SAAM Resources > Tips For A Successful SAAM

PLAN EARLY

Planning early is the most important factor in a successful SAAM campaign. It is never too early to begin planning for SAAM.
Allow at least four months for SAAM planning. This helps improve campaign quality and reduces the feeling of being rushed.
Organize a planning committee to assist in SAAM planning. Allow committee members to be creative and to share tasks.
Set goals and objectives for SAAM and sexual violence awareness and prevention work throughout the year.
Develop a timeline, listing all tasks to be completed for each activity/event.
Designate a person who is responsible for ensuring the completion of each task.

DEFINE YOUR AUDIENCE

The target audience may be the general public, or a specific population.
If targeting a particular group, work with members of the target population to develop the SAAM campaign.
If targeting the general public, the SAAM campaign should reflect the diversity of your community as much as possible.

CONSIDER WHAT YOUR SAAM FOCUS WILL BE FOR THE YEAR

Consider making your focus consistent with the national focus.
Enlist the assistance of youth, young adults, members of the community and community leaders in the development of your focus and activities for SAAM.
Ensure that activities and events are aligned with the focus of the SAAM campaign.
Conduct online research or call national and state organizations to obtain resources to aid in the development of materials for your SAAM campaign.
You may also wish to address recent events that have take place in your community.

CONSIDER YOUR AGENCY’S RESOURCES

Assess your organization’s budget to determine how much your organization can afford to spend on the SAAM campaign.
Assess your staff and volunteer availability. Consider whether you have enough staff and volunteers to help plan and implement SAAM activities and events in your community. If not, consider the resources in your community.

CONSIDER YOUR COMMUNITY’S RESOURCES

Determine what activities and events other organizations or your local government are planning during April.
Involve your community leaders by requesting their presence on your planning committee, or by requesting proclamations establishing April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Contact community agencies with whom you can partner with during SAAM. Partnering with other organizations allows for enhanced community relations; pooled resources; a greater likelihood of media coverage; and reduced stress.
Ask individuals in the community to volunteer their time to help plan and implement SAAM.
Solicit companies/organizations in your area for donations or underwriting for projects.

OUTREACH TO YOUR LOCAL MEDIA

Develop a positive rapport with members of the media in your local area prior to April.
Keep the media informed of sexual assault awareness and prevention activities during SAAM and throughout the year. Distribute press releases, letters to the editor, etc.
Remember that members of the media don’t necessarily work a “normal” schedule. Be flexible and prepared to make a statement when contacted.
Communicate directly with reporters who cover sexual assault, community, crime or special features issues.
Work with the local newspaper(s) to have Sexual Assault Awareness Month featured in an article.
Request an appearance on television and radio public affairs programs. Additionally, work closely with these groups to have Public Service Announcements aired.

NOTIFY STATE, TERRITORY, TRIBAL AND NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

Make your state, territory, and tribal sexual assault coalitions aware of your SAAM events. Usually, you can call, fax, or email event information to your coalition.
Notify the National Sexual Violence Resource Center of your SAAM events. You may mail, fax, or email your events to the NSVRC. You may also post your events onto the NSVRC’s online Calendar of Events.
Notifying other agencies of your events helps them publicize and promote your event, while collecting event ideas and other useful information.

RECOGNIZE SUPPORTERS

Write thank-you notes to all individuals and organizations that helped plan/organized SAAM events.
Thank all donors and sponsors with personalized letters or notes.
Thank donors and sponsors on your agency’s website. Consider posting donor/sponsor logos and website links on the agency or organization homepage.

EVALUATE YOUR EFFORTS

Review feedback from previous years.
Take your time in developing survey questions.
If appropriate, use website/email surveys.
Find ways to increase evaluation response rates.
Convene your planning group to review feedback and develop a report for your agency.
Share your report with other interested groups.