Plan a Community Event
Not getting much of a response when you forward your e-mail alerts? Think your friends and neighbors need more information about the importance of quality cancer care and why you're supporting this issue? You're probably right! We can help you organize an event to educate your community about these issues and raise support.
Community Event Ideas
Host a Survivorship House Party
Want to educate the people in your circle about cancer survivorship issues? Invite them over for an educational evening to learn about the issues, discuss their own experiences, and organize an advocacy event such as a letter-writing campaign or group visit to your Representative or Senator. You may want to invite a guest speaker, such as an oncologist or local cancer advocate. Talk about the Cancer Survival Toolbox and how it helped you, and brainstorm ways to distribute the toolbox in your community. Download our advocacy resources for information about our issues and helpful handouts to distribute to your guests.
Plan a Brown Bag Lunch at Your Workplace
Many workplaces have employee wellness programs designed to address ways to have a healthier lifestyle. Or maybe your co-workers have seen you struggling with the issues of cancer care – as a survivor or caregiver – and have questions. Maybe they know you've been involved in advocacy, but don't know what that means. Chances are most know a cancer survivor. Talk to your human resources department or management about hosting a brown bag lunch where you can talk to your colleagues about cancer survivorship issues and the cancer advocacy you have been involved in. Not only might they be more understanding, but they may want to join.
Set Up a Community Town Hall Meeting
Join with like-minded groups, such as The Wellness Community or Gilda's Club, or the community outreach department at your local hospital.
Put Together an Awareness/Fundraising Event
Your imagination is the only limit to the types of events you can organize for cancer awareness and fundraising. Communities can plan fairs, run/walks, dances, art shows, vigils, rallies, barbeques, and picnics; the list goes on. Think about what might be popular in your community. Be creative and have fun!
- Put together a planning team – look to other groups such as local cancer advocacy groups, your local hospital, community center, or religious organizations, or local community groups for help.
- Tie it into other local events, such as a harvest festival or local health fair. If you do this, be sure to talk to the people on that planning committee to get permission and coordinate efforts.
- Your local chamber of commerce or town government may also be able to provide guidance.
- Be sure to contact your local government for any necessary permits that you will need.
- Contact NCCS at advocacy@canceradvocacy.org or 301.650.9127, for materials, guidance, and support in planning your event.
- Take pictures and report back to NCCS on how the event went.
Tips for Success
Before the Event
- Join with like-minded groups, such as The Wellness Community, CancerCare, The Lance Armstrong Foundation, or the community outreach department at your local hospital. By joining together, you can take advantage of greater manpower, expertise, and access to a broader audience.
- Promote your program with invitations, flyers, or posters displayed throughout your workplace and community.
- For public events, contact your local radio station and newspaper and place an advertisement about the event. You can also send a press release to your local paper or submit a news article or letter to the editor to get press coverage before and during the event.
At the Event
- Welcome attendees as they arrive. You may choose to offer name tags to increase participants' comfort if they do not already know each other.
- Avoid giving out handouts, such as copies of the talk, until after the presentation. You want people to listen to the presentation, not read while it's going on.
- Set up an information table with handouts and cards to sign up for our network.
- Hand out evaluation forms to measure how well the event was received.
After the Event
- Thank your planning team and presenters with a note.
- Collect the names of people who signed up for the NCCS advocacy network and send them to NCCS at 1010 Wayne Avenue, Suite 770, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
- If the local press didn't come, send an article or letter to your local paper reporting on the success of the event.
- Review the evaluation forms. Did you meet your goals? Did participants feel they learned about the issues? Did they take away critical messages about advocacy for survivorship issues? Would they participate in cancer advocacy events or campaigns? How could you improve the event in the future? Should you do another one in the future?
