Serving God s. Children. A Planning Guide to Fraternal Outreach

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1 Serving God s Children A Planning Guide to Fraternal Outreach

2 Make a difference through Serving God s Children Created by Catholic Order of Foresters, Serving God s Children is a year-round effort to better communities and help those in need through fraternal outreach. Based on the spiritual call to service in Matthew 25, thousands of members and non-members have rallied to make a difference in their community since Find SGC project resources at cofsgc.org Register your event, order T-shirts, and find other planning resources at cofsgc.org. Learn how to publicize your event and find pre-written press releases to send to local media outlets. Questions? Send your questions, photos and post-evaluation forms to Megan Kozelek at mkozelek@catholicforester. org. Questions? Call or toll-free at , ext For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink.... Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. Matthew 25:35, 40 Keep us posted about your event on social media. Join our Facebook community for updates, inspiration, and event postings at facebook.com/catholicforester. Follow the Fraternal Outreach COFOutreach. Tell her about your court s efforts by searching and tagging them. Watch Fraternal Outreach Lunch & Learn Webinars for event planning tips and other COF videos on our Youtube channel: CatholicForester.

3 FAQ s Does Serving God s Children have to happen on a specific date? Because God calls us to serve His children every day, there is no specific date set for a Serving God s Children event. We encourage courts to organize Feeding God s Children events during May, to coincide with COF s national FGC service day. What about FGC? How is SGC different? Feeding God s Children falls under the Serving God s Children umbrella. We encourage courts to participate in FGC during May, but we also recognize the need for outreach and service throughout the year. We can feed people in different ways: physically, spiritually, or emotionally. SGC provides the opportunity to tap into and help with other community needs. Where can I get help? You can find planning resources at Resources include timelines, pre-written press releases, posters, and volunteer sign-in sheets. Or, for one-on-one event-planning help, call Megan Kozelek at , ext Are Serving God s Children events only open to members? Serving God s Children events are open to everyone, depending on what your court wants! You decide who to invite and who can participate. We notice that the most successful courts summon the greater community to help. Why do we need to fill out and turn in the volunteer registration form? The volunteer registration forms will help you plan future events and provide the Home Office with information for fraternal outreach records. By asking volunteers to sign in with contact info, it s easier for you to show post-event gratitude for participation and send invitations for another event. At the Home Office, it s important to see the participant demographic for reports and to better support courts in fraternal outreach.

4 It s as simple as... A. Who Do You Know... Think of some court members who are involved, enthusiastic, and willing to help. B. Join Together Figure out who needs help in your community. Connect with other community organizations, such as churches, schools, libraries, the police and fire station, or the local soup kitchen. Talk with neighbors, other court members, and community leaders. Write down three potential community needs C. Plan the event! Turn your idea into a reality! 1. What kind of event would best serve your community and attract the most participants? Circle three options from the example page or write another idea here: 2. What day would be best for your community? What other activities are you working around? Think of three possible dates for your event. Date 1 Date 2 Date 3 3. Where could you hold your event? Think of at least three central community locations that could work for your event. Location 1 Location 2 Location 3

5 Event Ideas Collect food with a door-to-door food collection Make no-sew blankets for crisis pregnancy center Pack meals at international relief center (such as Feed My Starving Children or Kids Against Hunger) Organize a blood drive Clean yards of elderly community members Sort food at food pantry Clean church grounds or community park Cook meals for new moms Collect professional attire for a shelter s job-searching individuals Serve meal at soup kitchen Collect socks/mittens for homeless shelter Organize a diaper drive for crisis pregnancy center Collect toiletries for homeless shelter Put together a book drive for library Throw a game night at nursing home Write letters to soldiers Host a movie night fund-raiser Bake cookies for homeless shelter Start a community garden Collect pop tabs for Ronald McDonald House Organize a school supply drive for less fortunate families Help with Meals on Wheels Plan a talent show to perform at local nursing home Collect winter gear for the homeless Pack bagged lunches for a homeless shelter. Recruit young members to decorate the brown bags. Organize a teddy bear drive for an orphanage. Make greeting cards to brighten community members days. Cook meals for families with relatives in the hospital. Draw pictures with patients in a children s hospital. Hand out paper bags to grocery shoppers and encourage them to donate while buying groceries. Organize a community car wash. Set up a tutor program at a local elementary or middle school. Plan a video game tournament to raise money for a cause. Sponsor a teacher vs. student basketball game to raise money Encourage people to donate long hair for cancer patients.

6 Planning Timeline 6-7 weeks prior Date: 1. Choose and book event location. 2. Register project on COF website 3. Order materials, participant incentives (T-shirts, fraternal items) 5 weeks prior Date: 1. Start gathering materials and resources to execute project (Donations, Tools, Boxes, bags, Tables, Nametags) 2. Create task list 3-4 weeks prior Date: 1. Meet with planning group and review project/event day plan 2. Go over logistics/organization 3. Submit information for church bulletin. 2 weeks prior Date: 1. Review task list 2. Create shopping list for materials 3. Send out pre-event media advisory to local publications 4. Advertise! Hang up flyers, spread the word. Call family and friends. Invite neighbors and other community members. Create Facebook event and invite friends. Week of event Date: 1. Confirm event venue 2. Communicate up-to-date information to volunteers 3. Follow up with media 4. Post reminder on Facebook 5. Ensure all supplies are ready Day of the event Date: 1. Show up on time. Set up site and prepare event before volunteers arrive. 2. Welcome volunteers as they sign in 3. Have fun! Roll with the punches 4. Take photos 5. Thank volunteers 6. Clean up Follow-up Date: 1. Celebrate 2. Recognize volunteers 3. Evaluate (form found in the back of this handout or at 4. Send thank you notes to volunteers, partners, donors, officials, and media source

7 Make a difference through Serving God s Children Notes Visit cofsgc.org to learn more, or call

8 Make a difference through Serving God s Children Visit cofsgc.org to learn more, or call