***+Earth+Week+2016

We are beginning to plan RPI's Earth Week Festival 2016, tentatively scheduled to kick-off on Saturday April 16 with a community event at the Union, with campus events continuing through the following week. Official Earth Day is Saturday, April 23. Staging our community event the Saturday before avoid conflicts with other community events for Earth Day, and also avoids conflicts with k-12 school spring break (which starts on April 23).

We need to think through the **purpose** of these events, and various ways we can support these purposes.

See the **[|Earth Day Network.]** Earth Day Texas. “About” [] University at Albany. “UAlbany host Family Earth Day, April 27th” []

In process -- following up on Toxic Sludge is Good for You -- c onsider how we should – and maybe should not – use public relations strategies in planning RPI's Earth Week Festival. Suggest specific ways that we could follow the suggestions listed below (from Wilcox, Dennis L, et al. Public Relations Strategies and Tactics, 4th ed. (New York: HarperCollins), 1995, p. 300, referenced in the study guide for //Toxic Sludge is Good for You//). Also discuss public relations strategies that are //not// appropriate for use by educators, researchers and/or civic activists.

a. Tie in with news events of the day. b. Cooperate with another organization on a joint project. c. Conduct a poll or survey. d. Issue a report or a summary of events. e. Arrange an interview with a celebrity. f. Take part in a controversy. g. Arrange for a speech or testimonial. ROOTS IN CONFLICT h. Make an analysis or prediction. i. Form and announce names for committees, advisory boards, blue ribbon commissions, etc. j. Hold an election. k. Celebrate an anniversary or tie in with a holiday. l. Make a trip or organize a tour. m. Create an award or hold a contest. n. Adapt national reports and surveys for local use. o. Stage a debate. P. Include kids or puppies.
 * Public relations strategies for building interest and news coverage of an event: **

Also see this description of an Earth Day event -- "Who We Are." //Citizens for Sustainable Marina//. Web. 24 Nov. 2015. . "Earth Day." //Citizens for Sustainable Marina//. Web. 24 Nov. 2015. .