be an effective humanitarian leader. You can learn about what a Community Partner and Mentor does here.
I also hope once you sign up, you're able to come to Mentor Match Night in February in San Francisco. There we can talk one-on-one about your work and any advice you might have for me moving forward.
Either way, I very much hope to hear back from you soon!
Thanks so much for taking the time to read my email!
Sincerely,
[Student Name]
Follow-Up Email - Cut and Paste Below
Dear [Name of Individual or Organization],
My name is [Student Name] and previously I'd written you an email about helping me with my FLI Project.
I'm just wondering if you'd had a chance to review that email yet, and if so, what your thoughts might be?
Thanks so much for your time and attention!
I look forward to hearing back from you at your earliest convenience!
Sincerely
[Student Name]