Promoting Contests to Schools

Driving Contest Participation

The best-designed contest means nothing without participants. As State Chair, you're responsible for ensuring Lodge Chairs have the tools and motivation to promote contests effectively in their communities.

Supporting Lodge-Level Promotion

Lodge Chairs are your front line for contest promotion. Equip them with:

• Ready-to-use materials: Flyers, posters, teacher letters, and contest rules
• Talking points: Key messages for conversations with schools
• Examples: Past winning entries to show what excellence looks like
• Timeline: Clear deadlines working backward from state judging
• Answers to common questions: FAQs about eligibility, format, and submission

Engaging Schools

Help lodges approach schools effectively:

Connect to Curriculum

• Essay contests align with language arts standards
• Poster contests fit art class projects
• Video contests connect to media and technology classes
• All contests support health education objectives

Make It Easy for Teachers

• Provide lesson plan suggestions
• Offer to present contest information directly to classes
• Keep requirements simple and clear
• Be flexible on deadlines when reasonable

Highlight Benefits

• Recognition for students and schools
• Prize money for winners
• Resume/portfolio material for older students
• Positive publicity for the school

State-Level Promotion

Complement lodge efforts with state-level visibility:

• Include contest information in all state DAP communications
• Partner with state Department of Education if possible
• Use state Elks social media to promote contests
• Share winning entries as inspiration for next year
• Recognize top-participating lodges and schools

Tracking Participation

Monitor participation throughout the contest period:

• Check in with District Chairs on lodge activity
• Identify lodges that haven't engaged schools
• Offer support to struggling lodges
• Document total entries by district and lodge
• Analyze trends year over year

Building Momentum Over Time

Contest participation grows when:

• Schools have positive experiences and want to participate again
• Past participants spread the word to classmates
• Teachers incorporate contests into their regular curriculum
• Winners are celebrated publicly
• Lodges maintain year-round school relationships

A single contest entry from a new school can lead to years of partnership.