~ABCDEFG ~ ABCDEFG ~ ABCDEFG ~ ABCDEFG ~ Attention Burned-out Coalition Diehards! Easy FASDAY Guide Hey, FAS activists! Are you too tired, too busy, too late to do FASDAY? Want to participate in the 2nd annual International FAS Awareness Day on September 9, 2000 -- but you're strapped for resources, time, energy and volunteers? We've just solved your problem! You can host an easy breakfast event, because we have it all planned out for you! "FAS DAY BREAKFAST VIDEO PREMIERE" Saturday, September 9, 2000 It's Exciting! It's Effective! It's as Easy as A.B.C.D.E.F.G. Agenda~Buy video~Checklist~Documents~Easy plan~Followup~Grand Finale~ You can choose from two excellent videos that will tell you more about FAS: the new 24-minute Canadian video, "Different Directions: Understanding Fetal Alcohol Syndrome," or the 35-minute U.S. video,"FAS: Everybody's Baby" distributed by Fasstar Enterprises and John Kellerman, a young man with FAS. Make it easy on yourself. The goal of this informal breakfast premiere is to create a little more awareness in your own community. All of us volunteers throughout the world are building awareness, a little bit at a time. If you manage to make just a handful of people in your own community learn more about FAS, you will impact on some lives in a way you never know. And at the same time, you have the opportunity of making some valuable allies. That's why our motto is a quote from Canadian-Australian author, Janette Turner Hospital: "I have read that the oscillation of butterfly wings in Brazil may set off storms in Texas." Oh, yes...everything here is optional. Feel free to adapt as it works best for you and your community. (Even if you're forced to do it on the 8th!) This program was originally developed by Ontario's North for the Children and FASworld Canada, and funding was made possible by Health Canada. This version has been made available for people building FAS awareness all over the world. The recommendations and opinions expressed here are those of Ontario's North for the Children and FASworld Canada and do not necessarily reflect the official view of Health Canada. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Table of Contents A. Agenda for the FAS Day Breakfast Premiere B. Buying the Videos C. Checklist D. Documents (ready for you to personalize) 1. Letter requesting official FAS Day Proclamation. 2. Suggested official Proclamation. 3. Suggested Invitation & flyer/poster. 4. Suggested Media Release. 5. FAS Day Invocation 6. Poem, "The Integrity of Hope," by Michael Kami 7. How to Make a FAS Knot 8. Copy for FAS Knot Scroll 9. Information table 10. FAS Fact Sheets and Educational Handouts E. Easy Plan - The Foolproof FAS Day Formula 1. Confirm Location 2. How to Obtain a FAS Day Proclamation 3. Planning the Video Premiere -- Plus 4. Invitations 5. Breakfast Food and Drink 6. Other Equipment. 7. Media Relations 8. Other F. Followup G. Grand Finale ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A. Agenda for the FAS Day Breakfast Premiere We have mapped out a simple, informal breakfast premiere for any size group, which begins at 8:45 a.m. on September 9, and lasts between 1 1/2 - 2 hours. It includes some of the suggestions in the longer "How-to-do FAS Day Manual," which you can find on the Internet: www.come-over.to/FASDAY/manual.htm Your event should begin promptly at 8:50 a.m., so we suggest you invite your guests for 8:45. Suggested Agenda 8:50 a.m. Opening Remarks 8:55 a.m. Reading of local FAS Day proclamation 9:00 a.m. Reading of ecumenical Invocation (optional) 9:09 a.m. "Minute of Reflection." Your group may want to participate in the International Bell Concordance, linking up with others who will be ringing bells, chimes and carillons nine times at 9:09 a.m. in time zones around the world. Or you may want a poem, prayer, song, or just a minute of simple silence. 9:10 a.m. Refreshments. Participants serve themselves a drink and a snack at an informal buffet table, then... 9:20 a.m. Video Premiere. Sit down to watch the new video. (Popcorn optional) Following video: brief washroom break. 9:50 a.m. Presentation. Informal speaker or speakers plus (optional) brief musical entertainment - such as a local children's choir or local musician - OR panel discussion. Download the Presentation Notes prepared by Teresa Kellerman which can be found on the Internet at: http://come-over.to/FASdisk/2000Notes.doc 10:30 a.m. Poem. Program closes with reading of a brief poem, "The Integrity of Hope," by Michael Kami, possibly by a birth mother or survivor of FAS. (Optional) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ B. Buying the Videos To obtain the 24-min. Canadian video, Different Directions: Understanding Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, check in with Pat Spadetto of Ontario's North for the Children, $50 includes shipping and handling. The video will be provided free to all Ontario CAPC and Aboriginal Head Start sites. This honest and inspiring video looks at two children with FAS -- one five-year-old girl, and one young adult man -- and their remarkable mothers, one a birth mother, and one an adoptive mom. Pat can be reached by email: tbfnorth@onlink.net or by phone: Kirkland Lake (705) 567-5926, fax (705) 567-2466. The 35-min. U.S. video is available for only $20 (US Dollars) plus $5 S&H. This video now comes with a free set of handouts and a free 8˝ x 11 color glossy poster "101 Reasons" as seen here: http://come-over.to/FAS/littleone.htm. The video can be ordered here: http://come-over.to/FAS/store/fasvideo.htm. For a double whammy, why not show BOTH videos? If you want to join up online with international FAS Day activists, e-mail Bonnie Buxton at ogrady@pathcom.com and ask her to put you on the FASDAY mail list. If you get stuck at any time, phone Brian Philcox at (416) 264-8000 or e-mail Bonnie and Brian at fasworldcanada@home.com. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ C. Checklist Volunteer Roster: Committee Member Phone Number Email ---------------------------- ----------------------- --------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------- --------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------- --------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------- --------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------- --------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------- --------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------- --------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------- --------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------- --------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------- --------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------- --------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------- --------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------- --------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------- --------------------- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TASK ASSIGNED TO DATE BY OK Preplanning: Confirm location ---------------------- ------------ --- Letter of Proclamation ---------------------- ------------ --- Program ---------------------- ------------ --- Invitation list ---------------------- ------------ --- RSVP to ---------------------- ------------ --- Printing ---------------------- ------------ --- Mailing ---------------------- ------------ --- Faxing ---------------------- ------------ --- Emailing ---------------------- ------------ --- Distribute flyers ---------------------- ------------ --- Select food and drink ---------------------- ------------ --- Potential food donors ---------------------- ------------ --- Potential financial donors ---------------------- ------------ --- Media relations- write story ---------------------- ------------ --- Select media theme ---------------------- ------------ --- List local media contacts ---------------------- ------------ --- Draft press release ---------------------- ------------ --- Contact key spokespersons ---------------------- ------------ --- Mail press release ---------------------- ------------ --- Schedule media interviews ---------------------- ------------ --- Follow-up calls to media contacts ---------------------- ------------ --- Contact service club ---------------------- ------------ --- Contact church group ---------------------- ------------ --- Key Activities: M.C. Selection ---------------------- ------------ --- Child care ---------------------- ------------ --- Invocation read by ---------------------- ------------ --- Proclamation read by ---------------------- ------------ --- Bell concordance local church ---------------------- ------------ --- Bell concordance other bells ---------------------- ------------ --- Breakfast coordination ---------------------- ------------ --- Food servers ---------------------- ------------ --- Food delivery ---------------------- ------------ --- Food storage/refrigeration ---------------------- ------------ --- Food set up ---------------------- ------------ --- Video presentation ---------------------- ------------ --- AV equipment ---------------------- ------------ --- Keynote speaker ---------------------- ------------ --- Singer ---------------------- ------------ --- Choir ---------------------- ------------ --- Musicians ---------------------- ------------ --- Panelists ---------------------- ------------ --- FAS presentation ---------------------- ------------ --- Closing ---------------------- ------------ --- Clean-up ---------------------- ------------ --- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ D. Documents and Handouts 1. Letters to your mayor and governor, requesting official FAS Day Proclamation. 2. Suggested official Proclamations. 3. Suggested Invitation & flyer/posters. 4. Suggested Media Releases. 5. FAS Day Invocation (optional) 6. Poem, "The Integrity of Hope," by Michael Kami.(optional) 7. How to Make a FAS Knot 8. Copy for FAS Knot Scroll (optional) 9. Information Table 10. FAS Fact Sheets and Educational Handouts 1. Letter Requesting Civic or State Proclamation (adapt as required) (Letterhead with your organization's name and address) (Date written) (Name of Mayor/Governor plus address) Dear (Name of Mayor or Governor) I am writing to request that you officially proclaim International Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Day on September 9, 2000. (Add the following sentence to request for civic proclamation only:) We would also be grateful if you, or one of the (city or town) counsellors could read this year's proclamation at our FAS Day breakfast, to be held on September 9 beginning at 8:45 at (location). Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is the leading cause of mental retardation in the industrialized nations of the world. FAS is not just a "disease of the week" but a major root cause of numerous expensive social problems. People with FAS also are at high risk of learning disabilities, early school drop-out, juvenile delinquency, drug addiction and alcoholism, mental illness, crimes against property, vandalism, child and spousal abuse, unemployment and poverty. Some researchers believe that as many as 1 in 100 North Americans are affected with fetal alcohol disorders. Each year, taxpayers spend $1.9 billion dollars to treat children and adults with diagnosed FAS (National Institute on Drug Abuse). The estimated cost to taxpayers for one individual with FAS is $1.4 million for a lifetime of medical and social services (Centers for Disease Control). In some cases, the costs for just one person could reach $5 million in a lifetime (FAS Community Resource Center). (About two lines about your organization and what it does.) Why September 9? On the ninth minute of the ninth hour of the ninth day of the ninth month, international activists are asking the world to remember that during the nine months of pregnancy, a woman should not drink alcohol. We also want the world to remember those millions of individuals who will not reach their genetic potential because their mothers drank in pregnancy. We will be joined by numerous communities across the U.S. and Canada, and around the world. Our own breakfast event here in (your city or town) will feature (either:) the premiere of the excellent new Canadian video, Different Directions: Understanding Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, produced by Ontario's North for the Children and Toronto's Breaking the Cycle, showing new ways of preventing and understanding FAS. (OR:) the educational video, "FAS: Everybody's Baby" distributed by Fasstar Enterprises and John Kellerman, a young man with FAS. This video is particularly geared to problem teenagers who are at risk for both unplanned pregnancy and substance abuse. The video will be followed by (keynote speaker or panel discussion) I have enclosed a FASworld Report plus a "FAS Knot," our symbol of connection around the world. Also enclosed is a suggested proclamation, which has been used in numerous cities and towns around the world. Yours truly, (Your name and position) (On a separate sheet, print one of the following proclamations. Having it written already should speed things up a lot. Be prepared to track the progress of the proclamation by phone. Phone ahead to find out the name of the appropriate person to send this to, and make friends with this person!) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2. Proclamations 2a. Suggested Civic Proclamation PROCLAMATION Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Day September 9, 2000 WHEREAS: children are our most important resource and it is our responsibility to care for, nurture and protect them; and WHEREAS: statistics indicate that individuals with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Effects (FAS/E) in (your country) and industrial nations throughout the world, face the risk of mental retardation or learning disabilities, early school drop-out, homelessness, addictiveness, trouble with the law and mental illness; and WHEREAS: to reduce the incidence of FAS/E, it is essential that women in pregnancy are provided with support and information; and WHEREAS: parents, professionals, individuals living with FAS/E and other people around the world will observe the second International FAS Awareness Day on Sept. 9, 2000, with a Minute of Reflection at 9:09 a.m. NOW THEREFORE: I, (mayor's name), Mayor of the (City or Town of __________________) on behalf of ______________ City (or Town) Council and the (how many?) people of (town or city) do hereby proclaim September 9, 2000 as "Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Day" in the City (or town) of _______________. I encourage everyone to act with compassion and understanding towards those individuals whose lives were affected by alcohol before they were born. (signed) (mayor's name), Mayor ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2b Suggested State Proclamation Office of the Governor PROCLAMATION *FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME AWARENESS DAY* WHEREAS, healthy children are the most important resource in the great State of (your city or state); and WHEREAS, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is the leading cause of mental retardation in (your city or state), the United States, and all of western civilization; and WHEREAS, as many as 1 in every 100 individuals in these United States may be adversely affected by prenatal exposure to alcohol; and WHEREAS, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Effects are a root cause of numerous social disorders, including learning disabilities, juvenile delinquency, school drop-outs, homelessness, unemployment, mental illness, and crime; and WHEREAS, economists estimate that each individual with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Effects will cost the U.S. taxpayer nearly two million dollars in his or her lifetime; and WHEREAS, people around the world will be observing the second International FAS Day on September 9, 2000, in order that on the ninth day of the ninth month of the year, the world will remember that during the nine months of pregnancy a woman should abstain from alcohol, NOW, THEREFORE, I, (governor's name), Governor of the State of (your state), do hereby proclaim September 9, 2000 as *FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME AWARENESS DAY* in (your state), to promote awareness of the effects of prenatal exposure to alcohol, to increase compassion for those individuals so affected, to minimize further effects, to ensure healthier communities across (your state) in the future. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of (your state) ______________________________ (Governor's name) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. The Invitation (This can be e-mailed, and personalized as much as possible -- e.g., add a note in your own handwriting.) (Your letterhead and date) Dear Friend, In one "Magic Minute," on September 9, at 9:09 a.m., you can help us begin to change the world. Please join us for a breakfast video premiere on September 9, at 8:45 a.m., at (location) as we connect with others around the world who will be observing the second annual International Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Day. Researchers now believe that as many as 1 in 100 North Americans are struggling with brain damage caused when their mothers consumed alcohol in pregnancy. This means that right here in (city, town, or region) of the (check number of babies born locally each year) 0000 babies born annually, about 00 will never reach the intellectual potential they possessed when they were conceived. These children will be at high risk of mental retardation or learning disabilities, school drop-out, juvenile delinquency, alcohol or drug addiction, trouble with the law, incarceration, homelessness, and poverty. Nearly 100% will be diagnosed with mental illness during their lifetimes. Research indicates that each person living with fetal alcohol damage will cost the taxpayers about $2 million in his or her lifetime. Our FAS Day program will begin with the reading of the civic/(state?) FAS Day proclamation, and then we will join numerous communities in this time zone, in the "Minute of Reflection." On the ninth minute of the ninth hour of the ninth day of the ninth month of the first year in this new Millennium, we will ask the world to remember that during the nine months of pregnancy a woman should not consume alcohol. We also ask the world to remember those individuals who are struggling with the effects of maternal drinking before they were born. We feel privileged to offer the premiere of the new (either: all-Canadian video, Different Directions: Understanding Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, (24 mins.) (OR) "FAS: Everybody’s Baby”(35 mins) distributed by Fasstar Enterprises and John Kellerman, a young man with FAS. It will be followed by (keynote speaker or panel). By learning more about FAS, you can help us to make a difference. Please RSVP (name and number) before (date), and indicate how many people in your group will be attending. Yours truly, (Your name and position) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. Media Releases 4a. Suggested Media Release for Canada (should fit on single page): For Immediate Release Contact: (contact person's name) (contact person's phone number) (use actual date) (contact person's e-mail address) (Name of your organization) Fights FAS: International Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Day Video Premiere, Sept. 9 "Our house was in turmoil from the time he got up until the time he fell asleep, probably about ten o'clock - and then I would crawl into bed, totally exhausted, and cry myself to sleep every night because I felt like such a failure," says Guelph's Chris Margetson, parent of a son with FAS, in a compelling new Ontario-produced video. The 25-minute video, "Different Directions: Understanding Fetal Alcohol Syndrome," will be offered, along with an informal breakfast, when (Name of your organization) marks International FAS Awareness Day on September 9 at 8:45 a.m., at (location), and observes the worldwide "Minute of Reflection" at 9:09 a.m. "We'll be joining parents and professionals around the world in building awareness about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome," says (name and position of spokesperson). "On this second annual FAS Awareness Day, people from Nunavut to New Zealand will participate. On the ninth minute of the ninth hour of the ninth month, we ask the world to remember that during the nine months of pregnancy, a woman should not drink alcohol." (name of your city or town) will be among many Canadian communities to use FAS Day to launch the new video, produced by Ontario's North for the Children and Toronto's Breaking the Cycle with the assistance of Health Canada. The video focuses on two children with FAS and their mothers: 5-year-old Brenda, and her adoptive mother, Kim Meawasige, both of aboriginal ancestry; and young adult Joe and his birth mother Chris Margetson, of non-native background. Both Meawasige and Margetson work with FAS professionally, and bring to their work compassionate understanding of the struggle faced daily by children with FAS - and their families. In one of the more touching moments in the video, Meawasige, adoptive mother of four children with FAS/FAE, bursts into tears. "Knowing how many kids are lost, either killed or living on the street with FAS and FAE, it scares me... One of the reasons I adopted (my children) is because I know that ...no matter how weird our family is, we're family and we'll be there for them." Following the screening of the video, (what else is on your program?) All are welcome. For more information, call (contact name and number). 4a. Suggested Media Release for U.S. (should fit on single page): For Immediate Release Contact: (contact person's name) (contact person's phone number) (use actual date) (contact person's e-mail address) (Name of your organization) Fights FAS: International Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Day Video Premiere, Sept. 9 The 35-minute video, “FAS: Everybody’s Baby” starring a young man with FAS, will be offered, along with an informal breakfast, when (Name of your organization) marks International FAS Awareness Day on September 9 at 8:45 a.m., at (location), and observes the worldwide “Minute of Reflection” at 9:09 a.m. "We'll be joining parents and professionals around the world in building awareness about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome," says (name and position of spokesperson). "On this second annual FAS Awareness Day, people from Alaska to New Zealand will participate. On the ninth minute of the ninth hour of the ninth month, we ask the world to remember that during the nine months of pregnancy, a woman should not drink alcohol." (name of your city or town) will be among many U.S.communities to use FAS Day to launch the new video, produced by the U.S. Dept.of Education. Promoting zero tolerance for alcohol, tobacco, and drugs during pregnancy, the video is particularly aimed at problem teenagers who are at risk for both unplanned pregnancy and substance abuse. The film concludes with a reflection from adolescents on what parenting is all about, how it begins in the womb, and the responsibilities of the mother and father. "It's an excellent film for teenagers," says Teresa Kellerman of Tucson's FAS Community Resource Centre, "and it will make an impact on viewers of all ages." Following the screening of the video, (what else is on your program?) All are welcome. For more information, call( contact name and number). 5. FAS Day Invocation (optional) (This beautiful and inclusive prayer was written and delivered by Sister Eileen Power at last year's Toronto observance, and has been updated for 2000. It's freely available for anyone in the world who wants to use it. If you use it, please credit Sister Eileen Power, and mention that she is a teaching sister of the Congregation of Notre Dame in Toronto.) by Sr. Eileen Power, CND O Great Spirit, Creator of the Universe, we gather on the ninth minute of the ninth hour of the ninth day of the ninth month in the first year of the New Millennium. Our connection with our whole world is made visible in a special way today. People in every time zone gather, as we gather, to change our world. By our coming together and our working together, we will make the world better. Accept our prayers with all who are praising you this very moment and with all who will gather today. As we begin this millennium, we are filled with hope, O Ever-Creating God, that in the circle of life, in the cosmos, in the womb, in our hearts, your hope goes round, your strength goes round, your power goes round, your love goes round and our hearts and spirits are joined in a new birth. We gather to intensify our awareness of the fragile beauty of life from the first moment of conception, of the privilege of the nine months of pregnancy, and of our resolve to help all children and adults with fetal substance disorders to lead happier and more fulfilling lives. All of our words, gestures and hopes of today: Our silence and our bells, Our dance and our reflection, Our words and our drums, Our children and our knots, Our lullabies and our resolve, All of our words, gestures and hopes of today, Are powerful reminders that life is your gift to us. May the drumming of our hearts, echoing the drum of the heartbeat of the universe, be the sound of your tender love. May the knot of our connections be ever firm. And may this special moment on this special day continue to mark the beginning of change, for mothers, for fathers, for all children and for those yet-to-be, and for all of us who join in spirit today around this unique planet, so beautiful, so fragile, so large and yet so small. Together, we are family. 6. "The Integrity of Hope" (optional) This is a warm and positive way to end your event, particularly if it is read by a birth mother or person living with FAS/FAE. The Integrity of Hope by Michael Kami, 1993 Just as the gentle flutter of a butterfly's wing Can change the path of a hurricane So the gentle beat of a child's heart Can change the destiny of the world. Children are our future and our hope. Only they determine humanity's progress. We must protect all children. We must feed all children. We must educate all children. We must love all children. They are we and we are they, In a joint journey to a better future! 7. How to Make a FAS Knot "A threefold cord is not quickly broken." -The Bible, Ecclesiastes IV, 10 In 1999, volunteers from New Zealand and South Africa to Nunavut used the FAS Knot as a symbol of our worldwide campaign to inform the world about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and related disorders. This piece of knotted cord was designed in memory of Abel Dorris, 1968-1991, whose brief and poignant life resulted in the groundbreaking 1989 book about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, The Broken Cord, written by his father, Michael Dorris, 1945-1997. The broken cord may refer to the umbilical cord, the spinal cord, the nervous system, the cord between the generations, or the cable on an elevator. Michael Dorris wrote that if we back off on our children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome or Fetal Alcohol Effects, they will sink like an elevator once the cable is snapped. Ten years after Dorris's book, a loving community around the world reconnected the broken cord, developing the FAS Knot as our symbol. Each knot can be made easily and cheaply in less than a minute. The cord is tied in a square knot, sometimes called a reef knot, the favoured knot for reconnecting a broken line or cord. The knot is stronger than the cord itself, and cannot be broken or snapped. You may want to sell the knots for $2-$5, or ask for donations. Volunteers in the U.S. and Canada generally use an eight-inch piece of 3/16" white cord, available in most hardware stores for a few cents per foot. Volunteers in New Zealand and Germany have made smaller, more discreet FAS Knots, using thinner cord. Make a circle approximately the size of your thumb (possibly smaller if you use a thinner cord), then tie right over left and under; left over right and under. Using a straight pin or safety pin, pin this to your lapel or other garment with the loop above and the knot below. Step-by-step may be seen on the website at www.come-over.to/FASDAY/manual.htm We have chosen a cord instead of a ribbon, to separate ourselves from all of the other campaigns. We are not just another cause trying to raise money -- we represent those millions of individuals and their families who have gone unrecognized, unidentified, neglected on this continent and throughout the world. The circle symbolizes the womb, a baby's head, the human brain, the earth. And we, a planet-size network of people who care about people living with FAS, are the knot that will make them whole. FAS is totally preventable. We must create a society in which everyone recognizes that there is no lower threshold for drinking in pregnancy. Our long-range goal is to rename this small piece of cord, "The FAS Not!" The FAS Knot was designed by Bonnie Buxton and Brian Philcox, trademark pending. We encourage groups supporting FAS/FAE endeavours to use it for promotion or fund-raising, and ask only that you notify us before doing so. Write to us at 250 Scarborough Golf Club Road, Toronto, ON M1J 3G8, fax us at (416) 264-8222, or e-mail us at 8. Copy for FAS Knot Scroll (optional) (You may want to print a one-page sheet, roll it up in a scroll, and tuck each one inside the loop of a FAS Knot. The sheet can contain information about the program, and also includes this information about the Knot.) THE FAS KNOT This piece of knotted cord was designed in memory of Abel Dorris, 1968-1991, whose brief and poignant life resulted in the groundbreaking 1989 book about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, "The Broken Cord," written by his father, Michael Dorris, 1945-1997. The broken cord may refer to the umbilical cord, the spinal cord, the nervous system, the cord between the generations, or the cable on an elevator. Michael Dorris wrote that if we back off on our children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome or Fetal Alcohol Effects, they will sink like an elevator once the cable is snapped. The circle symbolizes the womb, a baby's head, the human brain, the earth. And we, a planet-size network of people who care about people living with FAS, are the knot that will make them whole. FAS is totally preventable. We must create a society in which everyone recognizes that there is no lower threshold for drinking in pregnancy. Our long-range goal is to rename this small piece of cord, "The FAS Not!" 9. Information Table You may want to have an information table, which can include the FAS Knot, a cash box for donations, and relevant local material. Correctional Service Canada has produced a well-written research report, "Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Implications for Correctional Service" which is applicable to most English-speaking countries, and is also available in French. It's available, free, in bulk, from the Research Branch, Correctional Service of Canada, 340 Laurier Ave. West, Ottawa, ON K1A 0P9, or phone Tina Bada at (613) 996-5222, fax (613)996-2867, It is full of facts and figures about FAS/FAE, relating to the lifespan of the affected individual, and includes recommendations for changes in the criminal justice system, taking into account the needs and disabilities of offenders with fetal alcohol disorders. This report would be particularly useful for members of the media who would like more information on the secondary disabilities of people with FAS, which make them susceptible to getting in trouble with the law. Your committee might consider making various petitions available, and Bonnie Buxton can suggest a number which might be appropriate. We particularly like a "declaration" for men to fill out, promising to support their wives, partners, sisters, daughters, and friends in sobriety when pregnant. This declaration was developed by the Lakeland FAS Committee, in northern Alberta, Canada. The complete petition form can be downloaded at www.come-over.to/FASDAY/FathersDec.htm The declaration, in the form of a petition, reads: "I am aware that alcohol exposure during pregnancy may cause irreversible brain damage to the baby, therefore, I declare that I will support and encourage my partner, friends and family members to be alcohol free during pregnancy." 10. FAS fact sheet and educational handouts There is a file called FASdisk that can be downloaded in its entirety or just selected documents. The FASdisk can be found on the Internet at http://come-over.to/FASdisk/ Suggested documents include: What Is FAS? FAS FACTS FAS Characteristics FAS101Assessment Resource List FAS and the Brain Birth Defects Comparison (Canada) Birth Defects Comparison (U.S.) Timelines for FAS Visible Kid with the Invisible Disabilities Visible Teen with the Invisible Disabilities FAS Presentation Notes ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ E. Easy Plan - The Foolproof FAS Day Formula Sit down with paper and pen. If you have one or two other key people to work with, print up copies of this manual, and invite them to join you. Give them some time to read it, and then answer the following questions: * Who is chairing this event? * Who can we count on to help out? What kind of help can they give us? * Who do we know will want to attend? * Potential attendees -- what other people and organizations in the community do we want to reach? (Start with interested friends and family members, and professionals -doctors, lawyers, teachers, etc. - that you know. Then add people who should be interested: e.g., local municipal, state/provincial and federal politicians, agencies with an interest in FAS, school personnel, etc.) * How many people can we reasonably expect to attend? * Will we require child care? * Where should we hold this event? * Who are our best local media contacts to promote this event and the FAS issue? You will find the Community Event Checklist in Section C. As you work through the rest of this guide, you can begin to fill it in. Section D contains other written material you can use and edit as you like. 1. Confirm location. Once you've decided how many people are likely to attend, choose your location. Try to find a reasonably-sized meeting room with comfortable seating, and a convenient area to serve coffee, tea, juice, and snacks. 2. How to Obtain a FAS Day Proclamation If you want civic and state FAS Day proclamations, find out the appropriate name to write to, and do this immediately. You'll find a boiler-plate letter plus sample proclamations in this document. (Note: Canada's provincial governments are not likely to issue proclamations.) 3. Planning the Video Premiere -- Plus The program is a simple one, but you're going to need to make some choices. * Who will be M.C.? Choose the most articulate person in your group, or try for a local personality who could be sympathetic to your cause - e.g., a TV or radio broadcaster or local entertainment figure. * Will you use the Invocation, and if so, who will read it? * Will you ask your mayor or a municipal counsellor to read the Proclamation? * How will you observe the worldwide "Minute of Reflection" at 9:09 a.m.? e.g., will someone ring a bell nine times? Or will you say a prayer, sing a song, have someone play a musical instrument, or have simple silence? * Will you have a keynote speaker following the video, and if so, who? * Or will you have a panel discussion? Your panel could include a birth parent, a foster or adoptive parent, an articulate survivor of FAS/FAE and a professional (teacher, doctor or nurse, psychologist or social worker, knowledgeable lawyer or judge, etc.) * Will you add music to the mix - possibly a live musician? * Would you like to close with the poem, "The Integrity of Hope," by Michael Kami? And if so, who will read it? 4. Invitations and flyers We've enclosed a sample invitation and 2 sample flyer/posters. Ask your committee members to come up with names of people to invite, and make a master list, which can be used in 2001. To save on postage, you may want to e-mail and fax many of your invitations, but make sure to follow up with a personal phone call. The invitation contains a RSVP: whose number will invitees call? 5. Breakfast Food and Drink Easy does it. Muffins and/or bagels, cheese or cream cheese optional, possibly some cut-up melon or citrus fruit, coffee, tea and fruit juice, cream/milk and sugar. Possibly a local retailer or coffee shop may be willing to make a donation. If you're tight for cash, possibly a local service club or church will help. Will you need storage or refrigeration or help setting up tables? Do you have enough electric coffeemakers? 6. Other equipment Make sure your video equipment is adequate well in advance of Sept. 9. Is your VCR working? Is your TV set or monitor large enough for the size of group you expect? If you're expecting two dozen people or more, you may need two or more monitors hooked up to one VCR: this can be done easily with a splitter. Most audio-visual specialty stores can show you how it's done. If more people than you expect turn up, simply hold two screening sessions. One group snacks and chats while the other group watches the video. Then they trade places. Your alternative is to rent a video projector and screen from a company specializing in video display or presentation rentals. This will cost about $250-$300 per day, and you will need to darken the room. Some colleges and universities have this equipment in screening rooms. 7. Media Relations You'll find a sample media release, ready for you to personalize with local information. Make a list of all of the members of the media you would like to reach, particularly those whom you know personally. You should also prepare a list of individuals who are knowledgeable about FAS, and willing to talk to the media. These might include participants on your panel - parents, people with FAS, and professionals. The media release can be faxed, but make sure you have a person who will make follow-up phone calls. You will also need a media contact for any members of the press, radio or TV who want to know more. 8. Other Bells and carillons around the world will be ringing nine times at 9:09 a.m. in the international Bell Concordance, to remind the world that during the nine months of pregnancy, a woman should not consume alcohol. If there is a church bell in your community, you may want to speak to the minister or priest, to ask if it is rung manually. If so, we suggest you photocopy the material from the FASworld Report regarding the Bell Concordance, or download and print it from the website www.come-over.to/FASDAY/manual.htm , and invite the church to join in. If you live in a city which is lucky enough to have a carillon, get the name of the carillonneur and do the same. Gerald Martindale, carillonneur at Toronto's Metropolitan United Church is building on last year's concert of international lullabies and would be pleased to share this with other international carillonneurs. Make sure you have a guest book easily accessible as guests enter or leave. It would be useful to have someone stationed to remind people to sign the guest book and hand out FAS Knots as your guests arrive. The FAS awareness symbol, the FAS Knot can be easily made for about 8 cents each. They can be given away, sold for about $2-3 each, or you can simply have a cash box available for donations. Complete information on the FAS Knot can be found at www.come-over.to/FASDAY/manual.htm FAS Knots and the guest book can be placed on an information table, with other available material. The table can also include petitions your group wishes to support. For suggestions for both U.S. and Canadian petitions, e-mail Bonnie Buxton at ogrady@pathcom.com. For suggestions on posters and printed material you can download yourself, check out the website http://come-over.to/FASdisk/ FASworld Toronto Bonnie Buxton & Brian Philcox 416-264-8000? Fax 416-264-8222 www.FASWORLD.COM Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Community Resource Center Teresa Kellerman tjk@azstarnet.com www.come-over.to/FASCRC ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ F. Follow-up Final Report: We'd be grateful if you could make a simple and informal Final Report to us: How many people attended? How much did it cost? What would be useful next time? Please e-mail this to Bonnie Buxton at ogrady@pathcom.com or fax to (416) 264-8222 or mail to 250 Scarborough Golf Club Road, Toronto, ON Canada M1J 3G8. Thank You Notes: Be sure to send a note of thanks to the individuals who helped with FAS DAY events. Form a Group: If you don't already have a local group, this is the time to form one. Get names, phone numbers and addresses to start a mailing list. Assess the need for family support, presentation team, or advocacy assistance. Round up future volunteers for raising awareness, promoting prevention, and for assisting with intervention. Make a date for a future planning meeting before the day is done. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ G. Grand Finale Group Hug: When the public has departed, gather your volunteers together for a group hug and a pat on the back for a job well done! FASWORLD Fable: This is just for you and your volunteers. Read it aloud to them before they leave. It is guaranteed to leave everyone with a light heart: The Fable of the First FAS Day in FASWORLD by Teresa Kellerman Once upon a time, not too very long ago, Beautiful Blue Butterfly Bonnie flew across the sunny skies from the Nippy North down to the Sultry South, where she met Tucson Turquoise Tutterfly Teresa. They spoke of their butterfly babies and tutterfly troubles, and wistfully whispered of all the other butterfly babies in the world who couldn't fly because their baby butterfly wings could not develop enough for them to fly freely on their own. The baby butterflies were always flying into terrible trouble. ! ! ! ! ! Tutterfly Teresa told Butterfly Bonnie all she knew about broken baby butterflies and their booze-battered brains. Butterfly Bonnie shared all she knew about the overwhelming ! obstacles that must be overcome by all the mamas and the papas and their blessed baby butterflies. Together the two shared their worthy wisdom. They lamented at length. Butterfly Bonnie said, "Let's save all those baby butterflies!" Tutterfly Teresa said, "How can we do that? We are only two burned out bedraggled butterflies. We cannot save the world." To which BB replied, "Oh, we may not save the whole wacky world, but we can save some of the suffering souls trapped with their tattered and torn, worn wings. I have my Big Brainy Butterfly Brian to help me! And back home in the Nippy North is my Cute Clutterfly Colette." TT said, "Well then, that is four of us - eight wings in all. What kind of a flap can four FAS friends make?" Butterfly Bonnie said, "Have you not heard? 'The oscillation of butterfly wings in Brazil may set off storms in Texas.' "Brazil?" exclaimed TT. "I know some terrific tot-tutors in Texas, but I don't know any butterflies in Brazil." "Oh, but you will! You will! Brazil and beyond." Butterfly Bonnie continued to cheerfully chatter. "If we mobilize and motivate all the other butterflies in the world, just think what storms we could set off! Not just in Texas, but in Tucson and Toledo and Toronto and Everywhere that our butterflies beat their beautiful wings! Why, we might even move mighty mountains." So Butterfly Bonnie flew back to the Nippy North and stirred up serious storms all over earth space. And Tutterfly Teresa flew back to the internet and intermitently interrupted inertia all over cyberspace. Before long there were hundreds of busy butterflies making wonderful waves of awareness, telling their true tales, procuring proper proclamations, mobilizing media, bringing bells a-ringing, "Nine! Nine! Ninety-Nine!" And so, air waves announced and reporters revered all the awesome events planned and produced proudly by those sixty successful blessed butterflies on that fine Fall day. Ripples reverberated across the peaceful planet, telling the truth about the broken baby butterflies. Beyond the barriers of ignorance and indifference, the message of mothers and fathers afar: "Desist the destruction of the delicate development of those wee little wings of the babies we bear. Try not to trample those innocent individuals whose wings cannot wend their way so well. Listen and learn. Don't forget and regret. Beware and take care!' And they did! The moral of the story is this... Never underestimate the power of the pen, the wonders of the web, and the beating of butterfly wings in the wind. Especially esteem the miracles of mothers and daddies who love their little lassies and laddies above all on the earth in this fabulous family called FASWORLD. And to think it all began with one Beautiful Blue Butterfly... Bonnie! To view the FASWORLD Fable with graphics and music, go to this website: http://come-over.to/FASWORLD/Bonnie/butterfly.htm Heartfelt thanks to Butterflies Bonnie Buxton and Brian Philcox who have done 99% of the work to make FASDAY and FASWORLD become a reality.