KeepiNg Service in the Forefront
Using the Bully Pulpit
One way to keep service in the forefront is to maximize the use of the bully pulpit, particularly through press conferences and press releases when there are significant announcements. In addition, city leaders may use city websites, blogs, twitter feeds, and/or citizen call-in lines like 311.
You can also keep service in the forefront by working with partners and using the same techniques that you have used throughout this process to get the word out about progress and success.
Some examples include:
- memos, newsletter blurbs, updates on relevant blogs, e-mail alerts via message blasts, LISTSERVs, and text messages
- updates on social networking sites
- media announcements via press releases, newspaper and magazine articles, television reports, radio spots, etc.
- announcements or stories written for online sources:
- websites
- blogs
- newsletters
- e-mail or text blasts
- LISTSERVs
Some of Dublin, Ohio’s plans to keep service in the forefront come from Goal 6 of the city’s service plan.
- Increase attention for established recognition (Community Champion Awards, Presidential Awards for Volunteer Service, etc.)
- Explore corporate community recognition related to corporate philanthropy.
- Maintain promotion of volunteer involvement stories through all city vehicles of communication.
- Partner with organizations to celebrate volunteerism with greater community-wide emphasis.
- Host September community-wide celebration of volunteering.
- Partner with Historic Dublin Business Association for final Sláinte Thursday (September) to celebrate volunteerism as its focus.
Days of Service
Using Days of Service throughout the year is a great way to draw attention to your service initiative and the success of your city’s service plan. Some examples of Days of Service or issue specific initiatives below can boost or energize your work and/or launch it.
Go to the National Service Resource Center for tips on Creating a Central Organizing System for a City-wide Day of Service Event.
January
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service - Third Monday in January
- Semester of Service - Starts on MLK Day through Global Youth Service Day (last weekend in April)
- National Mentoring Month - Full month of January
- Cesar Chavez Day of Service and Learning - March 31
- Earth Day - April 22
- Global Youth Service Days - The last weekend in April
- National Volunteer Week - Third week of April
- 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance - September 11
- Make a Difference Day - Fourth Saturday in October
