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

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