1. Schuylkill ACHIEVE Shares their experiences in celebrating Lights on Afterschool 1.Before the event 2.During the event 3.After the event

2. Before Lights On Afterschool  What do you want to accomplish?  Who is your audience?  What are you going to do?  Educate your students about Lights On Afterschool Schuylkill ACHIEVE’s Goals for LOA 2015 Raise awareness and grow support Share our afterschool story Celebrate our successes and year ahead in Schuylkill ACHIEVE

3. Before Lights On Afterschool  How will you get your audience to attend?  Invitation to local media, legislators and stakeholders Be specific about date, times, activities taking place, and your expectations of their presence  Consider the schedule of working parents and guests

4. During Lights On Afterschool  Imperative to make your guests feel welcome! Station greeters!  Keep record of attendees  Evoke the feeling that your guests and students are a part of something BIG…because THEY ARE!  Take photos!  Remember a “take away” The Short List: 1.Use time as your “soapbox” 2.Tell your program’s story with past events and your year ahead 3.Share facts about OST time at the national or state level 4.The main event  Presentation from guest or legislator  Activity to engage both families and students  Program tour

5. After Lights on Afterschool  Reflect on successes and challenges with staff  Using your sign in sheet, follow-up with a positive thank you email or card  Save any media coverage  Send artwork to your legislative office with a personal note  Maintain a presence and relationship with press and legislators Challenges to consider: 1.Consider the schedule of a working parent or guest 2.Prepare staff to accompany students who do not have a family member present 3.Keep your guests engaged!

6. Contact  Matthew Butensky Email: butem@iu29.org Phone: (570) 544-9131 x.1224  Michele Daynorowicz Email: daynm@iu29.org Phone: (570) 544-9131 x.1262