Public Relations Planning Tips

Legislative Directory | Public Relations
Planning Tips | Sample Letters

These are some suggestions and information items to help make your planning easier and ensure that the activities run smoothly.

Before...

Begin your day (Monday or Friday) after 9:00 a.m. since most legislators use Mondays and Fridays to meet with constituents over breakfast. Remember that many legislators will be stretched and over-obligated so your planning should reflect your sensitivity to their needs.

AACTE is providing the structure and support for this activity, but the teacher and the students must establish the invitation and program. Invite the legislators (or other elected officials) with enthusiasm and sincerity. Contact your legislator by phone, followed by a letter with details.

Work with your school administration - talk with them regarding your plans and who you are planning to invite. Invite your superintendent to come by and welcome the legislator to the school.

Brainstorm with your students well in advance regarding this activity and involve them as much as possible in the planning of the program.

Send your invitation well in advance to secure the date on the legislator's schedule. Attach a tentative plan of activities and perhaps even a copy of the purpose of the day.

Provide legislators with a list of students and their sending (home) school, if applicable.

Follow-up your invitation with phone calls verifying the visit and the schedule. Talk with your legislator about the plans for the day and find out their own personal interests. If they are unable to attend due to other obligations, ask for an alternative date. Be sure to inform them of any plans you have for media coverage.

Contact the media in your area with details of the visit and offer them a complete schedule of the day and preliminary news copy to help them run the stories as soon after the event as possible. Be sure to double-check the times of the press coverage to be the same as the arrival of the legislator.

Remember, the press coverage is for your benefit and to promote Career and Technical Education. Your students and your program should be the center of attention.

During...

Make the visit comfortable and enjoyable for everyone involved - you are not expected to impress anyone, but rather to welcome the legislators and have them relate to the students and allow the student needs to be known.

Consider having the students video tape and edit the activities of the day. You may even wish to send a copy of the finished tape to the legislator along with the thank you note.

Remember to stress funding needs for curriculum and equipment. Encourage them to support Career and Technical Education.

After...

Send a thank you letter promptly reminding them of some key points you consider important from the day. You may also wish to have each of the students write a thank you note from their perspective.

Send the AACTE office any news releases or coverage to be used in future issues of the AACTE Newsletter or other career and technical education promotion pieces.