Autism Speaks U March Q&A Transcript!

Let’s do roll call!

5:01

Submit the following:
• First and Last Name
• Name of college/university
• If you are a member of an Autism Speaks U, Alpha Xi Delta or Theta Delta Chi chapter and your position.

Example: Jane Smith- Autism Speaks U Miami University, President

5:01

Comment From Tim Schifferle - John Carroll University

Tim Schifferle John Carroll University President

5:01

Comment From Jaclyn Sessel

Jaclyn Sessel - Autism Speaks U Boston University, Vice President

5:01

Comment From Guest

Byron Viets Miami University Autism Speaks U President

5:01

Comment From Guest

Lauren Olsen-Autism Speaks U Marywood University, President

5:01

Comment From Guest

Jen Allen West Chester University President

5:01

Comment From Guest

Ashley King, President at The University of Toledo

5:01

Comment From Guest

Morgan Green- Autism Speaks U, University of Michigan, VP

5:01

Comment From Bobby

Bobby Pendry; TCU; Autism Speaks U; Vice President

5:02

Comment From Collin - UNCO

Collin Cannon - Autism Speaks U, University of Northern Colorado, Vice President

5:02

Comment From Guest

Kelley Coleman. University of Northern Colorado. Autism Speaks U President

5:02

Comment From Nicole Weaver

Nicole Weaver-Autism Speaks U Wilkes University, President

5:02

Comment From Guest

Michael Sanchez - Autism Speaks U Manhattan College, Vice President

5:02

Comment From Mike

Mike Chernichaw - Fordham University

5:02

Comment From Guest

Sierra Plush. UC Santa Cruz. Autism Speaks U. President

5:02

Comment From Guest

Danya Berri Autism Speaks U University of Michigan-Dearborn- President

5:02

Comment From Guest

Georgette Dumpert - ASU University of South Florida Co-President

5:02

Comment From Guest

Michelle Todd, Autism Speaks U University of Minnesota- Twin Cities, Co-President

5:02

Comment From Noah Weiss

Noah Weiss; Northwestern University; Autism Speaks U treasurer

5:02

Comment From Guest

Stephanie Sala, Autism Speaks U University of Connecticut, Sponsorship Chair

5:02

Comment From Guest

Alexandra Rhodes, Autism Speaks U-Appalachian State University, President

5:02

Comment From Guest

Chris Anderson - Tulane - Autism speaks u - treasurer

5:02

Comment From Ryan Keeney

Ryan Keeney, Autism Speaks U at West Virginia University, Head of Recruitment

5:02

Comment From Guest

Madison Economos SUNY New Paltz, VP

5:02

Comment From Guest

Lauren Rubash - Autism Speaks U Indiana University of Pennsylvania

5:02

Comment From Guest

Adriana Kille DePaul University Autism Speaks U Co-President

5:03

Comment From Alex Cohen

Alexandra Cohen- Northwestern University, President

5:03

Comment From Guest

Olivia Thiemann-Autism Speaks U Ohio Sate University, Secretary

5:03

Comment From Julianna Mootz

Julianna Mootz Towson University Autism Speaks U President

5:03

Comment From Guest

Natalie Fernandez - Autism Speaks U @ Florida Gulf Coast University - Treasurer

5:03

Comment From Guest

Nicole Giles- Austism Speaks U Gettysburg College, VP

5:03

Comment From Guest

Jessica Smithson- Autism Speaks Slippery Rock University. President

5:03

Comment From Guest

Mariah Cole-Western Michigan University, President

5:03

Comment From Ashley Killian

Ashley Killian Case Western Reserve University Autism Speaks U President

5:03

Comment From Elinor

Elinor Chambers - Autism Speaks U Tulane University, Awareness Chair

5:03

Comment From Guest

Kelsey Sutika- Autism Speaks U Xavier University

5:03

Comment From Guest

Natalie Buddiga- Binghamton University- Fundraising Chair

5:03

Comment From Guest

Stephanie Tufano UMass Amherst President

5:03

Comment From Doris

Doris Kisel, University of Texas at Austin, President of Autism Speaks U at UT

5:03

Comment From Guest

Megan Braam- Autism Speaks U Liberty University-Vice President

5:03

Comment From Adriana Kille

Adriana kille DePaul University Autism Speaks U Co-President

5:03

Comment From Guest

Margo Rizzi, Autism Speaks U at Boston College

5:03

Comment From Guest

Kelsey Sutika- Autism Speaks U, Xavier University. Sponsorship Chair

5:04

Comment From Cadi Baldwin

Cadi Baldwin,SUNY Brockport, Autism Speaks U, Sponsorship Chair

5:04

Comment From Tina Peaks

President at Indiana U Purdue U Fort Wayne

5:04

Comment From Sara Lowczyk

Representing for Autism Speaks U- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

5:04

Comment From Alex Cohen

Alexandra Cohen, Northwestern University, President

5:04

Comment From Guest

Margo Rizzi Boston College, Autism Speaks U BC President

5:04

Comment From John Blix - Kaplan University

John-Paul Blix - Kaplan University, Secretary

5:04

Comment From Guest

Grace Troccoli, President at Elon University

5:04

Comment From Guest

Lamees Elnihum - Autism Speaks U Texas A&M University, President

5:04

Comment From Sarah Klapmeier

Sarah Klapmeier Autism Speaks U -Depaul University Co-President

5:05

This month’s Facebook Q&A will cover 5 key items from the Light It Up Blue checklist and will help guarantee that your campus is prepared to have a successful Autism Awareness Month!

5:05

This Q&A is text only – when submitting a question/comment there will be a delay from when it appears on the chat client.

5:05

When entering a response or question, include your school name and if you’re in an Autism Speaks U, Alpha Xi Delta or Theta Delta Chi chapter, so students can reach out to you if they have questions.

5:06

Please follow along for the ENTIRE HOUR and offer as much feedback as possible.

5:06

Tomorrow, a link to the Q&A transcript will be posted on the Autism Speaks U Facebook page (facebook.com/AutismSpeaksU). Print off a copy to share with your chapter’s officers and members.

5:06

The Q&A will cover these 5 items
1. How to creatively Light It Up Blue
2. Ways to promote Light It Up Blue Events
3. Talking points on Autism Awareness Month
4. Submitting Light It Up Blue Pictures
5. Participate in the Light It Up Blue Photo Challenge

5:06

Before we get into the first topic, please answer this question:

5:06

QUESTION: How will your campus Light It Up Blue this year?

Include the following in your reply:
-school name
- if you are a member of an Autism Speaks U, Alpha Xi Delta or Theta Delta Chi chapter
-name of building being lit blue and/or event name and details

5:07

Example: Harvard University, Lighting up Student Center and Library blue on April 2-5. Hosting blue cupcake eating contest and charging $3/entry fee.

5:07

Comment From Sara Lowczyk

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Autism Speaks U. We will be making puzzle piece quilts to hang around in different campus buildings and will be lighting our union up blue.

5:07

Comment From Guest

Autism Speaks U Texas A&M University - lighting up Rudder Fountain blue

5:08

Comment From Jaclyn Sessel

Boston University, Autism Speaks U: Lighting up 2 areas of campus - Center for Student Services and (center) Marsh Chapel and surrounding columns

5:08

Comment From Michelle Todd

Autism Speaks U University of Minnesota, Bookstore is doing a light it up blue display, screen above pool in rec center will say light it up blue, bake sale in the student union

5:08

Comment From Guest

Binghamton University-Wear Blue day on campus

5:08

Comment From Guest

University of Michigan- we'll be hanging up signs in the main walking locations around campus, painting our symbolic rock blue and attempting to get on the school's main website

5:08

Comment From Noah Weiss/Northwestern/Autism Speaks U

Northwestern University, light up clocktower blue on at least April 2, painting The Rock on campus blue, having blue desserts in dining halls, and several other plans.

5:09

Comment From Madison Economos

Autism Speaks U: SUNY New Paltz, lighting up the Student Union Building Atrium blue, having a guest speaker and selling bracelets/pins in our student union building

5:09

Comment From Mike

Fordham University, Lighting up the front of our head building (keating hall) as well as the fitness center from April 2-6th. Hosting a Dance-a-thon, Dance battle, with four dance clubs on campus, two student dj's, four signing clubs, a student comedian as the MC as well as raffle prizes and food

5:09

Comment From Grace Troccoli

Elon University, Autism Speaks U: We will be lighting several campus buildings blue, have awareness tables at college coffee (free weekly breakfast event for staff & faculty), having a bake sale and having an autism speaker panel event

5:09

Comment From Guest

Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Autism Speaks U. We are lightin up Sutton Hall and Fischer Hall. We will also be have a BLUE bake sale, selling blue glow sticks for students to hang in their windows the night of April 2nd, and having a professor on campus talk about Autism

5:09

Comment From Guest

Slippery Rock University, Lighting up our quad trees and gazebo on April 2, hosting a cook out with a DJ and then speakers will present followed up by a luminary ceremony supporting those who are impacted by autism. Our dorm buildings are also lighting up the front of their buildings blue. There will also be two trees lit on main street for two weeks

5:09

Comment From Guest

Autism Speaks U-University of Michigan-Dearborn We are lighting up a showcase in our University Center. Painting our school rock. Selling blue puzzle piece bracelets (puzzle pieces custom decorated by kids with autism from a local school)

5:09

Comment From Elinor

Autism Speaks U Tulane University - We are decorating our student center, putting fact cards on all tables in the food court, and doing a "blue-out" baseball game.

5:10

Comment From Kelley Coleman- UNCO

University of Northern Colorado- We are lighting up the university center blue, we are doing bake sales and puzzle piece donations. we are selling bracelets and we also have Temple Grandin coming to speak at our school

5:10

Comment From Julianna Mootz

Towson University, Lighting up the campus facilities April 2 until the end of the month. We are selling blue hair extensions April 1st for $5/extension, a walk and awareness day the 2nd, an all blue bake sale in the middle of the month

5:10

Comment From Morgan Hobbs

We will be dying our fountain blue

5:10

Comment From Doris

Autism Speaks U UT Austin, We will have an event by the tower at 8pm on April 2nd where we'll light blue candles and place them on the steps to the tower.

5:10

Comment From Ashley Killian

Autism Speaks U CWRU, Lighting Peter B. Lewis Building blue on April 2nd. Bake and Puzzle piece sale next week. Hosting an event on April 2nd with 50/50 raffle

5:10

Comment From Alex Cohen - Northwestern University

Autism Speaks U Northwestern University- Blue Desserts in all dining halls, making lights blue, lighting up the clock tower blue, putting flyers everywhere on campus, handing out blue balloons with facts about Autism attached, having a cold stone creamery fundraiser, putting information on tv monitors in all of the buildings, painting the rock on campus blue, etc.

5:11

Comment From Ashley E. King

Autism Speaks U The University of Toledo- Night Event lighting up Centennial Mall and the Student Union and working with the Alpha Xi Delta chapter on campus

5:11

Comment From Guest

Autism Speaks U UMass Amherst is getting the fine arts building to put blue lights up for April 2. We will also have the business school lit up blue as well. We will be dressing up our mascot and taking a picture with him. In the dining halls we will have blue smoothies and an awareness table.

5:11

Comment From Guest

Autism Speaks U- Appalachian State University. We will be putting an Autism Speaks U t-shirt on Yosef. Also we will be having a contact table in our Student Union on April 8-11th, we will be selling t-shirts for $10 dollars. At this contact table we will be presenting information about Autism as well!

5:11

Comment From Guest

Autism Speaks U Xavier University, Lighting the student center on campus blue on April 2-5, setting up blue lights around campus April 2-5, having a bake sale outside chapel on campus all day on Sunday, and having a fashion show where students dress in all BLUE to raise raise funds.

5:11

Comment From Guest

University of south florida, Autism Speaks U, We will have the bulls (center of campus), water tower, and front entrance will be lit up blue

5:11

Comment From Guest

Autism Speaks U Binghamton University-lighting up our library tower and a downtown tower

5:11

Comment From Olivia Thiemann

Autism Speaks U Ohio State University, Selling Coupon books and Light it up Blue t-shirts to raise money; posters on oval and possibly cupcakes first week of April

5:11

Comment From Michael Sanchez Autism Speak U Manhattan College

Lighting our chapel (smith hall) blue as well as providing blue puzzle piece shaped cookies in the cafeteria throughout the day

5:12

Comment From Jennifer Bennett

Autism Soeaks U at Mizzou - we've been lobbying our to have the Missouri Capitol Buildin lit up; on campus, we're doing a joint (with the Thompson Center) "wear blue" photo on April 2.

5:12

Comment From Guest

Autism Speaks U UCONN, lighting up Wilbur Cross student services building and having a bake sale with all blue baked goods. Also wearing blue pins and blue shirts the week of april 2-5. Our walk is on April 6th

5:12

Comment From Margo Rizzi

Autism Speaks U Boston College, looking to have an event at local pizza restaurant all blue and selling blue puzzle piece cookies

5:12

Comment From Tim Schifferle - John Carroll University

blue bake sale, wear all blue day, Autism movie night, autism awareness panel

5:12

Comment From Nicole Weaver- Autism Speaks U Wilkes University

We will be lighting our student union building up blue on April second, and giving away blueberry bagels. We're also trying to have our radio station broadcast from our event. We will be selling Light it Up Blue t-shirts all month.

5:12

Comment From Guest

DePaul University, Autism Speaks U. Wearing blue everyday, tabling to raise awareness.

5:12

Comment From Tina Peaks

Autism Speaks U IPFW-Lighting up a section of Neff

5:12

Comment From Mariah Cole -WMU

Western Michigan University- Autism Speaks U. We are having a bake sale with some other merchandises. Also we will have blue ribbons for people to wear

5:12

Comment From Jessica Smithson

Autism Speaks U Slippery Rock University- we are also selling LIUB t-shirts the week before our event to promote

5:13

Comment From Guest

Autism Speak U, UC Santa Cruz. Blue bowl-a-thon

5:13

Comment From Bobby Pendry

TCU; Autism Speaks U; Brown-Lupton University Union Building

5:13

Those are all fantastic ideas! Please share these with your chapter when brainstorming additional ideas for you to do in April.

5:14

If you have not done so already, please email all of your chapter’s information and your mailing address toautismspeaksu@autismspeaks.org.

This way you can receive Light It Up Blue materials.

5:14

NOTE: To receive materials by April 2, all plans must be submitted to the Autism Speaks U national office by this Thursday, March 21.

5:14

Chapters’ plans can be submitted after that date, but materials will not be able to arrive by April 2.

5:14

Now.....TOPIC 1: How to creatively Light It Up Blue

5:15

Light It Up Blue is Autism Speaks 4th annual awareness campaign, where iconic buildings, landmarks and schools across the world change their lights from white to blue on April 2nd in Honor of United Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day.

5:15

Here are 13 fun and easy ways to light up your campus BLUE throughout April.

5:15

1. Light up a building or monument blue on April 2 or anytime throughout the month of April.

5:15

2. If there is an electronic marquee on campus, ask them to display the Light It Up Blue logo and announce that it’s World Autism Awareness Day & Autism Awareness Month!

5:15

5:16

3. Light up the sorority and fraternity houses blue. If changing the lights is too difficult, turn the porch light blue or decorate the house with blue holiday lights.

5:16

4. Encourage students, faculty and staff to all wear blue on April 2, or on another designated day in April. Gather together, take a picture and send it to photos@autismspeaksu.org.

5:16

5. Get a banner hung in the student center or a residence hall to let everyone know that it’s World Autism Awareness Day.

5:17

6. Does your school have a well-known statue, monument or mascot? If so, decorate it with Autism Speaks U banners, gear and blue balloons!

5:17

7. Paint the campus blue! See how one school got approval to paint their campus’ wall.

5:17

8. Host a “BLUE” fundraiser, like a blue ice cream social, blue flower sale or blueberry bagel eating contest! This campus hosted a completely BLUE bake sale!

5:17

5:18

9. Partner with the school’s athletic department and have sports teams add Autism Speaks U logo to their uniform or helmets!

5:18

10. Work with the campus coffee shop to add custom stickers to coffee sleeves that promote your events and Autism Awareness Month!

5:18

11. Sell puzzle piece cards for $1 each, have students sign their names and hang them up in the center of campus to raise awareness.

5:18

12. Deck out in blue from head to toe for your school’s big game, or purchase a blue suit for someone to wear while passing out materials!

5:19

13. Have chapter members use blue holiday lights to spell out the words “Light It Up Blue!”

5:19

There are SO many different ways to light up your campus blue! Be creative, think OUTSIDE the box and remember to send pictures of how you light it up blue!

5:20

TOPIC 2: How to promote your Light It Up Blue Events

5:20

To have a successful event and raise awareness you need people to attend and participate in your efforts, but how do you promote the event so people know about it?

5:20

Have the chapter's Marketing Chair create a brief marketing planning for the event and assign tasks to each e-board member, so everyone knows their part in getting the word out.

5:20

Here are 6 EASY ways to promote your events for April:

5:20

1. Create a Facebook event and ask ALL chapter members to invite ALL of their Facebook friends so it is promoted to THOUSANDS.

5:21

If you post a flyer or picture for the event, tag everyone in the picture, so it appears on their wall too!

5:21

2. Contact the school’s marketing department to ask if they can post the event on the school’s Facebook page and Twitter. The school generally has a large following, and this is a way to reach new students.

5:21

3. Contact the school and local newspapers, as well as TV stations and ask them to cover the event beforehand.

Remember to do this at least 1-2 weeks in advance and follow up 2 days after you call or email.

5:22

Visit http://bit.ly/liub_pressrelease and download the Light It Up Blue Press release, modify it with your schools information and send it out to different media and press outlets.

5:22

4. To promote your Light It Up Blue efforts use the flyer template (http://bit.ly/liub_flyer), or design your own.

On campus, display flyers in the student center, libraries, residence halls, dining halls, etc. Off campus, hang flyers on community boards and in coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, schools, etc.

5:22

5. Go in person to present at different student clubs and Greek life organizations meetings to promote the event and discuss ways to collaborate.

5:22

6. Send your event information and flyer to your local Autism Speaks contact. He/she can promote it on their local Autism Speaks Facebook page and if you give him/her enough notice, include it in their community e-newsletter.

5:23

QUESTION: Aside from Facebook and Twitter, how does your chapter plan to promote your events during the month of April?

Include the following in your reply:
-School name
- If you are a member of an Autism Speaks U, Alpha Xi Delta or Theta Delta Chi chapter
-The chapter’s promotional plans

5:23

Comment From Sara Lowczyk

Autism Speaks U- UIUC we plan on posting fliers in the local community as well as promoting the awareness through the local newspaper.

5:24

Comment From Michelle Todd

Autism Speaks U University of Minnesota, We try to do a lot of class shout outs! especially in classes that have a lot of students in education or psychology majors

5:24

Comment From Guest

IUP - Autism Speaks U. In addition to facebook and twitter, we will post flyers all over campus, chalk the walk, and have the events placed in our daily email newsletter (The Beak)

5:25

Comment From Guest

Autism Speaks U Binghamton University- our University "B-Line" which is emailed to all students daily, listing coming events and getting an ad in our newspaper

5:25

Comment From Julianna Mootz

Towson University Autism Speaks U: Campus Newspaper, Screens on campus, information on lollipops

5:25

Comment From Guest

Autism Speaks U University of Michigan- Advertise on the school's website, work together with greek life and make flyers to put all over campus

5:25

Comment From Madison Economos Autism Speaks U SUNY New Paltz

Facebook event, flyers on campus, tabling in the student union building, word of mouth, write event information in classrooms on the board

5:25

Comment From Alex Cohen - Northwestern University

Autism Speaks U Northwestern University President - our main promotional plan= flyers! We have many cool ones with facts/info about Autism as well as all of our events

5:25

Comment From Collin - UNCO

Autism Speaks U University of Northern Colorado. We will be doing many of the suggested items including a movie night, a radio broadcast, wearing blue on several days, putting flyers around campus, having the school computers shows advertisements and have flyers on dining tables, putting chalk on sidewalks, and placing stickers on coffee cups. Also, we will utilize the school's FB and Twitter as well as our student newspaper

5:26

Comment From Guest

West Chester Autism Speaks U, getting information out through flyers, our schools radio and weekly informational video

5:26

Comment From Mike- Autism Speaks U - Fordham University

Having a mass email sent to all faculty and students, post flyers all around campus, and tshirts that our e-board will be wearing a week before the event as a walking advertisement

5:26

Comment From Elinor

Autism Speaks U Tulane University - We plan on posting flyers and putting fact cards on all of the tables in our student center.

5:26

Comment From Ray Sadri- Autism Speaks U-Cal State Fullerton

Our school portal, which all students can see when they sign on to access their email, classes, etc. Also, after getting the approval, we post flyers throughout the campus. And classroom announcements.

5:26

Comment From Nicole

Gettysburg College, Autism Speak U, We hang sheet signs from our college union building

5:26

Comment From Doris

Autism Speaks U UT Austin. We will be tabling the week before and passing out flyers of all our April events to students on campus.

5:26

Comment From Guest

UMass Amherst Autism Speaks U: Tabling, flyer in campus center, table in dining commons, use other RSO's to relay information, make class announcements to big lecture classes and use side walk chalk!

5:27

Comment From Ashley E. King-Autism Speaks U The University of Toledo

chapter meetings in other organizations on campus

5:27

Comment From Morgan Hobbs

West Virginia Wesleyan College will be doing a flyer drive as well as sending out emails which are campus wide emails.

5:27

Comment From Tina Peaks

Autism Speaks U IPFW, We will be posting flyers.

5:27

Comment From Guest

DePaul University,Autism Speaks posting flyers around the school and community,twitter, facebook, and visits to clubs/greek organizations

5:27

Comment From University of South Florida

Autism Speaks U USF: we are being a part of something called Bull's Market tomorrow and the following wednesday. This when a table will be set up so that we are able to talk to people about autism and the effects it has. We are also be tell them about upcoming events and hand out flyers

5:27

Comment From Guest

Autism Speaks U at University of Michigan-Dearborn. We will be contacting our Vice Chancellor who will network with all professors and students. Local newspapers, school radio, and local starbucks post up boards. We will also have a University Center decorated board the whole month.

5:27

Comment From Ashley Killian

Autism Speaks U CWRU - sent flyers to alumni association, psychology department, hanging flyers around campus, promoting at bake sale next week, posting signs outside, announce in lecture halls

5:27

Comment From Bobby Pendry

TCU; Autism Speaks U; Various promotional methods, including flyers, going to classes to issue a blurb about events and meetings; advertisements around campus, promotional events at local restaurants, etc.

5:27

Comment From Nicole Weaver-Autism Speaks U Wilkes University

We will be hanging a banner in our student union building, using our outside electronic marquee, chalking up the sidewalks, and hanging up fliers.

5:28

Comment From Guest

Autism Speaks U UCONN- we plan on passing out flier to local elementary schools and local businesses as well as announcing it in front of large lecture hall classes. We are also putting an AD in our school newspaper, dining halls, and student daily email digest

5:28

Comment From Jessica Smithson

Autism Speaks U Slippery Rock University, President. We are selling our event t-shirts a week beforehand

5:28

Comment From Grace Troccoli

Elon University, Autism Speaks U: Outside of facebook and twitter, we plan on passing out informational flyers at our awareness tables throughout the month and partnering with various academic departments to help get the word out.

5:28

Comment From Michael Sanchez Autism Speak U Manhattan College

Flyers, word of mouth, MC student activities Facebook/ twitter, email,& school newspaper.

5:28

Comment From Guest

Autism Speaks U of Xavier University. We will be putting up flyers in dorms and in student center, putting out 7 yard signs in front of cafeteria, writing in sidewalk chalk outside, and putting flyers on tables in cafeteria

5:28

Comment From Olivia Thiemann

Autism Speaks U Ohio State University: We plan on having a table on the oval (main walway) to pass out fliers and maybe food. We will be wearing our light it up blue shirts also.

5:28

Comment From Jaclyn Sessel

Autism Speaks U Boston University, Flyers on campus, general meetings & through our connections with other student groups including Hockey team and through campus wide email and website banner

5:29

Great tips! Now on to TOPIC 3 : Talking points on Autism Awareness Month

5:29

Students and community members are likely going to ask you about your efforts in April, what the “blue” represents and why this month is significant.

5:30

Use these talking points (and share them with your members!) to ensure everyone is prepared. If you are ever unsure on how to best answer someone’s question, forward it to your local Autism Speaks staff member, so he/she can provide guidance and resources.

5:30

Autism Speaks Talking Points:

5:30

• Autism Speaks was founded in 2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright, and has grown into the world’s largest autism science and advocacy organization.

5:30

• Autism Speaks is dedicated to funding global biomedical research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; to raising public awareness about autism and its effects on individuals, families, and society; and to bringing hope to all who deal with the hardships of this disorder.

5:30

Autism Speaks U Talking Points:

5:31

• Autism Speaks U is a national program that supports students, faculty members and alumni in their awareness, advocacy and fundraising efforts for Autism Speaks.

5:31

• There are over 70 Autism Speaks U chapters across the country and hundreds of campuses host events each year for Autism Speaks. To view a list of all Autism Speaks U chapters, visit http://bit.ly/chapterlist.

5:31

Light It Up Blue 2013 Talking Points:

5:31

• Autism Speaks kicks off the fifth World Autism Awareness Day and Autism Awareness Month celebration with its 4th Annual Light it Up Blue campaign on April 2, 2013.

5:31

• Light It Up Blue is a global initiative to celebrate the United Nations (UN) sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day.

5:32

• On April 2, 2013 for the very first time ALL seven continents will Light It Up Blue to raise autism awareness.

5:32

• Iconic landmarks, bridges, museums, concert halls, schools/universities, sports complexes, restaurants, and retail stores around the world will turn their lights from white to blue on April 2 to help kick off Autism Awareness Month and celebrate World Autism Awareness Day.

5:32

• The Empire State Building in NYC, the Aspen Ski Mountain in Colorado, Niagara Falls in Canada, Christ the Redeemer Statue in Brazil, the Sydney Opera House in Australia, Elvis Pressley’s Graceland in Memphis, and even the International Space Station, are among more than 5,000 structures participating in Light It Up Blue this year.

5:32

World Autism Awareness Day Talking Points:

5:32

• On December 18, 2007, the UN General Assembly unanimously designated April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day.

5:33

The Resolution encouraged UN Members to take measures to raise awareness about autism throughout society, to promote early diagnosis and early behavioral intervention and acknowledges the high rate of autism in all regions of the world and the consequent development challenges to long term health care, education, training and intervention programs.

5:33

• Autism affects all people regardless of gender, race, socioeconomic status, or geography. In the United States it affects 1 in 88 individuals, and 1 in 54 boys.

5:33

Visit http://bit.ly/liub_talkingpoints to download a ONE SHEET with all of the talking points for April.

5:33

Share this ONE SHEET with the chapter at the next meeting, so everyone is prepared and excited to discuss Autism Awareness Month!

5:34

TOPIC 4: Submitting Light It Up Blue Pictures

5:34

Autism Speaks wants to promote your campus’ efforts internationally (not just to colleges!), but needs clear pictures to do so!

5:34

Pretty please……ask the photography club, school newspaper or someone with a professional camera to take high resolution pictures of your events and the buildings being lit up blue.

5:34

If the photos are unclear or taken with a camera phone, sadly, we are unable to use them in our international promotion, and we want your chapter to get the kudos it deserves!

5:34

To guarantee a clear photo comes out, use a real camera – take two pictures, one with flash and one without. Camera phones don’t count (no matter what the iPhone commercial says).

5:35

Be sure the picture is in focus and if people are in it, have everyone look at the camera.

Sounds obvious, but sadly, we get a lot of blurry pictures.

5:35

Also, keep your fingers off the lens, we love your blue nail polish but we don’t want to see it in the corner of the photo. :)

5:36

We are looking for 3 types of pictures from your Light It Up Blue events:

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1) Buildings being lit up blue.

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2) Group shot of students/faculty holding the Autism Speaks U banner in front of the building being lit up blue.

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3) Group shot of participants at events and/or holding the Autism Speaks U banner, wearing blue or even better, Autism Speaks swag.

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Email pictures to photos@autismspeaksu.org and include your school name and a description with each picture.

5:38

**send one picture per email, as high resolution photos tend to be large.

5:38

Now for the last topic.....TOPIC 5: Participating in the Light It Up Blue Photo Challenge

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Here’s a fun and easy way to win Autism Speaks U swag for your chapter!

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Go as **BLUE** as you can during April for Autism Awareness month and participate in the 2nd annual Light It Up Blue Photo Challenge!

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Here are the contest details:

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Contest starts on Tuesday, April 2 and goes until Wednesday, April 17 at 5pm ET.

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Participation is as easy as 1,2,3…

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STEP 1: LIGHT IT UP BLUE

GO BLUE! Deck out your campus buildings, dorms, school mascot, sorority/fraternity houses blue, host a blue event or take a group photo of students sporting lots of blue!

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STEP 2: SNAP A PHOTO & EMAIL IT

The words “Light It Up Blue” must be included in the photo. Use a banner, signs, lights or any other creative way! One entry per student. Photos must be emailed to photos@autismspeaksu.org by April 17 at 5pm ET.

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STEP 3: VOTE & WIN PRIZES

Photos will be posted to the Facebook album athttp://bit.ly/photochallengealbum. Have friends and family “like” the photo. The top three photos with the most “likes” win!

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For full contest and prize details visit http://bit.ly/photo_challenge.

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Share that ONE SHEET with the chapter too, so everyone knows how to participate!

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Now, let’s open this up to Q&A.

We’ll start with a few questions that we’ve received from students.

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Q: My school did not finalize its plans for Light It Up Blue until after March 1, can my campus still receive materials?

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A: Yes! Once you school has finalized its plans for April, emailautismspeaksu@autismspeaks.org the following 3 items and materials will be sent to the chapter.

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1. Note how the school will participate – i.e. lighting up a building blue (include building name), and/or what events will be hosted.

2. Note what day(s) the building will be lit blue and/or event(s) will take place.

3. Address to send promotional materials to.

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NOTE: In order to receive materials by April 2, email the information above to autismspeaksu@autismspeaks.org by March 21.

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Next question.....

Q: My campus has not received Light It Up Blue materials yet, when will they be sent out and what will my school receive?

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A: The Light It Up Blue package will be sent out early next week. It will contain the following materials. Click on the accompanying links to print additional materials, or visit http://shop.autismspeaks.org to purchase Light It Up Blue items.

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100 quarter cards: Color http://bit.ly/liubcard or B&Whttp://bit.ly/liubcardsbw
100 stickers: http://bit.ly/liubstickers
25 Flyers: http://bit.ly/liub_flyer
100 slim jims
One Autism Speaks U banner-on-a-roll

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Now, please enter any questions you have!

5:43

Comment From Guest

How do we get the blue puzzle piece cards to sell for a $1? I tried emailingautismspeaksu@autismspeaks.org and I havent heard anything back.

5:44

Please try emailing us again, and we'll get back to you! But better yet, email your local Autism Speaks contact as she/he will be the one to ship you puzzle piece cards.

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Please include how many puzzle piece cards you wish to sell and a mailing address for your local Autism Speaks staff contact to send them to.

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Please enter any other questions you have for us or the other chapters!

5:46

Comment From Samantha

How far in advance should we start advertising for our April events?

5:47

Start ASAP (meaning this week!), and use the flyer templatehttp://bit.ly/liub_flyer. This will allow you to promote your efforts to the entire campus and local community and invite as many people as possible to attend your events.

5:47

Comment From Kelley Coleman- UNCO

What is the best way to get t-shirts to sell?

5:47

For Autism Speaks U chapters, order them through the Autism Speaks U store http://store.autismspeaks.org/u as they have been discounted so that you can charge a few $$ extra and fundraise with them.

5:48

Allow for 1 week for shipping, and you can include your chapter name on the front and any text/logos on the back!

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You can also order Light It Up Blue t-shirts (one event glows in the dark!) on the main Autism Speaks store at http://shop.autismspeaks.org/. There are other great items like a cape to wear at a walk/run, stickers, wristbands, votive candles, etc.

5:50

Comment From Guest

Is there a sharing site or some way where we could see creative ideas from other chapters light it up blue t-shirts?

5:50

You can see events in your area by visitinghttp://www.lightitupblue.org/Markslist/home.do and in the navigation click on search events

5:51

You can also get ideas that we post on the national Autism Speaks U Facebook page at www.facebook.com/autismspeaksu and this album from last year that has a TON of pictures in it to reference for ideashttps://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150764823141346.457636.191366341345&type=3

5:52

Comment From Michael Sanchez Autism Speak U Manhattan College

What are some fundraising events that have worked well in past LIUB years?

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Check out this blog post: http://bit.ly/31blueideas

5:53

Comment From Stephanie Tufano

Can we get stickers with facts on them so we can use it as an awareness initiative on coffee cup sleeves?

5:53

We provide 100 of these stickers to each colelge that confirms their plans - http://shop.autismspeaks.org/product_p/a-139-asterisk-00000.htm. You can print additional ones at http://bit.ly/liubstickers or you can make your own!

5:54

Simply set up the sticker template in Word and purchase labels from an office supply store.

5:55

Comment From Mike- Autism Speaks U - Fordham University

Do we need to have all t-shirt designs approved by Autism Speaks before ordering and selling them?

5:55

Yes, all t-shirts and flyers that use your chapter's Autism Speaks U logo must be approved prior to printing. Please send the proof toautismspeaksu@autismspeaks.org and copy your local Autism Speaks contact on the email.

5:56

Comment From Kelley Coleman- UNCO

If we order the light it up blue shirts in bulk will they be discounted at all?

5:56

Currently no, but depending on the quantity, emailautismspeaksu@autismspeaks.org with that information and we'll see what we can do!

5:57

Comment From Jennifer Bennett

Re: t-shirt idea sharing - maybe we could all post photos on the Autism Speaks U FB wall?

5:57

Absolutely! We would love to share your ideas and designs with the other chapters, so you can get ideas from each other. You can post them atwww.facebook.com/autismspeaksu

5:57

Comment From John-Paul Blix - Kaplan University

What is the turn around for approval on shirts?

5:57

If you send the proof Monday-Friday, we try our best to get back to you within 24-48 hours.

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We just got this question emailed to us:

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How do you recruit students besides chapter members to get involved with our light it up blue efforts?

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We suggest you team up with other service groups, clubs and Greek Life Organizations on campus to try to gain more support. If numerous organizations are co-sponsoring and supporting the event, you're more likely to get a response from the campus community.

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When asking other clubs and Greek Life organizations to attend your events, please go to one of their meetings and present on your event in-person. Bring the event flyer and a short PowerPoint on autism and your chapter, so they understand what you are trying to accomplish with their help!

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If you have any additional questions, please email us atautismspeaksu@autismspeaks.org. We are here to help!

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BIG thanks to all of the Autism Speaks U chapters and potential chapters for your dedication and support. You are doing an incredible job!

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Have a great night, and here's to lighting up the world BLUE this April!

6:01

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Autism Speaks U March Q&A Transcript!

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