OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT PROCLAMATION

One of the most important things you can do to build awareness for National Athletic Training Month is to receive official recognition from your local elected official, mayor and/or governor. During the past several years, many NATA members have secured proclamations in their hometowns. Even if you received a proclamation last year, follow up with your elected officials again to make sure they continue to recognize March as National Athletic Training Month.

 What to do:

• Contact the office of your local elected official or mayor and governor.
• Explain to the secretary, administrative assistant or aide, that you would like to secure a proclamation for National Athletic Training Month.
• Emphasize the significance of the NATA and what activities are planned locally to commemorate National Athletic Training Month and its special theme: “Not All Athletes Wear Jerseys: Athletic trainers treat the athlete in you.”
• Stress the importance of the athletic training profession.
• Explain how many people’s lives are affected by athletic training.
• Send a copy of the proclamation you’d like the official to use (see example below) and print it on appropriate letterhead. Add a cover letter confirming your conversation and re-emphasizing your promotion (time, date, place).
• Thank the official in writing for granting or considering your request.
• Once you receive the proclamation, refer to the list of suggested promotional ideas to learn how you can incorporate it with some of your activities.

SAMPLE PROCLAMATION FOR NATIONAL ATHLETIC TRAINING MONTH

Whereas, athletic trainers have a long history of providing quality health care for athletes and those engaged in physical activity based on specific tasks, knowledge and skills acquired through their nationally regulated educational processes; and,

Whereas, athletic trainers provide:

• Prevention of injuries
• Recognition, evaluation and aggressive treatment
• Rehabilitation
• Health care administration
• Education and guidance; and

Whereas, the National Athletic Trainers' Association represents and supports 32,000 members of the athletic training profession employed in the following settings:

• Professional sports
• Colleges and universities
• High schools
• Clinics and hospitals
• Corporate and industrial settings
• Military branches; and

Whereas, leading organizations concerned with athletic training and health care have joined together in a common desire to raise public awareness of the importance of the athletic training profession and to emphasize the importance of quality health care within the aforementioned settings; and

Whereas, such an effort will improve health care for athletes and those engaged in physical activity and promote athletic trainers as health professionals;

NOW, THEREFORE, I (name) the (title) of (city/state) do hereby proclaim the month of March as National Athletic Training Month in (insert city/county or state here). I urge all people of (city/county/state) to learn more about the importance of athletic training.

Signed: ________________________________
(Mayor/Governor/local elected official)