International Day of Service Information session for directors of public affairs

Overview A community-based international project. Objectives: Provide assistance where it is needed. Strengthen the faith of Church members. Preach the “gospel in action” (without proselytism) Establish strong community-level relationships. Bring the Church out of obscurity. Doctrinal base: Mosiah 2:17; Matthew 5:17 y Hebrews 6:10. Date and time: Saturday, November 1st, 2014 (daytime only)

Overview An annual tradition (first Saturday of November) Participants: Church members, their relatives, friends and neighbors. Co-sponsored by the Church along with other community organizations. Under the “Mormon Helping Hands” brand and concept (for LDS only) Coordinated on an area level but planned and directed on a stake level. Modular configuration: could be done as a stake, by ward or mixed. Other sponsors can make “in-kind” contributions.

Examples: Beautify or restore parks, streets or sidewalks. Help clean beaches, coasts, lakes and rivers. Planting trees (reforestation) Collect and distribute food for the poor. Help in orphanages and nursing homes. Blood donation campaigns (blood run) Provide vaccines and information about illnesses. Restore furniture in a community building.

Implementation steps: Designate a committee and a coordinator (not the DPA) Identify needs in the community (with partners) Choose one or more projects and obtain resources. Promote the event before it takes place. Guarantee safety, permissions and first aid assistance. Keep an audiovisual record (photo, video) Distribute information during and after the event. Evaluate the project and recognize all participants.

Final report: Brief paragraph with an overview of the project(s). Project(s) description and location. Amount of volunteers involved (LDS/Community) Amount of service hours rendered. Photos and video. Other relevant statistical data (pounds, meters, etc.) Media coverage (including links or files)

For reference: Letter from the Area Presidency (August 18, 2014) General Instructions and Implementation Steps (Annex) Notice from the Caribbean Public Affairs Office (September 11, 2014) Guidelines for Directors of Public Affairs (Annex)

Analyze: Have we organized a committee? Who leads the committee? Have we met to plan our project(s)? If not, when? Have we identified what projects will be done? Will we be ready to submit our projects to the Area Office before October 5, 2014? How many volunteers from our stake/district do we expect? What organizations from the community will participate? How many volunteers do they expect to engage? Have we determined how to best keep an audiovisual record of the project? What are the options? If there’s a cost involved, what is it?

Media management: Communication should flow before, during and after the event. National media to be approached by the national council. However, local media could be handled by multistake/stake/district councils. Official spokesmen should be designated. Public Affairs will provide talking points. Social media specialists with internet access in each “service unit”. Full-time missionary presence: high impact. Press release and talking points provided by Public Affairs could be adjusted to the local needs of each unit/country.

Target audience: Local community (in general) Opinion leaders (local and national) Media outlets (local and national)

Key messages: As follower of Jesus Christ, we serve others. We believe in being good citizens and neighbors; and to be responsible to our community. Participation of faith groups is a positive influence in society. It is not about us but about many organizations and individuals united in a good cause. (Other issues of particular local interest)

Channels: Focus on both the Church and the community. Promotional posters and flyers. Announcements and motivational visits. Traditional media: Radio: press releases and on-air appearances. Newspapers (print): press releases and visits. Television (news and shows): press releases, on-air appearances and interviews. New media: Newsroom, Caribbean.lds.org, digital newspapers and blogs.

Channels: Social media (Twitter/Facebook): A 15-day campaign (starting October 15) A new meme every 2 days (Mon-Wed-Fri) Promotional video on YouTube (to be confirmed) Hasthags: #DiaIntlServicio #IntlServiceDay #JournéeIntlService # IntlDagDienst Invite everyone to “follow/like” and to to “mention/tag” our official social media accounts. Links to related articles or news. Note: photos should show “action” and cooperation.

Analyze: Do we have a media assistant director or specialist? If not, have we identified someone to lead the media outreach efforts? Is there a local country newsroom currently in place? Are there any Twitter/Facebook accounts currently managed by the national council of public affairs? Are these hashtags adequate? Do we have enough experienced members with internet-ready devices who could serve as social media specialists? Could we provide the Area Office with their contact information? How soon?

Analyze: Who will be designated as the official spokesman of the event to answer media inquiries? Have we identified the media, channels and programs/shows with the right profile to promote the event? Have we determined how to involve full-time missionary participation? What is the best way to engage Church members in our social media efforts?

Questions and Comments