Working with the Media
Get a Jump on Planning"National Adoption Awareness Month is a time for adoptees, adoptive parents, professionals, and advocates to celebrate adoption and remind others that
many children are still waiting for a permanent, loving family of their own."NATIONAL ADOPTION AWARENESS MONTH PROCLAMATIONEvery year since President Bush has been in office, he has issued Adoption Month proclamations in November. Local and state officials are usually more than willing to issue their own proclamations. Here's a
Sample Adoption Day/Week/Month Proclamation as a guideline.
WORKING WITH THE MEDIADecide what messages you or your group wants to convey - about adoption and yourselves - and which communicate method has the best chance of reaching your audience.
- Use clear and simply stated messages that educate and inform about the issues and your group.
- Select communication techniques suitable to the messages and your audience(s).
- Make sure your messages are consistent, and use a variety of outreach methods.
- Work with local officials to gain best exposure.
- Provide follow-up.
If you have the resources, invite local media representatives - editors, reporters, other story planners - to a luncheon - food is almost always a good draw. During the luncheon, adoption professionals can present information about adoption and waiting children. A discussion period can follow.
Other MediaOther than large city media, don't overlook the many small neighborhood papers that publish calendars of events. School newspapers are also a great way for schoolage and college kids to participate.
Helpful ToolsThese have been drawn from material prepared by the
North American Council on Adoptable Children:
For More Information & Resources:
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