EVERY CITY ACROSS THIS COUNTRY - 

Million Father March

2009

Organizing Guide

“I have been waiting and preparing for a time such as this. Our combined voices must be heard, and we can not stop until every Black man feels the power within himself to make a positive difference in the lives of our children, themselves, and our communities. We can do this."

Elder Felix L. Graham,

Million Father March Organizer, 2006

Indianapolis, Indiana

Facts about The Million Father March

· A father who actively participates in the educational and social development life of a child is invaluable and irreplaceable.

· Research shows that children whose fathers take active roles in their educational lives earn better grades, get better test scores, enjoy school more and are more likely to graduate from high school and attend college.

· Additionally, children have fewer behavior problems when fathers speak and listen to their children regularly and are active in their lives.

· A good father is part of a good parent team and is critical to strong family structures.

· Strong family structures produce children who are more centered, academically proficient and socially developed and are a valuable asset to their communities.

· Better parents produce better communities, better schools and better students.

· Fathers, grandfathers, foster fathers, step-fathers, uncles, cousins, big brothers, significant male caregivers and friends of the family can participate in The Million Father March.

· While this event is sponsored by Black men, women and men of all races and faith backgrounds are encouraged to take children to school on their first day of school.

· Over 300 cities participated in the Million Father March in 2008.

· 2009 is the sixth year for the Million Father March.

Planning the Day

Working with Schools:

· Notify area school superintendents, board members and principals that men will accompany their children to school on the first day of school

· Ask schools to assign a school parent or staff person to manage this initiative

· Register your school or organization with The Black Star Project’s Million Father March 2009

· Ask the principal to send a notice to families to invite parents, especially men , to take their children to school on this first fall day

· Ask schools to invite men (and women) into a parents’ room or auditorium for a short program while their children are in class (you might include coffee, juice and cookies with this program)

· Create packets for fathers and other significant male caregivers with information about your school and programs for this coming school year

· Invite elected officials and dignitaries to greet men at the front of the school

· Create a letter, note, button or patch that says “I took my children to school today” to pass out to parents as they take their children to school

· Create ways for fathers and other men to be involved with your school during the year

Coordinating Outreach:

· Create a Million Family March Organizing Committee in your city, town or village and plan to meet at least once a week until the first day of school

· Partner with a school, faith-based organization or community organization that will serve as sponsor and fiscal agent for your initiative

· Share the fact sheet with schools, faith-based organizations, community organizations, government agencies, chambers of commerce, businesses and elected officials

· Notify area businesses about this event and ask them to consider giving men participating in this program two to three hours off of work (with pay when possible)

· Notify newspapers, radio stations, television stations and others about The Black Star Project’s Million Father March 2009

· Use Million Father March 2009 flyers, fact sheets and pluggers to promote this event

· Share your ideas for promoting this event with Million Father March Central at 773/285-9600 or by email: blackstar1000@ameritech.net

Caution: Parents should always be aware of who comes in contact with their children. Strange or unfamiliar adults should not talk to, communicate with or come into contact with children they do not know.

School, faith-based organization, community organization, government agency registration form

The BlackêStar Project’s

Million Father March2009

Men Taking Children to School on Their First Day of School

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The Black Star Project is encouraging fathers, stepfathers, foster fathers, grandfathers, uncles, brothers, godfathers, cousins, baby’s daddies and other significant male caregivers to take their children to school on the first day of school for the 2009-2010 school year. When men are involved in the educational lives of their children, children perform better in school.

Employers are asked to allow fathers and other male caregivers to take off from work for two to three hours (with pay when possible) to accompany their children to school on this first fall day to help get the school year started right. Fathers and other men should be welcomed guests at their children’s school. Some schools will have information and activities available. Schools across America who support the MILLION FATHER MARCH should allow Fathers to arrive with their children at their children’s school 15 to 30 minutes before the starting bell. Fathers and other men will only go into schools if school staff invites them in. Otherwise, they will leave after their children enter the building.

Additionally, we encourage Black men to make a year-long special commitment to:

• Improve their work and life skills
• Acquire more education for themselves and become a role model for their children
• Support their children financially, spiritually and emotionally
• Dedicate themselves to their family
• Build, clean, and maintain their community
• Become entrepreneurs and develop economic resources

Please add our names to those 2009:

School, School District, Church, Organization or Business_______________________________________

Principal, Superintendent, Board President, Executive Director or CEO_____________________________

Address____________________________________City/State/Zip_______________________________

Phone _____________________Fax ________________ Email _________________________________

Estimate number of fathers who will participate ____________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

(Signature of Principal, Superintendent, Board President, Executive Director or CEO) (date)

Please either fax this form to 773-285-9602, return by email to blackstar1000@ameritech.net or mail to / The Black ê Star Project 3473 S. King Drive, Box 464, Chicago, Illinois 60616, Please call us at 773/285-9600 or visit our website at http://www.blackstarproject.org/ for more information.

 

Caution: Parents should always be aware of who comes in contact with their children. Strange or unfamiliar adults should not talk to, communicate with or come into contact with children they do not know. And please advise your children to never talk to anyone they do not know.