Description: An event that builds spirit with friendly competition and welcomes new folks into the community.
Get Ready
- Prep Time: This could easily be a set-up-the-day-of kind of event. To put your mind at ease, you might want to purchase snacks and drinks the day before, just so you know you have them ready. You will want to schedule the date, reserve the space and advertise at least three to four weeks before the event. Gathering board games should be done a few days before as well.
- Volunteers Needed: It helps to have a small team of people to help the organizer set up tables, chairs, refreshments, the board game table, decorate (if desired), etc. This could also be a good way to have a pre-party with a few friends who you know could help get the party to a rolling good start!
- Supplies: Tables and chairs for an indoor event (or picnic blankets for an outdoor event), beer glasses, and your favorite batch of board games. Popular games that we recommend are Scrabble, Headbandz, Apples to Apples, Taboo, Scattergories, and Charades. Nametags are a good idea to help people get to know one another!
- Reserve the Space: Whether it is in the basement of your Parish Hall with air conditioning or the park on property, be sure that space is ready for a group of people to chill together. Be sure this space has a liquor license so you can offer brewskis!
- Ideal Group Size: As many as you can make space for! When we hosted this event, we had more than 50 guests. The more widely you advertise, the more likely you are to get fresh faces.
- Who is this for? Typically, this event draws in young adults (singles looking to mingle and couples looking for a date night with friends). However, there is no restriction to whom we extend the invite. We have had instances where some elders and middle-aged folks have joined in, and it made everyone’s evening so much more dynamic and fun. Everyone is made to feel welcome and properly integrated.
- When is a good time for this? We suggest a Friday or Saturday night (7 or 7:30 p.m., post-dinnertime).
- Publicize the Program:
- Make a poster and circulate it (for the visual learners).
- Arrange for a pulpit announcement (for the auditory learners).
- Post on social media and make that Facebook event (for the tech-savvy).
- Write-up a blurb in the bulletin/newsletter (for the not-so-tech-savvy).
- Word of mouth is also an underestimated method — a personal invite goes a long way.
Prayer for Program Planner: Jesus, lover of all people, assist us in making each person feel they belong here. Make us your hands and feet as we laugh, drink, and play together, so that we may offer a foretaste of the heavenly banquet here in our community tonight. Amen!
Community Building: This event is primarily about gathering strangers and friends together in an environment where they will be accepted. For many people who are looking to belong, events like this can be the pivotal starting point for testing the waters for a new community. If done well, the event will draw in new, curious faces to see what your group is all about. They might find ways to stick around, participate again, and give back. This event incorporates a simple concept that lets the existing personalities shine and welcome new people in a fun way. After all, who doesn’t love beer and board games?
