| Getting
the word out
Try to use a variety of promotional approaches to reach a broad
cross-section of your community. Those with successful programs
in place have used combinations of the measures below, beginning
with the most basic, low cost approaches:
- Press releases / Coverage from local newspapers (Be sure
to include alternate newspapers with smaller circulations)
- Articles in your community's own printed or electronic
newsletter
- Article under "What's new?" on your organization's
web site
- Word-of-mouth: asking current officials and staff members
to invite their friends, neighbors, and business contacts;
after the first class, your graduates will become an effective
link to potential new participants
- Mailings or e-mails to neighborhood association coordinators
- Coverage on your cable system's government access programming
- Posters in public facilities (libraries, recreation centers,
etc.)
- Printed inserts, or just a tag line with contact information,
provided with utility bills
- Paid advertising in local newspapers
Application form
Design a straightforward application form and make this form
available at multiple locations and on your web site, if possible.
Click
here to view or download a form based on those in use in other
communities; use this form as a starting point to design
one that suits your needs.
Program fees
Most communities offer the citizens academy or neighborhood
college at no charge to the participants, but a few communities
do charge a nominal fee. In both cases, staff indicated the
reason for the fee is to encourage a sense of commitment to
the program. One of these communities offers a limited number
of scholarships (5 per class) for those unable to afford the
$25 fee.
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