ORGANIZING AN EDUCATIONAL EVENT GUIDE

Organizing an educational event or teach-in is a powerful way to raise awareness, dispel myths, and foster informed discussions about the benefits of a federal medical cannabis program. By providing accurate information and creating a space for learning, you can engage participants and inspire advocacy. This guide outlines steps to successfully organize such an event.

DEFINE YOUR OBJECTIVES

The goal of these events is to inform, inspire advocacy, address misconceptions, and build our base. This means that the target audience can be pretty broad, but ideally, you want to reach community members that can help spread the word, influence their networks, and get involved.

PLAN THE PROGRAM

Agenda: Create a detailed agenda that outlines the flow of the event.

Time Management: Allocate appropriate time for your program and time for Q & A and discussions.

ASA Presentation: Familiarize yourself with this presentation that communicates the rationale behind the legislation, its function, and the positive impacts of establishing a national medical cannabis program. Feel free to create additional presentations or utilize other ASA videos.

Program: Consider whether you want to do a presentation and facilitate a discussion with attendees, invite knowledgeable speakers (make sure they can speak specifically on the topic at hand), or consider hosting panel discussions to offer diverse perspectives.

LOGISTICS AND VENUE

Date and Time: Choose a date and time that works well for your target audience. Check for any conflicting events or holidays.

Venue: Select a suitable venue that accommodates your expected audience size, offers the necessary facilities for presentations and discussions, and is ADA compliant.

Technology: Ensure that the venue has the required audiovisual equipment for presentations, slides, and videos if you need it.

PROMOTION & OUTREACH

Promotional Materials: Create promotional materials such as flyers, posters, and online graphics to spread the word about the event.

Social Media: Use social media platforms to promote the event, share speaker profiles, and engage with potential attendees.

Network Outreach: Reach out to allied organizations (LIKE ASA), community groups, and local media outlets to help promote the event.

EVENT EXECUTION

Check-In: Set up a check-in station to welcome attendees, distribute event materials, and collect contact information for follow-up.

Introductions: Begin the event with introductions of speakers and an overview of the event's objectives.

Engage the Audience: Encourage active participation through Q&A sessions, group discussions, and interactive activities.

Provide Resources: Download and Print ASA Materials and gather contacts for follow-up.

Post-Event Follow-Up: Provide information about ongoing advocacy efforts, upcoming events, and ways for attendees to stay involved.