Ambassadors of Goodwill and Celebrity Hosts

Our Her oes in Action

INTRODUCTION

For more than a decade, The Stars Foundation’s goodwill and international ambassadors have helped to protect the fundamental human rights and lives of men, women, and children around the world and have added fuel to enhance campaigns to bring aid to the most impoverished youth. By creating public awareness of human rights issues and helping to mobilize resources, the celebrities who work with us send a clear message that human rights, through Social Justice Acts of Goodwill, are a priority.

This guide aims to help The Stars Foundation’s offices and National Committees build and sustain the most effective and strategic relationships with international, goodwill, and celebrity ambassadors and to harmonize the celebrity programs across the organization. It is intended especially for those who work in communication, external relations, and private sector fundraising. As our work continues to grow, we need to draw on our creativity and that of an ever-widening circle of friends to ensure that we unite for Human Rights and Children’s Rights.

You are our Heroes!

AMBASSADORS OF GOODWILL GREATLY ENHANCE THE STARS FOUNDATION’S WORK

The Stars Foundation works with approximately 140 international and Goodwill Ambassadors (including Dignitaries with our partnering organizations) around the world to increase public awareness work protecting human rights and children’s rights and providing support for programs. Our relationship with our Heroes, People of Influence, including Ambassadors and Dignitaries, like all of our work, is guided by The Stars Foundation’s vision and values, based on the core International Human Rights Instruments:

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)	1966
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)	1966
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)	1979
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT)	1984
Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)	1989

WHO ARE THE STARS FOUNDATION’S

AMBASSADORS?

The Stars Foundation’s Ambassadors are well-known personalities willing to do their utmost to mobilize support around the world among the general public and within their industry. These volunteers demonstrate a high level of commitment to human rights and the organization. Most represent specialized fields in the arts, sports, and contemporary culture.

We work with partnering organizations to achieve results in the field, in numerous countries around the world.

The Stars Foundation's Ambassadors are chosen because they:

Demonstrate an active commitment to promoting human rights and to furthering our mission and helping promote World Orphans Day.
Commit to the core values of The Stars Foundation
Communicate effectively and passionately
Have a genuine interest in the issues facing humanity, and are willing to learn more through briefings and field visits, which at times involve difficult circumstances.
Exemplify good citizenship and are passionate, courageous, inspiring, caring, principled, credible, and capable of acting as influential advocates for human rights.
Demonstrate leadership in their professions and a willingness to use their professional prestige and networks to promote the cause of minorities
Represent positive role models for young people in particular.
Have the ability to reach specific audiences, including young people. Factors such as age, profession, country of origin, and appeal.

In addition to ascertaining how well candidates meet the Ambassador criteria above, either at a global, regional, or national level, several additional qualities are considered:

A willingness to contribute to activities such as fundraising, promoting causes, or influencing public officials
Participation in a minimum of two to three activities per year on behalf of The Stars Foundation.
Reputation and integrity. The Stars Foundation looks for individuals who share the same goals and ideals. Background checks should ensure that candidates do not support any organizations or causes that conflict with The Stars Foundation’s values and mission.

AMBASSADORS' TITLES AND SPECIAL FUNCTIONS

The Stars Foundation allows the following titles to be used for those high profile individuals who enlist their volunteer services and support to The Stars Foundation. Many are assigned to promote the flagship day, of The Stars Foundation, which is World Orphans Day. This day was founded by The Stars Foundation’s CEO, Cheryl Robeson Piggott.

Ambassador of Goodwill
International Ambassadors of Goodwill- Ambassadors and Dignitaries level of influence
Honorary Ambassadors and Honorary Chairmen and Honorary Chairwomen- International known public figures and governmental leaders

All The Stars Foundation and World Orphans Day Ambassadors are:

Widely recognized by the public in their field.
Persons of integrity who demonstrate a strong desire to help mobilize public interest in and support for the purposes and principles of The Stars Foundation, and who demonstrate the commitment and proven potential to reach out to significant audiences, including decision-makers.
People who possess the personality and dignity required for such high-level representative capacity.

Honorary Ambassadors

These are individuals with strong international appeal who are influential beyond their national borders.

Regional / Ambassadors

These are celebrities with strong regional appeal and work primarily within the region of their recruitment.

National Ambassadors- National Honorary Chairs for World Orphans Day

These are celebrities with strong local appeal and constituencies, who are affiliated with National Committees or The Stars Foundation’s Country Offices and work primarily within the nation of their recruitment.

RECRUITMENT OF GOODWILL AMBASSADORS

The designation of a Goodwill Ambassador is a prestigious appointment regardless of whether it is at the global, regional or national level.

International Ambassadors of Goodwill: are recruited internationally through the Celebrity Section of the Division of Communication, with the approval of The Stars Foundation’s President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

The Celebrity section is always scouting for new and exceptionally talented celebrities who have a proven interest in issues that pertain to Children’s rights and minority rights in particular. Recommendations can come from other Goodwill Ambassadors, their managers, The Stars Foundation’s Country Offices, National Committees, and other offices and individuals.

When National Committees, Regional and Country Offices wish to appoint a National or Regional Ambassador, they should inform the Celebrity Division at least four weeks in advance of designation, provide a biography and explain the role the person is expected to play. In addition, Country Offices are requested to inform the CEO office of The Stars Foundation of such an appointment. In Regards to World Orphans Day appointees, we also request a bio sent and photo and image permission to be used by headquarters in Nashville.

All candidates should be carefully screened to help safeguard against damaging The Stars Foundation’s reputation.

When to formalize agreement?

Designation of all levels of The Stars Foundation’s Ambassadors should be made only after satisfactory completion of the courtship process. Due cognizance is given during the selection process to ensure availability, media appeal, status, etc.

The selection process will include consideration of cultural and geographical diversity, languages, gender, age, and skill sets such as actors, singers, musicians, famous writers, sports personalities, and people who can shape public opinion and behavior.

The Commitment

At the end of the briefing, the title of GWA will be bestowed upon the individual if all parties are in agreement. The designation will have specific responsibilities. If the individual is unable to make the commitment to become The Stars Foundation’s Ambassador, we will encourage them to continue to work with The Stars Foundation in another capacity.

Letter of Designation

Goodwill & International Ambassadors: Once the candidate accepts the invitation to become a Goodwill Ambassador, the Celebrity Section issues the Letter of Designation for internationally recruited Ambassadors. It is in form of a Certificate.

Regional and National Ambassadors: Once the candidate accepts the invitation to become a Regional or National Ambassador, the Regional Office, Country Office, or National Committee issues the Letter of Designation.

Celebrity Host Ambassadors: A Celebrity Ambassador receives a letter of thanks and welcome, and this is followed by a press release and possibly a press conference announcing the appointment. A public event or field trip is strongly encouraged immediately following the appointment. This position is part of the event the Celebrity Host was appointed to host.

A profile with a photo should be available for The Stars Foundation’s webpage as soon as the official appointment has been made.

Regional/National Ambassadors: A letter of thanks and welcome will come from the Head of Office, and this is followed by a press release and possibly a press conference announcing the appointment. A public event or field trip is strongly encouraged immediately following the appointment.

Termination

The designation of an Ambassador shall be terminated if in the view of the Celebrity Office – CEO Headquarters of The Stars Foundation, the designee is unable or unwilling to carry out the role envisaged in the terms of reference; the Ambassador engages in any activity incompatible with his/her status or with the purposes and principles of The Stars Foundation, and the termination is in the interest of The Stars Foundation.

ROLE OF AMBASSADORS

All Ambassadors must commit to the following:

Advocate for issues and struggles facing the world’s minority groups including women and Children , orphans, and street youth.
Educate the public through the media and events.
Ambassadors should also be mindful of the importance of The Stars Foundation’s image and not compromising its values.
They recognize the importance of The Stars Foundation’s humanitarian stance and will not compromise this.
They understand that their personal actions could reflect on The Stars Foundation’s image, and that any behavior which severely compromises the core values of The Stars Foundation (e.g. illegal actions) may result in a termination of the appointment.

BUILDING MUTUALLY REWARDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH AMBASSADORS

Celebrities have very busy schedules and competing demands so the time that they have for The Stars Foundation can often be limited. Therefore, their focal point should develop a close and regular working relationship with the Ambassador and their management. Having a long-term focal point creates trust and a closer working relationship.

By working closely with the Ambassadors, The Stars Foundation can help develop that voice of expertise and provide the first-hand experience through field visits to make the Ambassadors a “go-to? source by members of the media or specialist panels on the issue of children’s rights and women’s rights and the current issue being discussed at the events.

Maximizing publicity: Before during and after the field visit, the appropriate field office will work closely with the media section, the Regional Office, and the Country Office of The Stars Foundation to identify key messages and coordinate media coverage and publicity.

There are several key areas of media exposure:

National Media: Depending on local circumstances, Country Offices are expected to mobilize national television, radio, and print media in advance of a visit. Background information about the Ambassador, including copies of a biography, video footage, and photographs, should be provided in advance to the office of the visiting Ambassador.
International Media: Media and communication staff secure placement of stories and television, radio, or print interviews during the visit. For visits involving International Goodwill Ambassadors, HQ media staff will play a lead role.
Depending on the scale and type of the field visit, the trip is pitched to a limited number of large publications and media outlets. The composition might include, for example, a magazine feature writer and photographer, a TV crew (often it is best to arrange a newswire such as Reuters or APTN to cover the event to ensure the largest distribution), and a print journalist.
New Media like social networking sites (Facebook, Twitter), YouTube, and other websites should be used as much as possible during and after the trip when appropriate. Tools like podcasts, Vodcasts, photo essays, clips, PSAs could be made for this purpose.
Press Conferences: If appropriate, a press conference is arranged by the Country Office during the visit one at the airport on arrival, to talk about the purpose of the visit, and the other at the end of the visit, to talk about highlights of the trip and anticipated follow-up. It is important to note that Goodwill Ambassadors are not expected to have in-depth knowledge of a country program, and the Representative or Communication Officer from the country hosting the Ambassador must be on hand to answer any detailed questions. Questions about the celebrity’s personal life must be discouraged. Individual interviews are welcome.
Video Footage: Any video footage taken of the Goodwill Ambassador's visit should be pitched to a newswire and go out on an international feed. Footage should also be made available to The Stars Foundation for distribution to National Committees, Country Offices, and The Stars Foundation website. For visits of International Goodwill Ambassadors, video coverage should be discussed and coordinated through HQ's DOC Internet and Broadcast and Image Section (IBIS) in consultation with the Country Office, and the media, and the Television Department of The Stars Foundation, with Roger Piggott.
Photos: For visits of International Ambassadors, the HQ PR Department can arrange for photo coverage of one or two celebrity field visits each year, covering the cost of the photographer, development, and distribution of photos to Country Offices and National Committees. Additional photo coverage should be done in consultation with the PR Department.

USE OF CELEBRITY FIGURES IN CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS

In the context of a corporate partnership, The Stars Foundation’s Ambassadors are engaged as representatives of The Stars Foundation. Our Corporate partners are not permitted to independently contract and pay The Stars Foundation’s Ambassadors to promote their partnership with The Stars Foundation.

Our Ambassadors are also, not to contract or work with other Non Profits directly, that we have introduced them to in partnership arrangements.

Brian Esposito

They can only speak on behalf of The Stars Foundation’s work and should focus on the issue and not be asked to promote a business, commercial product, or deliver a commercial campaign strapline in the field, on our tours, or event engagements.

The Stars Foundation’s Ambassadors are not permitted to wear t-shirts featuring the brand name of a corporate partner when representing The Stars Foundation’s events, concerts, or tours. Ambassadors should be encouraged to wear The Stars Foundations branded attire (t-shirt, armband, cap) in all work with corporate partners.

The Stars Foundation is a nonprofit, charitable organization based in Nashville, TN. Our major focus involves using various multifunctional humanitarian programs to help our most disadvantaged, underprivileged minorities of women and children. Via The Stars Foundation’s multilateral humanitarian systems, and activities, we're able to reach out to these people who are very difficult to reach via more traditional-type programs. We then use these activities to help improve the quality of life of these disadvantaged communities nationwide and worldwide.

Providing Humanitarian support and aid assists in achieving stable and prosperous societies, in which human rights, development, and security are achieved by all, and shared by all. Within this wider context of minority issues, the normative framework provided by human and children rights should be understood as a necessary element to ensure integrated societies and to promote social inclusion and cohesion.

Our mission is to promote the implementation of the International, including through consultations with Governments, taking into account existing international standards and national legislation concerning the social issues and humanitarian aid involved. Attention to supporting impoverished children has been demonstrated to be essential to efforts to promote development and stability. Education is key and will be addressed more through our global outreach in the upcoming 10-year plan of UN Sustainable Goals to support.