A printable PDF can be found at the end of this article.
Top 20
- Compose and distribute detailed guidelines for host groups. Sample guidelines for host groups are found in The Planning Zone, available as a free download at www.lwml.org/developing-leaders.
- Consider holding your event at tables instead of pews to encourage interaction among guests.
- Use signage, balloons, or door decorations to guide your guests to the event location and assign greeters to welcome participants at the door and give direction to a well-staffed registration area.
- Always have a mission focus and a mite offering!
- Encourage clergy to attend by offering complimentary registration for pastors. In consultation with the zone pastor, involve the host congregation’s pastor in a significant way.
- Prepare a detailed agenda, but allow the president and other key presenters to be flexible.
- Use a microphone. Always!
- Schedule breaks during the event. Stand and sing or play a game if time allows. Ice breakers, mixers, and games can be found on the LWML Pinterest site on the internet at www.pinterest. com/theLWML/
- Encourage attendance by publicizing beginning and ending times. Be sensitive to travel time and distance.
- Distribute printed, and/or electronic reports instead of spending time on lengthy oral reports.
- Consider using gifted women of the zone to lead Bible studies and breakout sessions.
- Invite an LWML Mission Speaker or Skype a Missionary. On the Go Bookmark Skype Instructions are found under Gospel Outreach on the LWML website at www.lwml.org/gospel-outreach.
- Show the LWML Mission Grants Video and/or LWML’s short “Your Mites Have Made a Difference” videos available under Missions on the LWML website at www.lwml.org/thanks.
- Invite a tech-savvy woman to teach how to follow LWML on social media or sign up for daily Mustard Seed Devotions via email.
- Encourage your host group to use a sketch or song to extend their welcome. LWML resources are available on the website at www.lwml.org/program-helps.
- Invite each group to use a short sketch, song, poem, or cheer to tell about a successful mission outreach or project.
- Simplify Gifts from the Heart ingatherings by asking for two to four specific items needed by a local charity.
- Promote new items from the LWML Catalog.
- Consider giving out LWML store merchandise for door prizes
- Announce the theme, date and place of the next event. Advanced publicity leads to better attendance, and planning well in advance helps eliminate stress for the next hosting group.
