Health Fair Demonstrate your health center's focus on prevention by offering fitness tests, immunizations, blood pressure and other screenings, etc. These events can be held on-site or elsewhere in the community (at a shopping mall or a church, for example).
Open House or Reception Celebrate the opening of a new site with a ribbon cutting or groundbreaking ceremony. Host an open house to introduce visitors, including local dignitaries, to key staff and board members and provide an opportunity for community members to learn more about the programs and services your health center offers. A reception also provides a wonderful opportunity to thank partners and supporters for their service and commitment.
Public Forum / Panel Discussion Engage public officials, local health authorities and representatives of community groups and health organizations to participate in public dialogue or a town meeting about pressing community health issues. Expand the base of support by asking other organizations to join as cosponsors. Notify the media.
Exercise / Healthy Living Event Organize a walk-a-thon or a bike race and consider asking local businesses to sponsor the event.
Voter Registration Drive National Health Center Week provides a great opportunity to kick off voter engagement activities at your health center. Create a voter “kiosk” area outside your health center or in the waiting room, where materials and registration forms can be easily completed and collected.
Fundraiser A dance, auction, raffle or concert can help to celebrate health center week and raise community awareness, as well as funds.
Proclamation Request that the Mayor, County Executive or other local leader officially proclaim "Health Center Week" and then present the proclamation at a health center event. Download a sample letter of request and/or a sample proclamation via the links above. Please insert information specific to your locality and health center before sending.
Staff Appreciation Offer lunch to your health center staff to show your appreciation for their work. Hold an awards ceremony to honor staff, board members and other health center volunteers.
Newspaper, Radio or Television Event Coverage If you are planning an event, inform the local newspapers, radio stations and television stations of the key details, including name of the event, date and time, location and names of local or other dignitaries who will be in attendance. If services such as screenings will be offered, include information about those services. Coming soon: Sample media releases.
Newspaper, Radio or Television Issue Coverage Coverage of health care issues — including cost and quality — can be found in most of the nation's newspapers. To the extent that there is a linkage between a topical issue and a local angle — number of uninsured, health care disparities, prescription drugs —use it to draw community members into Health Center Week.
Coordination and planning are essential. Local media are more likely to cover events if elected officials or other local dignitaries are in attendance. Elected officials will be more likely to get involved if they are invited in advance, can expect to be formally recognized, and will be greeted by a large crowd. Community members are more likely to attend if they have heard and read about the events in the local media and if they know that local officials will be there. The earlier the word is out and the more avenues used to advertise, the better.
