Host a Global Response House Party

Before the Party

1. Decide on a time, date and location (your house or a friend's).
   
   
2. Decide whether food will be served and if so whether it will be light refreshments, a potluck, a dinner party etc.
   
   
3. Create a guest list. Think especially about how each guest may make use of Global Response materials. Teachers and kids, church and community leaders, those with an interest in the environment, potential donors and the folks next door all make great guests.
   
   
4. Think of how many people are likely to come and let us know if you will need more brochures or other materials to give to your guests (we are assuming an average size of about 20 people but no event is too large or too small). Send us an email at info[at]globalresponse[dot]org or call +1-303-444-0306 and let us know what supplies you'll need.
   
   
5. It is nice to send out written invitations and follow up with a phone call. We've provided a sample invitation you can duplicate if you wish.

At the party

1. Set up a table or other surface to display Global Response materials. If you have a letter you've written or a reply to a letter from one of our Action campaigns, it may be nice to display that as well. A basket on the table labeled “donations for Global Response” with our envelopes is a low-key way to ask for contributions.
   
   
2. Allow guests time to eat and drink, look over materials and get to know each other before beginning the program.
   
   
3. We suggest the following format but please do whatever works for you.
   

• Gather everyone together in one room and once you have their attention, start by explaining briefly what Global Response is and how you heard about it. Describe what motivated you to get involved. The more personal your story, the more interesting and effective it will be. If you know a teacher who has used our materials it can be very effective to have him/her talk about the impact on the kids. Or if you know someone from a country where we have done an action, they too may be a good speaker.
  
• Show the video (5 min.) and allow time for questions/comments afterwards. - Describe the current Action and invite guests to write letters, make a donation, or take materials to other friends and family members who might want to get involved. Let guests know that teacher's packets are available and that all donations are fully tax deductible.

• Encourage guests to become regular letter-writing members and mention the possibility of gift memberships. Suggest that they make a presentation about Global Response at their workplace, church, school etc. and let them know how to get in touch with us for suggestions and materials.
  
• Thank them for listening and either resume the party or wind things down.



• Last but not least, please let us know how it went. We would like to get a sense how many house parties are being held and would also love feedback on what worked well, reactions to our video, materials, etc. If any guests indicated they would like more information or a copy of the video, please pass on their names and contact information and we will be happy to talk with them directly.

Thanks, and good luck!

Sample Invitations:

Sample 1:

Sample 2: