Recruitment Suggestions and Downloadable Tools
Below are downloadable pdf flyers, brochures, and mp3's that you can use to publicize this event on your campus.
Remember, the larger the group you bring, the larger the discount. See the registration page for more information.
The script for the Conference Public Service Announcement is:
"The C.O.O.L. Idealist National Conference, March 3-5, 2006 at Vanderbilt Univerity. The COOL Idealist conference is the largest gathering of social change advocates in the country. Join 1500 other students from across the country interested in activism, service, politics, and socially responsible work. The conference features over 60 nonprofits offering jobs and internships. For more information or to register visit idealist.org/conference2006."
Get to know the conference content!
The more you know about what the C.O.O.L. Idealist Conference has to offer, the easier it will be for you to explain how the conference might appeal to them. Familiarize yourself with the list of Conference Tracks and Nonprofit Sponsors who will be represented at the Opportunities Fair and giving workshops throughout the weekend.
Facebook®
Facebook® has made it's way onto just about every college campus-what better and easier way to communicate to your friends and friends of friends about the C.O.O.L. Idealist National Conference? Send messages to your Facebook buddies, decorate their walls or create an "Idealist" group. If you've attended a previous conference, post pictures for your friends to see. Put your Facebook account to good use!
My Space® and Other Blogging sites!
Attention all MySpace®, Xanga®, Blogger®, or other online blog subscribers: take two minutes to post an entry about the C.O.O.L. Idealist National Conference. If you don't have two minutes, simply paste this link (http://www.idealist.org/conference2006) so that your friends can check it out for themselves. Remember that online blogs can reach millions (including many potential conference attendees)!
Reach out to a diverse cross section of campus!
One of the greatest aspects of the C.O.O.L. Idealist National Conference is that it brings together campus-based folks from all walks of life who all have one thing in common: they're all interested in working for social justice! It's important to keep this in mind when you're doing outreach for the conference.
Many of the students who will be interested in this conference are already affiliated with service, activist, multicultural and political groups on your campus, so be sure to reach out to them. But there are just as many folks on your campus who will be interested in the issues addressed by this conference who are not affiliated with any particular group, so don't forget to consider ways that you can spread the word to these folks as well (i.e. campus newspaper, your campus daily jolt, tabling in the dining hall.) View this as a chance to build bridges between individuals and campus organizations who don't typically work together!
Spread the word via email!
As ambassadors, you'll be receiving regular email announcements from us with important conference-related information including registration deadlines, workshop submission updates, and low-cost housing opportunities. These are messages that you can post widely to relevant mailing lists and list servs on your campus and beyond. Remember, though, that one really personalized email is worth a thousand mass emails. So, if you can, take the time in your emails to note the connections between the particular interests of the group or individual that you are reaching out to and the content of the conference!
Post flyers!
Create eye-catching flyers and table tents to let people know that you're organizing a group to attend the conference. You can also download flyers, brochures, and PSA's from our site (scroll to the top of this page).
Host an info session!
Emails and flyers are great for spreading the word about an event like this but there's nothing like being in a live meeting with others who share your interests and enthusiasm to really get things going. Host an event where you can talk to people about the conference, brainstorm ideas for outreach and decide on the fundraising strategies that will work best for you!
Table at relevant events!
Does your campus host an Activities Fair, serve-a-thon, or non-profit career fair? Is there a speaker coming to your campus Pay attention to your campus calendar and request permission to set up an info table where folks can learn more about the conference and sign up to go!
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