TRAILBLAZER 

STORY COMPETITION

 A GUIDE FOR ORGANIZERS

In the spirit of this year’s Older Americans Month theme, “Blaze a Trail,” your organization may 

want to hold a community “trailblazer” story competition. Personal stories are great ways to 

share the accomplishments of your community members while inspiring others to take action. 

Encourage the older adults in your audience to share how they are blazing trails—giving back to 

the community, starting new careers or hobbies, redefining aging, or anything else that says, 

“trailblazer.” You might leave the call for stories broad, or target a special topic by focusing on 

something specific, like fitness trailblazers or advocacy trailblazers. This guide offers tips and 

suggestions for organizing your competition.

Step 1 : DESIGN Your Effort

DESIGN PREPARE PROMOTE COLLECT REVIEW ANNOUNCE

1 2 3 4 5 6

Planning is the most important step in any 

successful project. If you want to host a 

story competition, here are a few things 

you will want to consider right at the start.

Timeline: Think about the time you need to 

plan your project, promote the 

competition, collect stories, and review 

submissions. It may help to work backward 

from the date on which you plan to 

announce the winner(s). Allow at least two 

weeks for story submissions; three to four 

weeks is ideal.

Team Members: First, choose someone who 

can answer questions during the competition. 

This person may also be responsible for 

receiving and filing stories. Next, select two to 

four individuals to review submissions and 

choose the most compelling stories. 

Depending on your organization and your 

plans for the stories, you may also need a 

story editor and/or someone to provide final 

approval of the winners.

Awards and Rewards: Start by deciding 

how many “top” stories you will identify. 

You may want to choose one winner, 

recognize several people, or have winners 

in different categories. Then, think about 

how you will acknowledge them. 

Personalized certificates are inexpensive 

but meaningful. They work best when 

presented in person. If you plan to 

announce winners online, publishing the 

story on your website is often enough. If 

you want to go a step further, consider a 

small prize, like a gift card.

Event: Hosting an event is certainly not 

necessary to a successful story 

competition. However, if you plan to have a 

celebration in honor of Older Americans 

Month, it is a perfect time and place to 

announce the outcome of your contest. 

The winner(s) could even read a portion of 

their story to the gathered audience.
Step 2 : PREPARE Materials

Guidelines: Create a document or some 

web content that helps writers to craft their 

stories. Try to include:

• Word limit (500 is usually adequate for 

this type of competition)

• Suggestions for content, especially if 

you are focused on a special topic

• Photo guidance (e.g., dimensions), if you 

plan to include images with the stories

• Submission instructions (email, web 

form, hard copies, etc.) and deadline

• Review and selection information, 

including the estimated number of 

winners

• Intended use for stories (i.e., where they 

will be shared)

• Contact person for questions

• Notes related to the required release 

form (See sample at the end of this guide)

Graphics: If you have the resources, design 

collateral material. As noted in the 

following section on promotion, graphics 

are especially helpful online. You may also 

need to develop a flyer for the competition, 

an event, or both.

Step 3 : PROMOTE the Competition

Promotion of your story competition is 

essential. If your community is not aware of 

the call for submissions, they cannot 

respond. Here are a few easy ways to reach 

out to your audience.

Social Media: Engage your followers on 

Facebook, Twitter, and any other platforms 

you use. If you created graphics as part of 

the previous step, this is the time to use 

them. Images increase attention to, and 

sharing of, posts.

Website: Use a web slider, banner, article, 

or other feature to promote your 

competition on your site. If you plan to post 

the winning stories online, consider 

developing a separate subpage from the 

start—it can save time later. Again, graphics 

are a nice addition.

Face-to-face: Online promotion is great, 

but you might not reach everyone. In fact, 

your audience may be offline more than 

they are on. Do not underestimate the 

value of bulletin board signs and/or 

announcements during your organization’s 

regular activities. 

Partners: Reach out to other organizations 

or community members who might help 

you collect stories. They may simply help 

you promote online, or perhaps they know 

of a special community member who would 

like to submit a story.
Step 4 : COLLECT Stories

Gather: Now, it is time for the stories to 

come in. Per your plan, the individual 

responsible for organizing submissions 

should ensure compliance with any 

requirements (e.g., release form, word 

count, and adherence to any specified 

theme). That person can follow up or 

disqualify as appropriate, and file the 

stories. If possible, confirm receipt of each 

story and thank the submitter for 

participating. 

Review: Since this is competition, rolling 

reviews are discouraged. Provide all 

acceptable stories to reviewers at one time. 

To make sure that all reviewers judge the 

stories in the same manner, provide a 

scoring sheet. Use your story submission 

guidelines as a start to the scoring sheet, 

and add categories based on what you 

would most like to see in the winners. Once 

you receive recommendations, wrap up by 

navigating any required approvals. If the 

stories are edited, let authors know. If there 

is time, allow them to see the new versions 

before announcing winners.

Step 5 : ANNOUNCE Trailblazers

First, inform the winner(s). Email or call 

them to express your appreciation and 

explain any next steps. Those steps might 

include an award or prize, a planned event, 

or simply information about when and 

where the story will appear online.

Announcing Online: Generate a website 

blurb and social media posts to make the 

announcement. Be sure to thank everyone 

who submitted a story. If appropriate, 

include gratitude for partners and 

individuals who helped your effort. 

Announcing at Event: Prepare award 

certificates, copies of the winning stories, 

and anything else you will need on site (e.g., 

gift cards). Remember, it is best to be 

inclusive: With only a little extra effort, each 

person who entered can receive a 

certificate of participation or gratitude.

www.acl.gov/olderamericansmonth
Sample Story Release

<Logo or letterhead>

I, blank space for name , authorize <organization> and those acting on its 

behalf to use my story and/or photograph that I voluntarily submitted in response to the 

2016 Trailblazer Story Competition. <Organization> is entitled to edit, copy, adapt, or 

translate the contribution. I understand the story might be shared online or in person.

I understand that the use of my story is not guaranteed and that there will be no 

compensation for use of my information. I waive any right to inspect or approve products 

that use my story and/or image. I agree to save harmless <organization> and those acting on 

its behalf from any liability, including claims for invasion of privacy.

Name (Print)

Signature of Subject Date

Phone Number Email Address (optional)