Spread the Word!

ACT

For All Girl Scout Levels

Publicizing your experience with clean energy is an important requirement of your patch work. It can be done in many ways. Choose at least one way to publicize the things you have done and learned through the Clean Green Power Patch. You can come up with your own ideas or use one or more of these examples:

1. Create press releases for your site visit and interview, or for your project if it is an event or if it will be displayed. Do be sure it is OK with the site owner to have the press involved in your visit prior to inviting them. For press release tips, see, "Make Yourself a Star."

2. Make the focus of your project spreading the word about clean energy. Teach other people about what you have learned by displaying your project at your local school, library, city or town hall, or other commonly visited places. Have an opening reception just prior to a meeting (such as PTO meeting in the building where you display your project) and advertise with good looking photocopied fliers in advance.

3. If your project is geared toward teaching kids of a certain age group, you might get permission from a teacher to make a special class visit or from the principal to offer a special assembly. The school library is also a great place to spread the word.

4. Prepare a 10 to 15 minute presentation with your project and get yourself on the agenda at a local adult meeting of the Rotary Club, or another group. Here's a simple outline. Tell:

1. About the patch program and what clean green power means.
2. Where you went, why, and what you learned.
3. What project you created and describe it or show it if you can.
4. About the most important things you learned, changes you hope for, and what you think are most important things adults can do.

5. Write a letter to the editor of your newspaper describing a position on clean energy, energy alternatives, energy conservation, or problems associated with energy use. You may also respond to an energy related article you find in the newspaper.

   Tip: Look at the length of the letters the paper publishes. Usually it is about two or three paragraphs. That's the space you have to get across your point. Respectfully share your point of view and give a clear reasons for it.

6. Look for a small newspaper, e-zine, or newsletter where you can write about your project and include some photos. You could even create your own publication and have each troop member's project set up in article form.

For a sample, check out The Green Schools Gazette. At this site you can look through previous editions of this newsletter for students and by students. You could get ideas for a project and maybe publicity. Articles are wanted!

Here are additional ideas for places to share projects and experiences:

Earth Day Events
Environmental Centers
Town Energy Committees
Energy Study Groups
Green Car Clubs
County or Agricultural Fair (Maybe you can win an award!)
Conferences
National Honor Society
Nature and Hiking Clubs
After School Clubs
After School Care for Younger Kids
Historical Societies
Science Fairs and Expositions
Open Mikes
Key Club
Public Access Television
Faith Organizations such as Churches or Interfaith Councils
Other Girl Scout Troops
Rotary Club

Asking around among parents or checking with your Chamber of Commerce can lead to some good ideas for places where you can
share your project and spread the word.