1. Talk to student group leaders. Get student group sponsors to commit to helping plan, publicize, fund, and attend the event. Meet with student group presidents to discuss the Academy and the event you would like to hold. Potential groups to target:
a. Politically active groups- ie- Political Science Student Association. Try to avoid College Democrats or College Republicans unless you can get both sides.
b. Service groups that focus on issues like education, health, environment (these fields correlate to the public service concentrations of Academy students)
c. Student emergency management or emergency support teams (where all Academy students will serve for a minimum of one term internship)
2. Get professors’ support- Political science, education, women studies, sociology, etc.- Get them to encourage their students to attend the event- and write a letter of endorsement! They could also allow Chris or Shawn to speak to one of their classes.
3. Get funding. Ask your student group sponsors to help defray the costs of travel, publicity, and other expenses. If there’s a school or local fund for speakers, apply for a grant. Get local businesses to sponsor the event. Contact local Academy endorsers, volunteers, or donors for help. Be creative!
4. Invite Chris Myers Asch and Shawn Raymond! Offer a time frame, and they’ll tell you when one of them can be there.
5. Find a venue. Once you have a date, book a venue for the event. Ask your student group sponsors to help- they probably have experience booking venues on campus for events.
6. Arrange a place to stay, and buy plane tickets! Ask Chris if there is a local volunteer he or Shawn can stay with; find a local community member who’ll share their home; or welcome Chris or Shawn into your home. Confirm a date, funding, venue, and accommodations before buying any plane tickets!
7. Plan meetings with your Senators and Representative in their district offices, and arrange transportation. These meetings are easy to set up. Simply email the legislator’s office and follow up with phone calls until you get your meeting!
8. Publicize! Ask your student group sponsors to help. Create a Facebook event. Flyer all over the dorms. Invite relevant academic departments by sending an invitation to the department’s director and requesting that they forward it to their students or invite students in class. Get your friends to commit to show their support! Be creative!!!
9. Plan meetings with your college president, local political leaders, or nonprofit leaders if you have time. Send them an email, then call to follow up. Do not expect anyone to respond immediately. BE PERSISTENT!
10. Write a press release and send it to university and local media outlets. Get some recognition for your work- and spread the word about the Academy.
Be Creative! Be Persistent! Be Organized! Contact your state NYCer, state coordinator, or regional coordinator and tell them what you’re doing. Send weekly updates to at least one person- to hold yourself accountable and stay on track. These people can be invaluable in answering questions, offering support or just keeping you moving in the right direction. Best of luck!