Let me begin by saying this is not rocket science.  Each one of you has enough information in your head to give an hour or more right this minute.  All you need to do is to organize your thoughts so it can be edited down to 45 min. 

For those of you who have fear of speaking to these students or youth groups, remember when you were in your classroom and someone came to the door to give some sort of presentation?  It was always something different and you listened intensely.  Now, just think of what you would have done had that man or woman entered your classroom with a couple of dogs that were wagging their tails 90 miles an hour?  This person would have been a HIT!!!   ''This person'' is you.  Your fears are totally unreal.  Anything you say will be beneficial to them as well as the teaches!  You will be amazed at how little they know about this problem and even the teachers and staff are genuinely shocked at the basic statistics provided.  Most importantly, you will leave the classroom or youth group with an awesome sense of accomplishment knowing that with your presentation to this group of 30 or so young people, you are directly responsible for saving a couple hundred pets from abuse, neglect and even from being unnecessarily born!!!!  (of 30 young people, they will likely be responsible for 3-4 cases of abuse and neglect throughout their lifetime and statistically will be responsible for 20 litters of puppies and kittens)

OK.  STEP 1.

Give your project a name.  ''Hometown Humane Education" or something along those lines. This will allow you to have a name recognition that attracts attention of those who you need to reach.  Increases your chances of being seen, securing grants in the future and providing legitimacy to your efforts.  21st Century Animal Resource and Education Services is NOT a registered trademark and can be used by anyone who wishes to.   21st Century C.A.R.E.S. has many various catchy phrase options.  The most important thing to do is NOT to get a non profit status as it is not likely necessary for your efforts.  But, you should register the name of your project with the county and obtain your DBA   (doing business as....)  papers.  Then nobody can question that you have the right to use the name or that the effort is recognized.

Another benefit of using 21st Century CARES is that the website is already in existance and offering over 250 pages of educational materials in many categories.  That will impress many who would otherwise wonder about your availability to resources etc.

STEP 2

Set and Confirm your goals Take a couple minutes and make a list of your goals.  Do you want to speak to 5 classes in the next 12 months?  How about 2 a month?  This depends on your personal schedule.  If you decide to speak to 5 classes,  will they all be 5th and 6th graders?  Will you try and speak to at least one class from every grade level from 5-12 or close to it.?  What schools do you need to begin with?   Charter, Catholic and private schools are easiest to gain access to.  4-H, Scouting troops, church organizations, Boys and Girls clubs and other after school programs are wonderful venues for this as they constantly look for new ideas to keep the young people active and involved. ESPECIALLY DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS.

STEP 3

Make 20 Calls   In order to get a presentation to take place, you will need to prepare yourself for a number of phone calls.   I have excellent suggestions for gaining access to schools in case you should encounter resistance.  You will need to find out if the school can make the necessary copies for the students (about 4-5 sheets per student)  If not, approach a printing company simply for the copies (cheap) and offer them their logo at the bottom and then mention them as a sponsor for your program and all of a sudden you've just gotten your first and primary expense donated and also have your first sponsor that you mention in interviews with the newspaper and TV.   This also offers you legitimacy.  If you do not have a couple of pets who are child safe etc.  then invite one of your aninmal control officers to accompany you with two or three  extremely adoptable pets that would otherswise die by the end of the week.  They will likely find homes. Don't forget that the start up of an effort of project is always the most time and effort involved.  So, you may as well plan on making several presentations since all the steps are covered.  Otherwise it's like going out and buying a new car simply because you will need to go to town one day next week.

STEP 4

Practice brings confidence.  As I mentioned earlier, if I put any one of you in front of a group of 30 students right this minute, each one of you would have enough thoughts and information to give a good solid hour speech or more that  you could accurately give to the audience. Now all you really have to do is to decide  how to begin,  the topics you really don't want to forget and organize your thoughts.  As you go through your daily routine, think about entering the facility and how you want to begin.   Make an outline on paper and don't be afraid to keep it at your side for frequent referal.  I usually ask the teacher if it's ok that we move the desks back and the students sit on the floor in a semi circle.  Regardless of their ages, I begin (as a 50 yr old aging overweight grey haired man) by saying, "I know I know I look exactly like Brittany Spears. I'm told that every day.  Just be glad I didn't wear a mini skirt and my little halter top!!  YOU ALWAYS BEGIN WITH SOME SORT OF JOKE.

Finally  STEP 5

Involve the local and area media as well as the community. TV News Programs and newspapers LOVE to lead with headliner photos of kids surrounded by dogs in  a learning situation!! By getting a newspaper to run a story about your upcoming projects,  you will gain legitimacy for when you approach additional schools and groups.  Then on your second or third outing,  invite everyone.  The newspaper, the TV stations,  the local mayor and Kiwanis clubs, etc.  Someone there will see how important this is and offer to help you.  It may well be a form of help you didn't think you needed, but take it.  The media coverage will also alert others of your efforts and you may get some checks in the mail fo $10 and $20 or more. You will likely get some to volunteer to help you and most importantly, you will likely get some calls from schools asking you to bring your program to their students as well.  Once you get an article featuring your efforts, make sure you include a copy of the article in all future mailings and attempts to secure appointments in additional facilities.

YOU MUST KNOW THAT 21ST CENTURY CARES IS HERE FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF HELPING YOU DO THE BEST YOU CAN. YOU'VE ALREADY PAID YOUR DUES BY BEING INFORMED AND CARING.  THE REST IS FREE. Then you take credit for making a difference and some animals will also owe you their lives as well.   For more details on organizational points, raising money and gaining publicity, see   www.21stcenturycares.org/formingclubs.htm     Additional comments or questions email 21stcares@citlink.net  or go to www.21stcenturycares.org/he/humaneed.htm for a complete list of lesson plans, homework assignments, community projects and more.