Secretary Richard Riley of the U. S. Department of Education hosts a monthly satellite town meeting. These Satellite Town Meetings are targeted to people with a general knowledge and strong interest in education. The Department assumes a high level of commitment by the listener, but tries to direct the level of conversation to a general audience, avoiding educational jargon and using stories and examples as much as possible. Many downlink sites hold meetings where teachers, student teachers, parents, college administrators, business leaders, elected officials and others are watching together and having their own discussions. Other registrants are actually broadcast outlets that broadcast the program live on cable access, including school board and other channels. For sites without a satellite downlink , the Apple Learning Interchange provides a live and archived webcast of the Satellite Town Meeting. To view, visit http://ali.apple.com/events/aliqttv/.

How Can We Participate?
All you need is a meeting room that has satellite capability to "downlink" the program. A college, the local school system, or public library may have the satellite equipment necessary to provide the downlink. You might contact your local Public Broadcasting System member station or local Chamber of Commerce and ask if your group can use the facility. Other possible sites are local cable television stations, local government offices, hospitals, businesses, hotels, sports venues, or even private residences with backyard satellite dishes. Or call your local cable company about broadcasting the Satellite Town Meeting address on the public, school, or government access channels. Many school boards have their own public access stations and may be willing to broadcast the program. If the speech is broadcast, your group could meet in any facility that has cable.

Please Register!
The Satellite Town Meeting is available at no cost. We just ask that you register your participation - and now it is easier than ever with our new on-line registration system! Visit our Web site at www.ed.gov/inits/stm to find out the latest information, including satellite coordinates for upcoming Satellite Town Meetings and to register on-line.

How can I make my event a success?
Every community's event will look different. Here are some ideas to help you think about a successful event in your community....

1. Define the local angle for your community
   Is your community succeeding in bringing together all of the key partners for a community reading program? If not, what challenges are being faced? What efforts and resources already exist in your community that might complement your efforts? Will your event focus on initial resource development or serve as a celebration of a successful effort? Is this an opportunity to recruit new volunteers and involve parents?
2. Discussion
   Convene a panel of members of the community who are involved in the issue. Have different perspectives represented - parents, teachers, principals, superintendents, mentors, businesspersons, leaders of community organizations, etc. Don't forget the student perspective!
3. Follow-up
   Have a sign-in sheet for the audience that requests their addresses and phone numbers. Solicit input from the audience after the program. Use this opportunity to develop long-lasting relationships.
4. Focus on a specific local program in your community
   Invite representatives of the program to speak to the audience, including students who are being assisted. Have students tell how they are benefiting from the program. Define for the audience how they can get involved in the program. Can businesses donate resources such as computers and books? Are volunteers needed for tutoring or mentoring?

The Department of Education hopes you will join us via satellite on March 21. If you have further questions about setting up for this event, please do not hesitate to call 1-800-USA-LEARN (1-800-872-5327)

Register Now!

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