The Nine-Step Plan
Nine Steps to Organizing a Successful Event
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Now that September 27th 2008 is over, we are no longer actively updating the Resources section. If you are looking for get engaged in the movement for green jobs and an inclusive green economy, visit Next Steps.
The content below is dated to before the day of action.
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Want to host an event, but unsure where to start? You're in the right place. This is a quick-and-dirty guide to hosting a Green Jobs Now event in your community on September 27 — along with a little primer video.
- Come up with an Idea and Sign Up
Part of the beauty of September 27th will be the variety and creativity of events organized around the country. Whatever you choose to do, be sure to take an "I'm Ready" photograph and collect signatures on the "I'm Ready" petition. Go here for event ideas and examples. When you're ready, sign up to "Host an Event". Remember, you don't need all the details set in stone to sign up as a host and start recruiting people to your event. - Gather With Friends, Neighbors, and new Partners
Invite your friends, neighbors, and allies to help you think up a creative plan for your event. Think of some people who have a stake in building an inclusive green economy in your community and invite them to a small gathering. You could invite labor unions, faith groups, youth, seniors, environmentalists, businesses, hunger and homelessness programs, etc. Don't worry if you only have five people. That's great! Just get started and see what happens. - Work Out the Details: Permits and More
Take care of logistical details as soon as you can (this is why you want friends to help you out). Reserve your space, get a permit if you need one, work out the timing, directions, parking/carpooling, bathrooms, sound system, etc. - Invite Elected Officials
We want September 27th to have as powerful an impact as possible, so it's essential that we reach out to our elected officials. Invite your Congressional representatives! Also invite state officials, mayors, or town select boards. It's not hard, and there are more tips available on GreenJobsNow.com. - Spread the Word
Invite people to your event using email, phone calls, local media, and word of mouth. Ask organizations to include your event information in their newsletters and bulletins. Make a poster or flyer about your event and hang it up around town. Visit our "Spread the Word" page here. - "I'm Ready" Sign
Each event on September 27th should have "I'm ready" signs or banners. Make some of yours personal. What are you ready for? What are you ready to do? Some options: "Atlanta is ready for Solar", "I'm ready for my green-collar job," "Oak Street is ready to grow organic food".One idea is to host a house party on Friday September 26th during the Presidential Debates. Bring sign-making materials to use while people are watching. Each event should have its own home-grown, local flavor. Just be sure to make your sign large and legible.
- Reach Out to the Media
As September 27th approaches, it is important to contact local media to make sure they cover your Green Jobs Now event. Visit our "Get Media Attention" page for sample media materials and tips. It can take an extra effort to get the media to pay attention on a Saturday, so get to work on this ASAP! - Have a Great Event
This is the moment you've been planning for. Make it visual, make it educational, and make it fun. Put someone in charge of taking photos and/or video. Remember to gather signatures on the "I'm Ready" petition to unite your community. The people at your event will hopefully want to become part of your local movement for change, so pass around a sign-up list to keep everyone connected. - Report Back
As soon as your event is over, select your best photos and video clips and upload them to GreenJobsNow.com. Mail or fax your petition signatures to our headquarters to be delivered with all the rest. Ask a few volunteers to help compile and send everything. Finally, write a description of what happened at your event and post it to GreenJobsNow.com. These steps are vital to delivering the strongest possible message to our next President, Congress, and the nation in the days following September 27th.
