1	Wedding Planning: How to Marry Clients with Employers Presented by: Jennifer Olson & Mandy Sherlock Increasing Career Choices for Individuals who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing National Center on Deafness, Cal State Northridge
2	ICC Overview – Track 1 – Services to students Work experience placements Mentoring program Career workshops Career panels Voice message service Database of employers Deaf Mentor Video Series Job accommodation video Career fairs
3	ICC Overview – Track 2 – Services to Employers Resource guide Assistive device loan program Project Advisory Council
4	ICC Overview – Track 3 – Dissemination Present at state & national conferences Best practices report Disseminate videos and resource guides
5	Picking the Date 7 to 8 months prior What to consider: Conflict with community/campus events Availability of preferred facility Scheduling conflicts of your target population
6	Site Selection 7 months prior What to consider: Ease in finding location Accessibility by public transportation Ample parking, esp. disabled parking Physical access, lighting, elbowroom Wheelchair access Wall space & electrical outlets
7	Guest List 7 months prior Database of employer contacts Sources of contact information: Chamber of Commerce directories Business cards collected at job fairs Databases from the Career Center or other career service agencies Personal contacts
8	Guest List 3 to 4 months prior Database of community contacts Sources of contact information: Department of Rehabilitation counselors Local One-Stops Neighboring community college Career Centers and Centers on Disabilities Local high school Career Centers Campus student population
9	Sample page from Contacts Database
10	Invitations (can be done simultaneously with Guest List) “Hold the Date” post card Many employers book 6 months in advance They require advance notice of events Our solution:
11	“Hold the Date” Postcard - front
12	“Hold the Date” Postcard - back
13	Invitations Send 2 ½ to 3 months prior Include: Cost ($50) Location Contact information Incentives for participation Registration form Eye catching Consistent with postcard theme
14	Employer Mailer - outside
15	Employer Mailer - inside
16	Invitations Send 1 ½ months prior Include: Date, time & location Directions Parking information Info about accommodations Have faxable and text-only formats of both mailers available
17	Community Mailer - outside
18	Community Mailer - inside
19	The Wedding Party Potential Partners Community-Based Agencies Department of Rehabilitation Other Colleges & Universities 1-Stop Centers
20	The Bride’s Side Employer Recruitment Mailings Postcard Brochure Phone Calls Hot Contacts Cold Calls
21	The Groom’s Side Participant Recruitment Mailings to Individuals Mail Stacks to Organizations Press Releases to Local Media Posters Flyers Hot Contacts
22	RSVP Employer registration process: Registration packet Introduction letter Map with parking information Invoice or receipt Questionnaire (to gather info about their company) Information entered into a database
23	RSVP Sample page from registration database.
24	Access Services
25	Access Services Sign Language Interpreters (Paid) Book WELL in ADVANCE (~ 2 months) Sighted Guides (volunteers) Special Ed teacher training classes Senior centers Materials in alternative formats Large Print Braille
26	Reception
27	Reception Employer/Volunteer Hospitality Donations – Economical, but time consuming Self-Catered (aka catering by Costco) – Cheaper, but time consuming Catered – Expensive, but easy Combination
28	Seating Arrangements
29	Seating Arrangements
30	Seating Arrangements
31	Seating Arrangements Lay out wide aisles for easy access Mindful of wall space & electricity needs Spread out similar companies Place access services in the front Place popular companies in the back
32	Wedding Crew Fire Marshall Employer Registration Volunteer coordinator Access services coordinator Help employers from their cars (cart) Signage – Inside/Outside Tablecloths/numbers Food set-up (pick up?) Food cop Door monitor /handouts Clean-up crew
33	Party Favors – Handouts for Job Seekers How to Get the Most from a CIE Spreadsheet list of employer attendees with table #, company name, type of industry, if currently recruiting, majors, types of positions Room layout with table #’s Evaluations (bribes)
34	Party Favors – Employer Packets Letter from ICC staff ICC employer brochure Event evaluation Acknowledgements Brailing services AB 2222 information (New CA law) PAC recruitment letter ICC handbook Tipsheets: Deaf Culture; How to Use a TTY Internet links Adaptive equipment catalogs
35	Father-of-the-Bride’s Wallet… Room rental - $150 Off-set Printing/Mailing – $1,600 Interpreters (4/hr for 3 hrs) - $675 Paper goods (incl. table cloths) - $250 Food (donations, self-cater, cater) - $300 Duplication - $100 Parking for employers - $150 Approximate total = $3,350 (from different sources & line items) Approximate income from event = $1,750
36	The Honeymoon Getting Through the Ceremony The Interview