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Contents The Basics Host with the Most Guests The Party The Party (part 2) The Party (part 3) Planning Sample Invitation Donation Tracking Sheet I #SpreadSexEd Sign Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 2
Con- The Basics What is a House Party? Well, it doesn t necessarily have to be at a house. It doesn t even necessarily have to be a party. What it should be is a fundraiser and a friendraiser. They can be as formal or informal as you like, and the CSPH is here to support you as a host, however you want your event to look. Think about events that you and your friends and acquaintances already like attending, and plan for a venue and theme accordingly. It could be at your home, in a function room, your favorite local business, your workplace, or a friend s space. Why throw a house party for the CSPH? 1. To fundraise for the CSPH s queer inclusive, consent-based, pleasureguided, socially conscious sex education and counseling programs 2. To help the CSPH reach new folks who may be interested in our cause and supportive of our work. 3. To have fun with your friends and meet others who value positive sexual health education and advocacy. Ready to get started? Fill out our CSPH House Party Sign-up Form 3
Host Con- with the Most What are a Host s Responsibilities? The host is responsible for arranging the location and determining the theme and final schedule of the party, sending invitations, arranging to provide any food, beverages, and necessary materials, setting up and decorating beforehand, giving a short speech about the CSPH and why our work is so important to you, requesting donations, recording attendees contact information and donations, cleaning up after the party, and submitting the donations to the CSPH. You don t necessarily have to do ALL of this yourself - we recommend having a cohost to help, or at least a few wonderful helpful friends to whom you can delegate some tasks. Requesting donations of food or equipment from local businesses may also be a great idea. Did you know? The first 10 people who sign up to be party hosts will receive a free b-vibe toy to raffle off at their party AND a b-vibe toy to keep! Should I have a co-host? That s totally up to you! A co-host does two great things: 1) They take on some of the burden of planning and hosting the event (e.g., sending out invitations, ordering or seeking donations of food, coordinating supplies, music, lights, or equipment that might be needed, etc.) 2) They invite more people from their networks that you wouldn t have been able to reach if you were hosting alone. If you re a team oriented person, and happen to know someone else excited about the CSPH s work from a different social or professional background than yours, consider asking them to cohost! 4
Contents Guests Who should I invite? Draft your guest list here! Your friends, queer family, relative-family or work friends if you re comfortable with that, acquaintances you might want to get to know better (or impress), partners, partners partners, partners partners partners, the next door neighbors, that cute barista, the librarian that helped you find decent information during the rough chapters of your sex-positive origin story Essentially, anyone who you think would support or benefit from the work of the CSPH and would have fun at your event. We recommend letting people know a little bit about the CSPH and why you want to throw a house party to support it, and keeping your event 18+. How many people should I invite? That depends partly on your fundraising goal and the space in which you choose to host your party. We d love for you to have as many people join as will be comfortable for your space and activity, to help you fundraise and also to spread the word about the CSPH s work and make more connections with interested people. Once you ve determined how many people you d like to aim to have attend, we would recommend sending invitations to 2-3 times that number of folks. So, if you re planning to host a tea party for 20 people, send 40-60 invitations. 5
The Party First, logistics: What happens DURING the party? Part of the evening should be explicitly devoted to speaking or presenting about the CSPH and why our work is so important to you, and requesting donations to support our mission. Included in this toolkit is a House Party Guest Sign-in/Donation Tracking Sheet. Before your party, print out the sheet, fold it along the dotted line, and clip it to a clipboard so that your guests can sign-in when they arrive. We recommend that you have at least one laptop open to the CSPH donation page, http:// www.thecsph.org/donate/, and available for folks to use after you speak about the CSPH and throughout the event. We will also provide you with several donation envelopes addressed to the CSPH that attendees can use to send cash, checks, or acredit card orders. At the end of the night, unfold the sheet and fill-in the donation amounts made by each guest, if any, and the donation method used (i.e. Online, via Remittance Envelope, etc.) We ask that you please gather contact information and donation amounts of all the folks who attend, regardless of whether or not they make a contribution, and regardless of the method they use to donate. Second, the fun bits: Your party keeps the CSPH running and provides culturally inclusive, medically accurate, and pleasure informed sex ed, therapy, and training for local communities across the US. But it s also about you and your friends. You know your people. What makes for a great get-together? 6
The Party If you would have fun doing it on a Saturday with your friends, chances are good you ll enjoy doing it with your friends in support of the CSPH. Be sure to think about the space you have to host in and the equipment you might need, and how your chosen theme or activity will scale to the number of folks you want to invite. Plan ahead of time what you, your co-host, or a volunteer or staff guest will say about the CSPH, what programs or elements of its mission you d like to emphasize, and who will deliver the ask. Make it personal and direct - let your attendees know why YOU work to so hard to support the CSPH, and feel free to talk about your favorite programs and initiatives. If you d like some inspiration, here are some lovely suggestions from other hosts and folks in our community: Cocktail night Wine and cheese party Queer/trans clothing swap Picnic or outdoor social (weather permitting) Movie night (ethical porn screening?) Pajama party High tea Used book swap Advocacy event: Gather together for group support (and mutual coffee guzzling) to write to your representatives about a sexuality-related issue important to your community. Or, if your crowd attends marches and protests for just causes, make signs and sandwiches for your next march together. Potluck dinner party Great Sex-Positive Bake Off in your own (or someone else s) kitchen! (vulva cupcakes, anyone?) 7
Sample Agenda 6:00-7:00 pm The Party Host welcomes arriving guests. Guests sign in (using the provided signin sheet) so that we can thank them and keep them up to date with the CSPH. Guests mingle and enjoy food and drinks. 7:00-7:30 pm: 7:30-8:00 pm: Host welcomes guests, explains why they support the CSPH, and asks guests to give a financial contribution toward the CSPH s work and programs. We re happy to help you craft your brief talk and advise you on how to deliver your ask before your event! Host thanks guests for their support and invites guests to have more to eat and drink. We ll provide: 1. Sample invitation 2. Sample agenda 3. Printable House Party Donation Tracking Sheet 4. Donation pledge forms and brochures for the parties 5. A raffle prize (while supplies last!) 6. Support from and communication with our staff throughout the planning process 7. Where geographically possible, our attendance! 8. I #SpreadSexEd Sign You ll provide: 1. The venue 2. Food and drinks 3. Supplies needed to support your party (e.g., projector and films for a movie night, pillows and popcorn for a pajama party, craft supplies for a crafting event, etc.) 4. A short speech or presentation about What happens AFTER the party? Please send your donation tracking sheet, along with any donation envelopes containing cash, checks, or credit card orders, to: The Center for Sexual Pleasure and Health The Grant Building 250 Main Street Box 11 Pawtucket, RI 02860 Our team would love to have a chat with you about your party and how it went! Once we ve received all of the donations and donor info from your event, we ll get in touch with you about scheduling a call or meeting to catch up and debrief. Don t Forget to #SpreadSexEd You and your guests can also join the conversation! This toolkit includes a sign that says I #SpreadSexEd because Print out several copies, or have a laminated version and a dry erase marker on hand. Let your guests share their ideas, joys, and experiences of sex ed and why it s important! Take pictures at your event and post them to Facebook, Twitter, or your favorite social media platform with the hashtag #SpreadSexEd and don t forget to tag the CSPH and our party sponsor b-vibe! 8
Planning! 1. Let us know you re interested. 2. Pick a date. 3. Build a guest list. Write your party planning notes here! 4. Create an Event Page. 5. Plan the event. 6. Send the invitation. 7. Reminders. 8. Make an ask plan. 9. Be prepared to capture your guest s information 10. Enjoy your party! 11. Debrief about your party with the CSPH! Don t Forget #SpreadSexEd 9
Sample Invitation Although you don t have to send out invitions (you can make a Facebook event, send out an email, or even a group text) this is a sample of what your invite could look like. We can also send you an alterable version of this invitation once you ve decided to host a party. You are invited to a party in support of The Center for Sexual Pleasure and Health The Where The When The What Time RSVP at Your Contact Info I/we hope you ll enjoy us for a night of friends, food and fundraising for queer inclusive, consent-based, pleasure-guided, socially conscious sex education and counseling programs If you are unable to attend, please considering making a donation at thecsph.org/donate 10
Welcome, please sign in! Please fold along the dotted line before guests sign in. Donation Method (i.e. Online, Cash at party, Via envelope) First Name Last Name E-mail Address Mailing Address Phone Number Donation Amount (401) 489-5513 $50 Online Kayla Wingert kayla@thecsph.org 250 Main Street, Unit 1 Pawtucket, RI 02860 11
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