PRACTICAL WAYS TO CREATE MEANING
Prepared by Kristi Cooper, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, 2013, for Reclaim Your Holidays, a program of University of Northern Iowa Center for
Energy and Environmental Education, in partnership with Iowa State University
Extension and Outreach. Support for this project is provided by the Resource Enhancement and Protection Program
(REAP) Conservation Education Program and Iowa Department of Natural Resources Solid Waste Alternatives
Program. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of IDNR. For more information, visit www.ReclaimYourHolidays.org.
Task/Responsibility Date Person(s)
Responsible
Establish a planning committee or partnership
Meet with planning committee or partner
 Share program overview
 Which concepts/message do you want learners to take away?
 Determine your audience
 Choose RYH tools www.reclaimyourholiday.org
 Choose date, time, place. Hold @ another event?
Take event to an audience?
 Secure facility
 Determine registration process
 Determine evaluation process
 Other needs? Volunteers? Donors?
 Identify and eliminate barriers
Message & Marketing
3-6 months in advance
6 weeks - 3 months in advance
Choose and adapt promotion pieces:
 Brochure
 News release
 Flyer
 Email message
Create email list and send message to:
 Potential funders
 Potential participants
 Agencies/organizations/congregations
Place flyers & brochures in appropriate locations
Send news release to local media
Post to social media
Handle registrations
Facilitate/teach RYH workshop/event
 Copy handouts; reserve equipment
 Take photos (get permission forms signed by participants)
 Evaluation
Summarize evaluations
Write news story about the event. Share story with community, funders, legislators, etc.
“Save the Date” 2-4 months in advance
“Registration” information
1-3 months in advance
4-6 weeks in advance
1 month in advance
Weekly for 6 weeks
Within 1 week of event
Within 2 weeks of event