Promoting an Educational Outreach Program

Most amateur rock clubs are 501(c)(3) nonprofits. This requires a dedicated mission usually including charitable offerings.

- JIM BRACE-THOMPSON

Some of these offerings are scholarships. More often, clubs affiliated with groups like the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies (AFMS) conduct educational outreach to share a love of the earth sciences. This outreach is all for naught if your community is unaware of your club and the services it offers. How do you get the word out? Here's what I've done to enable my club to share our knowledge, resources and experience.

Local libraries and museums are great spots to promote your club and its availability for outreach.

USE YOUR SHOW AS A SPRINGBOARD TO GRASSROOTS EFFORTS

If your club hosts a show, shine a spotlight on kids. Set up a vibrant kids' booth prominently situated near the show entrance, not buried in a dark and distant nook. That booth should be chock-full of hands-on exhibits, merchandise priced for a kid's budget, and fun activities: a spinning wheel for prizes, grab bags, a free coloring corner and sparkling touch stones.

Such a station is a magnet for kids and parents, especially if there's an abundance of free activities alongside fee-based ones. It's even more enticing when kids see other kids having fun. Enlist kids from your club to assist in the booth so kids can engage with other kids. Have a shortage of kids? See if local schools sponsor community volunteer opportunities for students.