Here are a few planning fundamentals plus some ideas that may help to get the wheels turning:

1. Planning Basics  For Best Results, K.I.S.S. - Keep it Short & Simple
    

   You've heard it before, but it bears repeating. Your goal is to have:
    

   • A simple plan

   • A few thoughtfully selected projects, and ads plus supporting materials, and

   • A clear, highly focused message
      

   This calls for narrowing and focusing your materials and goals, plus planning further out for your target air, run or print dates. Then, outline appropriate action steps and due dates. Choose a few key dates and advertising, education or outreach projects for each year, then use our resources as needed.

    

   Local media reps and paid or volunteer media consultants can help a lot. (Read Ads 101 to learn more.) Consider other often-overlooked dates, too, such as Mother's Day, Father's Day, Memorial Day, or Christmas.
    

2. Use our Events/Planning Calendar and schedule projects as far ahead as possible
    

   Take time to write down your goals, target dates and action steps. Again, keep it simple. No-frills and systemized programs, such as repeating the same project yearly, will keep the plan sustainable over the long-run. 

    

   Use whatever works for you. It may be sketching out a plan on a yellow legal pad, using a a shared electronic calendar and data center, such as Evernote.com or  Google.com/calendar. Or, it may help to use some other project software that can help remind you of upcoming dates and activities. It needs to be clear, but not complex.
    

3. Check our Events/Planning Calendar often for new and upcoming events
   
   Leave space to adjust your plan as opportunities come up. Set aside regular planning sessions, for example, at the beginning of each year, quarter or month, with strategy and execution updates and adjustments as needed. Select a few key outreach dates and projects and choose supporting materials and timetables. Assign specific tasks to participating group leaders and individuals, making use of their unique areas of interest, talent, resources and expertise.
    

4. If you're a leader, delegate and pace yourself and others.
   
   When planning, allow sufficient time for tasks to be completed. Most people underestimate the amount of time a project will take, especially when it's uncharted territory. The devil's in the details. Allow time for the inevitable pitfalls, learning curves, plan changes and detours. Adjust as necessary to avoid crossed wires or burnout.
   
   Compassionate people will want to help and are motivated to succeed, but reasonable and realistic timetables will avoid overloading anyone and allow everyone to enjoy the process. If you're a committee leader, delegate, keep it simple, remain flexible, listen and adjust, plan far ahead and avoid micro-managing.

   
   Effective planning and organization will greatly impact participants' motivation and effectiveness. It's not uncommon for volunteers and dedicated participants to spend long hours taking on all types of tasks with zeal; but, ultimately they and others are at risk of burnout. Allow people to work at their own pace and comfort level.
    

   Others may hesitate to volunteer because they think they don't have the time. But if you manage participants well and distribute work with care, appropriateness and planning, you can avoid over-loading individuals or teams and will keep and attract helpers.

    

   When recruiting volunteers, state upfront that individuals are free to choose a schedule and the amount of time contributed. Tell them that even one or two hours a week would help and stick to that commitment. People who are reluctant to contribute large blocks of time may agree to one, two or a few hours a week. Still others will be willing to work on a single, simple and well-defined project now and then, or on some focused aspect of an annual event.

    

5.  Incorporate our new evidence into your pro-life message.

    

   Academic research published in major medical journals, plus other significant evidence, points to a reality that exposes and changes the entire "choice" premise. This new evidence makes this an issue of illegal, human rights abuse, injury and deaths of mothers, too, before, during and/or after abortion.

    

   This evidence exposes how abortion endangers the fundamental rights and lives of both babies and mothers, while also inflicting harm on many others involved, including fathers, and the families of babies, teens and women lost before, during or after abortion.
    

6. Magnify your impact and share the energy! Join forces with other like-minded individuals, groups and organizations.

    

   You can really multiply your efforts, lower the costs and meet new friends by sharing your outreach and project ideas and resources with like-minded groups and leaders. For example, civic groups or local churches, schools and outreach groups already doing similar work may want to pool resources and talent for an even bigger local splash.  (See Co-op Ads)
    

7.  Divide the cost by using Co-op Ads and Flyers.

    

   Ask a compassionate local business or counseling center to sponsor a  Co-op Ad, where they can feature their logo or a customized message. For example, a local counseling service or any family-oriented business may want to put a simple "sponsored by" message or their phone number and type of services offered.

    

   Tell them about new evidence and remind them of how abortion is hurting and endangering many individuals and families in their own community.

    

   There are many compassionate, family-oriented businesses and organizations whose leaders and people care about other people and about the welfare of their community. Furthermore, this type of goodwill community service offers valuable visibility to companies, so go ahead and ask for their support!

    

   Or, ask a compassionate philanthropist to anonymously sponsor a regular ad or to dedicate an existing ad to a group or individual. (Get permission before publicizing someone's name. In the case of a deceased person, get the family's consent.)

    

   You can also use the set-aside space on co-op ads to promote your own group's local event, resource or hotline.
    

8. Pool resources with other individuals or groups for a joint fundraiser.
   
   Once again, pooling resources downsizes the challenge and magnifies the results. See item #4 below for more.
    

9. Plan a simple fundraiser(s) to raise extra money for a campaign.
   
   You can do a simple but effective basic campaign with just two or a few media; for example, combine a radio spot, one or two print or online ads and a billboard. Keep it focused, using just a few select ads that focus on a particular aspect of this issue. And, to keep costs down, you can also support this message with PR or "free media," such as social media, flyers, press releases and events or letters to the editor.
   
   Once you select a few ads, you'll need enough money to achieve the high level of repetition needed to get results. (See Ads 101.)
   
   If you plan far enough out you'll have time to raise funds. Or, set a goal, plan an event or two, such as a silent auction, a raffle, bake sale or car wash. Send a letter to your own list with a specified estimate or goal, or buy a mailing list to broaden your fundraising base for a plan-ahead campaign.
    

10. Consider other media, PR and outreach project ideas ...

     

    When selecting media, think outside the box. Small media can make a big difference.
    
    Major campaigns require a significant amount of time and resources, but there are many other effective, free or low-cost options. Consider running ads in local bulletins, newsletters, civic or religious publications and sites that you already subscribe to or visit can reach people who will in turn reach others.

     

    Abortion impacts people of all demographics, from the college student in search of a helping hand to the grandmother grieving an abortion-related loss in her family or even herself. Fathers are also directly or indirectly affected. From students to seniors, from activists to advisors, from parents to pastors, everyone needs to be educated about abortion's injustice and risks to both the unborn and women, and everyone involved!  (See Ads 101: 6 Tips)
     

11. Send introductory materials to journalists, feature editors and freelance writers.
    
    Consider all types of print and electronic media. Ask them to write about seldom-reported issues of widespread unwanted or coerced abortion and post-abortion grief, injury and high death rates. This includes post-abortion suicide – a clear and immediate danger.
     

12. Write letters to the editor, using our letters as a guide for ideas about messages you can send to local print or on-line publications.
     

    Write in your own words in a compassionate and respectful perspective. Keep in mind that most people are unaware that unwanted abortions are common, as are other pregnancy- and abortion-related abuses and post-abortion issues. Many individuals and families in our own midst have been personally affected.
     

13. Write a letter to your pastor or political candidates and leaders. Most do not know about new evidence of abortion's harm, risk and injustice to both the unborn and women, or that many families in our own midst have been hurt or are still at risk. Share our compassionate educational materials.

     

    Check low-cost/no-cost ways to use these materials for more ideas.

Check the Events Calendar often – it's a helpful planning tool. In addition to timely dates and events, it includes links to many associations that sponsor health and wellness outreach or other annual events. These links are for informational purposes only to help you prepare your own education and outreach materials. They are not an endorsement of any particular group's programs or philosophy.

Some of the Events Calendar dates or other information listed changes. While we try to keep this list updated, please check the original links or search online to make sure you have the correct dates and details.

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