Current Panthers
With required permissions, invite students from sports, band, theater and clubs. Include transportation only through approved, accurate stories.
Proposal / Storytelling plan
CAMPAIGN COMMUNICATIONS PLAYBOOK
Every Panther has a story.
Short, real voices from current students, graduates, families, and former athletes. Show the opportunity at stake without turning students into fundraising props.
START SMALL4–6 videos20–45 seconds each; vertical, captioned, permission-cleared
01 / EDITORIAL STRATEGY
The story before the ask.
One person, one authentic moment, one connection to athletics, activities or transportation. Avoid scripts that ask children to plead for money. Alumni and adults can carry the direct fundraising appeal; students can speak about what a team or program means to them.
Former Panthers
Ask alumni what they remember, what opportunities taught them, and why they choose to stay involved.
Trusted adults
Coaches, teachers, parents and mentors can explain practical costs, local history and ways to volunteer.
Important: Get district and guardian approval for any student interview or footage. A general school media release may not cover a third-party fundraising campaign; verify scope and get separate written consent where needed. Do not expose names, schedules or identifying student details without permission.
02 / PRODUCTION PLAYBOOK
One phone, one quiet room, one good story.
01
Invite and screen
Identify two adult alumni, one coach/teacher and one or two students only after school coordination. Give each an opt-in invitation and explain where clips may appear.
02
Get written permissions
Confirm consent from adult participants, guardians where applicable, district media/publicity review, locations, logos, music and any archival images.
03
Record a short interview
Film vertical 9:16 at eye level with window light, quiet audio and a plain background. Record 3–5 minutes to produce one strong 20–45-second clip.
04
Edit for accessibility
Open with the most memorable sentence. Add accurate burned-in captions, readable contrast and a short title. Avoid copyrighted music unless licensed.
05
Review and publish
Check names, facts, consent, music rights, student safeguarding and fundraising links. Publish to the approved campaign page and request shares from Elwood Chatter admins, alumni and local campaign leadership if they opt in.
03 / INTERVIEW PROMPTS
Questions that sound human.
Current student
What is your favorite part of being on this team or in this activity? Who helped you feel like you belonged? What's a moment you won't forget?
Graduate / former athlete
What year did you graduate? What program shaped your experience? What did it teach you that stayed with you? What would you tell today's Panthers?
Coach / teacher
What changes when a student finds a team, club or activity they love? What kinds of support are most useful right now?
Parent / caregiver
What does participation make possible for your family? How can neighbors contribute time, skills or small gifts?
Example story arc: 0–3 seconds: memorable hook → 3–30 seconds: lived experience → 30–40 seconds: connection to the campaign → ending card: “The game isn't over. Neither is the story.” Include a single approved URL or volunteer signup call to action.
04 / DISTRIBUTION PLAN
A manageable first month.
| Week | Main video | Supporting posts | Where to distribute |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adult alumnus: one Elwood memory | Quote card, volunteer signup | Campaign Facebook; request Elwood Chatter admin share |
| 2 | Coach or teacher: what opportunity means | Flyer / event interest poll | Campaign Facebook; approved district channels |
| 3 | Student: favorite activity (only with clearance) | Behind-the-scenes photo; captions | Approved district and campaign channels |
| 4 | Graduate: alumni Class Pride invitation | Class-captain post, leaderboard explainer | Alumni groups, Facebook, website |
Do not assume Elwood Chatter, local campaign leadership, ParentSquare, or district channels will publish content. Ask for administrator approval, provide share-ready assets, and offer optional coordinated posting dates. Use Facebook native uploads for primary distribution and an accessible transcript on the website.
05 / TEAM, COSTS & METRICS
Low-cost and accountable.
Minimum crew
One volunteer interviewer/camera editor (2–3 hours per video), one district-approved permissions/review contact, one community outreach helper to schedule stories and coordinate sharing. No new official titles needed.
Budget pilot
Phone camera $0 if volunteered; free editing software $0; captions $0 with manual correction; optional $25–$75 microphone/tripod if not borrowed. Do not buy gear before checking available loans.
Measure what matters
Track three-second and 15-second views, completion rate if available, shares, comments moderated safely, visits to the campaign link and completed volunteer/donor referrals. Never present views as dollars raised.
Safeguards
Maintain consent and clearance records securely, allow reasonable corrections/withdrawal requests, avoid singling out families by income, and never publish unverified financial or educational claims.
Decision for local campaign leadership: Which adult alumni and trusted coaches would be comfortable participating first? Which school staff can confirm the permission process? Start with adult interviews if the student clearance process takes longer.