How to Organize a Candlelight Vigil

Please include your own tips, in particular towards planning a candlelight vigil for missing persons in a comment below ...

 

Involve help and Get the Word Out:  Ask family, friend, co-workers and/or like minded individuals if they'd be interested in volunteering.  Develop fliers, posters and a Press Release to display and distribute about the event.

 

Establish a Venue, Date and Time: Outdoor locations are often nice is the weather is accomadating towards doing since since they are able to hold a large amount of people ... perhaps a park with a shelter.  Make sure to reserve the venue in advance and check with concerning any restrictions regarding lighting candles at, etc.  Once you've selected a location, choose a date and time - make sure it will be dark enough for the candles to have an impact, but not too late at night that participants of all ages would have trouble attending. 

 

Entertainment: Perhaps a local band could play, develop a slideshow to correspond with the event, check with local art students or organizations regarding possibly displaying some artwork that is relevant to your cause and/or invite relevant organizations to attend and have a "booth" at ...


Prepare a short speech for the event: Prepare (or designate someone else as the speaker) something to say, thanking people for coming, and explaining what the vigil is for and what it represents.

• Speeches to inform and motivate
• Memorials
• Sharing of experiences
• Poetry, prayers

Lighting of the candles: Establish a quiet (silent) environment prior to doing so also try to let the candles burn for maybe five or ten minutes for people to get the full effect. After a few moments of silence, announce again to the people the need for action to be taken. Hopefully, at this point, they will be moved and motivated!

Hand out info for attendees to take with:  Whatever is most relevant and beneficial to your cause, include websites, instructions, etc. upon which people can further support your cause after leaving the vigil.  Make sure they leave knowing what they can do now to further help.

• Confirm the Date
• Put Together a Team & Divide Tasks
• Fundraising
• Materials
• The Night of the Event

Additional links providing info on "How to Organize a Candlelight Vigil" ...
http://candles.lovetoknow.com/How_to_Organize_a_Candlelight_Vigil
http://www.dosomething.org/actnow/actionguide/organize-a-candlelight-vigil-your-cause-0
http://candlelight.covenanthouse.org/host/vigil_instructions.php




Please join us at Peace4 the Missing 
Missing Persons Awareness and Support Network 
http://peace4missing.ning.com

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