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SERVE.HONOR.REMEMBER

Raise Awareness 
There are a few weeks left to gear up for the 2012 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance. If you have a service project or event planned, now is the time to start connecting with local media to obtain coverage and spreading the word on social networks. This edition of "9/11 in Michigan" will provide great tips to help you communicate about your project and raise awareness about your event.
9/11 Day Good Deeds
Traditional Communication Tips:
Getting the media's attention is an important part of your event's success. Here are a few simple things to remember when communicating with the media and general public:
 
1. Determine your 9/11 Day messages: think about what you want reporters and your audiences to know about your service project and commitment to the 9/11 Day of Service. Be sure to incorporate your overall organizational goals and how they relate to the day's efforts.
 
2. Designate media contacts: this is especially important for your on-site project or event. Be sure the contact (who will serve as a spokesperson) is clear on what your 9/11 Day message is and can easily relay that message to media.
 
3. Write and distribute a media advisory: this should be done several days prior to your project. To make things easier for you, the Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC) has provided a sample media advisory you may use as a template to complete an advisory to submit to your local news outlets.  You may find it by clicking here and looking for the 2012 9/11 Day media advisory.
 
4. Write and distribute a press release: this should be done a day or two after your project. If possible, also post this press release on your website. The MCSC  has also created a sample press release for you to use while drafting your own press release. You may find it by clicking here and looking for the 2012 9/11 Day press release.
 
5. Document the day: take photos and video (if possible) and speak with volunteers, VIPs, and service recipients to fully grasp the impact of your efforts. You can then use this documentation after your event to spread the news of your hard work.

6. Share end-of-the-day project accomplishments: track the number of volunteers who served and what their efforts consisted of (i.e. pounds of food collected, number of meals served, number of youth read to). Use these documented accomplishments to again, spread the news! This is also useful information to share with any/all of your funders.
Social Media Communication Tips:9/11 Social media
Social media is a great way to get the word out about the 2012 9/11 Day of Service and share what you are doing with others. Here are a few things you can do with social media to communicate your message.   
 
Promote 9/11 Day via Facebook  Promote 9/11 Day via Twitter
  • Post your plans for 9/11 Day on Twitter. 
  • Encourage your followers to follow the national @911Day Twitter account.    
  • Use the #911DayMI hashtag when posting to Twitter.   
  • Tweet to encourage your friends and followers to serve on 9/11 Day.
Don't forget to register your project!
People would like to know about your project! Register your project so that others can volunteer, learn about what you're doing, or promote your efforts.

The 9/11 Day partners have a simple, online registration system in place that we encourage you to use. Simply click here, fill out the requested information, and we'll take care of the rest!

All posted projects will be available for viewing at www.allforgood.org.
Stay Tuned for Future Emails & Resources!   
We will be sending you a variety of emails with important updates and valuable resources. Please share them with organizations and individuals who are interested in volunteer service.

We look forward to engaging as many individuals and organizations as possible as part of the 2012 9/11 in Michigan - thank you for your support and efforts!

General 2012 9/11 in Michigan Questions?
Contact daysofservice@volunteermichigan.org.

9/11 Mini Grant Partners
About September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance:
The September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance is the culmination of an effort originally launched in 2002 by 9/11 family members and support groups. It became officially recognized following the passage of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act of April 2009.