Whether seeking publicity for your group's activities or full partnerships with local media, you'll need to perform several activities on a regular basis:

• Write to media contacts whenever an important issue arises. Describe the issue, explain your program's impact on the issue, and outline how the media can help increase that impact.

• Set up appointments with public service managers, news directors, and editors of local media. Discuss your program and how it needs media support.

• Include media representatives on "very important person" (VIP) guest lists for any special events, workshops, or training seminars that your program hosts. Consider asking a radio or television broadcaster, newspaper columnist, or PTA president to act as host or deliver a speech or presentation at one of these events.

• Have media representatives sit on your program's board of directors.

• Encourage local news media to report on positive community crime prevention efforts—starting with your program.

• Give media contacts positive information on youth. Although youth may be involved in a small percentage of crime, they make many positive contributions to the community (through programs like yours) and possess untapped energy, talent, and enthusiasm. Let the media know this!

Youth in Action Bulletin

March 2000     Number 14