Here is a link to the AP associated local press. 

http://hosted.ap.org/specials/.....ge.html#nv

Click on your state and pay special attention to those publications.  Sometimes if one associated publication picks up the story and the local bureau hears about it, it could go national.  I will be contacting the bureau offices - no worries - you contact your local papers.

YOU CANNOT PESTER THESE PEOPLE ENOUGH. Do not be intimidated...they need you to make the news stories that they get paid to write. With that said though..you can piss them off - these people are under tight deadlines -and I have found that even the tiniest publication exacts serious pressure on these people with deadlines...so be aware that they are under the gun and do not have time to REALLY investigate anything.  And here is how NOT to piss them off.

Give 'em a pre-made story - aka the well written press release- and be available for them no matter what.

take the general press release located at
PRESS RELEASE
http://docs.google.com/View?docID=dg3pcpz_1d96d2fdq&revision=_latest

change the contact to YOU add your phone number too.
change the date to the date you are sending it - fax best or email.
change the Byline from NJ to the town Michael will be stopping in.

add a quote BEFORE "You can track Michael Maresco’s progress..." , attributed to a local somebody.  Get their age in there and their occupation and make it an EMOTIONAL quote.  Should sound sorta like this:

Justin Smith, 29, a bike repairman from INSERT SOME TOWN NEARBY stated after receiving a pocket Constitution from Mr. Maresco, "I am so impressed with what this guy is doing.  I've never actually read The Constitution, but I will now."

delete the last line with my name entirely.  But make sure you leave the three little pound signs...just leave 'em! - its press release protocol.

NOW IF YOU HAVE A MEETING SET UP WITH A SHERIFF or somebody.  MAKE SURE YOU SAY THAT IN THE TITLE.  so change the title to say some thing like this:

PEDALING A TOUGH MESSAGE
Activist Michael Maresco Pedals Across the Country to Meet Sheriff Friendly


send this thing out 3 days before he is slated to show up. Fax

call 2 days before - remember, the receptionist is YOUR BEST FRIEND!  he/she will get you all sorts of info if you are friendly...ask for her name and make sure you note that. Get the reporters name that would be covering it and talk to them - ask if they got the press release and that this guy Michael is going to be in a documentary coming out in couple months and he's meeting with the sheriff (don't really go into it too much - refer them to the press release) and it should be a good photo op.  Give them the time and place of the photo op.

send the release again 1 day before to the receptionist asking her to make sure that the reporter gets it.

contact the reporter the day of and "confirm" the place and time of the photo op.

They are going to want to talk with Michael...make sure you have his cell phone number if they need to talk with him.

Make sure if they do run a story that you scan it or send the link to libertyrider. But more importantly CONTACT THE REPORTER AND TELL THEM WHAT A WONDERFUL STORY IT WAS!!! and send them the link to libertyrider.com and let them know that people across the country will be seeing their story.  And that it was a pleasure to work with them.

Don't forget the thank you part!

GOOD LUCK! 
Rachael from Rhode Island
media@libertyrider.com

****************************************************
Politicians and diapers should be
changed regularly...and for the same reason.

RoxiC said:

it might be beneficial to you to have each state or county coordinator create a google map with “mymaps” and add balloons for gas stations/motels/etc and any construction zones or potential problems… what do you think?

It would be good to have the local volunteer to go over and create a more accurate map according to actual conditions. May not be that easy though. They need to use "walking directions" which will then put me on some dirt roads. That is why using the "mapmyroute" site for detailed routing. And even they will need to be gone over again...

Another thing to consider with re-routing is mileage. That cannot go over 80 miles per day, so if detours are added, mileage must be taken into account. Alternatively, we can build a State Level forum here, each with a routing thread where volunteers can add "points to consider" regarding the listed route, and alternatives...

The idea is to be polite and low-key. They will be doing us a service, let them know we know that and appreciate it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hi,

My Name is… I'm calling to ask some questions about an upcoming event in our county.

I'm part of a loose grassroots political network and we have an activist pedaling a bicycle across America who is coming to (County) on (XYZ).

He has done this before and is hoping the Sheriff wouldn't mind taking a look at his map and letting him know if there is any safety issues with the route he's has chosen.

He also has a gift for your office and wonders how best to get it to you. Is your HQ close to the route, or perhaps a substation?

There may, or may not be press, but he is reporting on this across country and would be honored to get a chance to talk to the sheriff and ask a few questions for the blog.

I'll email you the link to the route through our state and send along a press release.

Thank you,

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nat 2 Draft

Nat 2 Draft Back

Front pocket logo

Back of Shirt

What do you all thinK?

Dave from NJ asked a great question about the Interview  questions I'm wanting to ask of the county supporters I meet. Here is my reply:

The basic idea is to meet one supporter in each county I go through. Say hi and talk on camera a bit about the experiences of the past, the activities of the present, and hopes for the future. It will be free form, but along the lines of

1 - How did you get involved in the r3v and what were the most memorable parts for you?
2 - What kind of stuff are you doing now? Any candidates you're supporting?
3 - Where do you hope to see us going and how best do you see us getting there?
4 - If you could say one thing to your elected officials, what would it be?
5 - Anyone you wanna give a shout out to?

On a scale of importance

1. Get on the blog - either find me on the road, or direct me to a slight detour where I can them. I've left my hourly schedule flexible, so our contacts can reflect that. If you open the schedule page and zoom in on the map, you'll be able to get a rough idea of where I can be when. Figure I go about 10mph. No stress, but if people are reluctant you can cajole them with the vision of creating a string odf supporters, even for a few words. If no supporter materializes, I intend to find, or make one…
   
2. Contact the sheriff - While Rob is paving the way in PA full on, the easy approach, to break the ice, is the map. I want to redo the maps one more time. The last version, I did not understand all of the new software's capabilities and some of the the maps have me going down dirt roads After that is fixed, I could really use people scouring their area for potential roadblocks or other dangers that google maps does not reveal. The sheriff should be a great resource for that type info. In addition, the contact should be a way of giving a respectful heads up to the top law enforcement agent in the area, I think they'll appreciate it, and be inclined to look over the map and possibly say  “sure, have em come on down, I'd love to meet this character and you know, if he took this shortcut, he'd avoid that hill and it's a lot prettier ride, as well” 
3. Contact the local media - Working with Rachel it'll be a matter of sending press releases, making follow-up calls, and making friends Valuable stuff to have and experience… In any event of shy supporters, the state co-ordination team will make the media contacts.
4. Anything else the schedule allows, and heart desires…
   

Thats it.