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Event Planning Kit

The Basics -Who, What, When & Where -Light Bulb Art -Event Checklist -Involving Youth -Email & Print Invitations -Lights On At-A-Glance -Afterschool Facts Event Ideas & Activities -Case Studies -Issue a Proclamation -Sign on to Project 2010 -Lights On In an Election Year Policy-Makers -Invitation -Proclamation Getting Press -Ten Steps -Media Timeline -Save the Date -Media Alert -News Release Using Lights On to Raise Funds -10 Tips for Getting Sponsors -32 Ways to Give Sponsors Exposure at Your Event -Sample Letter to Potential Sponsors Artwork & Materials -Light Bulb Art -Graphics & Logos -Newsletter Article -Lights On Buttons & Other Items -Poster -Radio Announcer Copy -Web Banners -Afterschool Fact Sheet -Lights On! Fact Sheet Sample Materials -Email & Print Invitations -Save the Date -Media Alert -News Release -Policy-Maker Invitation -Policy-Maker Proclamation -Other Proclamation

Requesting a Proclamation from an Organization, Institution or Other Official

More than mayors and governors can issue proclamations. A school board, a park and recreation department, your own governing board or your partners may also issue a proclamation for Lights On Afterschool! Just ask them. You can use this as an opportunity to tell them about the success of your program - and to thank them for their support. Below is sample language for a proclamation that any organization can adopt to endorse Lights On Afterschool and affirm that afterschool is key to kids' success.

Sample Proclamation for Organizations, Institutions and Other Officials

WHEREAS, [Name of Organization, Institution or Location] stands firmly committed to quality afterschool programs and opportunities because they:

• Provide safe, challenging, engaging and fun learning experiences to help children and youth develop their social, emotional, physical, cultural and academic skills.
• Support working families by ensuring their children are safe and productive after the regular school day ends.
• Build stronger communities by involving our students, parents, business leaders and adult volunteers in the lives of our young people, thereby promoting positive relationships among children, youth, families and adults.
• Engage families, schools and diverse community partners in advancing the welfare of our children.

WHEREAS, [Name of Program] has provided significant leadership in the area of community involvement in the education and well-being of our youth, grounded in the principle that quality afterschool programs are key to helping our children become successful adults.

WHEREAS, Lights On Afterschool, a national celebration of afterschool programs on October 18, 2007, promotes the critical importance of quality afterschool programs in the lives of children, their families and their communities.

WHEREAS, more than 28 million children in the U.S. have parents who work outside the home, and 14.3 million children have no place to go after school.

WHEREAS, many afterschool programs across the country are facing funding shortfalls so severe that they are being forced to close their doors and turn off their lights.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that [Name of Organization, Institution or Official] urges the citizens of [Name of Community or County] to ensure that every child has access to a safe, engaging place where the lights are on after school; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this [Title of Official] enthusiastically endorses Lights On Afterschool! and is committed to innovative afterschool programs and activities that ensure that the lights stay on and the doors stay open for all children after school.