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How to Host a Walk the Walk House Party​

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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 and fun! It is empowering to be with others and know that we are a community that cares deeply for our democracy.
 

Step One: Planning 

  • Consider co-hosting with a friend!
     

  • Get creative! Consider having a theme and a title for your party, a 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. 

  • Consider offering a matching donation, up to a pre-set amount.

 

  • Set your date, start and end time, and location. 

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

    • If you will share a video or join a WtW presentation 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 with the unique QR code and link to hand out at the party.  (Donations made through that link will be track-able to the party as a whole.)

 

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

 

  • Plan your beverages and food. This can be super simple. You know your community and your social circle. You may not need to provide food.
     

  • Plan how you will introduce Walk the Walk and how you will ask for your friends’ support (your fundraising pitch).

    • In your own words: I want to share with you about WtW because it means a lot to me. I think you will be inspired by the work we and our grassroots community partners are doing. 

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

    • Ask 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? I hope you will join me in supporting WtW’s grassroots community partners financially and if you can't do that, that you will tell other people who are looking for ways to protect and strengthen our democracy at this time.

    • Describe your matching donation if you are offering one.​

 

Step Two:  Extending Your Invitation

  • With some advance notice before the party, call, text,  or email to invite people.

    • The more it sounds like you the better.  Every party is different but you can use this template for inspiration: Sample Invite.  Feel free to include WtW images in your message.

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  • Supplementing an email or text invitation with a phone call makes a big difference in attendance!​!
     

 

Step Three:  1-2 Days before the Party

  • Call, send a text or email reminder to invitees expressing your excitement that they are joining you for the party.​

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  • If you plan to feature a zoomed presentation, have a WtW volunteer join remotely or share a short video, test your technology or have someone techie test your technology the day before your event. 
     

  • Link to any videos cued on your computer.
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  • Have your supplies on hand: 

    • Signage for directing guests to the location

    • Nametags

    • Sign-in Sheet (clipboards if desired), so you can thank all who attended and invite them to your next party  

    • Informational handouts about Walk the Walk 

    • Donation materials and instructions. Make sure you have information on how to make tax deductible gifts through ActBlue or through the Tides Foundation.  To track your party's results, provide guests with the Donation QR code (register here to receive one). Print some out to have on hand to give to guests.

    • Beverage and food supplies​​

 

Step Four: The Day of the Party

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

  • Set up video equipment, if you are using that​. (Start earlier in the day than you think necessary. There are frequently glitches with tech at events.)
     

  • Welcome your guests. Whether this is a watch party, barbecue, board games, outdoor games, potluck, dinner party or hors d'oeuvres, have some fun. 
     

  • At the beginning of the program, depending on the size of your party, ask each person to say their name.
     

  • Give your comments featuring Walk the Walk. You could open with a video. 
     

  • Ask people for their thoughts and reactions. Encourage discussion and differences of opinion!​ People are passionate about organizing and resistance efforts right now. They are typically deeply moved by WtW representatives and partner grassroots organizers.
     

  • Encourage donations. Remember you are empowering people you care about with an opportunity to take action in support of their values, the present and future of this country, the international community and the planet.
     

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

    • Show your friends how to donate using the party's QR code, if you want to learn the amount of money raised from your party. ​(We can only report on how much you "raised" if the guests use a dedicated QR code/link to make their contributions.) 
       

  • Share how your guests can help in the future.
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    • People often ask if there is anything they can do in addition to donating. YES, they can help spread the word about Walk the Walk’s strategy. WtW started with one friend who said "Hey, this makes sense". And another and another. That’s the power of relational organizing. 
       

    • Ask if some of your guests want to help plan and put on the next party with you. This will expand your guest list. Have your guests propose themes for the next party.
       

    • Inform people of the upcoming WtW presentation, even if they are already on the WtW listserve. (Sometimes mass mailings go to a Promotions file whereas your personal email may get delivered.)
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      • When a new grassroots partner is announced from a particular battleground state, think about who in your network is particularly interested in that state? Invite them to the zoom presentation and ask them to tell their friends both here and in other states. WtW works nationally and we all have connections in different parts of the country. Let’s strengthen those connections.
         

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

    • Robert ​​Hubbell, in Today’s Edition Newsletter, April 19, 2024 quotes a member of 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!" 

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Step 5: After the Party

  • Send a thank you email or text with ideas for continued engagement. 

    • Tell friends about Walk the Walk

    • Join the next Walk the Walk zoom call

    • Host their own party! 
       

  • Send a text or email those who couldn't attend saying you'll send them information on the next party or WtW presentation.

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  • Share the total donated to date!


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

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