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Host an Introduction

One of the best ways to energize your friends and engage community support for a Challenge Day program is to host a home introduction event. A home introduction event can be a meaningful way to introduce the people you love to Challenge Day in 1 1/2 hours. You can also use this event to raise funds for your school's Challenge Days.

Your home introduction event does not need to be elaborate or expensive – the idea is to bring together a group of people that are passionate about helping youth build communities of acceptance, love and connection. Usually, parents or other adults host this event. Make sure that teenagers are not only present, but have an important role.

Provide refreshments before you begin your gathering — this will give everyone a chance to socialize. After you socialize, form a circle and begin building an inclusive and connected community. Here is a sample program for the event and don't forget to HAVE FUN:

Welcome Guests (3 minutes)

Welcome and thank your guests for attending. Thank them for their willingness to open their hearts and learn more about Challenge Day. Tell the community why you are so passionate about Challenge Day and what it has meant to you or what you believe it could do for your school and community.

"If You Really Knew Me" (15-20 minutes)

One of the goals of the Challenge Day organization is to build community. This next part of the event is about connection. First, ask your guests why they came to this Challenge Day home introduction and then ask them to complete the statement "If you really knew me ... " This activity will help your group deepen their relationships with each other. Allow each person to have 1 minute to complete this exercise. Encourage people to share whatever is on their hearts and ask them to think specifically about their high school experience &emdash; whether they are a teenager or an adult. THERE IS NO RIGHT OR WRONG WAY TO DO THIS!

An "If you really knew me" may sound like this:

  • "My name is Jasmin and if you really knew me, you would know that high school has been really hard for me because I don't feel like I fit in."
  • Or, "My name is Derek and if you really knew me, you would know that in high school, I can remember how mean I was to some kids and I feel really bad about that."
  • Or, "My name is Sabrina and if you really knew me, you would know that high school has taught me that I want to be the kind of person that accepts everyone."

Sharing the Challenge Day Experience (10 minutes)

Have a teenager or adult share their experience about Challenge Day and how it has touched his/her life. This will help your guests understand how Challenge Day could help their community and bring to light the issues teenagers are facing (bullying, violence, teasing or other types of social oppression). Make sure and highlight what teenagers and adults can learn from Challenge Day Ð from communication models to expressing forgiveness to people they have hurt.

Share the Challenge Day Video (15-20 minutes)

Show the 15 minute Teen files documentary or the 23 minute Bully Solution. It is available as a Thank You gift for a minimum donation.

Group Discussion (15-20 minutes)

Invite the group to discuss the video and think about different questions such as:

  • How could this help our school?
  • Are there any obstacles to bringing a Challenge Day to our community?
  • What resources do we need to have a Challenge Day at our school?
  • Do we have student and adult leaders that could sustain the program?
  • Any other questions that you feel are important and relevant to discuss as a community.

Conclusion of the Event (5-10 minutes)

Have a teenager or adult, someone excited about the mission of Challenge Day, discuss what it would mean to have Challenge Day at his/her school.

If you are asking for Community Contributions (Optional) Ð make sure the above step is taken before you ask for contributions.

Close the event by asking guests to make a contribution to your school's Challenge Day programs. Pass out envelopes to everyone and ask that all envelopes are placed in a box or bowl on the way out of the event. Ask everyone to place their envelope in the box Ð regardless of whether they donate to your program day(s) or not. This will help eliminate anyone feeling pressured or sad if they are not in a place to be able to give or do not feel compelled to give.

Closing Appreciations (10 minutes)

Invite everyone to say what they appreciated about the event. When everyone has had a chance to say their appreciations, then thank your guests for attending and promise to give them an update including when Challenge Day programs will be held at the school. Make sure and invite the adults to participate as facilitators at the Challenge Day. This may also be a good time to solicit volunteers from the crowd.

Each home event will be different and unique. Have a great time introducing Challenge Day to your community! If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact the Challenge Day office.