Roses Ministry
Anything hidden in darkness has power over us. This violence must stop it needs to be exposed.
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
Martin Luther King Jr.
Getting Professors Attention
Do not get discouraged when professors do not respond to your email- maybe go to their office hours, just don’t be ignored or pushed aside. You are doing this to make a difference, so don’t stop making contact and reaching out for interest until someone actually says no. Have fun!
Through each step of this process, do not forget that it will turn out great, and that you doing something that will change AT LEAST one person’s life.
Do not have doubts that your event will be successful!
Working As a Team
Have meetings to keep each other updated. DO NOT try to take on more than a fair share of work. Share the work fairly throughout your team members. REMEMBER: YOU ARE A TEAM! Do not procrastinate. The sooner that you get tasks done (that the online guide clearly lays out for you) the smoother the event will happen, and more people will get involved, interested, and will attend your event.
Campus Listserv
Have your Campus Sponsor send an email about your event on your campus’ listserv. That way it is coming from a colleague and they are more likely to receive the message.
Connecting with Professors for Xtra Credit
We hope to have the professors spread the word of this event by telling their students and maybe even offering extra credit to those who attend. As professors are very busy people, it has been hard to contact them. However, I believe a face to face meeting should do the trick.
A suggestion I have would be for the sponsoring organization to co-sponsor with another “on campus” organization, like the Student Government Association. This would help spread the word as well is legitimize the event as something everyone can attend, not just females.
Getting in touch with On-campus Organizations
This is one of the most important, as well as difficult and time consuming steps that we have encountered so far. We created a list of department heads to contact and other non-academic groups on campus. They probably won’t get back with you right away.
So first off, you should get in touch with them almost immediately! And also, persist!!! Just because they don’t email you back immediately, doesn’t mean they aren’t interested- maybe make a stop by their office and talk to them in person. Also, keep on reminding them as the event gets closer to remind their staff and students of the event.
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead
Imagine Suitcases
For our Sin by Silence event, we took on the initiative to make a difference in our local community, specifically to help women who have suffered from domestic violence. So, what do women who are just leaving an abusive relationship or prison, need right away? They need a suitcase. But, not just any suitcase. A suitcase filled with basic essentials to help make things just a little bit easier - toothpaste, shampoo, undergarments, gift cards, etc.
So, we went to Macy’s to ask for help which resulted in 100 suitcases being donated to our initiative. Then we asked for people who were to be attending our Sin by Silence event to bring a toiletry item as their “admission.” From shampoo bottles, to towels and makeup - there was an overwhelming response of people wanting to help!
I hope this action helps inspire you for what you can get your audience to become involved in to help do something for their community.
Have Organization Watch the Film
A great way to get a community partner involved is to have them watch one of the free DVDs that come when paying the licensing fee. Once they see the film, they will want to be on board with your event asap!
