Table Of ContentA F S C C E N T E N N I A L
Regional Events Guide
SPRING 2016
AFSC CENTENNIAL REGIONAL EVENTS GUIDE
Table of contents
1. Overview ..................................................................................... 3
a. Summary
2. AFSC alumni and centennial events .............................................................. 4
a. Getting stories from AFSC alumni
b. Collecting participant data
3. Archives support .............................................................................. 6
a. How to request materials from archives
4. Media support ................................................................................ 7
5. Centennial branding ........................................................................... 8
a. Visual brand
b. Social media
c. Centennial talking points
6. Additional support ............................................................................. 10
a. Tips for effective story-telling
b. What if your local office has an anniversary in 2017?
c. Salsa event & registration page set-up
d. Requesting a donor invitation list
7. Appendices ................................................................................... 12
a. Sign-in sheet
b. Archives support form
c. Exhibit press release
d. Exhibit media advisory
e. Centennial letterhead
f. Social media sign
Overview
In 2017, the AFSC celebrates its 100th anniversary. To mark this milestone, we will host a series of events around
the world, culminating with a summit in Philadelphia in April 2017. AFSC staff, supporters, partners and alum
are encouraged to celebrate with us throughout the year.
Here are some things for planners to keep in mind:
• Think big! Strengthen ties to current supporters and constituencies, re-connect with those touched by AFSC,
and deepen engagement with Quakers, volunteers and allies. Identify and honor those who contributed to
AFSC’s achievements over years.
• Think broadly outside AFSC! Reach out to new diverse audiences and potential allies and partners, to younger
audiences, youth from regional and local programs, media, and more.
• Think inside AFSC! Use the occasion and the work leading up to it to strengthen internal staff/volunteer
knowledge, cohesion and commitment. Think of ways to honor former staff and committee members, and
draw in a new generation of talented potential staff and volunteers.
Summary
The AFSC marks 100 years in 2017. Planning is underway for a wide range of activities around the world engaging
staff, governance bodies, program constituents, partners, Quakers, volunteers, donors and new audiences.
Regions and country or program offices are invited to plan for centennial exhibits, events or celebrations within
the frame of the global centennial, while honoring AFSC history, current effort and future program in that
geographic area. This planning guide is intended to support those planning efforts.
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American Friends Service Committee ▪ Centennial Regional Events Guide
AFSC alumni and centennial events
Under the direction of Kenyatta James, volunteer coordinator, a cross-unit working group is building the support
material for an alumni network for past staff, volunteers, interns, fellows, and constituents to stay connected with
AFSC and each other and work together for lasting peace with justice.
Staff in any office are encouraged to engage local alumni with event invitations and volunteer opportunities.
Instructions and training material will be available when the technical platform for alumni engagement is
launched.
Tablets and sign-up sheets will be available to help event-goers register for AFSC’s alumni network at local events
and exhibit locations. See Appendix A for a sample sign-in sheet.
For assistance engaging AFSC alumni or for questions, please contact Kenyatta James at [email protected].
Getting stories from AFSC alumni
All alumni, staff, interns, volunteers, and committee members will be invited to share their AFSC stories on our
centennial website, PeaceWorks:
peaceworks.afsc.org
People can post their photos and stories online, share them with their friends, and view others who have been
a part of building AFSC’s legacy of nonviolent social change work. See Additional support for tips on effective
storytelling.
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American Friends Service Committee ▪ Centennial Regional Events Guide
Collecting participant data
Centennial events
The host committee of centennial events should make every effort to reach out to AFSC alumni when planning
events. For example, interested alumni can participate in the exhibit as tour guides, event panelists, and
storytellers. Please have all volunteers, participants, and partners sign up during the event so we can send thank
you messages, updates, and keep track of our success across the country.
Sign-in sheets can be found in Appendix A and on Star Café:
starcafe.org/service/centennial/Shared%20Documents/Centennial%20Sign%20In%20Sheet.pdf
When organizing the event we ask that you encourage people familiar with AFSC to speak about their past
experience, either as part of a panel or as tour guides and hosts. Individuals with especially compelling stories
should be encouraged to share their story with AFSC at our centennial site, Peace Works:
peaceworks.afsc.org
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American Friends Service Committee ▪ Centennial Regional Events Guide
Archives support
Start by visiting the Archives room on Star Café:
starcafe.org/archives
There you will find an overview of what the Archives has for 100th anniversary resources including histories of
work in different regions, historical overviews, vignettes and other materials including material from past AFSC
anniversaries and celebrations.
starcafe.org/archives/100th%20Anniversary%20Docs
You can also search for documents such as minutes, annual reports and publications by using the “Archival
Search.”
How to request materials from archives
• Please designate a “point person” who will be the main contact between your staff and the archives staff.
• Fill out the form for support at least 8 weeks in advance of your event. (see Appendix B)
• Once an initial list of possible resources is compiled, the Archivist will work with you to determine
which resources are most appropriate and can best serve your needs; determine which items to scan for
reproduction and which originals can be loaned for the duration of the exhibit.
• Arrange with the Archives for delivery and return of any items.
• Check with your office and region colleagues to see if there is material on site that can be repurposed for the
exhibit. Ask the Archivist if they would like copies of any of those materials and arrange to get them to them.
For photographic materials please visit the AFSC Photobase. If you do not already have an account, there are
directions for obtaining one. There are also instructional Star Clips to help you navigate and find what you need
on Photobase.
photos.afsc.org
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American Friends Service Committee ▪ Centennial Regional Events Guide
Media support
How to get support for your media outreach:
• If you decide to have a separate media outreach plan for your local centennial events, please feel free to
contact Communications ([email protected]) for advice and media lists.
• See Appendix C and D for press releases and media advisory templates.
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American Friends Service Committee ▪ Centennial Regional Events Guide
Centennial branding
Visual brand
AFSC’s centennial branding system consists of a suite of visual elements to be used in different contexts: The
AFSC logo with the centennial URL and the centennial flag (to be used most widely), a special circular centennial
logo inspired by historical versions of the AFSC logo that will be used on specialized materials produced by the
central office, and a “Courageous Acts” logo that is used only on materials related to the Development unit’s
centennial fundraising campaign.
You can find a link for a centennial letterhead template in Appendix E. The design team can also help if you’d like
to order printed centennial stationery, if you need help customizing the centennial letterhead with your local
office information, or if you’re interested in using the centennial branding in other contexts. Contact the design
team for help at [email protected].
Standard AFSC logo with centennial Centennial letterhead
URL and centennial flag
Centennial circular logo: For use in special, Courageous acts logo: Reserved for use in
centrally-produced centennial materials certain development materials
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American Friends Service Committee ▪ Centennial Regional Events Guide
Social media
The Communications Department supports staff in using social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, for
organizing and promotion of your event. They also manage AFSC’s Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Tumblr,
Instagram and Flickr accounts. If you would like something to be promoted in those accounts, contact our social
media specialist, at [email protected].
A social media sign (Appendix F) should be posted at every event.
Centennial talking points
As you plan your event, keep these talking points in mind:
• AFSC will turn 100 in 2017!
• You’re invited! To mark this milestone, we will host events and forums around the world. In April, a summit
in Philadelphia will bring together current and former staff, donors, volunteers, local Quakers, scholar-
activists, and alumni.
• Centennial goals:
· Deepen and energize AFSC’s relationships with donors, alumni, partners, and potential partners through
online and in-person events, stories, and resources.
· Re-engage people who have had experience with AFSC.
· Raise the level of visibility and credibility for our messages about nonviolence and shared security to
further our strategic initiatives
• Audience
· Current AFSC interns, fellows and leaders in our youth work
· Current and former staff, donors, volunteers, and supporters
· Local Quakers
· Scholar-activists and students
· Community partners
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American Friends Service Committee ▪ Centennial Regional Events Guide
Additional support
Tips for effective story-telling
Your most compelling stories for the internet will be brief and simple. Use concrete details and try to include
your emotions about what happened. You can write as little as a paragraph or as much as a page. It often helps to
build your story around a defining moment—that sense of an “a-ha” when everything changed. Fill your story
with details that help readers feel as if they were with you. Use all five senses if you can. Answer questions such as:
Who was with you? What was your goal? What did you see and hear? How did you feel?
You may want to write about
• Meeting someone who had a major influence on you
• An adventure you had or event you experienced
• An accomplishment or turning point
What if your local office has an anniversary in 2017?
If your local office is celebrating an anniversary in 2017, please inform the Centennial Director at
[email protected] and the Events Coordinator at [email protected]. We can also support your local event
in the following ways:
• Pre-event delivery of Centennial collateral
• Assisting you to host the traveling exhibit
• Adapting the centennial talking points to highlight your specific work
• Inserting portions of the template centennial release into your event release
• Inviting Shan to attend and speak on the anniversary
Salsa event & registration page set-up
Begin by completing the Salsa Event Setup Request form on the Star Café Development Suite:
starcafe.org/dev/Lists/Salsa%20Event%20Registration/Item/newifs.aspx
This form will generate an automated email to the Salsa Manager and the Events Coordinator, who will provide
you with further instruction. Questions can be directed to the Salsa Manager at [email protected]
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American Friends Service Committee ▪ Centennial Regional Events Guide
Description:AFSC CENTENNIAL REGIONAL EVENTS GUIDE . of centennial events should make every effort to reach out to AFSC alumni when planning events.
