HOST A PARTY

Everyone likes a good party. Whether it’s at your local place of worship, a community center, or in your back yard, a party is a great and fun way to organize an action around a particular issue. Below are a few things to keep in mind as you plan your party.

1. What are your goals? Do you want to raise awareness? Would you like to honor someone who’s worked hard to further your cause? Are you looking to get something concrete done in a span of a few hours? Here are some reasons for why a party may be a good way to organize:

   • You would like to honor someone or a group for doing something fantastic around your issue.

   • You just saw an amazing film related to your work and would like to share it with others.

   • You know someone who is well-versed in your particular issue (an expert, local leader, professor, etc.) who could give an informative talk at your party.

   • You have a concrete action in mind, but need a number of people to help you make it happen. (Make phone calls; write letters – you could have people bring a letter as an ‘entry fee’; sign a petition; plan a bigger event; make a film…hey, you never know!)

2. Secure your main event. Whether you want to invite a main speaker, an honoree, show a film or otherwise, make sure you invite your guest(s) of honor sooner rather than later. The more ‘high level’ your guest, the longer it could take to get a positive response. If you’re showing a film, make sure you have access to it before your party. If you’re making phone calls, make sure the day and time of your party corresponds with the schedules of those you are trying to contact.

3. Pick a venue. Depending on what your goals are, how big or small you’d like your party to be, and what you’ll need, you’ll want to pick a date and time and reserve some space for your event. This could be your own home, a local place of worship, a school or community center, a movie theater (though this may require paying a fee), etc. Make sure you know approximately how many people you anticipate so space is not an issue.

4. Figure out what else you'll need. In many cases, you may need printouts for the group (whether of background information on your guest of honor, on a film, or on the issue you'll be addressing). If you're planning to call or write letters, you may also need the contact information of those you’ll be contacting. If you are showing a film, you’ll need to ensure you have the right working equipment to show the movie.

5. Invite your friends, family and community. Coordinate with them on things they can bring, whether food, printouts, chairs or other materials.

6. Provide a ‘take-away’ activity. One of the most powerful tools party planners often forget is to give party-goers ‘homework’. Having a party means having an automatic built-in audience that is there to listen, learn and have fun. Take advantage of having their undivided attention by letting them leave your party with something more to do. Make sure there’s some way for them to tell you and others that they did their ‘homework’ and what the results were. For example, provide copies of a customizable Letter to the Editor along with a list of local newspapers, magazines, etc., including on-line periodicals. Have people target a publication for their version of the letter. It’s simple, quick and effective.