How can we address and attract the general public? When addressing the public, it is important to provide them with interesting and fresh information that will entice them to join the European Year of Volunteering 2011 Tour. Remember to highlight some of the strengths of the Tour and specific activities that will take place in your city.
Strengths of the Tour The EYV2011 Tour provides an exceptional opportunity for people to: • Understand the value of volunteering- not only as an enriching experience for the individual but also as a crucial and valuable contribution to society. • Meet volunteers get to know their experiences and where and how they work. • Network and get in contact with organizations involving volunteers and learn more about all they’re activities in your city, country and around the world. • Learn about volunteering opportunities in your city or country there are many different types of volunteering experiences and this is a unique opportunity to obtain concrete and in-depth information in one visit. • Encourage and recognize volunteers in your city and country for all their efforts and achievements. • Enable volunteers to meet and learn about best practices in each European country. • Learn more about the European dimension of volunteering and be part of a European initiative that will cover 27 countries.
www.europa.eu/volunteering
Some ideas to attract the general public: • Send interesting and concrete information about the EYV2011 Tour and its activities through your local network. This includes NGOs, universities, cultural centres, local associations, museums, public institutions and other relevant organizations. Ask these organizations to communicate and promote the event with their own network. • Communicate the EYV2011 Tour and specific events and activities through social media. The power of social media to communicate and connect people is becoming increasingly evident. Social networks such as Facebook and Twitter and their local counterparts are very efficient and strong communication tools. In order for the social webs to motivate and enlarge their network, they need to be constantly updated with interesting and relevant information, not only about specific events, but also information that attracts and inspires people to join the network. • Involve the city hall or municipality in the event. Ensuring the support of the local public institutions can help disseminate the event on many levels and provide strong institutional support. The EYV2011Tour is of public interest and should attract public authorities. Ask them to help you disseminate the event through their various channels: website, public announcements, newsletters, magazines, etc. • Whenever possible, use local communication tools to promote the event (t.v., radio, media channels, etc.). You can either promote the event through advertisements or try and get the media to use it as a news event. • When communicating the EYV Tour, give concrete information and examples about the event. Provide interesting and fresh information that is attractive to the general public. Be short and precise and use simple, clear language. • An attractive program is the best way to entice people to join the event. If you can provide a varied and attractive agenda and are able to communicate it to the general public, they will surely want to join the EYV2011 Tour! www.europa.eu/volunteering