Connection Event Guidelines

PURPOSE

The purpose of our connection events is to provide an enjoyable environment where people can build relationships. Where we can connect the unconnected, an environment where your unconnected friends can feel comfortable attending.  These events are one of the most successful ways that people are connecting at Hoboken Grace and getting information about joining a dinner group.  And as you know, it's in these dinner groups that lives are changed and lifelong friends are made.  That's why we place such a high priority on this being part of your groups experience.

WHAT A WIN LOOKS LIKE

A great connection event is not a huge event or a small event.  Connection events are successful based on their purpose.  Were there relationships built with new unconnected people?  Your event can be huge, but if there weren’t new relationships built than it wasn’t successful.  Your event can be small, but if there weren’t new relationships built it wasn’t successful.  There is one evaluation question for a connection event.  Were we able to build new relationships with the unconnected?  If you did, small or large event, you succeeded.

PARAMETERS

In everything we do we understand that there are certain guidelines we need to keep in mind.

Impact on our brothers and sisters in Christ

Remember, we are responsible for those around us.  Beware of this as you choose your events.  If the event is going to cause someone to stumble, avoid it.   For example, events should not be held at bars unless the bar is holding an event. (Karaoke, Trivia, etc.)

Impact on those who are just beginning the journey

In all that we do we are opening doors for people to find their way back to God.  This means that we need to think through the perspective of someone who is not a believer at the event.  If the event is exclusive, avoid it.  For example events that your co-workers would feel uncomfortable attending are not connection events.  (Christian movies, rare Christian holiday celebrations, Christian concerts, etc.)

Quality

Everything we do communicates something about the God we serve.  There are a few things to consider in the quality of your event.

Be Prepared – Include your group so you can be completely prepared.

Be On Time – Don’t start your event late or show up late.

Be Obvious – Ensure people aren’t having to look for you, figure out a way for them to find you.

PRINCIPLES

Be sure to take these valuable principles into account as you plan.

Noisy places can be a deterrent to connection

If the sound levels are too high to talk, you’re going to have trouble connecting.  Concerts for example make poor connection events if there isn’t time planned before or after to talk and hang out.

Quiet places can be a deterrent to connection

If you aren’t allowed to talk you’re going to have trouble connecting.  Movies and plays can make great connection events, but only if there is planned connection time before or after over a meal or at someone’s apartment.

Travel will often limit connection

Your ability to connect the unconnected will increase if the event is close and easy to attend.  If you are traveling, it helps to use the travel as part of the connection.

Expensive will often limit connection

You don’t have a ton of extra cash lying around, and the person you’re trying to connect doesn’t either.  Keep it simple and cheap if you want to increase your connection.

Personal preference is a great guideline

Choose an event your group will attend not an event that sounds like a great idea.  An unattended great idea doesn’t work.  An attended simple idea works.

PROCESS

Step 1.  Select event.

Ask yourself this question, “what event can we have that we are comfortable inviting our friends to?”  If you wouldn’t invite your friends, don’t select that event.

Step 2. Leading

Select one or two people in your group to manage the event process.

Step 3.  Event Submission Form

www.hobokengrace.com/eventsubmission.html

Step 4. Planning

Plan details and assign tasks to group members.

Step 5.  Invite and Hype

Make sure that you are inviting your friends who would not otherwise be aware of the event!