What Spotlight Conversation Communities Will Receive:
Each Spotlight Conversation selected will receive direct support from ICLEI and other partners on all elements of the event from planning to promotion to implementation, including assistance:

• Designing a tailor-made event that emphasizes civic engagement, based on AmericaSpeaks’ 21st Century Town Meeting ® format. Learn more.
• Identifying and recruiting a key expert (economist, scientist, etc.) to speak at the event
• Engaging additional stakeholders and speakers
• Conducting extensive media outreach
• Tailored guidance on conducting outreach to your community, including crafting messages that resonate locally
• Creating and producing materials
• Hosting a green event

We will also include each Spotlight Conversation in national media outreach, on the event website and other event promotion.

What Spotlight Conversation Communities Are Expected to Deliver:

• Host a National Conversation event on April 22, 2009 (Earth Day) that
  • Engages various stakeholders in the planning or as speakers
  • Focuses on aspects of your climate protection initiatives
  • Features participation from the local government’s climate champion(s) (e.g. the Mayor)
  • Is open to the public and employs green event practices
  • Is branded as a part of the National Conversation on Climate Action
• Work directly with ICLEI and partners in the planning and promotion of the event, including conducting both community and media outreach
• Register and provide a report and photos of the event at www.climateconversation.org
• Be or become a member of ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability (more information on ICLEI membership is available at www.icleiusa.org/join or membership-usa@iclei.org)

What All Local Governments Can Do
It is ICLEI’s hope that all its member local governments, not simply the ones chosen as Spotlight Conversations, can host National Conversation events to engage with their community members and highlight their climate action work. The event website (www.climateconversation.org) will serve as a central hub for the hundreds of communities expected to participate on April 22, 2009. More details on how to participate will be available shortly. If you would like to sign up to receive more information, please send an email to climateconversation@iclei.org.