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National Autism Awareness Month“A Better World for Autism”

Affiliate Leadership Webinar Training

February 25, 2014, 6:30-7:30 pm ET

Today’s SpeakerAshley Parker is a communications professional with over six years of experience in public relations, marketing and external outreach for nonprofit organizations. Her expertise and passion lies in human services and education issues. She previously worked for the Association for Career and Technical Education and a community-based autism services provider agency in Rockville, MD, where she gained significant experience developing and managing communications strategy on a local and national scale, media outreach and other external engagement functions. She has a BA from Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia and is a native of Bradenton, Florida. She is the communications manager of the Autism Society and manages all public relations and external outreach activities for the organization.

National Autism Awareness Month(NAAM)

• 2014 Theme: “A Better World for Autism”• Goals:– Improve public’s understanding of valuable

contributions of persons with ASD through their full community participation in work & living.

– Raise awareness of the need for improved community response to incidents of wandering amongst individuals with ASD.

Images, Logos and Style Guide

Logo files & Style Guide• Logos will be available in .JPG, .GIF and .EPS• Logo files may NOT be edited or modified

except for resizing.• Image resizes must be in proportion and be

suitable resolution for the display purposes.• Any issues with resized images, contact

national office.

Style guide & promotion materials• All NAAM materials should have NAAM logo

placed prominently on page with Autism Society contact information (website link, 1-800 #).

• Affiliates can co-brand NAAM materials with their own logo on promotion materials (encouraged.)

• NAAM materials for use post-April, contact me.

What can I use to celebrate?• Toolkit for affiliates– Sample press release– Sample list of activity ideas– Sample web & social copy– Logos and images for NAAM– Links sheet– What’s Happening National Calendar– Three tip sheets• Wandering• Employment• Community inclusion

Social & online resources for NAAM

• NAAM Pinterest Board• NAAM discussion group on LinkedIn with

themes and content relating to goals.• Twitter chats• NAAM National Calendar• Autism Society blog• YouTube channel, NAAM playlist

NAAM NarrativesNarratives one-pager, share “star” stories with national, develop local pitches.• Wandering 101• Addressing Wandering• Community Inclusion– Learning– Working– Playing

Use your own content!• Local stories and examples that fit theme and

goals/narratives.• State fact sheets and stats if you have them.• Add your quotes and experts to press

outreach.

Activities for NAAM• National Activities– Partner promotions and opportunities– Social media calendar• Twitter chats- scheduled• Google Hangout- scheduled• YouTube call for videos- ongoing• Facebook call for photos- ongoing• Pinterest board- ongoing

What can you do during NAAM in your community?

• State activities examples sheet– Fundraiser– Open house event– “Make a Better World for Autism” dinners, coffee

hours, cocktail hours, etc.– Grocery store tabletops– Business partnerships– Partner with another group!

State activities

• Utilize your spaces! Bulletin boards, churches, offices, schools (check restrictions).

• Host your own social media events!– Twitter chat– Google hangout– Make a youtube video

Policy/Advocacy Opportunities

• Autism Month proclamation– State– City, local

• Invite leaders to your events!• Call-in/write-in to local officials• Share national advocacy actions with

membership.

Promotions

• Highlight partnerships where proceeds go back to Autism Society or your affiliate’s programs.

• Do not SPAM!• Obtain written agreements with partners prior

to promotion of product, service or group.• Keep in mind Autism Society’s options policy,

avoid endorsement.

Fundraising during NAAM

• Great time to highlight local services!• Use events and fundraising activities as

dissemination point for NAAM information. • Utilize logo or NAAM colors (ribbon colors)

during event, for event materials, etc. where applicable.

Media Outreach: Getting the News Out

• Utilize sample press release, customize with your event information.

• Invite local media to an activity.• Call main offices and ask for appropriate

contact.• Education, health reporters are targets.• Highlight your partners and membership,

storytelling in line with theme.

Getting the News Out: Images

• Obtain permissions from minors/families• Check copyrights!• Flickr public photo set• Facebook pages– Check resolution!

Getting the News Out: Media Meetings

• Great time to contact your local media networks and introduce self, affiliate work.

• For specific assistance, contact aparker@autism-society.org.

• Reach out via social media! Muckrack.com, websites for newspapers usually link to email or social profiles.

Telling the World!

• Facebook, Twitter, Social Media• Submitting an op-ed to local newspaper.• Contacting school districts, local partner

groups to share messages, materials. • Word of Mouth! Still powerful!• Share with national your stories and activities!

Deadlines, Timelines, Oh my!

• Begin marketing/promotion NAAM on March 1. Early bird catches the worm!

• No more than TWO WEEKS lead time for reporters, media contacts.

• Contact your partners NOW!• Follow the countdown! Check for

updates from us.

Thank you for participating!

aparker@autism-society.orgwww.autism-society.orgJoin us on

That’s a wrap!