HIGH GROUND

Ideas to help you organize & promote your institutional or educational screening
Wednesday, April 17, 2013

WELCOME TO

FROM THE HIGH GROUND TEAM:

Thank you! The High Ground team has prepared this book of tips to help you plan an event that will highlight the work you do with veterans. Thank you for your participation. We hope yours will be an event that transforms the conversation to help our communities support returning veterans. VETERANS ISSUES NEED TO BE FRONT & CENTER AS PAYBACK FOR THEIR SERVICE. WE CANT LET THEM BE FORGOTTEN. PRODUCER DON HAHN
HIGH GROUND DOCUMENTARY

I WANTED TO MAKE A FILM FOR VETERANS. HIGH GROUND IS IT. -DIRECTOR MICHAEL BROWN

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

We want your event to be wildly successful!

A High Ground screening complements the advocacy youve been committed to for many years. High Ground is a bridge that allows you to raise awareness for veterans in your community. Youll want to spread the word beyond people already know. Think about forming new alliances with groups in your community. First, start by contacting Maggie from the High Ground team to obtain the rights to screen our lm. Our rates are affordable, and the process is as easy as writing an email! Maggie.Gisel@gmail.com

VETERAN AARON IKE ISAACSON, KANSAS, US ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Use High Ground as a bridge to raise awareness for veterans

Consider the following: What message do we want to send to the public about our cause? Whats impacting veterans now? What other organizations can we work with on this event? Who do we see as our audience? How many people do we want to attend?
US ARMY VETERAN CHAD JUKES

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Gather Information: Work 2 months out

Narrow the focus of your event. Example: Oracle partnered with two organizations: one focuses on jobs for veterans. The other works as patient advocates and helps with VA benets. The event was publicized as a screening and networking event. Your event should be timely, and offer attendees not only a voice, but to walk away with information that will help them. What social networking tools will help us spread the word? Example: Use Hoot Suite or Tweetdeck, and auto-schedule posts to appear frequently on your Facebook or Twitter feeds. Make friends: Share your posts with other FB pages in your area --whether or not theyre veteran related. Look up your local Patch outlets on twitter. Create a poster jpeg (sized 430x430) and share it on Facebook or Google+. Create a Press Release for local press outlets, and send to your local elected ofcials ofces. Create a quick note (300 words) to send to local organizations, businesses, and city ofcials inviting them to the event. Sell tickets online. Get logos of your participating organizations and use them when creating your invitation. Use photos from the High Ground movie website. Make it exciting and share the link. If you use Eventbrite, their tutorials are excellent. Example: See The Oracle Invitation

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Tip 1: Use our Resources (we have plenty!)

Download our Press Kit Download High Ground Photos Find our trailer and clips on You Tube
FIND THEM AT:

HTTP://HIGHGROUNDMOVIE.COM
ALSO A TROVE OF MATERIALS AT:

HTTP://BOX.COM/HIGHGROUND

Use our images on your facebook, Eventbrite, Press Releases, and emails.
VETERAN DAN SIDLES, USMC

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Tip 2: Dont work alone.

Partner UP! Two or three organizations increases your reach in the community. Veteran & military support organizations. Groups that help veterans nd jobs. Organizations that help vets with their VA benets. Blue Star and Gold Star families At Colleges: Veterans Resource Centers, Student Veterans Clubs, ROTC, Film Schools, Military History, and the Humanities. Call and email them! Hospitals, Clinics, and Vet Centers

VETERAN ASHLEY CRANDALL, UTAH, US ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

Poignant, Dramatic, Gripping .... a must See.

-Jerry Newberry, The VFW

Companies that support veterans causes. Mountaineering & X-Treme sports

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Tip 3: Spread The Word Where You Live!

Your local papers, television stations, and bloggers are always looking for a good story. Send them the press release, and call them back to see if theyd do a story on your event. Tell them why this is important. When working with any of the above, follow up an email with a phone call (sometimes many!). Get active online! Figure out where your local veterans and supporters are posting and share your posts. Facebook, Google Plus, twitter and message boards. We recommend starting 2 months out. But if its a busy time of year, (Memorial day, 4th of July, Veterans Day), start earlier to form those alliances and book a venue.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013

HIGH GROUND DOCUMENTARY

VETERAN MATT NYMAN, US ARMY

Tip 4: Raise awareness and donations!

Free screenings are ne, but often people take tickets and dont show up. Eventbrite allows you to offer either free or tickets for a price. Example: Check through the Eventbrite blog for information on fundraisers. Have an event before or after the screening. Example: The American Legion in Greece NY, held a steak dinner with a High Ground veteran as a guest. Hold a rafe with tickets available at the door. Example: A veterans group in New Hampshire approached a local outtter and rafed off a kayak! Pass the hat before or after the screening. Example: A screening in Champaign IL, raised $2500 for the Wounded Veterans Center at the University of Illinois.

DIRECTOR MICHAEL BROWN

An accurate portrayal of the struggles that military service members go through when they return home from combat.
- David Folkerts, OIF, US Army, Retired, Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Tip 5: Continue the conversation

(Keep the momentum going!)

Set up information tables, but mingle and invite others to sign up for upcoming events. Example: The VFW Post 4103 members circulated in the lobby, talking to young veterans before and after the screening. Serve coffee or dessert after the screening. Save your database if you sell tickets online. Find a friend whos good at photography. Take photos, and share them on Facebook. Use a photo in a thank you note to all your attendees the next day.

VETERANS CLIMBING MT. LOBUCHE

The inspirational movie that every american needs to see.

-Ed Naggiar, Ph.D. Retired Navy Seal

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Tip 6:

Enjoy!
MAGGIE.GISEL@GMAIL.COM KANANIFONG@GMAIL.COM

Remember your High Ground team is always here for you.

We have a Fill-In press release, a Press Kit, & Printable Graphics. Just Ask! Keep up with us on our Facebook Page
THE VETERANS, CREW, GUIDES, AND SHERPAS IN THE KHUMBU VALLEY

Wednesday, April 17, 2013