GW Associates Public Media

• Learn what interests particular editors and slant your press releases accordingly.
• Keep your press release non-rhetorical and concise--limited to one page if possible.
• Make sure the press release includes the "who, what, when, where and why."
• Make sure you include address, building and room number so reporters can easily find your event.
• Put your news hook in the first paragraph and other information in descending order of importance.
• Give it an exciting, headline-like title.
• Include the name, phone number and e-mail of a contact person.
• If your organization has a web site include the address
• Address press releases by name to specific editors or reporters who cover your subject (Religion editors are often receptive to social justice oriented material.)
• Always follow-up with a phone call to make sure your press release was actually received.

Sample press release

Ed Smith Elementary School is # 1 in the State

"Go Green Initiative"

Syracuse, NY - Edward Smith Elementary School is the first school in New York state to commit to the Go Green Initiative - a grassroots environmental program that unites parents, teachers and students to create a culture of conservation in schools.

Mary Jane, Office Manager of Daystar Recycling attended a workshop by Jill Buck, Executive Dir. of the Go Green Initiative at a conference organized by the Federation of New York Solid Waste Associations. Mary decided to present this program at Ed Smith Elementary School where her daughter attends.

She organized a meeting with: Principal, John Doe, the Head custodian, President of the PTO and Advisor to the Student Council whom all endorsed the idea..

They committed to:

• Expand their paper recycling program throughout the school and include bottles and cans.
• Incorporating recycling education throughout their curriculum
• Adopt national paper conservation standards

A letter will be sent to all parents at the end of the school year informing them of the program starting in September. Onondaga County Resource Recovery Association (OCRRA - www.ocrra.org) recently ran a recycling workshop attended by Brian McGann, head custodian at Ed Smith which was extremely helpful for setting the tone and guidelines for making a commitment to the Go Green Initiative.

The Go Green Initiative is being promoted in NY State through the efforts of the NY State Association of Reduction, Reuse and Recycling. (NYSARRR). "We hope to bring Jill Buck back to New York to continue the progress we are making on this environmental initiative in our state schools," said Sharon Fisher, President NYSARRR

For recycling information for school administrators, teachers and students visit the NYSARRR web site at www.nysar3.org

The Go Green Initiative involves students at every level and takes a comprehensive approach to help schools evaluate every aspect of their environmental impact. It provides schools simple checklists and tools to examine everything from recycling to unsafe pesticides used on playgrounds.

It was started in California in July of 2002 by PTA President Jill Buck, a former Naval officer with experience in recycling programs who noticed the amount of paper her three children brought home from school. For more information on the program go to www.gogreeninitiative.org

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