Clare, MI - As part of a national effort to inform communities about alcohol issues that are affecting youth access and underage drinking, youth groups from across the country are urged to host Community Briefings on March 5th or 6th, 2008. 

While similar to successful Town Hall Meetings, Community Briefings will be organized and led by youth. The meetings will provide youth an opportunity to identify an issue they feel needs to be addressed in their community regarding youth and alcohol.

The briefings will serve as a starting point for community action by informing youth and adults about current alcohol problems in their community, generating news media coverage, raising awareness and building support for change.

There is a diverse network of youth groups across the country dedicated to creating positive change regarding underage drinking. The Community Briefings are an excellent way to empower youth to engage their community in the fight against underage drinking.

To help insure success, the national Take It Back movement has established simple criteria that interested groups must meet in order to host a community briefing.

Applications can be completed online at www.utakeitback.org/411/briefings 

Up to 500 youth groups will be selected to participate from across the country. All participating groups will receive a comprehensive resource kit to help youth effectively research the issue, organize the meeting, develop and deliver effective presentations, attract media attention and mobilize their efforts beyond the meeting.

Penny Norton, CEO of FACE – Resources, Training & Action on Alcohol Issues states, "These Community Briefings are an excellent way for youth around the country to not only enhance their current efforts, but be a credible voice at the local level for identifying actions that need to be taken on alcohol problems. It's an exciting opportunity for a legitimate, new voice to be featured and to gain broad, national exposure on an urgent public health issue."

As part of the criteria, youth groups must agree to hold a Community Briefing on or close to March 5th and 6th, 2008, conduct a community assessment to help identify key community issues, and complete a post-briefing document.

All participating youth groups will receive a comprehensive resource kit that includes:

• A free DVD of the award-winning film, "this place" that outlines the underage/youth access issue and serves as an excellent meeting opener.
• Comprehensive, easy-to-follow community assessment tool for youth to use prior to the meeting that will provide valuable information on what the specific problem areas are in their community.
• A planning guide that offers step-by-step instructions for planning and promoting a successful TIB Community Briefing.
• Sample press releases to use for local media coverage.
• Posters and camera-ready art to advertise the event.
• A comprehensive PowerPoint presentation that can be customized with local data to use during the briefing.
• Sample talking points and briefing agenda.
• Access to the TIB website for additional information and networking with other youth groups.
• Post-meeting support through the TIB website.

The deadline for application is November 2, 2007 at www.utakeitback.org/411/briefings. 

For more information, please call FACE - Resources, Training & Action on Alcohol Issues at 1-888-822-3223.

The Take It Back Community Briefings are sponsored by FACE – Resources, Training & Action on Alcohol Issues, a national non-profit group located in Clare, Michigan.