How to Host a House Party
Great for Adults, Business Professionals, and Families
Getting Started
What is a Compassion Meal?
68% of the population in Haiti lives in extreme poverty. Nearly as many lack access to potable water and sanitation. Host a meal where attendees randomly draw a meal ticket. 68% of the attendees will draw a ticket for a typical Haitian meal. This will be representative of what the majority can afford to eat on a daily basis—rice and beans, with a small portion of meat. The remaining lucky few will enjoy a full course, gourmet meal.
For added effect:
- Have those eating an "average" meal sit with those enjoying their gourmet cuisine
- Use plastic plates and cups and fine dishes for each opposing meal
Get creative and have fun with this! During the meal, the division between classes will be eloquently illustrated.
- Generate an invite list. Creating a "House Party Host Committee" can help generate an invite list that is large and varied… invite members of your church or club you are involved in, friends, family, and co-workers!
- Set a party Date, Time, and Location.
- Determine the House Party theme/ Goal.
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- Will there be a "ticket" per person to enter? (Set the price)…or if dinner will be served—a cost per plate?
- Depending on the invitees, you may opt to ask guests to "bring their questions and checkbooks"— many may have the potential to contribute much more than a $50 party ticket
- Create a pitch. Pick a particular current issue relevant to Haiti, or a Lambi Fund project or area of work that will strike a chord with guests (like the environment, gender equity, or the Ox-Plow Service)…asking attendees to support a specific and particularly urgent campaign is most effective
- More fun ideas.
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- A compassion meal (see a description of this in the box to the right)
- Wine and cheese tasting
- Have a Haitian band perform, charge a cover!
- Send out the invitations. Send using either conventional mail, E-vite, or Facebook
- Encourage RSVPs Offer an opportunity for individuals to give if they cannot attend the event by including donation forms in the invitations or links to donate online at: https://app.etapestry.com/hosted/LambiFundofHaiti_1/OnlineGiving.html
Work Out the Details
- What food will be served? Dinner, Hors Dóeuvres, drinks, etc.
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- Arrange a caterer
- If planning to cook, serve Haitian dishes or arrange a potluck (this is very Haitian)
- Try these links for recipe ideas:
- Serve wine from Laurel Glen Vineyards. All proceeds of their Chévere label go to the Lambi Fund
- Arrange to borrow or rent tables and chairs.
- Play Haitian music.
- Start to generate a number of guests based on RSVPs. Call those who have not yet responded.
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- Arrange for door prizes, a raffle, or silent auction. A nice Haitian rum, popular Haitian music CD, or Haitian book make great gifts
- Download and print out Lambi Fund literature.
A Sample Agenda
Prior to the Party
- Set up a large basket or donation box that says, "Donations for The Lambi Fund of Haiti"
- Place a welcome sign outside. Using a Haitian flag is a nice touch.
Schedule
- 6:00 - 7:00 pm — Mingle, Socialize, Eat and Drink
- 7:00 - 7:10 — Ask all guests to gather in the main room
- Welcome and Introductions - Offer your personal perspective and reasons for hosting this house party
- 7:10 - 7:20 —Overview of Lambi Fund - Specific insights and information on the featured project or issue
- 7:20 - 7:35 — Watch Lambi video and/or show pictures
- 7:35 - 7:40 — Follow- up comments or explanations
- 7:40 - 7:55 — Question and Answer/Discussion
- 7:55 - 8:00 — Wrap up - Encourage support and explain menu of options (donation basket, take a brochure, sign up for mailing list, Door Prize, etc.)
Thanks for Coming! - 8:00 - 8:30 —More discussion for those who want more info. Mingle with those who want to do more socializing.
Resources from the Web
YouTube:
