Chronology For Community Relations Managers To help you plan and implement the "Hometown History" project, here is a suggested chronology. Use what works best in your community, according to your experience and these suggestions. Remember to coordinate with your A&E/THE HISTORY CHANNEL account manager. 1.Familiarize yourself with the activities. 2.Keep your A&E/THE HISTORY CHANNEL affiliate sales representative informed about your plans. 3.Contact the executive director of your local Girl Scout council. They will also be hearing from Girl Scouts of the USA - their national headquarters - about this project. Set up a time to meet with the appropriate representatives. 4.Present the "Hometown History" materials and activities. Listen to suggestions: these activities can be modified by the participating Troop Leaders. Their enthusiasm is tied to their sense of "ownership." Be prepared to print out the activities for the participants. 5.Contact local historical societies, museums, and organizations to inform them about the project, which has been endorsed by the American Association for State and Local History. 6.Set up a timetable for the project. Make sure you keep your A&E/THE HISTORY CHANNEL account manager informed. It should take about six weeks from when the Girl Scouts begin working on their projects to when you hold your local event. 7.Start planning the local event. You will need to reserve an area big enough for a screening, refreshments, and displays of the finished projects. A school auditorium and lobby work well. Plan simple invitations and programs, branded with your company's logo and The History Channel. 8.Notify the local press about the project. You will receive sample press releases. Press releases involving the Girl Scouts must be approved by your local Girl Scout council representative. 9.Have pictures taken of the Girl Scouts while they are working on the projects. These stills can later be incorporated into the "Hometown History" video that we have produced, which will allow for local stills that will customize the video for your community. (Your system will be responsible for customizing the video. It can, of course, play with our stills in place, but we think this is an option your audience will really enjoy.) 10.Keep in touch with the Girl Scouts regularly to make sure everything is going smoothly. 11.For the event, invite any business sponsors, historical organizations' representatives, Girl Scout Councils, state senators and representatives, etc. Don't forget the senior citizens who may have participated in the "Spoken History" projects. And the press! Plan balloons, banners, etc. We will provide THE HISTORY CHANNEL banners. Get the Girl Scout troops involved in decorations and refreshments. Girl Scout cookies, of course! (A sheet cake and ice tea will work, too.) 12.Make sure you have your own photographer at the event. 13.Award participating Girl Scouts certificates and badges. (We will provide these, but you will have to personalize the certificates.) Consider plaques for the participating organizations. 14.Follow up with the press after the event.