E-letter for Children’s Day - November 2010
Latest update for Children's Day 2011
Find out about our new look free resources and 2011 ambassador
Kia ora,
Children's Day 2011 is all about love and affection on Sunday 6 March. We are already hearing about cool events that are using this theme in fun and different ways.
Whatever you do to celebrate Children's Day it is your energy and enthusiasm that helps thousands of families celebrate the importance of children in our lives.
Look out for our lovely Children's Day resources which have been influenced by event organiser feedback. We have a new look activity booklet and this year we can continue to supply the Star scrapbooks and tattoos. We will, as usual be distributing resources as early as possible in the New Year.
This year our special cartoon ambassador is 8 year old Kate. She is shown with her mum and brother Josh. She also has an adventure in the library with her cousin Olivia. Olivia is a thriving teen who happens to get around in a wheelchair. We hope events next year will focus on how our communities include awareness of disability. Think about ways you can make your event accessible to all kinds of people and approach these communities early, they may come on board your organising committee. For ideas on how you can achieve this visit our website below.
Hear about our radio and text advertising campaign
You may begin hearing our ‘call to action' radio ads once again generously supported by Radionetwork stations. These encourage people to think about organising events now rather than wait until it is too late! Once again we have our txt2get campaign and we will endeavour to call those people who text us.
Some great tips from seasoned event organisers
Our annual survey of event organisers reaped some wonderful ideas and advice. We received some great ideas for our ‘love and affection' 2011 activity booklet (many we used thank you) as well as some great advice on how to make the most of your event. Here are some of those organiser tips -
- Start organising early! Provide some food for your first meeting if you can, make meetings brief and well organised and plan them ahead. Have an agenda, get all email contacts and get the support of your work place and managers to hold meetings there if you can.
- Get your grant funding applications in early as they take time to approve and first thing in the new year may be too late.
- Get your schools on board early. Put information in school notices and your posters up at your local schools.
- Giving away free food is a great drawcard for families so see if you can find food sponsors early to include in your advertising.
- Publicity, publicity,publicity - do not underestimate the many ways you can publicise your event. Don't just do it once, keep on doing it.
- Make sure you have heaps of activities and happy motivated volunteers at the activities to keep kids humming and families happy.
- Treat your volunteers well, look after them and thank them and you will see them back year after year.
- Try and involve young people in the planning, prepping, promotion and delivery of your event.
- Have a wet weather plan!
- Make sure you think of things like sunscreen, hand sanitiser, hand wipes and first aid.
Face painting and other offers
Face painting is almost a compulsory activity at Children's Day events and since March a great website with key information about face painting and how to find face painters has been launched. Jakkii Goody created the website when she left a busy job to have three children. Her company Fabart is offering groups who register a Children's Day event a special deal on training volunteers in how to face paint. Visit our website below to find out more.
If you want to offer free stuff or discounts for Children's Day organisers please email givingtime@childrensday.org.nz or call 0800 10 33 22
Other e-newsletters to inspire and interest you
There are some exciting e-letters available in New Zealand. Many of them contribute to improving the lives of children, families and communities in New Zealand. Have a look and see if they have news for you:
Child Health Watch newsletter, email alistair@auroradesign.co.nz
Know Your Neighbours Project News - a great e-letter about how connecting people in our neighbourhoods can really make a difference. Contact RebeccaH@lifewise.org.nz for their regular newsletter.
For information about children in New Zealand:
