Pledge One Thing Discussion Toolbox

Pledge One Thing Discussion Toolbox Pledge One Thing Discussion Overview Thank you for being part of the Pledge One Thing campaign! Making wise decisions about our money today can help us live more generously tomorrow. This can create a ripple effect throughout our communities that provides greater financial wellness for all. Your help: Hosting a Pledge One Thing Discussion Pledge One Thing discussions will take place across the country the week of Nov. 13 20, 2011. Hosting discussions during this designated timeframe helps elevate the importance of making wise choices about money. Whether it s a brown bag lunch at work; a pizza party at your school; or coffee with friends, neighbors or members of your congregation, a Pledge One Thing Discussion is a great way to bring people together for a common goal. That is, to elevate the importance of making wise financial decisions and living more generously with your community in mind. In just 30 to 90 minutes depending on your preference you can help generate ideas on how your community can make small changes today that can lead to greater financial security and generous living tomorrow. Pledge One Thing Discussion Toolbox This toolbox includes everything you need to host a successful Pledge One Thing Discussion: Getting Started A Planning Timeline Pledge One Thing: Discussion checklist Sign-in sheet Reporting form Sample invitation Sample agenda The Pledge One Thing Storyboard is also a resource to connect with others across the country who are planning discussions of their own. Log in to the Pledge One Thing website at Thrivent.com/pledgeonething to post questions and connect with others as you plan your Pledge One Thing Discussion. Thrivent.com

Pledge One Thing Discussion Overview: Ten Easy Steps Planning a Pledge One Thing Discussion is similar to planning any other gathering of your friends, colleagues or neighbors. You ll think about things like who to invite, when to have the Discussion, what to do to make it fun and what materials you ll need. This Planning Timeline can serve as a guide for you as you plan your Pledge One Thing Discussion. 2-3 weeks in advance 1. Choose the date and time. Pledge One Thing discussions will take place across the country the week of Nov. 13 20. A Discussion can be as brief as 30 minutes or as long as 90 minutes or more it s your call. While the date and time need to be convenient for you, be sure to consider the availability of your friends, neighbors, colleagues and congregation members before finalizing your date. 2. Make your invitation list. Because we want to make a difference throughout the community, invite more people than you normally would invite to a house party. Generally, about 1/3 of the people you invite will actually attend, so getting five people to your party means inviting 15. Consider these tips for building your invitation list: Select people with whom you have a personal relationship or you are confident about their desire to make wise financial decisions or living more generously. Consider co-hosting with a friend, colleague or member of your congregation to expand the pool of people to invite. Consider everyone you know: family, friends, colleagues, neighbors, car pool members or members of your congregation, book club, softball team, children s school all are welcome to attend. Set a goal of inviting at least 15 people to your Pledge One Thing Discussion. One week in advance 3. Create and send invitations. This can be done through email, announcements through your congregation or place of work, or written invitation. Keep your invitation simple, brief and fun. Be creative. A personal touch is best. 4. Make follow-up phone calls. The key to getting a successful turnout at your Discussion is largely dependent on persistent, personal contact from you, the host. A personal follow-up call will get your guests attention and help get them commit to coming to your Pledge One Thing Discussion. 5. Plan your refreshments. Refreshments can be as simple as soda and chips, coffee and cookies, or as elaborate as gourmet finger sandwiches whatever is easiest and most fun for you. 2

6. Plan your agenda. Think about a few key points you want to make. For example, be prepared to share why making wise financial decisions and living more generously is important to you. Ask your guests why it is important to them and what you can do together to make small changes within your community. 7. Make reminder calls. Make sure your guests remember to attend by giving them a reminder call. This is an essential step, so be sure to follow through with it. 8. Showtime! Once your guests arrive: Thank them for coming. Share what making wise decisions and living generously means to you and why you care about it. Encourage guests to use their own words and share their story. Brainstorm things you can do together to make wise financial decisions and live more generously with your community in mind. Use the sign-in sheet in this Toolbox to track attendance. Be sure to thank guests for coming. 9. Report how your Discussion went. Log in to the Pledge One Thing Campaign Storyboard to share highlights of your Discussion. Consider posting pictures and ideas. This is important because it helps others across the country know how their individual pledges are adding up to make a difference. 10. Please accept our thanks! Thank you for following your passion and giving your time to make an impact in your community by making wise financial decisions and living more generously. Two Days ahead H Within a week afterward Pledge One Thing Discussion Checklist This checklist will help you organize everything you ll need for your Pledge One Thing Discussion. Things you provide: o Sign-in sheet (included in this Toolbox). o Refreshments. o Napkins, cups, utensils. o Name tags and markers, if your guests don t know each other. o Reporting form (included in this Toolbox). o Lots of thank you s to your guests! 3

Pledge One Thing Discussion Sign-In Sheet Thank you for coming to the Pledge One Thing Discussion! Please take a moment to sign in. Even if I already have your information, please complete all columns. Signing in helps me report to the Pledge One Thing Campaign about how this Discussion went. Your Name Your Mailing Address Your Phone Number Your Email Address Host: Date: City: State: 4

Pledge One Thing Discussion Reporting Form Pledge One Thing Discussion host: Please fill in all of the information below and email or mail it with a copy of your sign-in sheets to: Pledge One Thing Campaign 2828 University Avenue SE, Suite #150 Minneapolis, MN 55414 Email: BOXPledgeOneThing@Thrivent.com Your name: Your phone number: Your email address: Today s date: Date of your Discussion: Number of people who attended: Number invited: Tell us about your house party What was the best part about your Pledge One Thing Discussion? What ideas did you and your guests come up with to make wise financial decisions and live more generously with your community in mind? Did you come up with any next steps or action items? If so, what are they? Please attach copies of your sign-in sheets and send or email them with the reporting form to the Pledge One Thing Campaign. Thank you! 5

Pledge One Thing Discussion Sample Invitation Your invitation, like your Discussion, should reflect your personality and style. It doesn t have to be fancy, but it should be as clean and simple as you can make it! Here s one example of text: Making wise decisions about our money today can help us live more generously tomorrow. This can have a ripple effect throughout our communities that provides greater financial wellness for everyone. Please join me for a casual discussion on what it means to make wise financial decisions and live more generously with our community in mind. Enjoy food, friendship and conversation. Date Time Location Directions RSVP by x date, your phone number 6

Pledge One Thing Discussion Sample Agenda Your Pledge One Thing Discussion should be kept simple and fun, and reflect your personality and style. The important thing is to generate discussion and ideas on how you can work together to make wise financial decisions and live more generously with your community in mind. This sample agenda gives you an idea of how you can keep the conversation moving at your Discussion. Welcome and introductions (5 10 minutes) Guests normally arrive at various times, but within the first 15 minutes: Create a chance for people to introduce themselves to each other and get acquainted. Circulate the sign-in sheet. Why we re here: (5 minutes) Take a few moments to tell people personally about why you chose to participate in the Pledge One Thing campaign. Let them know why making wise financial decisions and living more generously is important to you. Why working together can make a difference (15 30 minutes) Ask your guests to share: Why they came to your Pledge One Thing Discussion and why they are interested in making wise financial decisions and living more generously. What making wise financial decisions and living more generously means to them. Brainstorm ideas on projects and actions you can take together to live more generously with your community in mind. Leverage the creativity of your group. For example, you may want to share one or more of the ideas to get the conversation started: Form a car pool and donate the money you save to a community charity. Take your lunch to work and use the savings to help pay bills for others in your community who are in a tough financial situation. You are also encouraged to use the savings and donate it to your favorite local charity. Commit to cleaning out your closets, homes, dorm rooms or apartments and donate used clothing, books or household items to a local charity. Identify next steps to working together to help make your ideas a reality within your community. Thanks and celebration (5 minutes or more you decide). Thank your guests. Let them know that this is one of many Pledge One Thing discussions taking place across the country this week. And they are part of an exciting grassroots campaign. Celebrate! Make sure all guests have signed the sign-in sheet before they leave. 7

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