1. Contact 10 – 12 people who you can share the concept with (Sample Intro or First meeting Email), Arrange a short meeting to share the concept of Student Standing Strong (Statement of Faith). Plan to meet approx one hour. Ask if anyone has contacts in the local middle/Jr. high schools or high schools. Also try to contact individuals from another school in your area or near your area that has hosted an event. They might be able to give you additional tips for getting started. Plan this meting for approximately 3 months before your event to give yourself enough time for all activities.

2. Familiarize yourself with the following materials: sample phone scripts (Sample Phone Script, Script for leaving a message, Follow Up and RSVP script), typical event schedule (Typical Event Schedule), Invitations (OC Taylor invitation), sponsor letters (Sample Donation Request Letter), your school calendar so you don’t schedule an event conflicting with school activities, the History of Students Standing Strong (History of Students Standing Strong) event checklist (Event Checklist)

What to bring with you:

1.Responsibility sign up sheet (Responsibilities Sign Up Sheet)

2. Frequently Asked Questions pages (FAQ), (Frequently Asked Questions)

3. Sample invitations (OC Taylor invitation, Colleyville Elem Invitation, Sample Program 1 rotated) and thank you cards Sample Thank You Card, Thank you letter.

4. Sample phone scripts (Sample Phone Script, Script for leaving a message,Follow Up and RSVP script)

5. Your school calendar to check available year end date

What you need to accomplish at this meeting:

1. Agreement from the group to host an event. More than likely, you will be assuming a “lead “ role.

2. Prepare a list of other parents you can contact to get involved

3. Review available materials (don’t need to re-invent the wheel)

4. Determine how your event will be funded (via parents or from business donation.) Develop a preliminary list of possible donation sources.

5. A tentative date and location possibility. Events can be held either indoors or outside in a park type setting depending on your location. Remember to select an alternative “rain location” if your event will be held outside. Since SSS is a non-denominational Christian organization, it’s recommended to try to avoid scheduling your event at a church.

3. Discuss the following and ask all who a parent if they know anyone in these areas who could help

1. Food and drink – Yikes, Who Pays For This? (Yikes)

2. Music (local Christian radio station or deejay, live bands are not recommended at the elementary level)

3. T-shirts (Tshirt back) – Yikes, Who Pays For This?  (Yikes)

4. Speakers (both a keynote speaker and parent speaker)

5. Financial records – who will be the Treasurer and set up a bank account – see how to set up bank accounts and financial records (How to Set Up Bank Accounts and Financial Records)

6. Invitations (Colleyville Elem Invitation, OC Taylor invitation) and programs (Sample Program 1 rotated, Sample Program 2 rotated)

4. Schedule a follow up meeting one week later to follow up and finalize all the open items with names.

Download "Big Send Off" event documents