The National Civic League’s 2013 All-America City Awards

Finalist Webinar

Congratulations!

Your community is among the Finalists for the 2013 All-America City Awards…. now what do you do?!

Agenda• Before the event:

− Making it happen: delegations, presentations, & fundraising− Be prepared! Costs associated with AAC event− Hotel & travel− Dates & Deadlines

• The AAC Event: What to Expect− Not just a competition!− Orientation− Presentations to the Jury− The Civic Action Fair/Cultural Entertainment Showcase− Innovation Forum− Award ceremony− Share while you’re there!

Before the event: Making it Happen

Select your delegation– Average delegation size: 30– Make sure that you have someone there to represent each of your projects– Make sure your delegation is representative of your community

Before the event: Making it Happen

• Create & rehearse your presentation–All presentations are different – no one “right” way –Talk to past finalists– View videos of past presentations on AAC blog

• Fundraising!– Email NCL for ideas from past finalists–Talk to past finalists

Before the Event: Be Prepared! Costs associated with AAC event… and what we’ve done to help!

• Registration– 4 free registrations– Also free: members of the media and children 5 and under– Each additional registration for your delegation is $75 (a discount over regular registration fee)

• Civic Action Fair - cost of participation has been significantly reduced!

• Travel Costs

Before the event: Hotel & Travel• Hotel & Connections Info

– NCL has secured a group rate at the Grand Hyatt– All community delegates should to stay at host hotel – All reservations should be made online through Connections Housing: http://www.connectionsmeetings.com/content/1212.htmQuestions? Contact Rusty: rusty@connectionshousing.com or 1.800.262.9974

• Airline reservations: consider group discounts

• Other options: Consider chartering a bus for your delegation! It is usually much less expensive than flying a large group and it can be a great chance for you to bond!

Before the Event: Dates & Deadlines

• Ongoing: send clips of all media coverage to: mikem@ncl.org

• By April 15, 2013: Email community project photos mikem@ncl.org

• By May 10, 2013: Reserve hotel rooms!

• By May 13, 2013: Email local press contact list (in an Excel spreadsheet) to mikem@ncl.org

• By May 20, 2013:

- Hotel rooming list to Rusty

- Send delegate registrations and payment to Gloria gloriarc@ncl.org

The 64th Annual

All-America City Awards

What to Expect: Not Just a Competition

Opportunities Abound! Get new ideas for your community by:

•Networking with other communities throughout the event

•Attending Innovation Forums

•Attending the presentations of other communities (bonus: the jury notices and loves this!)

What to Expect: Orientation & Celebration

When: Friday, June 14th at 4:00

What: Kickoff to the All-America City Awards! Part pep rally, part information session, and part celebration!

Why: 1) Come cheer your community

2) Gain valuable information about the event

What to Expect: Orientation & Celebration, continued…

Don’t Forget: your AAC quilt square

Welcome Reception: A chance to meet delegates from other communities and enjoy hors d’oeuvres

What to Expect: Presentations to the Jury

Rehearsals

- Official Rehearsal: on stage and timed, very structured

- Extra Rehearsal: one hour to be used however you wish (not on stage, but a meeting room will be provided)

Presentations

- Entry/Exit: 5 minutes each

- Presentation: 10 minutes

- Jury Q & A: 10 minutes

- Rules for props, music, etc.

NOTE: You will be facing the Jury, not the audience!

What to Expect: Presentations to the Jury

The JuryJury Questions: You never know what the jury may ask, but there is a good chance that they will want to know about: 1)main criteria: innovation, civic engagement, inclusiveness, collaboration, and impact 2)Specific questions about your individual projects3)Demographics

Your answers: Keep them short and to the point; do not “dance” around the question! Also, make sure that there is more than one person answering questions for your group.

What to Expect: Diversity/Inclusiveness Award

Who is eligible?

All AAC Finalists are eligible for this award.

How will the winner be chosen?

Selection will be made by the jury based on your application and answers to questions in the jury Q&A.

What to Expect: Civic Action Fair/ Cultural Entertainment Showcase

Civic Action Fair (Saturday, June 15):• Chance for you to showcase your community• NCL provides: one 8’ table, 2 chairs• Set-up and break down• Giveaway ideas (Dos and Don’ts)• Shipping

NOTE: Neither the Civic Action Fair nor the Cultural Entertainment Showcase are part of the competition. It is a chance for you to network and have fun!

What to Expect: Civic Action Fair/ Cultural Entertainment Showcase

Cultural Entertainment ShowcasePast “entertainers” have included mariachi bands, high school jazz

bands, an African dancer, and a junior rodeo star! Performance time will be determined by the number of groups participating.

NOTE: Neither the Civic Action Fair nor the Cultural Entertainment Showcase are part of the competition. It is a chance for you to network and have fun!

What to Expect: Innovation Forums

Saturday evening: Youth Forum, a facilitated session for youth to meet their peers and discuss shared issues.

Friday morning (Education) and Sunday afternoon workshops (Veterans and military families critical issues, chief elected/appointed officials forum, and others)

What to Expect: Innovation Forums

Why:

As a leader in your own community, you will have the opportunity to interact with other leaders to discuss the key factors to community success in addressing pressing local issues. Participants will have the chance to share their own insights and learn from others’ experiences. Participants will leave with ideas and models that they can take away and apply at home. 

 

What to Expect: Award Ceremony

Pre-Awards Reception (6:00 – 7:00 pm) light hors d’oeuvres will be served – not dinner

Awards Ceremony (7:00-8:30 pm): Announcing ten All-America Cities, recognizing AAC finalists, Announcing Diversity/Inclusiveness Award winner, Announcing AAC Stories Video winner, and Announcing AAC Youth award winner.

Post-Awards Reception (8:30-10:30 pm): Dancing and light hors d’oeuvres; everyone is invited to celebrate!

Dress Code: None! Some communities choose to dress up, while others choose to wear their matching community t-

shirts. Casual dress is perfectly acceptable.

What to Expect: Share While You’re There!Share your AAC experience with your community in real time! Make use of social networking tools such as:

•Facebook www.facebook.com/pages/All-America-City-Awards/277887828621

•Twitter (use hashtag #allamericacity to tag your tweets!)

•AAC Blog: www.allamericacityaward.com

More Questions?

Call us at NCL

(303) 571-4343

or send an email message at gloriarc@ncl.org

We look forward to seeing you in Kansas City!

Good luck!