"A Nation Unites for Victims' Rights:" State and Local Events Coordination Checklist

• Order copies of the free National Crime Victims' Rights Week Resource Guide and Theme Poster from the OVC Resource Center by calling (800) 627-6872, and requesting NCJ 198169 (Resource Guide) and LT 000473 (Theme Poster) to augment public outreach and visuals for the April 10^th observance.
• Create a 2003 National Crime Victims' Rights Week Planning Committee and, specifically, a Committee to coordinate the April 10^th "A Nation Unites for Victims' Rights" Observance.
• Contact the Office for Victims of Crime to inform them of your participation, which will enhance national, regional and local media coverage of this nationwide event (state/local concurrent event response form).
• Determine who should be involved as co-sponsors (sample list).
• Distribute a "save the date" announcement for April 10^th (sample announcement), and post it on all relevant web sites.
• Widely distribute a press release to print, broadcast, and web-based news media (sample press release).
• Widely distribute public service announcements to broadcast media (sample PSA).
• Develop and disseminate an "at-a-glance" fact sheet (sample Fact Sheet).
• Develop a Program for the evening:
  • Recognition of co-sponsors.
  • Linking local event to the national initiative (a national press release will be sent via e-mail to all local communities that return their "state/local concurrent event response form" to the Office for Victims of Crime).
  • Invited dignitaries.
  • Guest speakers.
  • Any awards offered.
  • Musical performances.
  • Concluding with a Candlelight Ceremony.
• Provide participants with resources from the NCVRW Resource Guide:
  • Theme poster and three small "I Have the Right" posters.
  • Buttons.
  • Commemorative lapel ribbons on ribbon cards.
  • Other resources that you can replicate for your observance.
  • Creat a community display for April 10th (Step-by-Step instructions).
• Follow-up with thank you letters to key participants (sample "Thank You" letter).