Community event workshop

Organize a community event featuring a Family Health Productions video.

Many community organizations have held successeful events featuring Family Health Productions videos. The videos are an ideal catalyst for community dialogue about important issues facing youth. You can easily organize a similar event. See a detailed example of how to plan a community event featuring Alcohol: True Stories, a video hosted by Matt Damon. Use this template to plan community screenings and discussions of Family Health Productions other videos.

Four months before the event
• Schedule a time and place for the event.
• Pick a back-up date.
• Get people involved in planning. (PTO or PTA, Parenting organizations, school superintendent, principal, health teacher; director of local Department of Health, local youth organizations)
• Pick moderator/facilitator of the event.

Three months
• Schedule regular planning meetings.
• Find sponsors. (Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, Elks, Veterans, or local businesses)
• Create a budget. (Refreshments, entertainment, printing)
• Schedule speakers.(People who have a story young people can relate to, e.g., who would share about physical injury from alcohol-related fight or car accident; experience with bullying etc.)
• Consider scheduling entertainment that appeals to young people. (Local band, singers, dancers)

Two months
• Finalize speakers and entertainment.
• Plan publicity. (Flyer; press releases; and letters to schools, faith-based organizations, public officials) (Email Seminars@AboutHealth.com for samples/templates.)
• Reserve audiovisual equipment (large screen TV or projector, sound system)

One month
• Plan refreshments.
• Prepare flyer, press releases, letters, and program.

Two to three weeks
• Contact local faith-based organizations to help inform community.
• Contact school, mayor, and other public officials who may help inform community.

One week
• Confirm speakers, entertainment, refreshments, audiovisual equipment, and set-up/clean-up volunteers.
• Print programs.

Day of event
• Set up seating, tables, refreshments, and audiovisual.

You can order Alcohol: True Stories hosted by Matt Damon, and other Family Health Productions DVDs/videos at wordscanwork.com. Check out this site for Words Can Work booklets. These booklets are useful tools to help parents chane the way they talk with their kids.