I do a lot of writing for my job in content marketing at AHP, and one thing that always gives me a leg up is starting with examples of messaging that has worked for others in similar situations. Alice Ayres, president and CEO of AHP, collected some examples of health and safety messaging from AHP members, and one organization’s success in this area stood out to me. I’m including their exact messaging here in case you, like me, prefer not to start with a blank slate.
First, a little background on the event. Grossmont Hospital Foundation, one of three foundations of Sharp Healthcare, held an in-person gala in November 2021. Benefiting from the mild fall weather in California, the event took place in a tent with open sides for ventilation, but nevertheless they made the decision to require vaccination to minimize risk of virus transmission at the event.
The team at Grossmont included language about the vaccination requirement at all points during the registration process to minimize confusion and ensure that attendees knew what to expect before and during the event. Here is what they said.
On Invitations
All guests to the gala will be required to show Covid-19 vaccination, which includes official record card (digital photo or photocopy is fine) or state digital record with QR code, or a negative laboratory test (official CLIA number and testing location) taken within 72 hours.
On the Event Registration Page
To ensure a fun and safe event for all our guests, please note that we are requiring all guests to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a SARS-CoV-2 test, PCR or antigen test, from a certified Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) lab test taken no more than 72 hours prior to the event to attend in person. These can be either mailed to PO Box 123, La Mesa, CA 91944, or emailed to grossmonthospitalfdn@sharp.com or brought to the gala.
On Registration Receipts
Please note that we are requiring all guests to provide proof of Covid-19 vaccination, or a negative SARS-CoV-2 test, PCR or antigen test, from a certified Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) lab test taken 72 hours prior to the event to attend in person. These can be either emailed to grossmonthospitalfdn@sharp.com or brought to the gala.
“All the guests were very receptive to sending us their vaccine card or a negative test 72 hours ahead of time,” said Bill Navrides, director of development at Grossmont Hospital Foundation.
Benefits of this approach extended beyond the gala. Bill’s team saved copies of vaccine cards to attendee’s profiles in Raiser’s Edge, which will allow them to save time and minimize hassle for attendees at this year's golf tournament.
Share Your Own Examples
Do you have Covid safety language of your own to share? Our members would love to see them! Drop me a line at communications@ahp.org or, if you are an AHP member, post them directly in The Huddle.