Tuesday, November 10, is Mix It Up at Lunch Day.  Schools encourage students to "mix it up" by sitting with different students at lunch on that day.  This program helps increase awareness of other students, break down cliques, reduce bullying and harassment, and improve the school climate.

We encourage SADD chapters to take the lead in planning Mix It Up at Lunch Day.  You can register your school on the Mix It Up map and download the organizer guides for more information.

The National Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE) coordinates "Talk About Prescriptions Month" to help educate the public about prescription drugs and avoiding their abuse.  SADD worked with NCPIE on a new program for "Teen Influencers" such as parents, teachers, coaches, and others.  This workshop can be taught in schools as professional development for staff.  There are also useful handouts and brochures for parents.  Click here for more information.

Did you know that you should never use periods within "SADD"?  There are lots of other useful tips in SADD's Graphic Standards Manual, which you can download here.

Remember that the SADD logo is available in high-resolution versions in a variety of formats on the sadd.org website.  Chapters are free to use the logo in compliance with the Graphic Standards Manual, including in print and on t-shirts, websites, etc.  Click here to download the logo!

We'd love to see you in Orlando, Florida, for the 2010 SADD National Conference, Under the Sea: Changing the Tide, at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress.  Registration materials and more detailed program information will be available shortly, but start your fund-raising today - the sooner the better!  We're pleased to announce that the ground package pricing will be unchanged from 2009 at $699 for students and $799 for adults. 

You won't want to miss:

• 3+ days of networking opportunities for youth and adults;
• Interactive workshops and general sessions;
• The chance to learn from the experts in a variety of youth-focused fields;
• An evening trip to Universal's Islands of Adventure theme park;
• The opportunity to explore Downtown Disney (a fantastic place to shop for souvenirs!); and
  
• An amazing resort setting with an incredible pool, boating, biking, nature trails, and much more!
  

Need some creative fund-raising ideas?  Consider:

• Asking friends and family for help - explain what the conference is and why you want to go, and ask for a contribution of any size - it never hurts to ask!
• Hosting a silent auction as part of a school event - solicit items from local businesses and individuals, open the bids at half the retail value, and watch the money roll in!
• Sponsoring an amateur movie night where students make their own short films - just charge admission and sell concessions.

For more fund-raising ideas, click here.  Start your fund-raising today and join us in June in Orlando!

Anoka SADD has been featured in The SADDvocate on a regular basis, as they've won various contests that have kept them in the news as an outstanding SADD chapter.  This month we're recognizing them for their work in building relationships with legislators.

This summer, at the SADD National Conference, conference attendees were trained by SADD SPEAKs (Students for Policy, Education, Awareness, and Knowledge) students about the importance of advocacy and prepared for visits to Capitol Hill to meet with the offices of their federal legislators.

Those visits were very successful, and many chapters like Anoka formed useful and lasting relationships.  This work led Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar to invite Anoka SADD to appear at a press conference highlighting Senator Klobuchar's co-sponsorship of the Avoiding Life-Endangering and Reckless Texting (ALERT) Driver Act, which would require all states to pass a ban on texting or e-mailing while driving.  Senator Klobuchar is pictured above with members of Anoka SADD.

Texting while driving is a serious issue.  Engaging in this dangerous behavior makes you 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash.  Despite this risk, nearly 50 percent of teens admit to texting while behind the wheel.

This is an issue drawing lots of focus at the moment.  The Department of Transportation recently held a two-day Distracted Driving Summit in Washington, D.C.  Anoka SADD's Natalie Hayford was invited to be part of the youth panel and share Anoka SADD's efforts to reduce distracted driving.  The entire summit was streamed live by webcast, and is now available online.  Besides checking out Natalie's appearance, you can view informative sessions with research scientists, legislators, and others.  To view the summit, click here.

We encourage all SADD chapters to work with elected officials at all levels.  Invite them to your special events, even if it seems unlikely they'll attend.  Keep them informed of your progress and any stumbling blocks you're encountering.  You may be surprised at how helpful they can be.  Congratulations to Anoka SADD for all their work in this area!

If you'd like to see YOUR chapter featured in the Spotlight, be sure to let us know what you're doing!  Send news and pictures to Chris Egan, SADD National Director of Field Services, at cegan@sadd.org or the mailing address at the bottom of this newsletter.

Is your SADD chapter looking for a dynamic speaker to address students in your school?  Are you stumped about what your next big event should be?  If you answered "yes," then bring the SADD Speaker Series to your school!

The School Speaker presentation is perfect for middle and high school students.  SADD Chairman and CEO Stephen Wallace, author of the compelling book Reality Gap: Alcohol, Drugs, and Sex--What Parents Don't Know and Teens Aren't Telling, empowers students to make healthy choices.  They are motivated to undertake positive risk-taking and peer-to-peer education and prevention activities.

Through the SADD Speaker Series, we also offer evening presentations for parents and interactive seminars for school administrators, faculty, and staff.  The dynamic, thought-provoking presentations can be tailored to meet the needs of your school or community.

Don't miss this special offer ... book a presentation by October 30 and receive a complimentary signed copy of Reality Gap for your school or community library.  For more information or to book a SADD Speaker Series presentation, contact Stacey Hart at 877-SADD-INC (723-3462) or shart@sadd.org.

 
To order, visit saddstore.org, call 1-800-394-0090, or e-mail saddstore@workflowone.com.