AFSP International Survivors of Suicide Day

Saturday, November 19, 2011


Organizing a Conference Site: July E-Bulletin



Many of you have called or emailed to let us know you are definitely organizing a local conference site for International Survivors of Suicide Day. Thank you! We hope to hear from even more of you soon.



If you haven’t registered your site yet, don’t forget to complete the Site Registration Form as soon as you have a location finalized and we’ll add your site to the list of participating cities.


The step-by-step guide at www.afsp.org/survivorconference provides information on every aspect of planning your day, but you can also reply to this message or call Rebecca Thorp at 212-363-3500 ext 2033 if you have any questions. We are here to help.





« JULY FOCUS «



ONGOING LOCAL PROMOTION AND PUBLICITY



Even if you don’t have a location confirmed yet – don’t wait to start promoting your conference. Distribute Save the Date Postcards now. Ongoing local promotion and publicity is essential for reaching your target audience of newly bereaved survivors of suicide loss. The online guide to organizing a site gives step-by-step instructions, and customizable flyers, sample email announcements, and more. Just click here.



Who should you contact? Get the word out to organizations/agencies and individuals who are most likely to come into contact with bereaved individuals. Support groups, AFSP Lifekeeper Memory Quilt Organizers, hospices, funeral directors associations, mental health agencies, and more. A complete list is provided in step 4 at www.afsp.org/survivorconference.



Reach out to new survivors: 70% of attendees each year have never participated in this day before, and over 50% have lost a loved one within the past 2 years. If you organized a site last year, you’ll need to get the word out to new survivors in addition to inviting those who already attended.



HELPING SURVIVORS CONNECT



Survivors overwhelmingly tell us that having the opportunity to talk with other survivors was one of the most helpful aspects of International Survivors of Suicide Day. Many tell us that this is the very first time they’ve ever spoken openly about their loss.



Here are 3 ways to help survivors connect with one another at your conference. Details on all of the items below can be found in Ideas for Local Programming and in step 6 of the guide at www.afsp.org/survivorconference.



Provide name tags. The easiest way to do this is to have blank tags at your registration/greeting table with markers.

Provide color-coded ribbons, mardi-gras style beads, or a colored sticker to signify loss relationship so attendees can see at a glance that they have certain losses in common with others. Make a poster-board that explains what the ribbons or stickers are for and what the colors mean.

AFSP uses the following colors at the Out of the Darkness Overnight Walks:
white = loss of a child
gold or yellow = loss of a parent
orange = loss of a sibling
red = loss of a spouse/partner/significant other
purple = loss of a friend or other family member
blue =supporting the cause generally.

Plan sharing sessions: You can provide informal opportunities for survivors to connect, but providing structured sharing sessions is incredibly helpful for breaking the ice and opening up conversation. Learn how in Ideas for Local Programming.

We are here to help, so please be in touch if you have any questions at all.


Thanks, and take good care,

Joanne and Rebecca

*Please note our new phone extensions and mailing address*

Rebecca Thorp, Survivor Initiatives Manager - rthorp@afsp.org or 212-363-3500 x2033.
Joanne Harpel, Senior Director for Public Affairs and Postvention -jharpel@afsp.org or 212-363-3500 ext. 2032

ØIf you don't want to receive future emails about organizing a conference site, just let us know by return email.



American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

120 Wall Street, 29th Floor

New York, NY 10005

Fax (212) 363-6237

www.afsp.org

Organizing an AFSP National Survivors of Suicide Day Conference Site

Best Wishes



From Alaska to Australia, and Kansas to Kenya, survivors of suicide loss will be joining together at over 275 conference sites in 20 different countries this Saturday for National Survivors of Suicide Day. In recognition of the growing international reach of this powerful program and the work of the organizers around the globe, starting next year it will be known as International Survivors of Suicide Day.



On behalf of AFSP, we wish you all the best with your conference on Saturday and we thank you for your dedication to helping survivors of suicide loss.



« DAY-OF CONFERENCE REMINDERS

· Test DVD, all audio-visual equipment and webcast connections as early as possible. Webcast testing can begin as early as 9:00 a.m. EST. Details can be found on page 3 of the Technical Information Sheet. (Bring a hard copy of this sheet with you on Saturday.)

· Attendee Evaluation Forms – Please ask each attendee to fill out an Evaluation Form. 40 of these were mailed to the primary organizer for each site and a copy is also attached to this message. Please make additional photocopies as necessary. We review every single evaluation and take feedback very seriously.

« AFTERWARDS

· Mail Completed Attendee Evaluation Forms to AFSP Survivor Initiatives Dept, 120 Wall Street, 22nd Floor, New York, NY 10005.

· Attendee List – Please send a list of all attendees (or copies of your local registration forms) with attendee contact information (full name, address, phone, & email) so AFSP can share information on future resources and programs for surviving suicide loss.

· Organizer Feedback – We will ask each organizer to complete a short online survey on Monday. Please take a few moments to fill it out and share your feedback.

· Save the Date & Spread the Word: International Survivors of Suicide Day is Saturday, November 19, 2011.



Please be in touch if you have any questions at all. We are here to help.

Thanks, and take good care,

Joanne and Rebecca

Joanne Harpel, Director of Survivor Initiatives -jharpel@afsp.org or 212-363-3500 ext. 32.
Rebecca Thorp, Survivor Initiatives Manager - rthorp@afsp.org or 212-363-3500 ext.33.



American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

120 Wall Street, 22nd Floor

New York, NY 10005

Fax (212) 363-6237

www.afsp.org

Organizing an AFSP National Survivors of Suicide Day Conference Site

E-Bulletin - Final Details



Over 275 sites are participating in the 12th Annual National Survivors of Suicide Day on Saturday, November 20, 2010. Thank you.



« TO DO TODAY

· If you do not receive a package containing the DVD and attendee handouts by the end of the business day today, please email rthorp@afsp.org right away.

· Don’t wait - test the DVD using the equipment you plan to use on the day of the event.

· If you haven’t done so already, give your local technical organizer the Technical Information Sheet (also attached). Make sure you have a printed copy with you on National Survivors of Suicide Day.

· If you plan to show the webcast, you must perform tests in advance today, Monday, November 15th and the morning of November 20th. Details are on pages 2-3 of the Technical Information Sheet.

« TO DO ON NATIONAL SURVIVORS OF SUICIDE DAY

· Test your DVD, all audio-visual equipment and webcast connections. Testing details can be found in the Technical Information Sheet.

· Set up room(s) - Make sure you have chairs for attendees. If you plan to have food, activities, or discussion groups, make sure you have space allocated. It’s also nice to have tissues in each room.

· Post large, clear signage that says “National Survivors of Suicide Day” outside the building. You may also need additional signage inside the building, especially if you are having discussion groups, activities, or food in different rooms.

· Greet attendees - We highly recommend having at least 1 greeter at the door, plus a greeter who can take down the names of attendees and hand out any name tags or materials you may be providing.

· Attendee Evaluation Forms – Ask each attendee to fill out an Evaluation Form. 40 of these forms were mailed to the primary organizer and a copy is also attached to this message. If you expect more than 40 attendees at your site, please photocopy more. We read every single evaluation, and take feedback very seriously.

« AFTERWARDS

· Attendee Evaluation Forms –Mail forms back to AFSP Survivor Initiatives Dept, 120 Wall Street, 22nd Floor, New York, NY 10005 and let us know how many attendees you had.

· Attendee List – Please send a list of all attendees (or copies of local registration forms) with attendee contact information (full name, address, phone, & email) so AFSP can share information on future resources and programs.

· Organizer Feedback – We will email each organizer a short questionnaire on Monday, November, 22rd. Please take a few moments on that day to share your feedback with us so we can continue to improve National Survivors of Suicide Day.

· Save the Date for Next Year– Saturday, November 19, 2011



Please be in touch if you have any questions at all. We are here to help.

Thanks, and take good care,

Joanne and Rebecca

Joanne Harpel, Director of Survivor Initiatives -jharpel@afsp.org or 212-363-3500 ext. 32.
Rebecca Thorp, Survivor Initiatives Manager - rthorp@afsp.org or 212-363-3500 ext. 33.



American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

120 Wall Street, 22nd Floor

New York, NY 10005

Fax (212) 363-6237

www.afsp.org

Organizing an AFSP National Survivors of Suicide Day Conference Site

November E-Bulletin



Dear Organizers,



Thanks to your dedication, there are over 260 sites this year in a total of 19 countries and more survivors than ever before will benefit from this powerful program.



As always, the step-by-step guide to organizing a conference site contains detailed information on what to do leading up to National Survivors of Suicide Day: www.afsp.org/survivorconference, but if you have any questions at all, please be in touch.



« THE BROADCAST

· All sites: If you haven’t done so already, give your local Technical Organizer the Technical Information Sheet.

· DVD: All Primary Site Organizers will receive the DVD in the mail no later than Thursday, November 11th. (If you do not receive the DVD by the end of the business day on Nov. 11th email rthorp@afsp.org.) Test the DVD right away, preferably using the same equipment you plan to use on November 20th.

· Webcast: If you are showing the webcast, you must perform tests in advance on November 15th and the morning of November 20th. Details are listed on page 2 in the Technical Information Sheet.

« MATERIALS

Along with the DVD, each Primary Site Organizer will receive the following items for distribution to attendees. (Again, If you do not receive the package by the end of the business day on Nov. 11th, email rthorp@afsp.org right away.)

* Attendee Evaluation forms.
* Flyers depicting the specially-designed collection of AFSP Remembrance Jewelry (proceeds help support survivor programs)
* Flyers describing the Out of the Darkness Overnight and Community Walks.

For Additional Materials:
1. Click here to print out articles and resources free of charge.
2. Materials may also be ordered for a nominal charge by visiting the AFSP Store. Be sure to place your order TODAY so you receive everything in time.

« PREPARE FOR THE ‘DAY OF’

AFSP’s free 90-minute broadcast will provide the main program content for your conference, but many organizers also add local programming like break out support groups, food, healing activities, or speakers. See Ideas for Local Programming for suggestions.

· Plan to arrive early. The Primary Organizer and the Technical Organizer should plan to arrive at least 90 minutes before the conference begins to test the DVD, all audio-visual equipment and webcast connections (if applicable). Other volunteers can be asked to arrive at least 1 hour in advance to help set up room(s), post signage, & greet attendees.

· Finalize plans for greeting attendees. First impressions count. We highly recommend having at least 1 greeter at the door, and 1 greeter who can take down the names of your attendees and hand out materials and optional items like name tags or colored ribbons/beads that signify loss relationship.

· Finalize room set up. Make sure you have enough chairs plus all the necessary tech equipment. If you plan to have food, activities, or break out groups, make sure you have space allocated. It’s also nice to have tissues in each room.

· Create large, clear signage that says “National Survivors of Suicide Day” for outside the building. You may also need additional signage inside the building, especially if you are using multiple rooms.



Please be in touch if you have any questions at all. We are here to help.

Thanks, and take good care,

Joanne and Rebecca

Joanne Harpel, Director of Survivor Initiatives -jharpel@afsp.org or 212-363-3500 ext. 32.
Rebecca Thorp, Survivor Initiatives Manager - rthorp@afsp.org or 212-363-3500 ext. 33.



American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

120 Wall Street, 22nd Floor

New York, NY 10005

Fax (212) 363-6237

www.afsp.org

Organizing an AFSP National Survivors of Suicide Day Conference Site

October E-Bulletin



National Survivors of Suicide Day is Saturday, November 20th



Over 210 of you have registered conference sites – thank you. If you haven’t already done so, please Register Your Site as soon as possible to add it to the list of participating cities.

The 2010 step-by-step guide has detailed instructions on how to organize a site, but if you have any questions or concerns, please be in touch. We are here to help.

« GETTING READY

If you haven’t done so already, the following are high priority items:

· Publicize, Publicize, Publicize! Local publicity is essential to attract attendees For ideas, sample fliers and more, see the Publicity Toolkit in the appendix at www.afsp.org/survivorconference.

· Give your local technical organizer the 2010 Technical Information Sheet.

· Place any orders for brochures or books from the AFSP Online Store no later than Friday, October 29th. (Sites outside of the continental U.S. will need to place orders no later than Friday, October 22nd.)

« FINALIZE ‘DAY OF’ LOGISTICS

As you know, the only requirement for the day is to show AFSP’s 90-minute broadcast. You are serving the community simply by organizing a place for survivors of suicide loss to gather together in healing. Any other aspects of your conference– local speakers, food, discussion groups, activities – are optional. A list of ideas can be found in the appendix at www.afsp.org/survivorconference.

Prepare opening comments. The Primary Organizer (or a volunteer) should offer a short welcome, explain the purpose of the day (see Key Messages*) and give a quick overview of what attendees can expect. This sets the tone for the rest of the day. You don’t have to be a polished speaker to give a sincere welcome, but do practice a bit with colleagues, friends, loved ones, or a mirror if you aren’t used to public speaking.

Candle Lighting Ceremony. The opening of the broadcast includes a candle lighting ceremony, and all sites are warmly invited to participate. You’ll need two candles in candlestick holders, and matches. If your location does not allow open flames, you can use flameless candles, which are available for purchase from stores like Target and Kmart.

Volunteers. Make sure all your volunteers have assigned tasks for the day and that they are wearing something (a pin, ribbon, or nametag) so that attendees know who the volunteers are. Thank your volunteers in your opening and/or closing remarks.

Finalize plans for greeting and registration. First impressions count. We highly recommend having at least 1 greeter at the door, and a table of at 2 volunteers who can greet attendees warmly, take down registration information (at a minimum - name, mailing address, email address), answer questions, direct people to restrooms, and hand out materials and optional items like name tags or color-coded ribbons/beads that signify loss relationship. (For details on optional items, see Ideas for Local Programming in the appendix at www.afsp.org/survivorconference.) It is very important to have enough people at the registration table so that signing in and welcoming goes smoothly. Attendees will feel more relaxed if they see that everything is well-organized and under control. It is also helpful to have someone at the registration table throughout the day to answer questions.

We hope to hear from you if you have any questions or concerns.

Thanks, and take good care,

Joanne and Rebecca

Joanne Harpel, Director of Survivor Initiatives -jharpel@afsp.org or 212-363-3500 ext. 32
Rebecca Thorp, Survivor Initiatives Manager - rthorp@afsp.org or 212-363-3500 x33.



ØIf you don't wish to receive future emails about organizing a conference site, just let us know by return email.



American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

120 Wall Street, 22nd Floor
Phone (212) 363-3500

New York, NY 10005

Fax (212) 363-6237

www.afsp.org