Team Up With Local Sports Teams or Entertainment Arenas
Potential Audience:
- Schools
- Colleges
- Youth organizations
- Service clubs
- Faith-based groups
- Community organizations
Identify the right contact and make the case
This can often be the key to getting a yes response about having an AmeriCorps day at a sports or entertainment venue. Check with your network to see if someone has a contact and if not, contact the community liaison or the marketing or public relations office for the team or venue. Make sure you are speaking with the person who has the ability to make the decision and have a brief elevator speech prepared that makes your case. Include in your argument that a number of sports teams in major and minor league baseball have previously hosted an AmeriCorps Day at their ballparks. Look at your local sport team's or entertainment venue's schedules and see which games or events are likely to attract a large audience. Make sure you request:
- An announcement at the event. Ask the venue to make an announcement before or during the game or event to reach a broad audience quickly.
- Showing a PSA or video prior to or during the event. Most movie theaters show commercials prior to the start of a movie, and sports venues also have the ability to show PSAs. Ask the theater or sports arena to show an AmeriCorps PSA, video, or slide-show. The AmeriCorps Impact DVD has great videos and PSAs that show the impact of AmeriCorps.
- Share materials. Ask if you can set up a table near one of the entryways to greet attendees and hand out brochures to anyone who is interested in learning more. Be sure to have someone staffing the information booth for the entire event.
Be persuasive
Remember it's your job to convince these sports teams or entertainment venues that it's a win-win to host an AmeriCorps Day. It is positive for their organization's image as well as a benefit to the community to learn about AmeriCorps.
Promote the event
Once you get agreement to have an AmeriCorps Day, promote the event to AmeriCorps members, alums, program staff, community partners, and supporters, and encourage them to attend. Let people know where they can order AmeriCorps gear, or have AmeriCorps buttons to hand out so that attendees can show their support.
If considering an event involving baseball parks, download the AmeriCorps At Bat Planner, and contact a team in your area.