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ORGANIZING
SUPPORT FOR TROOPS!
All info to hold a rally or vigil is below.
In the past few years we were able to have over 400 rallies worldwide
.. This year we want to have more support and more rallies.
1. Choose a site and time for the rally. It is best to
choose a government establishment in your area and hold the rally during
a high traffic hour.
2. Notify City Hall or local Police departments of what
you are planning. Include that it is a peaceful rally. Some cities require
a permit, usually at no charge. Remember -- Right to Assemble and Right
of Free Speech.
3. Form a committee of family and friends for help.
Contact local groups (Churches, Colleges, etc..) When you contact these
groups, please also direct them to www.operationmilitarypride.org. This
site will show them what kind support we do.
4. Contact all local news media in your area: T.V. stations,
newspapers, radio talk show hosts, etc. Talk radio covers it the best.
Have a spokesperson selected. The media will usually ask to speak with
someone who can tell them why the rally is happening.
5. Once the planning and date of a Rally is in place,
e-mail Arlyn , at Armywife2@aol.com,
subject "OYR Rally". We will be posting on the website all local
contact info and where your rally will be. You want the best possible
coverage.
6. Assign a friend or family member with a camera or
personal video.
Assign jobs: phones, emails, etc.
7. Have a note book for a sign up sheet. Have everyone
list their name, city, phone number and email address. You can email everyone
on the list, please send a newsletter with those that wished to sign on
as a volunteer. Many people do not know enough about supporting the troops.
8. Make a list of what to write on the signs that you will have
at the rally.
If possible, have a little one page flyer to pass out to people as they
drive or walk by. Many people will stop and ask what is going on. If you
have a flyer with bullets highlighting the points in bold type
that you can hand to them, it is very helpful.
Remember, it's about getting the word out to everyone and hoping for the
best.
Good luck! Keep us posted. Again, thank you! |
| Organize
a Candlelight Vigil Third Saturday in May for Armed forces day. !
We are trying to get a nationwide candle vigil across the nation.
The purpose of a candlelight vigil is to honor all military members deployed
overseas and those who gave their lives serving their Country. A candlelight
vigil is a symbolic call to all citizens of a community to become more
aware that military members need our support.
If you would like to head up a candlelight vigil in your area please contact
me at Armywife2@Aol.com with candlelight vigil in subject line. Please
let me know what City and State you are in.
Select a location
May is a great time to hold your candlelight vigil because of
Armed Forces Day; a special time to remind us about military families
and loved ones, especially when some are so far apart. For your location,
consider a school, the county courthouse, or a city park.
If you hold your vigil outdoors, you generally have more space but need
to provide the materials needed, such as a sound system and chairs for
speakers, and you need to have a back-up plan in case of inclement weather.
If you hold your vigil indoors, check on the maximum capacity of the facility,
the availability of a sound system, and be sure to check if you're allowed
to use candles or if you'll need to use small flashlights or glowsticks.
Set your budget
Determine, in advance, the amount of money you will bring in and spend.
If you go to a potential funder with the exact amount you need, your chances
of getting items underwritten are much better.
Make a list of all the items you'll need, such as candles, copying, rentals,
etc., and plan in advance how much you can afford to spend on those items.
You can suggest that people bring their own candles.
Plan your program
Create an agenda for your candlelight vigil program, using the following
as a guide.
1. Welcome with Opening Prayer or Comments
Select a representative from the faith community to lead a prayer or a
Master of Ceremonies to make opening comments.
2. Music Selection
Children's choirs are a great addition to any vigil. Contact your local
elementary school or faith community to see if there is a children's choir
that would be willing to participate.
3. Guest Speaker(s)
Suggestions for guest speakers: Military member, Military Spouse, Families
of military, city Mayor, grandparents, foster parents, teachers, faith
community, family, Governor, Senator, etc.
4. Music Selection
5. Poem reading
6. Closing Prayer or Inspirational Message
Have the representative from the faith community or Master of Ceremonies
who opened also do the closing prayer, or have someone deliver a very
inspiring and motivating closing message.
Create ways for the audience to participate in the vigil.
Create a printed program for the vigil, so audience members can follow
along and join in the reading of the poem.
Have selected members of the audience light candles at the end of the
ceremony, or have the entire audience hold candles, flashlights or glow
sticks throughout the event.
Create symbolic activities to focus attention on the issue.
If outdoors, have young children release white or blue balloons, for someone
they know deployed. At either the beginning or end of your vigil, have
designated members of your community light a candle for each branch of
the service.
At the end of the ceremony toll a bell for every military member who died
Have a few seconds of silence after each toll of the bell.
Tell people about your vigil
Create promotional flyers and distribute them at places of worship, businesses,
schools, and social service agencies -- anywhere you can!
Consider creating a list of specific people you want to personally invite
to attend and send them a letter or invitation.
Place an ad in the local paper, school newspapers, or church bulletins.
Inform the media about the vigil so they can help you promote it, and
also cover it.
Cover all the details
The trick to planning a successful vigil is to be sure all the details
are covered. The following are a few tips to keep in mind as you plan
your vigil.
If you use candles, be sure that there is something around the bottom
of the candle to hold dripping wax. Thin cardboard circles with a hole
in the middle for the candle does fine.
If all of your participants will be holding a lit candle, make a plan
to get them all lit. You will have to provide the means to light the candles.
Be sure to plan for the time it will take and safety precautions to do
this.
If you use balloons, be sure to get permission from your town; some do
not allow balloons to be released into the air.
Recruit your volunteers early, and outline their specific roles. Be sure
to confirm your volunteers in writing and call them a few days prior to
the vigil to remind them.
Make your plan for the day of the vigil.
Plan in advance where the speakers and the podium will be, how candles,
flashlights or glow sticks and programs get distributed to the participants,
and what specifically your volunteers will do and when they should arrive.
Be sure to think through all the little details in advance so that your
vigil runs smoothly |
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