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Honoring Community Champions. What is a community champion?.
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What is a community champion? A public official, a community leader, a concerned citizen, a health or human service worker, a volunteer, anyone who works hard and well to start and/or support an initiative or intervention, to bring a program or idea to reality, or to otherwise improve the quality of life of a particular group or of the community as a whole.
Why honor community champions? • It creates an example for the rest of the community to follow • It provides an occasion to highlight and explain community issues • It demonstrates that even one person can be an effective agent for change , and encourages democratic action
Why honor community champions? (cont.) • It makes not only that person, but others engaged in community service feel that they and their work are valued and appreciated • It shows the community who the real heroes are • It can help to prepare the community for future initiatives
Who should honor community champions? • Health and human service agencies. • Local coalitions or initiatives. • Advocacy organizations that focus on community concerns. • United Way and other charitable organizations. • Schools. • Self-constituted citizen oversight or advocacy groups. • Neighborhood associations
When should you honor community champions? • The achievement of a goal in which the champion has been deeply involved • Community champions are honored on a regular basis • Special occasions: National issue days, ceremonies
How do you honor community champions? General guidelines for honoring a community champion • Consider your resources • Determine your process for selecting and notifying honorees • Involve the media • Personalize • Give her something • Record the occasion
How do you honor community champions? (cont.) Some specific ways to honor community champions • Issue a press release • Hold a press conference • Voice a public thank-you • Put community champion awards on your website.
How do you honor community champions? (cont.) • Write or get published a newspaper article • Present a small gift or award at a public event • Present a major, unique award or gift, where the presentation is the reason for the event • Have a party
How do you honor community champions? (cont.) • Hold a roast • Regularly schedule community champion awards • Continue to honor community champions forever