Host an Event

A great event starts with good planning. Here’s a checklist of the major considerations needed to run a successful event.

Event Checklist

• Prepare a conservative budget.
• Reserve an appropriate site.
• Book speaker(s).
• Acquire needed equipment.
• Promote the event.
• Transport and lodge speaker(s), as needed.
• Staff the event.

Public demonstrations, rallies, and marches require further planning. For example, permits may need to be acquired.

Other Considerations

Finance
Develop a modest budget and find opportunities to cut costs, e.g., consider sharing expenses by teaming with other groups to co-sponsor an event.

Facility
Free/low-cost meeting rooms are usually available at schools, churches, community centers, and local restaurants, clubs, and theaters. Select a comfortable room based on the estimated size of the audience. Please consider room lighting and location of electrical outlets, availability of tables and chairs, and the needs of your invited speaker(s). Provide a table for literature on the Peltier case at the event, as well.

Publicity
Notify human rights and activist groups; post flyers; ask local radio stations to make regular announcements; and advertise the event in local papers or on blogs, in Internet newsgroups, etc. Send us an e-mail message and we’ll help you by announcing your event on this Web site and promoting your event by other means. Please provide the following information:

• Name of event
• Location of event
• Date and time of event
• Program and cost
• Contact information (sponsor name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, and Web site address, if any).

Write and circulate a good press release. Click here for tips.

Staffing
Enlist your friends, family, colleagues, etc., to assist you with room set-up, collecting tickets and/or donations, distributing literature, etc.

Speakers Bureau

Active members of the ILPDC are available to speak at events. They are familiar with our activities, initiatives, and current efforts to gain Leonard’s release. Please give us as much advance notice as possible; our speakers are volunteers with hectic schedules. The sponsor of an invited ILPDC speaker is solely responsible for that speaker’s travel expenses, i.e., airfare and ground transport; a one-night (more, as needed) hotel/motel reservation; and meals. We recommend that you reserve tickets in advance; provide pick-up and drop-off at the airport; arrange for in-home lodging; and transport the speaker to and from the event. Colleges and universities often pay our speakers an honorarium of $500 to $1,000. Community groups and solidarity event coordinators are not expected to meet this requirement, but do “pass the hat” or collect donations at the door. Honoraria and donations benefit the Peltier legal fund.

To request a speaker, please send an email to contact@whoisleonardpeltier.info. We will need the following information:

• Name of sponsor (individual or group name and phone number)
• Date and time of event
• Location of event
• Emphasis of your event
• The number of people expected to attend
• Speaker preference
• Travel/lodging details (the name and phone number of the motel/hotel where the speaker will stay and the name and phone number of the person who will meet the speaker on his/her arrival).

Speakers

Kari Ann Boushee

Kari Ann is Leonard’s niece and Co-Coordinator for the ILPDC, as well as art agent for Leonard Peltier’s artwork.  She also is a Member of the ILPDC. From 2007 to 2010, Kari managed the Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee in Fargo, ND.

Jean Roach

Jean, Minnecoujou Lakota, is a survivor of the 1975 Oglala firefight.  She attended the Butler/Robideau trial (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) and Leonard Peltier’s trial in Fargo, North Dakota.  An activist, writer and artist (including silversmith and beadwork), Ms. Roach currently serves as a Member of the Board of the ILPDC, as well as AIM Grassroots .  She is a graduate of the University of New Mexico.