and

For e Future PR present:

- Guilia Corando - Sara Costantino - Alicia Dietzmann - Katie German - Aly Kauman -
- Brittany Lorenz - Katie Perugini - Chris Randby - Lauren Williams -
Table of Contents:
Table of Contents 2
Client Information 3
Background Information 4
Target Audience 5
Pre-Evaluation & Situational Analysis 6
Primary Research & Results 7-8
Secondary Research 9-13
SWOT 14
Goals, Strategies, Objectives 15
The Split 16
Tactics 17-18
Media Outreach 19-20
Budget & Donations 21
Timeline 22
Networking Event 23
Event Evaluation 24
Exit Survey Results 25
Photos 26
Recommendations 27-28
Evaluation 29

Client Name: Live Out Loud
Founder & Executive Director: Leo Preziosi
Client Contacts:
Bryan Currie, Manager of Youth Programming
Renee Reopell, Homecoming Project Intern
Client Information:
Angency Presidents:
Sara Constantino Event Executive
Alicia Dietzmann Kit Executive
Agency Information:
Agency Name: For e Future Public Relations
Background Information:
Statement of the Problem:
e Homecoming Project has had much success since it has begun, however, it is looking to expand
its eorts across the nation by approaching colleges and motivating college-age students to partici-
pate. Since the Homecoming Projects development, it has had nearly 20 successful speakrs. Due
to the lack of a set foundation, the development of a plan and a step-by-step guide to creating the
Homecoming Project is vital for its success.
Founded in 2000 , by Leo Preziosi, Jr. LIVE OUT LOUD is a New York-based non-prot organization
created with the purpose to inspire Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender youth to live proud. e inspiration
came from a Metro Source article titled, e Gun in the Closet, which detailed a story about two high school
students who committed suicide because of hostile school environments, isolation, ostracism and fear societal
bullying. Knowing that something had to be done; Preziosi dedicated himself to helping young adults connect to
role models and leaders in the community. LIVE OUT LOUDs mission is to empower, energize and enable Les-
bian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Youth to live the life of their dreams through the celebration of the richness
and diversity of our shared experience, the visibility of role models and the dissemination of information
Nine years and counting since its inception, Live Out Loud has had the opportunity to bring over 500
LGBT role models to NY tri-state area high schools and universities, involving renowned panelists from every
walk of life and innovative programming throughout the east coast.
One of LIVE OUT LOUDs most notable programs is e Homecoming Project. e Homecoming
Project is a grassroots initiative that encourages LGBT role models to revisit their high schools to connect with
LGBT youth and talk with students about the experiences that have led them to their open, armed and success-
ful lives. e project is committed to bringing successful LGBT role models back to their high schools to inspire
todays LGBT youth to live out, live proud, and live free.
Target Audience:
Primary Audience: e LGBT community within college campuses
Secondary Audience: Any ally aliations that the LGBT community has that will aid and sup-
port in the implementation of the Homecoming Project universities
Messages & Slogans:
LIVE OUT LOUDs Mission:
Our mission is to empower, energize and enable Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Youth to
live the life of their dreams through the celebration of the richness and diversity of our shared expe-
rience, the visibility of role models and the dissemination of information.
Messages:
Primary Audience:
To encourage college students to participate in the Homecoming Project initiative that will en-
able them to aid LGBT youth in their journeys towards nding themselves by living out, living
loud, and living free.
Secondary Audience:
To encourage allies to be supportive and accepting of the LGBT community by spreading word
to friends, family and peers to do the same.
Slogan:
For A Brighter Future
Pre-Evaluation:
e Homecoming Project is a grassroots initiative, encouraging successful lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender (LGBT) role models to revisit their high schools to connect with LGBT youth and talk with students
about the experiences that have led them to their open, armed and successful lives. Aer the creation of the
Homecoming Project, it has successfully sent nearly 20 people back to their high schools. While these speakers
have been very successful, the Homecoming Project is now specically targeting the younger LGBT generation.
is is why the Homecoming Project is looking to expand to college campuses nation wide. By targeting college
students, the Homecoming Project hopes that these people will not only be a role model for high school LGBT
students, but also a friendly contact for these students along their personal journeys.
For e Future Public Relations took on the challenge of creating a foundation for the Homecoming
Project at Penn State University. By conducting the proper research, we were able to evaluate the current situa-
tion, and create a plan for implementation.
Situational Analysis:
Internal Factors:
t Having the support of celebrity gures as role models for Homecoming Project speakers.
t Using normal, everyday people as speakers that high school students will be able to relate to
and go to for guides.
External Factors:
t Diculty nding students on college campuses who are willing to participate.
t e risk of the organization getting lost amoung large amounts of student organizations
t While society has been slowly increasing in acceptance of the LGBT community, many
people are still reluctant to accept this group
Primary Research:
Due to the specic characteristics of our target audience and the purpose of our campaign, we decided
to use purposive sampling as our method of conducting research. Because our target audience consists of Penn
State males and females ages approximately 18-22 who are members of the LGBT community, it would have
been unnecessary and irrelevant to our campaign if we had tried to gather data from the entire Penn State
community.
In exploring the dierent event and programing options during the National Coming Out Week cel-
ebrations at Penn State, members of our team decided it would be most appropriate and eective to hand out a
surveys before the Undertones Annual Student Drag Show in the HUB.
e Undertones Annual Student Drag Show is heavily attended, fun and competitive event held during
National Coming Out Week. Students from the LGBTQA community sign-up, audition, and compete against
each other. is years event took place on Friday October 14, 2011 at 10pm in Alumni Hall.
Members from our team handed out 75 surveys to the audience for voluntary participation and 50 were
returned, lled out. e purpose of the survey was to gauge interest and receptive feelings to Live Out Louds
Homecoming Project among the Penn State LGBT community. Given the constrictions of non-random sampling
none of the data procured within can be generalized.
People were given a survey at the
event, and the option to ll it out
by name or anonymously. e
results were very promising.
Survey:
1) Would you be interested in going back to your high school as part of the Homecoming Project?
2) Would you be interested in recruiting others to take part in the Homecoming Project?
3) Do you think the Homecoming Project is something you or your organization in which you are a member
would like to become a part of?
4) If you are interested in the Homecoming Project, would you like us to contact you with more information?
t 58% of the respondents said they would be interested in going back to
their high school as part of the Homecoming Project.
t 64% of respondents said they would be interested in recruiting others to
take part in the Homecoming Project.
t 72% of respondents said they think the Homecoming Project is some-
thing they or the organization in which they are a member of would like
to become a part of.
t 58% reported they would like us to contact them with more information
about the Homecoming Project.
Results:
Secondary Research:
According to the Homecoming Project, almost 20 individuals have returning to their high
school to participate in the program to date. As such, there exists signicant opportunity to grow
this program if the appropriate steps are taken. Secondary research is integral to any campaign,
and FTF PR recognized the need to survey a broad swathe of college campuses regarding their
tolerance and acceptance of the gay community. What follows herein is analyses of select Big
Ten schools in addition to schools considered most gay-friendly by Newsweek. It is the hope
of the rm that by understanding what some schools are and arent doing in comparison to Penn
State we will be able to cra a much stronger set of materials for any group seeking to start up a
Homecoming Project branch.
In both in academic and athletic performance the University of Michigan is a model of excellence. Aer
reviewing the LGBTQA programs in place at Ann Arbor, it is evident that UM is excelling in cultivating an ex-
traordinary gay friendly environment. Michigan has a LGBTQA center called the Spectrum Center, which serves
as a haven for gay, questioning and allies. Below are some of Michigans groups that were found to be either
intriguing, successful, or something Penn State may be able to implement.
Ahava
Ahava is the Jewish LGBT group on campus, and is sponsored by Hillel. Explore your LGBT and Jewish identi-
ties in a safe, open environment. Goals include advocacy, providing a social space for our community, and
sponsoring programming including discussions and lectures on issues relating to LGBT/Jewish issues.
Oentimes being homosexual causes signicant tension within ones religion. Ahava creates something very
powerful is by combining a religious focus group into an open forum about sexuality. A group in this vein may
be very eective in regards to the Homecoming Project and should be taken under consideration.
Bilateral
e mission of the group is to build a community of those interested in bisexual issues, to promote discussion
and dialogue within said community, to encourage understanding within the greater University of Michigan
community, and to provide opportunities for those interested in bisexual issues to socialize with others with
shared concerns.
Another unique group that carves out a specic niche within the gay community. It seems that society is apt to
group homosexuals and their respective issues into a singular group. Obviously, the issues that face one member
of the gay community can be completely dierent from another. Groups like Bilateral do a wonderful job at ad-
dressing issues that fall into the gray, rather than black and white.
University of Michigan
Professional Groups
One of the most interesting aspects of Michigans gay community are its groups that are directed towards gay
students who are pursuing a particular career. Michigan has two groups, BGLAM & Dental LGBTA, that merit
discussion.
Bisexuals, Gays, Lesbians, and Allies in Medicine (BGLAM)
BGLAM is an organization of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgendered individuals, and straight allies associ-
ated with the medical school who provide support for one another and work together to educate the medical
school community.
Dental LGBTA
Dental LGBTA group aims to educate dental students, sta, faculty and dental professionals about lesbian, bisex-
ual, gay, and transgender issues in hopes of encouraging awareness, as well as providing perspectives in treating
LGBT patients. Dental LGBTA fosters a welcoming environment for LGBT students, sta, faculty, and patients at
the Dental School.
ere seems to be a trend at Michigan for niche groups in the gay community. e more specic the group is the
more likely its members are to be extensively involved. As such, if e Homecoming Project were to reach out to
these niche groups it would likely be met with some success.
University of Michigan
Northwestern
For many years Northwestern University has been a model for academic performance. Less known, but no less
important is its commitment to the LGBTQA community. Below are some programs that Northwestern employs
that are both incredibly unique and eective.
e Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Ally Campus Advisory Network
Mission is to oer emotional, psychological and social support to LGBTQ members of the Northwestern com-
munity, respecting their self-identication across a continuum of sexuality and gender.
Home-Cooked Conversations
Sta or faculty member of Northwestern University opens their homes to undergraduate students. As students
help prepare a home-cooked meal with the host, they get to know their experience as an LGBT or Allied indi-
vidual and their role within the Northwestern Community. is truly seems to be an innovative idea that could
have an amazing amount of success for the Homecoming Project. One can imagine that the rst few months of
college are particularly hard for any student, especially for one struggling to connect with a community. If the
Homecoming Project were to enlist a facility adviser this program would be able to run hand and hand quite ef-
ciently.
Northwestern University
F.L.A.M.E. Program
is is a quarter long orientation and social networking program series designed specically with First Year
LGBT and Allied students in mind. Seems similar to Penn States freshman seminar. Would be a wonderful way
to accilimate LGBT students to campus early and in turn introduce them to the Homecoming Project.
Quarterly Receptions
e Fall and Spring Evanston Campus LGBT and Allied Receptions are a great way to meet new people and
catch up with old friends. Every reception features free food and mingling.
Q Safe Chat
Is a peer support program that seeks to create and broaden opportunities for students who identify as lesbian,
gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer, as well as students who are questioning their sexual or gender identity
or are in the process of coming out here at NU.
Northwestern University
SWOT
To, by December 2011, create a kit that will be a model for LGBT organizations to use to implement the
Homecoming Project within Penn State and other universities across the nation.
Goal:
Strategy for Primary:
t Promote the Homecoming Project as an avenue for college students to be role models and inspire LGBT
youth.
t Stress the importance and feasibility of giving back to the community by simply telling their own story and
experiences.
t Showcase the Homecoming Project as a time to liberate all the fears that may have existed prior to coming
out as a member of the LGBT community.
Strategy for Secondary:
t Target allies of the LGBT community by expressing how important it is to have a strong support system
behind Homecoming Project speakers.
Strategies:
Objectives:
Knowledge: To by December 2011, have all organizations in the LGBT community at Penn State aware of the
Homecoming Project.
Predisposition: To by December 2011, have members of LGBT organizations at Penn State have condence in
the Homecoming Projects mission.
Behavior: To by December 8, 2011, have members of LGBT organizations attend For A Brighter Future: e
RainBOW eect, a networking event to raise awareness about the Homecoming Project.
Our initial plan to reach LIVE OUT LOUDs goals contained three possible options. One option was to create
a stand-alone registered student organization at Penn State tasked with raising awareness and recruiting LGBT
students to connect with LIVE OUT LOUD and participate in the Homecoming Project. Our second and third
options were variations of the rst. Instead of creating an independent organization, we would encourage the
creation of a sub-committee within existing student organizations or designate a liaison for the Homecoming
Project.
Aer gauging the feasibility and interest of these options at the LGBT Resource Center and in the Penn State
LGBT student community, we decided to refocus our plan. In an eort to work eciently it was decided to
strategically split the group of nine into two teams, an event team and a Kit team.
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Tactics:
In essence, a Public Relations campaign is like clay; it is shaped, molded through various iterations as its
creators seek perfection. is campaign was no exception with e Homecoming Project Campaign undergoing
various conceptual changes before its ultimate realization.
Eventually For the Future PR decided to introduce e Homecoming Project as an supplemental under-
taking that pre-established groups could use. e organization decided that the most prudent means of introduc-
ing e Homecoming Project to Penn State was to hold a kicko event inviting LGBT students and allies to
mingle, relax and learn about Live Out Loud and e Homecoming Project.
For the Future PR recognized the need to approach creating and promoting the event from multiple
angles. For the event to be successful a number of key benchmarks would need to be met.
t Ensure that a wealth of promotional materials regarding the event reach TA & the greater Penn
State populace.
t Reach out to groups of interest who may be able to further promote e Homecoming Project
t Ensure that any created event would both educate and entertain attendees
t Undertones
t OUT in Business
t Chumleys
t Penn States HUB-Roberson Building
t Various Dining Commons
A tall order indeed, but not one that could not be accomplished. To accomplish the rst item on the
tactical agenda For the Future PR set about creating and dispersing a number of iers throughout Penn States
campus, but more specically LGBT groups and organizations who stand to benet by incorporating the
Homecoming Project. Approximately 450 iers were printed and dispersed through the following locations and
organizations.
Tactics cont...
Additionally a Facebook page was created in an eort to generate additional interest. At its closing 54
individuals attended the event according to Facebook. Additionally, Ellen H. Braun, proprietor of the Chumleys
listed For the Future PRs event on her Facebook page twice and posted the ier used as well.
e 2nd item on the tactical agenda dovetails quite nicely with the 1st. Much of our promotional eorts
established connections with LGBTQA parties of interest. For the Future PR made it a peroagative to establish
meeting with various leaders of Penn State LGBTQA groups and also gave a short presentation to Penn States
Rainbow Roundtable; a coaltion of leaders from various LGBT communities on campus.
Finally, For the Future PR recognized the need to create an event that would both inform those in at-
tendance, but not be overly focused on information and calls to action. e Homecoming Project needed to be
introduced, not pushed. erefore, For the Future PR recognized the need to create an event that was predomi-
nately social in nature, with informative concepts regarding e Homecoming Project rolled up underneath. e
event, entitled e RainBOW eect, was conceptualized as a gathering of friends with music, food and a brief
presentation from For the Future PRs client, Live Out Loud. Additionally, For the Future PR enlisted the servic-
es of two professionals who identify as Lesbians. Said individuals are similar to those who would return to their
high school as a part of e Homecoming Project.
In summation, For the Future PR believes that not only were the goals of the client med and exceeded,
but that a transferrable model wherein e Homecoming could be implemented in a variety of universities and
organizations was created. e accomplishments and progress made during this semester will provide an e-
cient foundation in which Live Out Loud can continue to build and extend e Homecoming Project.
Media Outreach
In order to spread the word about e Homecoming Project and our event beyond the reach of solely our attend-
ees, we constructed a news release to be distributed to local media outlets. e news release read as follows:
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Alicia Dietzmann
Phone: (856) 304-6216
Email: alicia.dietzmann@gmail.com

Dec. 7, 2011 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE: THE RAINBOWEFFECT EVENT THIS THURSDAY
University Park, PA - High school isnteasy. It is a time where young men and women struggle to nd their trueidentity and where they
t in with their peers. For many of todays LGBTyouth in Americas high schools, these will be the toughest four years of theirlives.

is ursday, Dec. 8, e Homecoming Project and Undertones will behosting an event at the Life SciencesBridge at 7 p.m. to inform
Penn State students about how they can help LGBTyouth who are struggling to get through high school. e event is hoping toencour-
age on campus LGBT groups and anyone interested in helping out send rolemodels back to their high schools to help current students.
e Homecoming Project encouragesmembers of the LGBT community to travel back to their high schools to speakwith a new genera-
tion of students about the unique experiences, which haveshaped the individuals they are today.
e event will oer free food andrefreshments and will feature guest speakers. Evelyn Wald, grief counselor and avid supporter of the
LGBT community,will be one of those speakers. Shecurrently works with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention localchapter
in State College and will be speaking about how to speak to high schoolstudents and address the problems that they face daily.
A grassroots initiative, e Homecoming Project encourages successfullesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) role models to
revisit their highschools to connect with LGBT youth and talk with students about the experiencesthat have led them to their open, af-
rmed and successful lives.
For more information on Live Out Loud,or to start e Homecoming Project in your area, call at 212-651-4236.

###
We contacted e Daily Collegian, Penn State Live and posted our event on the open forum on Onward-
State.com, a student run Penn State blog. e Daily Collegian responded about een minutes later, jumping
at the chance to write about our event and e Homecoming Project. Danae Blasso, e Collegians Diversity
reporter, interviewed a couple members from our team and Live Out Louds representative, Renee. In the future
I feel it would be best to send out the news release two or three days before the event as most of the publications
in State College are not as quick to respond as e Collegian. Also, reserving a spot in other outlets may have
eventually reached more people and spark their interest to attend our event.
Hi ___________________________,
I am a student in COMM 473 (Public Relations Campaigns)working for our client Live Out Loud, e Home-
coming Project. e Homecoming Project is a grassroots initiative, encouragingsuccessful lesbian, gay, bisex-
ual and transgender (LGBT) role models to revisittheir high schools to connect with LGBT youth and talk with
students about theexperiences that have led them to their open, armed and successful lives.
is ursday, December 8,2011 we will be hosting an event in the Life Science Bridge. e event is called For
a Brighter Future: e RainBOW Eect. We would like to extend an open invitation to you and any of your
members to attend and learn how YOU can help to shape the lives of current high school students.
e event will begin at 7 p.m. Free food will be provided and we will have guest speakers to inform you more
about speaking to high school students and provide you with more information on e Homecoming Project.
We hope you will join us on ursday, December 8 and learn how youcan help kids through the rough years of
high school.
Have a great day,
Budget:
For the Future Public Relations reached out to many local vendors and resources for sponsorships and donations
for the event. Many were receptive of our event, and through vendors we received:
- Flowers from Georges Floral Boutique (used for centerpieces)
- Glow sticks from Renea Nichols (used for decorative purposes)
- $25 Wegmans gicard (used to purchase food platters for the event)
- Wood Podium from Media Tech. (used by speakers for presentations)
Donations:
ITEM PRICE VENDUR
9 tables & 72 chaiis $1S8.62 Best Event
9 tablecloths $12.1S Walmait
9 mini glass vases $2S.76 Nichaels
Limes $7.44 Walmait
1uu Styiofoam uesseit
plates
$S.Su Walmait
2Su coloieu toothpicks $1.S9 Walmait
8u cleai plastic cups $4.Su Walmait
1 laige veggie plattei $S2.uu Walmait
1 laige cheese plattei $S8.uu Walmait
1 laige mini wiap plattei $S2.uu Walmait
7 - 2 litei bottles of soua $8.uu Walmait
4 boxes of ciackeis $9.uu Walmait
1 Pack of napkins $1.S9 Walmait
Roll of gieen iibbon $6.uu Nichaels
Safety pins $2.uu Nichaels
ulue gun $S.uu Nichaels

September 12 -- Client Chosen
September 20 -- Agency & Role Delegation Completed
October 3 -- Client Research Completed
October 10 -- Primary & Secondary Research Proposal & Plan
October 14 --Undertones Drag Show (Primary Research)
October 24 -- Research Completed
October 24 -- 4-Step Plan Due
October 31 -- Partners Conrmed
November 10 -- Event Location Conrmed
November 15 -- Kit Completed
November 16 -- Kit to Nichols
November 18 -- Kit Approval From Bryan
November 21 -- Speakers Conrmed
November 28 -- Bows Completed
November 28 -- Flier Approval
November 28 -- Speakers In Touch With Bryan
December 2 -- Kits Printed
December 2-5 -- Flier & Facebook Promotion
December 3 -- Decorations & Banner Prepared
December 3 -- Chumleys Promotion
December 4 -- Indigo Gay Night Promotion
December 4 -- Food conrmed
December 6 -- Pick Up Media Tech Equipment
December 7 -- Centerpieces Finished
December 7 -- Present Campaign
December 7 -- Practice Equipment in Space
December 8 --Message Facebook Event Attendees
December 8 -- Event 7pm-9pm
December 9 -- Evaluate Event
December 9 -- Send Out ank Yous to Donors, Life Science Bridge Coordinator, Speakers, & Media Tech
December 10 -- Revise, Proofread, & Bind Finished Write-Up
December 10 -- Event Footage Onto DVDs
December 12 -- Hand In Finished Project to Nichols
Timeline:
Networking Event:
For A Brighter Future: e
RainBOW Eect
e name we chose we chose for the event was For A Brighter Futuree RainBOW Eect. e title to
the event carried a lot of signicance with it. We chose to use the word Brighter to represent the light at the end
of the tunnel for LGBT youth. is event would demonstrate how successful members of the LGBT community
made it through their coming-out journey to nd happiness. e play on RainBOW also came with our idea
of a solidarity bow. We chose a bow, opposed to a ribbon, to represent the cause we are ghting for, LGBT rights.
Again, going back to bright, we chose a bright neon green colored bow, and distributed these bows at the event
for people to wear to raise awareness of the Homecoming Project.
e purpose of the event was to give LGBT organizations the ability to network in a socially inviting
environment. FTFPR partnered with Undertones, an LGBT organization at Penn State, to spread awareness of
the event. Members of Undertones and other orgs. were able to exchange names, and spark an interest about the
Homecoming Project between their organizations. e ability to network provided the Homecoming Project
with a foundation based on the spreading of knowledge about it.
Attendees of the event were encouraged to take home a copy of the Homecoming Project Kit. is kit
gave attendees a step-by-step guide to getting involved with the Homecoming Project, as well as contacts at LIVE
OUT LOUD and For e Future Public Relations that they could reach out to for information.
While food and refreshments were oered, guests sat and listened to two established LGBT speakers,
Evelyn Wald, a clinical consultant, and Susan Russell, an acting/eatre History professor at Penn State Universi-
ty. ese two speakers gave their personal stories about their journeys nding themselves. Each one had a dier-
ent approach, but both messages were the samedont be afraid to be your self.
Event Evaluation:
At 6:45 attendees were already coming through the doors, helping themselves to food and mingling with
each other. e event approximately started around 7:20 once it seemed as if everyone had arrived and settled.
From there, Live out Loud was introduced and Rene was Skyped in to talk with the audience. She shared more
information about the Homecoming Project and asked students if they had questions. Interest was shown, and a
LGBT member asked ,how would we set up the process of going back to our high school? Rene explained how
it is easily done through the Live Out Loud website and then she is the connection with the school that would
have the speaker. While this was a great answer, we would have liked the response to also have been that hope-
fully in the future, Penn State would have a Homecoming Project initiative within a group and the process could
be done through that organization. While showing the video of Lance Black going back to his high school, the
audience showed their appreciation and attention by laughing, applauding and nodding (as if understanding)
throughout the clip.
e audience also was intrigued during both speakers presentations. Both women told their stories about
being in the LGBT community and shared reasons why it is so important to be a role model and leader with
LGBT youth. Both speakers received warm applauses and audience members were even embracing the speakers
with hugs aer the event.
e event was nished around 8:45, although many attendees stayed aerward to socialize and network
with one another.
Out of the 30-35 attendees, we received 23 completed surveys. Below are the results
Did you hear about Live Out Loud or the Homecoming Project prior to this event?
YES (5) NO (18)
If yes, how?
Friends (2) Family Social Media (3) News Other __________
Are you a member of the LGBT community?
YES (19) NO (4)
Aer seeing a Homecoming Project presentation, would you consider returning to your high school to conduct
one of your own?
YES (8) NO (5) MAYBE (10)
If Penn State were to create its own branch of the Homecoming Project at the University do you think it would
be a successful initiative? (1 being the least successful, 5 being the most successful)
1 2 3 (13) 4 (7) 5 (3)
If the organization were to be created, would you be interested in being a member?
YES (8) NO (3) MAYBE (12)
Exit Survey Results:
Photos From the Event:
ere are a few alterations that could improve the success and reach of a Homecoming Project event
in the future and on other campuses. Although our speakers were very well received, an event predominantly
centered around speakers has less of a pull compared to an event attached to something more interactive or
entertainment-based. e event would have greater reach if it were connected to something like a drag show,
comedy show, or LGBT date auction. Attaching the event to another LGBT organizations event, will also give
the Homecoming Project greater reach in the LGBT community, since the message will be received by attend-
ees who come for information about the Homecoming Project, as well as attendees who come to see the other
groups event.
Timing of the event should also be greatly considered. e end of the semester is busy for students and
December is cold. Both factors can deter attendance to an event. is event should be held during the warm
month of October, which is LGBT History Month. During LGBT History Month, there are many LGBT events
to choose from and the LGBT community will probably be more inclined to get involved with something such
as the Homecoming Project, while being surrounded by a surplus of LGBT pride. ere is also National Com-
ing Out Week in October. More specically, the event should be during this week. Many festivities of National
Coming Out Week involve members of the LGBT community coming out in very public areas to many people.
Participants may be more inclined to get involved with the Homecoming Project since it requires similar speak-
ing skills and courage. Additionally, the Homecoming Project event should be connected to a universitys home-
coming for promotional purposes.
Changes to a college-targeted Homecoming Project campaign should include the introduction of a
second, o-campus event tied to a predominantly LGBT bar or club. Aer receiving such positive feedback
from Chumleys, we regret that we did not have another event connected to a bar. A social networking event at
a club or bar would target a dierent age group in the LGBT community such as graduate students, as well as
junior and senior college students. In conjunction with an on-campus event, this holistic approach to targeting
our primary audience would lead to a wider reach and more diverse group of participants in the Homecoming
Project.
Recommendations:
Event:
Although we handed out the Homecoming Kit on very accessible CDs, we suggest that future Homecoming
Project groups, reach out to companies such as Microso, seeking ash drive donations. Flash drives are reus-
able and can serve as a type of giveaway at an event. If the Homecoming Kit is on the ash drive, every time the
person uses the ash drive they will remember the Homecoming Project. A bulky CD that only serves one pur-
pose is more likely to get misplaced or go unlooked at. Additionally, the Homecoming distribution should not be
limited to the event or upon request, but we should reach out to initiatives such as Straight Talk that have similar
objectives to the Homecoming Project, and encourage them to discuss the Homecoming Project as well as hand
out the kit to participants.
Incentive Programs
With celebrities such as Lance Black promoting and participating in the Homecoming Project, there is an oppor-
tunity for Live Out Loud to further reach out to these celebrities as a form of incentive. When there is an incen-
tive, students are more likely to get involved with a cause. Once the Homecoming Project has found its home on
a few campuses, there can be an incentive program implemented. e university that sends the most students
back to their high schools could win a visit from one of Live Out Louds celebrity speakers. is would unify
the LGBT groups at a university towards a common goal, addressing the problem of division amongst the LGBT
groups Bryan had brought up when we discussed the possibility of making the Homecoming Project its own club
on campus.
Recommendations:
e Homecoming Kit:
An old saying goes Too many chiefs, not enough Indians. Indeed, a team of nine motivated individuals
poses a unique set of challenges. For the Future PR would be remiss if we did not admit that there were internal
obstacles that presented themselves during the semester. However, aer splitting into event-oriented and kit-
oriented groups the organization was able to progress in a smoother and ecient manner. Collaborating in two
smaller groups to create a nal project gave all involved parties an opportunity to showcase their unique talents.
Each member of For the Future PR brought a dynamic that could not be matched by their peers, and we are
grateful that are nished project conveys this.
At the beginning of the semester Live Out Loud stressed a desire to introduce e Homecoming Project
as a stand-alone group at Penn States campus. For the Future PR took this into consideration, but recognized
that the longstanding potential for such a project is relatively negligible. However, by creating a start-up kit and
engendering early support for e Homecoming Project FTF PR has given Live Out Loud the necessary in roads
to successfully develop a connection between colleges and the project itself.
It was incredibly powerful and moving to see the attentiveness of the events attendees. Although our
event lacked quantity of attendees it more than made up for it. We are condent that those in attendance, as well
as the perspective groups that they represent, will engage in e Homecoming Project in short order.
Oentimes, college education is marked by cramming in information and subsequently forgetting it once
an exam has passed. Rarely does a class make a dierence in a community and beyond. Butthis is dierent.
FTF PRs event was a rousing success and we feel condent that e Homecoming Project will succeed at Penn
State & beyond. It is not too far-fetched to think that the groundwork laid today may save the lives of tomor-
rowand that is something to be proud of.
Evaluation: