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Essentials in
Get Famous
Singing for Life: Questions and Answers
Updated: 1/10/2008 5:54:22 PM
Are You Singing For Life?
Is your chapter among the ever-growing number signed up for the 2008 North American Blood Drive and Donor Recruitment Program? Ask your Chapter President if he has registered your chapter and appointed a Program Chairman.
2008 International Blood Drive & Donor Recruitment Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What organizations are partnering with the Barbershop Harmony Society on this program?
A: The American Red Cross, Canadian Blood Services, America’s Blood Centers, and Hema-Quebec
Q: When will this event be held?
A: May 10, 2008
Q: Why May 10th?
A: May 10th is the day before Mothers day, the week before Memorial Day (USA), the week after Victoria Day (Canada). These two long week-ends produces some of the largest accident rates within our two countries. This is also precedes our International Convention in Nashville.
Q: How will it be promoted?
A: This event will be promoted locally through these groups (word of mouth) and local blood centers and their media outlets asking their communities to come out to their local mall or civic center where the drive will take place and come out and give the gift of life.
Q: What will make this “giving” experience different?
A: Most blood drives are boring where one arrives, gives a pint, has a coffee and donut and goes home. Chapters are encouraged to organize various quartets, VLQs, and other community ensembles to provide entertainment that will offer as much music as possible during the day. Chapters not able to schedule the entire day with performances should not be deterred from participating.
Q: Will this help us build awareness for barbershop in our communities?
A: Yes. This is an opportunity to showcase to the communities who we are and what we do. If we attract and recruit a few more members in the process then this is also good. Chapters can build alliances with other community groups including choirs, bands, schools and churches. The possibilities are unlimited.
Q: What kind of external promotion tools will be provided?
A: Posters and other collateral materials will be provided through a cooperative effort between the Barbershop Harmony Society and members of the North American Blood Community. PSA radio spots will be produced and distributed by the Society. Tools like this can be delivered by local blood centers to local media.
Q: How can we inform the media?
A: Boiler plate press release information will be provided by members of the North American Blood Community. Other than local contact info, date and time, etc., any deviation from boiler plate info requires prior approval.
Q: What kind of internal promotional support will be provided?
A: The Society kicked off promotion of this program at the International Convention in Denver through big screen ads, an ad in the convention program, webcast appearances and an exhibit booth in near the Harmony Marketplace. The Society will continue to promote this program through www.barbershop.org , the Livewire and The Harmonizer. Stories from members that have benefited by blood donations will be solicited.
Q: What are some other benefits?
A: Pride – Barbershoppers across North America can feel proud of their efforts and this Society. Thousands of people we may never know will benefit by the efforts of our members. The lives of others may even be saved. Media Exposure - This type of event because of its nature and size will draw media exposure that our Society could never afford to pay for. Our chapters and the Barbershop Harmony Society name will be front and center in homes all across North America. New Members – Our ability to attract new members can be improved through increased public awareness.
Q: What does giving blood have to do with singing?
A: Asking members to donate blood is not the purpose of this drive, but we encourage donations from those willing to do so. This will be a day where the gift of music will be there in support of the gift of life. Our chapters will be inviting other choirs from their community churches, from their local schools and any other choral group that they wish to celebrate with them.
Q: How can I help get things started in my chapter?
A: Chapter Presidents are encouraged to appoint a Singing for Life Chairman in their chapter and register your chapter as a participant on the Singing for Life website. (Each president will receive the appropriate login information.) We also encourage promotion of the program to your members through your chapter website and through reminders in your newsletter and at meetings. Information distributed to your chapter mailing list can create even more buzz about the program.
Q: What else will be expected of my chapter?
A: Reporting - Having chapters report results achieved is crucial. This would include tracking units of blood collected, performances, number of groups participating, location of the event, media coverage achieved.
If this Q & A does not answer all your questions, please contact the Society’s Marketing and PR Committee chair, Bob Ebers at overtonebob@videotron.ca
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