|
Remember, the activities you plan and publicize are probably
the most critical component of your event. In general, people
like programs that are interactive, especially those that tell
them about themselves or provide them with information they
need. You can be really creative, taking into consideration
your resources and costs. Try to ensure that your event includes
good “visuals” for TV and still photographers,
such as CPAP demonstrations. Consider the following:
- Administer the 12-question NSF “Sleep IQ Test” or
our “How’s Your Sleep?” self-test.
- Try to get a newspaper to include some of the questions
from these tests in a story to help publicize the event.
During the event, each question can be reviewed.
- Offer brief, free, non-diagnostic consultations with your
own sleep specialists (set a time limit, 10 minutes maximum).
Or ask members of an audience to submit questions anonymously
on 5”x8” cards so that everyone can hear the
Q&A.
- Distribute NSF’s brand new “Daytime Sleepiness
Diary” or the “NSF Sleep Diary” and discuss
how to use them. Use overheads to show how they can be filled
out. Remind participants that the sleep diary is now interactive
on NSF’s Web site, http://www.sleepfoundation.org/
features/interactiveSleepDiary.cfm,
where they will be able to compile their own sleep profile.
- Provide information about a sleep study; demonstrate how
a patient recording is done and what the results show.
- Show videos about sleep issues. (NSF offers videos on drowsy
driving and shift work).
- Go virtual! Consider an online component of your program,
such as a “chat with an expert.”
- Demonstrate Internet searches on a computer and bookmark
Web site locations for more information on seep (e.g., NSF’s
Web site at www.sleepfoundation.org).
- Display poster-size fact sheets on sleep tips, sleep problems
or disorders.
- Demonstrate how sleep apnea is treated with CPAP and discuss
alternative treatments for snoring. Schedule the demonstration
for Sleep Apnea Awareness Day on the Thursday of NSAW.
- Distribute educational brochures on seep, sleep disorders
and drowsy driving (available from NSF).
- Distribute sleep and sleep-related products or other giveaways
provided by corporate sponsor(s).
- Schedule short presentations on various topics by sleep
experts followed by brief group discussions with the expert
(be sure to include the schedule in your publicity efforts),
or conduct scheduled “Meet the Sleep Expert” question-and-answer
sessions.
- Conduct small group relaxation sessions to teach attendees
how to unwind for better sleep.
- Invite a TV or radio station to broadcast on site and provide
a sleep specialist for on-air interviews.
- Host an activity with a mattress or pillow company or store
discussing features to look for in selecting sleep-related
items; include a raffle of some of their products.
- Hold raffles for donated sleep-related products or offer
coupons for discounted products or services (e.g., bed products,
health aids, clocks).
- Host a contest to select and promote the best sleep-friendly
workplace in your community. Announce the winner in a public
arena and have them discuss their policies or show
slides/video of their work place. (You can recognize more
than one workplace).
- Refer to the NSF Products Catalog (enclosed with this Toolkit).
Some sample NSAW ’05 activities planned and implemented
by sleep centers and others are profiled in this section. |
