National Adoption Day

1. National Adoption Day Event Day & Media Logistics

2. What Makes Your Day a Success?

3. Event Logistics Things to think about: Timing of your event Speakers Visuals at the event Audience � who to invite?

4. Event Timing Event start time Between 10 a.m. and 12 noon (consider media) Run of show Adoption hearings Celebration Press conference/other activities Press conference should be under one hour and between 10 a.m. and 12 noon

5. Speakers Who are your speakers? Judges, coalition representatives, elected officials, agency directors, families, celebrities/sports figures What are their messages? Talking points Prep for interviews Briefing materials Gather bios and fact sheets on involved organizations Schedule Invite them to the adoption hearings (if possible) and the celebrations

6. Visuals Signage/posters National Adoption Day Banner (available when you register your event at www.NationalAdoptionDay.org) Podium sign Activities with families and children Other Balloons, posters, informational materials

7. Remember Your Audience Send invitations and follow-up to: Adoptive/potential families Judges Community supporters Coalition partners General public And don�t forget the media!

8. Media Outreach What you need to think about: Materials Pitching Interviews

9. Outreach Materials Community calendar listing News advisory Press release Bios of spokespeople/speakers Local statistics Information on your local coalition Letter to the Editor

10. Getting the Word Out Pitching: Preparation How to pitch Timeline

11. Pitching Preparation Building media lists Local telephone book Internet Background information www.nationaladoptionday.com Local statistics on adoption and foster care Pitch points/script News advisory

12. Time to Pitch Be persistent Keep it short and sweet Deadlines Ask preferred method of delivery (fax or e-mail) Verify contact information Be sure reporter has everything he/she needs

13. Pitching Timeline Two weeks until event Draft news advisory, news releases and other event materials One week until event Send news advisory Write and practice script Begin contacting media for event Five days until event Call media outlets Be sure event is on media calendars

14. Pitching Timeline Four days until event Continue calls and make follow-up calls Three and two days until event Additional follow-up calls One day until event Resend advisory (if possible) Intense pitching to everyone on your list

15. Preparing for Interviews Get all details from producer and/or reporter arranging the interview Date, time (time zones) Location - in studio or phone-in Live or taped Call-in show, one-on-one interview Prepare your spokesperson

16. National Adoption Day Toolkit Letter of invitation Confirmation of participation letter Solicitation of donation letter Sample phone script for business Certificate Proclamation for governors/mayors Personal release form Business cover letter Business drop-in article Drop-in newsletter article Thank you letter Template media materials How to stage a media event How to find families to speak Core talking points Faith-based organization drop-in article Event signage National Adoption Day logos

17. Event Day: Logistics Identify an on-site coordinator Set-up the night before if possible Identify staff to: Emcee press conference Coordinator speakers at the event Work with reporters who attend Provide general information to attendees Breakdown

18. Event Day: Media Pitching morning of event Event day media materials Press kits Media table Other materials Media at the event Q&A Interview availability Photo-op

19. Post-Event Follow-Up Event day Follow-up with reporters who attended the event to be sure they have everything needed Follow-up with reporters interested in story, but unable to attend Days following the event Gather and share results