How to Plan Your Promotion
I. Preparation
___ Gather your committee.
___ Review your materials, including this Planning & Resource Guide and your standing order materials, as well as other WOC resources. If additional materials are needed, contact the WOC office right away:
___ Visit the WOC website to familiarize yourself with additional materials: www.weekofcompassion.org
II. Challenge
___ Review your congregation’s history of giving to Week of Compassion.
___ Set your goal – consider adding 10% to your largest WOC offering in the last five years. Or suggest a minimum goal ($25-$50 for example) per household.
___ Keep the congregation informed of its progress toward the goal.
III. Promotion
___ Let the congregation know about your Week of Compassion observance well in advance of the offering dates, which are February 18-25, 2007.
___ Display the WOC Map and/or posters in high traffic areas throughout your facilities.
___ Prepare articles for your church newsletter in the weeks before the offering is taken. Send a letter (and offering envelope) to members and friends (sample is in this Planning & Resource Guide, page 5) inviting them to participate in the offering.
___ Check the WOC website for regular updates and share them with your congregation.
___ Create a special Week of Compassion display in the narthex or other place of high visibility.
___ Plan special events to raise your congregation’s awareness of Week of Compassion.
___ Invite a special speaker or create a special program to be part of your worship or an outreach dinner. Contact the WOC office for additional names and resources.
___ Plan a regional WOC event.
IV. Proclamation
___ Include “Moments for Mission” in Sunday worship services.
___ Use (adapt as needed) worship and liturgical resources, found on pages 8-10 in this Planning & Resource Guide.
___ If technology allows, use the WOC music video, We Change the World, as an offering invitation or closing charge.
___ Thank the congregation for sharing.
___ Thank the various people who participated in planning and carrying out the WOC observance.
___ Give God thanks for the many ministries of caring, hope and service Week of Compassion supports on behalf of your congregation and all Disciples in the United States and Canada in the name of Jesus Christ.
V. Conclusion
___ Announce the total, give thanks for and consecrate the WOC offering during worship. Ask God’s blessings upon these gifts, that they might truly bring help and hope to hurting people throughout the world.
___ Thank the congregation again for sharing.
___ Share any special ideas or activities that worked well with the Week of Compassion office. We’ll share them with others.
___ Continue to read and post WOC Updates throughout the year to remind your congregation of how WOC works around the world, around the year. You can join the WOC Update listserv from the WOC website:www.weekofcompassion.org. And, in your church newsletter, encourage members to join the listserv as well.
