Nelson Mandela Day

Nelson Mandela International Day falls on 18 July, Mandela's birthday, and is marked around the world. People are invited to give 67 minutes of their time to helping others, one minute for each year Mandela spent in public service.

Content kit

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Newsletter blurb

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On 18 July the world marks Nelson Mandela Day, with an invitation to spend 67 minutes doing something useful for others. That could be an hour at a local food bank, mentoring someone early in their career, helping a neighbour or a litter pick on your lunch break. If you'd like to do something as a team, we've gathered a few local options at [link to volunteering options]. And if you already volunteer, we'd love to hear about it, if you're happy to share.

On 18 July the world marks Nelson Mandela Day, with an invitation to spend 67 minutes doing something useful for others. That could be an hour at a local food bank, mentoring someone early in their career, helping a neighbour or a litter pick on your lunch break. If you'd like to do something as a team, we've gathered a few local options at [link to volunteering options]. And if you already volunteer, we'd love to hear about it, if you're happy to share.

Slack / Teams post

For the company channel on the day.

It's Nelson Mandela Day on 18 July, and the idea is simple: give 67 minutes to helping others. What will you do with yours?

It's Nelson Mandela Day on 18 July, and the idea is simple: give 67 minutes to helping others. What will you do with yours?

Talking points

For managers and team leads.

- The day asks for 67 minutes of service, which is small enough to fit into a working week. - If our policy allows volunteering in work time, remind the team how to use it. - Keep it about action rather than speeches, and ask the team which causes matter to them.

- The day asks for 67 minutes of service, which is small enough to fit into a working week.
- If our policy allows volunteering in work time, remind the team how to use it.
- Keep it about action rather than speeches, and ask the team which causes matter to them.

Tone note

How to pitch it.

Keep the focus on Mandela's legacy of service rather than turning it into a branding moment. Make volunteering an invitation, not an expectation, as caring and other commitments leave some people little spare time.

Keep the focus on Mandela's legacy of service rather than turning it into a branding moment. Make volunteering an invitation, not an expectation, as caring and other commitments leave some people little spare time.

Turn this into this week's issue

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Subject line ideas

Try these subject lines to boost open rates:

Nelson Mandela Day: What we're doing this year
It's Nelson Mandela Day — here's how you can get involved
This week: Nelson Mandela Day + team news
18 July: Nelson Mandela Day at [Company]

How to feature this in your newsletter

Plan ahead — Add Nelson Mandela Day to your content calendar at least 2 weeks before the date so you have time to gather content and images.
Choose your angle — Will you run a dedicated special edition, or include it as a section in your regular newsletter? Bigger events work well as specials; smaller ones fit into your weekly digest.
Involve your people — Ask employees to share their stories, experiences, or ideas related to Nelson Mandela Day. User-generated content always gets higher engagement.
Include a call to action — Give readers something to do: attend an event, share a message, learn something new, or donate to a cause.

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