How to Host a Walk the Walk House Party​

​

There may be nothing better for protecting democracy than gathering with the people you care about to build relationships, reinforce your sense of community and foster the hope, inspiration and commitment to action we need to continue moving forward. House parties are informal, fun, and empowering! It is empowering to be with others and know, know for certain, that we are a community. A community which cares deeply for our democracy. A community with the grassroots groups which are funded by WtW donors.

​

Step One: Planning 

• Consider co-hosting with a friend! We have found it is a great energizer for friends to have a cause! 

 

• Get creative! Consider having a theme and a title for your party. What is the “hook” that will make this party fun for you to plan and your friends to attend?

 

• Decide how you will feature Walk the Walk USA as part of your party. We have short videos you can share, or examples of elevator pitches. See also reflections from donors.

  • Consider offering matching donations

  • We can send you a recording of a previous Zoom call if you want to feature that (email us at outreach@walkthewalkusa.org)

 

• Set your date, starting and ending time, and location. 

  • Plan enough time in advance to ensure your guests can clear their calendars to attend

  • If you will share a short video clip or have a WtW volunteer join by Zoom, make sure you have a screen big enough for everyone to see and a way to connect to your computer

 

• If you want to track donations you generate, register your party here to get a reference code! We will send you a printable flyer to hand out at the party

 

• Create your invitation list. Decide whether you want only people you invite, or will encourage people to bring others. 

 

• Plan your food and beverages. 

 

Step Two:  Extending the Invitation

• With some advance notice before the party, call or send an email to invite people. This could simply be phone calls to your guests with a text reminder close to the event. 

  • The more it sounds like you the better, and every party is different but you can also use these templates for inspiration: Example Invitation template 1 or template 2. Feel free to include WtW images in your message.

​

• A phone call or personal text to supplement an email invitation makes a big difference to attendance!

​

• An evite with RSVP helps you know your guest count.

​

• Each week before the party: send a reminder email about the date and time.

  • Example Flyer

  • Example email follow-up invitation

  • Example reminder email to those who have signed up

 

Step Three:  1-2 Days before the Party

• Send a text, email or phone call reminder to invitees expressing your excitement that they are joining you for the party

​

• If you will be sharing a short video or having a WtW volunteer join remotely, test your technology to ensure the zoom call or video works on your screen

​

• Make sure all your supplies are on hand. These could include:

  • Nametags

  • Informational handouts on Walk the Walk (see item 14 in our outreach toolkit)

  • Signage you want to direct your guests

  • Purchase food/beverage supplies

  • Sign-in Sheet (clipboards if desired) for guests to sign in

  • Information cards from Walk the Walk (ask us at outreach@walkthewalkusa.org to mail you some!)​

  • Link to video clips cued on your computer

​

• Review Fundraising Pitch: Prepare comments you plan to make at the party regarding Walk the Walk and how you plan to ask for funds.

  • This could be as simple as "I wanted to share about Walk the Walk with you because it means a lot to me and I thought it might be meaningful for you. I hope you will join me in supporting our grassroots partners, but either way I hope you will be inspired by the good work people are doing."

  • For other ideas, see these elevator pitches, talking points, and donor reflections.

  • Consider asking your guests to ask themselves: How much is a democracy worth to me? One week’s groceries? A few months mortgage payment? One year’s college tuition? Lattes for a week? A year?

  • Consider offering a matching donation.

​

• Print any handouts you’d like to give your guests

  • Donation QR code (register here). Print some out to have on hand at the party or give out to guests.

  • Have donation materials and instructions at the event. Note: Make sure you have information on how to make tax deductible gifts through the Tides Foundation.

  • Informational handouts: see item 14 in our outreach toolkit

  • Efficacy report

 

Step Four: The Day of the Party

• Set up chairs, food, signs, posters/info sheets with WtW information

​

• Set up video equipment, if you are using that

​

• Welcome your guests and enjoy the party! Whether that is a barbecue, board games, outdoor games, a potluck, dinner party or hors d'oeuvres, have some fun. 

​

• Give your comments featuring Walk the Walk. You could open with a video clip, or watch a full recording of a WtW Zoom. If you went into detail about our strategy, ask people for their thoughts and reactions, encourage a lively discussion!

​

• Encourage donations

  • Share a word or two of thanks and why supporting WtW is important to you. Remember you are empowering the people you care about with an opportunity to take action in support of their values

  • Remind people of the matching donation if you are offering one

  • Show your friends how to donate using the QR code if you want to find out the amount of money raised from your party, or from the WtW website if you are not tracking the total amount​

​

 

• Share how your guests can help

  • People often ask if there is anything else they can do in addition to donating. YES, this is where the power of relational organizing comes in! The most impactful thing they can do is to spread the word about the Walk the Walk strategy. WtW started with one friend who said "hey this is interesting". And another and another. That’s the power of relational organizing. You can do it. Right now. You have the power.​

  • See if some of your guests want to plan the next party with you. Expand your guest list. Have your guests propose names for the next party.

  • Other hints:

    • Build your network of WtW support. Make phone calls and send emails (along with phone calls and texts). (Emails alone may be overlooked or ignored.)

    • Inform people of the upcoming zoom, even if they are already on the WtW list. (Sometimes mass mailings go to a Promotions file whereas your personal email may get delivered.)

    • Form buddy groups to encourage each other.

    • After a grassroots partner is announced from a particular battleground state, think about: is there anyone in your own network who is particularly interested in that state? Invite them to the zoom and ask them to tell invite their friends. WtW works nationally and we all have connections in different areas. Let’s strengthen those connections.

 

• Enjoy the best part of relational organizing! The people!

  • Robert ​​Hubbell, in Today’s Edition Newsletter, April 19, quotes a member of another grassroots organization, Field Team 6, saying, “’Come for the cause, stay for the people.’ The secret embedded in that statement is that they are one and the same. We, the people, are in this together. We are ‘the cause.’ And if we hope to win, we must come together in grassroots groups to sustain and motivate one another. That’s one opinion everyone should agree with!"
     

​

Step 5: After the Party

• Send a thank you email with ideas for continued engagement

• You could send an email to those who couldn't attend to keep them engaged, too!

​

• Share the total donated!

For help with any of these ideas, contact outreach@walkthewalkusa.org and feel free to check out our Frequently Asked Questions.