Host a House Party!

House parties are an easy way to introduce people to the Middle East Children's Alliance and ask for contributions to support the work. 

By hosting a House Party YOU help to:

• increase the visibility of MECA
• raise awareness about Palestine
• bring new donors to MECA
• raise funds to support our work
• identify others interested in supporting you and MECA in raising funds

The Role of the Host is to:

• plan and coordinate event
• invite and confirm guests
• welcome and make pitch at end of event
• underwrite costs of event

Here are a few helpful tips we've prepared for people interested in hosting a house party. Please send us an email or give us a call at 510-548-0542 with questions, comments, or requests for materials.

HOW TO ORGANIZE A HOUSE PARTY

Set Your House Party Goal
Given your community and network, what is your goal for funds raised and number of new people engaged with MECA? 

Decide What Kind of Gathering Should it Be
What kind of event will be most likely to bring your network together? Educational? Cultural? An auction? A meal? An activity like a bike-a-thon?
What theme or focus will be of most interest to your network? Water? Education under occupation? The Right to Play? Politics? US Policy and educating the US public?
What day or date? Your birthday? A holiday? An anniversary of an event like International Children’s Day or Women’s Day?
What time of day is best for your network? Brunch? Lunch? Afternoon Tea? Dinner? Evening event?

Who Should You Invite?
Invite anywhere from 15 – 75 guests comprised of neighbors, friends, family, and co-workers.  Encourage guests to invite their friends, family, etc.

Schedule for the Event
Usually the host welcomes people and then introduces someone from MECA to speak briefly and/or introduce a cultural event or a film or video. The presentation, event or film could be followed by an informal discussion. At the end of presentation or event, but before people prepare to go, the host usually shares why they donate to MECA and asks for the guests to contribute.

Outreach for House Party
1. Develop outreach list and timeline
2. Work with MECA on drafting an invitation letter (MECA can offer samples and print letters if you prefer)
3. Follow up, follow up, follow up.  You want to both get folks to the party, and engage those who cannot attend and ask them to donate.

• Call 1-2 weeks following the receipt of the letter
• Call a week later to those you have not reached or heard back from
• Call those who cannot attend prior to the event to ask them to contribute
• Call those who confirmed 3-5 days prior to the event to remind them

Post-party 
Follow-up is important. The host and MECA should review the evening together and plan to follow-up with potential supporters one-on-one.  MECA will handle all of the thank you letters and acknowledgments of contributions to the organization.  The host may also want to write personal thank you notes.