How to Plan Your Promotion

I. Preparation
Gather your committee.
Review your materials, including this Planning and 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 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 17-24, 2008.
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 and 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 church members who have had work-trip experience supported by WOC to speak about Week of Compassion’s ministry.
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
Use (adapt as needed) worship and liturgical resources, found on pages 6-11 in this Planning and Resource Guide.
Include “Moments for Mission” in Sunday worship services.
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.