German American Day
Planning Suggestions
We suggest that you plan for German American Day early,
perhaps using the following guidelines...
Have a strategy/planning meeting with the German-American Societies and their members in your area to coordinate efforts. Obtain a commitment from them to cooperate and assign duties to everyone. Discuss finances and publicity events. Inform your officials and other entities about the available assistance through the:
German-American National Congress (1-773-275-1100)
Steuben Society of America (718-381-0900)
United German-American Committee of the USA (201-664-2400)
Research the role played by German-Americans in your area, and select one or two worthy persons and illuminate their life and work.
Media:
Have a proclamation (see draft) issued designating October 6 as German American Day in your city and state. Every effort should be made to alert the press to the above Proclamation, and the above press release should be presented and completed, and information re. the state or city's planned events for the October 6th German American Day should be obtained.
Arrange for a press event, news conference and/or television and radio appearance for the 6th. Discuss with local media the possibility of doing a public service announcement.
Also, enter sufficient material about German-American Day, the German-Americans in general, and those in your area.
Contact your churches and schools and arrange for appropriate German-American Day services and remembrances.
National Coordination:
Provide DANK's National President (please call 773-275-1100, or fax to 773-275-4010) with the name of your state's or city's contact person, and forward a copy of your proclamation and news coverage.
On October 6:
- Hold a state or city hall press conference or press event with representatives of German-American organizations.
- Make sure to invite Congressional and state elected officials to participate.
- Encourage essay competitions in schools on the role of German-Americans in your area.
- Do talk shows and interviews on the role of German-Americans in your area.
- Encourage "Grass root" invitation of neighbors and friends.
- Celebrate with a Bratwurst, a Schwarzwaelder Kirschtorte, or a nice cool beer'....
Sample Documents:
A very effective activity for this celebration is to
hold an Octoberfest in your city.
