Event Idea: Sunshine Kits for Finals Week

Is there a more stressful time for college students than finals week? Students cope in different ways. Some literally sleeping in the library for days on end, so they don’t lose their coveted spot. Some sleep in their bed all day, trying to ignore the reality that finals are approaching. Some color-code their schedules, budgeting out every hour of the day to maximize studying potential.

The fact is that finals are stressful for everyone. So consider having your club bring a little bit of ‘sunshine’ to people during this stressful time. Building a culture of life means building a culture of love. So this a great opportunity to show a love of life during a hectic time!  Create “Sunshine Kits” that will brighten the recipient’s day, even if just for a little bit.

Get a bright colored bag and put in whatever you want! Candy is always appreciated by college students, as is an extra pen or pencil. Think about putting in small snacks, like peanut butter cookies. We included a prayer for finals inside as well. Then tie it all together with some ribbon and a message from your club! Then go hand them out in a high traffic area: I suggest the library. Then all you need to do is watch the smiles appear on stressed students’ faces. Now, go spread some sunshine! :)

 

Event Idea: "I'm Prolife Because..." Cookout

"Why are you, prolife?"

Sometimes one of the hardest events to do is a social event that still has an aspect of promoting the pro-life mission. These events, if done successful, can be some of the most effective at teaching people about what it means to be pro-life. This event idea stemmed from our original LifeFest event (here) , but we wanted to have an even stronger push to get people to think about what it truly means to be pro-life. 

So what we decided to do was have a huge cookout on the quad. The idea was to draw as many people in who were just walking by. We offered free burgers and soon, a huge line had lined up to get a burger. While people were in line, we handed them a white board that said “I’m Prolife Because…” and that asked them if they would be willing to fill in the blank. Most people did and it got them to stop and actually think about why they are prolife while having a great time celebrating life. 

So how do you do this?

Activities

Free burgers and food- Nothing gets people to stop by an event like free food. Especially when you are out on the quad on a sunny day. We had cupcakes that people could decorate as well. 

Inflatables/other fun visible activities- You want something big that signifies FUN! When people see a bounce house, or an inflatable obstacle course, they want to stop and see what is going on. This will also draw parents to bring their children. You can also publicize this for professors and their children to come to. We also hired a balloon animal artist to come and make balloon animals which were a huge hit. 

Free tshirts- One of the things we did was give away free club tshirts. This is obviously a major expense, but it was worth it to see the number of red club tshirts that were worn in the upcoming school days. Make sure the shirts are obviously pro-life and send the message that your club wants to send. Encourage your club members to wear these shirts the day of the festival so a unified group can be seen. Giving out these tshirts also gives participants something tangible to take with them. We also gave out pro-life buttons. 

Event Idea: Girl Talk

Communication is a two-way street: one part speaking, one part listening. Without the second part - listening - communication  breaks down.

This past election season, politicians, news reporters, and other "authorities" spoke loudly and frequently about "women's issues," including abortion and contraception. But were they listening? Were they hearing what women were actually saying? Do we hear what the women around us are actually saying, on all sides of these issues?

The Pro-life movement proclaims the values of individual dignity, life, and family, but these ideologies have practical and very real, day to day ramifications for all people, and in a particular way, for women. Too often, people on both sides of these issues think they know what others think, and why. But do they?  Pro-lifers have a responsibility not only to act and speak on behalf of life, but to listen. Through listening, we affirm the dignity of others. Helen Alvare has challenged the Federal Government to do just that with her campaign Women Speak for Themselves. We can do the same in our own communities.

The Event

Pro-lifers have a duty to listen to the very real, very personal concerns and experiences of women in their communities. An open discussion series like Girl Talk can help get real conversation going on "women's issues," promote respect for women's individual feelings, thought and experiences, and provide a foundation for real progress to be made.

Pre-planning

Time: An hour is usually a good amount of time for this series. Choose a time and decide how frequently your series will run (weekly, bi-weekly, etc).  Also decide how many sessions you will have.

Location: Choose a cozy location that is inviting and easy to find, but private enough for participants to speak openly. Set up tables and chairs in small groups of about 5 or 6. Hold the series in the same location each time to build familiarity and comfort.

Topics: Choose which topics you will discuss each meeting, and find a video, article, or other prompt for discussion. Make sure to find prompts from a variety of perspectives; sometimes the best discussions spring from those disagreeing with or challenging a prompt.

Food and Drink: Sharing a meal or light snack will help create a more comfortable atmosphere for participants. Afternoon coffee and fruit, or evening dessert may work well.

Advertising: Spread the word through both personal invitations and mass marketing like posters. Convey the tone of an open discussion by emphasizing that in your advertising, such as by putting different phrases on a poster [example above].

Outline of the Event

10 min: Welcome guests as they arrive and introduce yourself. Direct them to take refreshments, take a seat, and begin reading the discussion article or talking to others at their table.

5 min: Speak to the group as a whole, introduce yourself again, and explain the goal of the event. Emphasize that each person has individual feelings, thoughts, and experiences that shape her views on issues, and encourage participants to explore and share those underlying reasons for their opinions. Ask that each table do introductions, and read and discuss the prompt at their tables.

20 min: Discussions at tables.

20 min: Have each table share ideas from their discussions with the whole group, and discuss as a group if relevant.

5 min: Have each participant share an insight or thought with the large group. Thank everyone for coming, and invite them to attend the next session.

Other Recommendations

• Have signs directing participants to the event
• Assign "table captains" to each table to help facilitate discussion and make all feel welcome
• Have cards or table tents at each table with values for the discussion such as the Virtues of Discourse.
• Have name tags
• Encourage participants to bring other friends in the future

Discussion Topic Ideas

• Views of feminism
• Relationships between men and women
• What women really want
• Beauty, attraction, and what it means to be sexy
• Contraception and other fertility technology like NaPro
• Abortion: how it affects women and what it offers women
• Women in the workplace
• Women and higher education
• The role of faith in women's lives

From Our Experience:
We had a 3-part series with the topics of feminism, birth control, and beauty/self-image. For our second session, we invited local NaPro Fertility Care Practitioner Suzy Younger to attend and answer questions about female fertility at the end of the discussion. Her attendance was the highlight of that session!

Girl Talk has been featured in:

University of Notre Dame Observer "Girl Talk Creates Conversation"

University of Notre Dame Rover "Girl Talk: Catholicism, contraception, and beauty"

HerCampus.com Notre Dame Chapter "'Girl Talk' Discussion Series Reaches out to Women at ND"

Event Idea: Smiley Face Balloons/Stickers

Coke.  Apple. McDonalds. Disney. Facebook. Nike.

What do all of these groups have in common? A logo, or symbol for which they are known. A symbol that is recognizable and that evokes an emotion related to that group. Example: When I see the McDonalds yellow arched "M," I suddenly think of delicious fries that taste way too good to be so bad for me.

 

Pro-Life.

 

What image do you think of?

 

What emotion does that evoke?  

What about for other people? What do they think of when they hear that word? Unfortunately, for too many people, the image or emotion associated with "Pro-Life" is less than loving, less than supportive. Wherever they were given that impression, many people may need a new, more truthful, impression of what "Pro-Life" means - it means joy; it means love.

The Event

While your organization may not have contributed to the negative images/emotions that the word "Pro-Life" evokes, it still may need to combat them. This easy and cheap event can help do just that, and is great as a kick-off for Respect Life Week or the new school year or semester.

The Plan

Pass out smiley face stickers and balloons to anyone and everyone you can, in order to promote a positive Pro-Life message.

 

Supplies You'll Need

• Yellow smiley face stickers *can order in bulk online
• Smiley face balloons *can order in bulk online
• Ribbon or string
• Scissors
• Helium tanks
• Smiley face posters that say "I'm Pro-Life" to hang around your event

At the Event

Choose a location that has heavy traffic, for example outside the dining hall during lunch time. Hang smiley "I'm Pro-Life" posters around your location, and consider having a large poster of group information or list of upcoming events displayed. Greet people walking by and offer them a balloon/sticker. Play fun music and have someone take pictures of the event.

Tips & Tricks

• Consider taping information sheets [or if Respect Life Week, the week's schedule] to the bottom of the balloons' strings
• Have sign-ups for different shifts during the allotted time, and assign roles to volunteers such as balloon blowers, string tiers, and sticker or balloon distributers
• Cut string in advance so you don't have to do it the day of

Event Idea: Prayer Service for Human Dignity

One of the things that I have noticed is that there tends to be a lot of division among people as to what special interest groups should get the most attention. Everybody seems to think that their issue is the most important. This can sometimes lead to conflicts between groups and people.

Something that is important is recognizing the gifts that each individual holds and how these skills can be used in different capacities. Everybody has their own passions and this is necessary This contributes to the idea of the seamless garment, that all life issues are of importance and all must be addressed. Cardinal Joseph Bernandin said:

“A consistent ethic does not say everyone in the Church must do all things, but it does say that as individuals and groups pursue one issue, whether it is opposing abortion or capital punishment, the way we oppose one threat should be related to support for a systemic vision of life. It is not necessary or possible for every person to engage in each issue, but it is both possible and necessary for the Church as a whole to cultivate a conscious explicit connection among the several issues. And it is very necessary for preserving a systemic vision that individuals and groups who seek to witness to life at one point of the spectrum of life not be seen as insensitive to or even opposed to other moral claims on the overall spectrum of life.”

Thus it is necessary to live out the Gospel of Life by valuing all people’s contribution to this seamless garment.

Event Idea

Collaborate with different groups on your campus to have a Mass or prayer service focusing on human dignity. This brings people together based on what they have in common instead of differences of opinion. Because who can argue against promoting human dignity?

Ways to Get Groups Involved

• Invite each group to submit their own prayer intention based on the focus or mission of their club.
• Invite members of each group to be part of the choir or to play instruments for the music of the service. Make sure you have someone to lead the choir who is in charge of music and arrangement.
• Have a reception after the event. We had drinks, cannolis, and fruit. This provides a time for the members of the different groups to get to know each other in a casual setting

Logistics

• Advertise, advertise, advertise. Ask the groups involved to send out emails to their clubs, print posters, advertise through campus channels.
• Find a presider for the service and pick the readings.
• Reserve a space with enough room for the expected attendants
• Order the food for the reception

Above all, remember this event is about recognizing the value in each person, honoring each of our strengths, and banding together to pray for change in our world. 

-written by Erin Stoyell-Mulholland

Event Idea: Write from the Heart

My cousin recently became pregnant, and our family showered her and her husband with  excitement and the usual "Congratulations!" We all shared in their joy in creating new life, a life full of possibilities, growth,  and love.

Women in crisis pregnancies deserve the same joy, the same "Congratulations!"  Pro-choice arguments have promoted the idea that certain lives, especially those conceived in crisis situations, are somehow less-than-valuable, less than wanted, less than worthy of celebration.  But the pro-life stance recognizes the indescribable value of each and every life, regardless of the situation into which they are born. This does not mean we don't recognize the hardship and sacrifice many face in becoming pregnant, and it is crucial not to neglect those realities. But it is also crucial not to neglect the reality of joyful celebration - celebration of new life! An entirely new, unique, human being has been created for love. 

The Event

The pro-life movement has a responsibility to remind people that new life is worth celebrating. And what better way than with cards of congratulations?? This event is cheap, easy to organize and set up, and can have a lasting impression on the community.

Pre-Planning

• Contact your local care center for women in crisis pregnancies and tell them about your event. Ask if they would be interested in having these cards made for their women
• Ask if they have any special requests or recommendations for the cards (like what to say, what not to say, etc)
• Confirm when you will drop off the cards at the care center after the event

The Event

• Set up tables for a few hours in a location where people can stop by and make a card easily
• Consider having a poster board or pamphlets about the care center at your table or off to the side
• Lay out markers, colored paper, etc
• Make a few example cards to give people ideas
• Put " To Write" and "Do Not Write" instructions out on the tables, using the suggestions from the care center if possible

 

Other Suggestions

• Make posters with encouraging messages like "Support Women," "Cards for Baby Boys/Girls," "Card Writing for Pregnant Women"
• If in a room, prop the door open and be inviting!
• Consider having music, candy, etc - anything to draw people in
• Hand out freebies from your own organization
• Consider having the pamphlets or other information off to the side so people may be more likely to look at or take them
• Collect donations for the care center you are supporting
• Hold this event during a week of Respect Life Week events, and hand out your schedule of other events going on that week
• Have sign-ups available for people who would like to join your group
• The week before, write a letter for your parish bulletin or school paper explaining the event and encouraging people to join you

Happy Card-Writing!

:)

Event Idea: LifeFest

Boats have them, genres of music have them, Polish people  have them.

Have what? "Fests" aka Festivals. They bring people together through a common interest, passion, or heritage, to celebrate the uniqueness of those things. So why not, a 'fest' for life? Otherwise known as: LIFEFEST.

Don't go thinking Ozzfest plus Babies. LifeFest could be done in a variety of ways to celebrate life, promote a club or organization, and bring people together. But there are basic elements to consider:

• Advertising: Have posters that convey the feeling of the event - joyful and lighthearted. Make sure you advertise heavily and well in advance.
• Location: Preferably outside in an area many people will pass by
• Music: To call attention to your event, set the mood and draw people in
• Food/drinks: Free or for sale, every 'fest' needs food/drinks
• Socializing: Set up tables and chairs or have some other way for people to linger and socialize
• Activities: This is where you can get creative. Games, Inflatables, Competitions, etc - anything to draw attention, have fun, and celebrate life!
• Information: Set up tables with information, hang posters, pass out pamphlets, fliers, or other freebies celebrating life and with information on how to join you
• Merchandise: Consider setting up a table with T-shirts or other merchandise to sell. And if possible, have group members at the event wearing said merchandise

This is a great event to have annually or at the beginning of the school year because it is low-pressure to attend, makes a really positive first impression, prompts group socializing, and informs a lot of people of the pro-life message and how they can be involved through your group.

From Our Experience:

Our student club partnered with the Knights of Columbus to provide food, and we found a student DJ to play music for the event. We had someone take pictures of the event to download to our website and Facebook page. At planning meetings, we also had sign-ups for specific duties during the event so that everything ran smoothly. For activities we considered Frisbee, bean bag toss, crafts, stroller races, and dunk tanks, and ended up renting inflatable hamster balls that were wildly successful. Large signs advertising free food also helped draw students in.  For information we created posters about our club, its different activities, and the organizations we work with. We printed information about joining our club on half sheets of brightly colored paper and passed them out to people walking by, making sure to greet them joyfully and invite them to participate in LifeFest :)