Sample Proclamation

•Generate Publicity  
•Sample Press Release

Proclamation by Mayor/Governor
on The Week of the Young Child

Whereas, the [your Affiliate Group] and other local organizations, in conjunction with the National Association for the Education of Young Children, are celebrating the Week of the Young Child, [dates]; and

Whereas, these organizations are working to improve early learning opportunities, which are crucial to the growth and development of young children, and to building better futures for everyone in [city/state]; and

Whereas, all young children and their families across the country and in [city/state] deserve access to high-quality early education and care; and

Whereas, in recognizing and supporting the people, programs and policies that are committed to high-quality early childhood education as the right choice for kids;

 I, [name of official], [Mayor/Governor] of the [city/state], do hereby proclaim [dates] as The Week of the Young Child in [city/state] and encourage all citizens to work to make a good investment in early childhood in [city/state].

Have public proclamations of the Week.

Urge your mayor and/or governor to proclaim the Week of the Young Child. A proclamation is an official document that urges all citizens to become involved in the special tribute being paid to early childhood teachers and caregivers and to focus attention on the importance of the early years. The proclamation will also promote your Affiliate Group activities, because it can be a newsworthy item.

1. Draft the proclamation. Review the sample draft included above. Personalize the document to best fit your celebration and your community. The purpose of submitting a draft is that it clearly communicates the language you would like to see in the official document. Officials will appreciate having the draft from which to work.

2. Submit your request. This should be done at least two months in advance. Send a letter to the mayor and/or governor requesting the proclamation and enclosing your draft for consideration. Be sure your letter also includes the dates you would like to have designated as the Week of the Young Child and why; your deadline for receiving the official proclamation. Most officials will prepare the document in advance in order to take advantage of publicity opportunities of the signing. Ideally, you should receive the document a month in advance of your selected date. This will allow you ample time to promote the proclamation; and the number of original copies of the proclamation you would like to have. The official may be able to provide two or three originals of the document. If several Week of the Young Child events are being held on the same day and you expect media coverage, it would be nice to have an original version of the proclamation at each event.

3. Send your thanks to the official for her or his consideration of your request.