If you’ve ever attended a “listening tour” for a nonprofit organization, you’ve probably met the people who work as A social change agency. They’re the ones in charge of putting together discussions and group discussions on everything from poverty to gay rights. A social change agency can be a very powerful entity: they can help to create legislation, build support for an organization (or cause), or do other types of policy work. The one thing that most nonprofit organizations have in common is the desire to change things for the better, and to take a more progressive stance on issues. So what do they look for in a good speaker?

First, they want someone who’s serious. Serious about speaking at a nonprofit conference, serious about explaining the issues, and serious about delivering good messages. A speaker can only give good advice if he or she is willing to listen to questions and answer them: if you’re not 100% behind every single suggestion that’s made in a workshop, you’re not going to get many ideas out of a crowd, much less make an impact.

Secondly, they want someone who’s passionate about change. magazine ‘s the secret to motivating a room full of people – if you don’t really believe in what you’re doing, no one else will either. The best change agents are passionate about their cause, and they enjoy talking about it. If you can show a group of nonprofit organizations that you believe in the mission and the vision of the nonprofit groups you’re representing, you’re likely to have a good time.

Thirdly, they’re looking for an interpreter. These days, it’s incredibly difficult for a layperson to understand complicated concepts and strategic plans. You can’t just tell someone how to do something: you have to explain it to them, over again. A good speaker can pick up on this malaise quickly and use it as a springboard to explain things in a simple, understandable way. Your audience will feel much more at ease with you when you’ve got a good interpreter on your team.

Fourth, a good social change agency will bring in a team of experts. When you’re trying to get your organization to grow and blossom, you need all the help you can get. It might mean hiring a consulting firm that specializes in growth. It might mean engaging the aid of a marketing expert or development consultant.

Fifth, they’ll work with every member of the organization. Every organization has its own interests and needs. When you work with an experienced and reputable organization, you can expect them to not only look at how your current situation is working, but they can work with you to create new goals and strategies to grow your business. That includes engaging with your board of directors, staff, and volunteers.

Finally, a good social change agency will be there when you need them. When times are tough, when people are angry and losing hope, when communities are divided or mired in crime, your organization needs an advocate on your side. A good agency will be there for you through thick and thin. They’ll stand by you during times of crisis and stand firm when people are being brutalized by those they look up to.

A social change agency may seem like an impossible dream. However, it’s really more likely to exist today than ever before. With the economic downturn still playing out and the need for companies and individuals to find ways to grow and innovate, there are plenty of openings to be filled in this field. People throughout the world are desperate to find new ways to improve their lives, to make the world a better place, and to contribute to the greater good. Hiring an agency to help you achieve those dreams isn’t just a smart financial move–it’s an investment in your future.