September 2004

In This Issue:

Featured Events - Fundraiser

Real Stories - Case Study #12: Singles Retreat & Fundraiser

Performer Profile - Matt Jernigan: Comedian, Musician & Actor Extraordinaire

Special Promotions - Pizza Party! ~ Referral Rewards Program

Effective Resources - Fundles!

Event Planning Tip of the Month - Understand Your Target Audience

News & Updates - Team & Performer News

Joke of the Month - Featuring Matt Jernigan

Fundraiser

Your group can raise funds in a variety of creative, fun, and effective ways. Here are some tips you will want to remember!

Get Them

Make sure you invite people aware that you're hosting a fundraiser. Attract people who want to (and are able to) financially support your great cause. Promote your Event and pack the room!!

Greet Them

Have someone personally welcome each of your guests.

Feed Them

Connect your Event to a meal or a dessert to put people in a positive frame of mind and giving mood. To create a relational atmosphere, seat people in rounds of tables instead of in theater-style seating.

Note : You can often get sponsors to provide or pay for meals or desserts.

Lead Them

Give your guests a written program telling them about your worthy organization, the special entertainment, Event schedule, and sponsor "thank yous." Have your emcee welcome and brief your guests.

Here's a suggested Event Schedule:

•  6:30 pm: Open doors

•  7:00 pm: Serve dinner

•  8:00 pm: Start the fun after dessert is served

•  End with a live auction and/or the appeal for funds. Ask the person best able to share your organization's vision and purpose give the appeal.

•  9:30 pm: End no later than this. REMEMBER: Leave your guests wanting more, not wanting to leave!

Meet Them

It is very important to have your people connect with your guests. "People give to people. Friends become donors." Make it very clear to your guests how they can help your cause. Show them how easy it is to make a real difference through their financial support.

Thank Them

Thank your special guests for attending and giving.

Case Study #12

Singles Retreat & Fundraiser

Event Basics

Customer Interviewed: Leslie Haskin

Organization Name: I AM Christian Ministries

Event Name: The Place of Surrender. (Singles Retreat & Fundraiser)

Event Type: Fundraiser, Retreat, Ministry, First Time Event

Event Dates & Time: The Comedy portion of The Place of Surrender was held Sat., Jun. 26, 2004 at approximately 8:30pm. The entire retreat took place Fri 6/25 - Sun 6/27/2004.

Event Location: Hudson Valley Resort & Spa in Kerhonkson, NY

Location Profile: The resort is located in the suburbs. Free time activities included spa treatments, horseback riding, golfing, hiking, and similar activities.

Attendee Type: Nearly all attendees were single committed Christians, however, several Jewish walk-ins from the resort also participated in the workshops and meetings.

Price per Attendee: $190. Price included hotel accommodations and half of a spa treatment. The remaining costs (performers, site rental, spa treatments, etc.) were covered by the organization & fundraising efforts.

Ministry's Cost of Entire Event: $17,000 (Encompassed all rental fees, performance fees, dinner, spa treatments, etc.)

Total Attendees: 110

Behind the Scenes Efforts:

Planning Timeframe: 2 ½ months

Publicity Tools Used:

Flyers: Set out at local public areas.

Press Release: A written press release was submitted, but received no response from the newspaper.

Radio Promotion: Received the most response from their radio spot aired on Sound of Life Christian Radio in New York.

Team Efforts Included.

Planning Team: Team leader (Leslie) only and lots of prayer.

Presentation Team: 4 workshop leaders, 4 couples leading as spiritual directors, 1 comedian, and 1 vocalist.

Post-Event Team: Team leader (Leslie), and the treasurer.

About the Event

Event Purpose:

The primary purpose of this Event was to raise funds towards building a safe house for women & children victims of domestic violence. Leslie started I AM Christian Ministries for abuse recovery, in her words, she mentioned that "This event was initially intended to raise funds for this ministry-a means to an end. But the Lord had another plan in mind to start a Christian singles ministry in the Hudson Valley area." The second purpose of the Event ministered to the needs of singles: helping them to find stillness in being single.

Subject Matter Focus:

The entire Event focused on guests giving their singleness to the Lord by actively surrendering discontentment. The weekend remained spiritually centered rather than focused on the opposite gender.

Event Content Included:

About the Comedy Performance

Performer: Nick Arnette

Type: 45-60 minutes of stand-up with a brief message.

Topic: Surrendering singleness to the Lord.

Response to Performer: In Leslie's words. "Nick is not 'Christianese,' and is not stuffy or standoffish as you might expect, but very down to earth, and represents the Kingdom of Christ in a great way. He was absolutely hilarious, connected very well to the group, and was very funny and very real at the same time. Everyone loved Nick and socialized with him afterwards. He made a great impact."

Results

New Attendance:

Since this Event was hosted by a para-church ministry, no new church attendance was gained from the Event. The purpose of the Event was to serve as a fundraiser first and as a Christian in-reach second. 110 people attended, approximately 100 came from outside Leslie's church home, and some from as far away as Chicago.

Total Costs: Approximately $17,000.

Total Raised: Approximately $37,000.

Total Raised After Costs were Paid: Approximately $20,000.

Fundraising Details: The appeal for funds was given once at the end of the weekend, and the speaker requested that attendees not give beyond their means. It was also indicated that donations were welcomed in the future. All costs were covered, and $2000 was received post-Event. Additionally, one attendee donated the refinancing of their home.

Note: All promotional items indicated that this was a fundraiser, and that attendees would be asked to donate at least once during the weekend. An additional announcement was made at the beginning of the Event that there would be at least one appeal for funds throughout the weekend. In this way, attendees were prepped to give, and not surprised by the donation appeal.

Overall Response to the Entire Event: People found the weekend to be one of deliverance. Leslie shared a comment from Sue Brown, attendee: ".God's purpose was met. Many people were delivered, and many more began an intimate relationship with the Lord-up close and personal for the first time."

Additional Comments

Biggest Concerns Heading into the Event:

Leslie shared that her greatest stumbling block was performance... "We have to let Him plan the Event from beginning to end-we are only the instrument. It's not about success or failure, it's only about obedience."

How These Concerns Were Addressed & Resolved:

Leslie was able to battle this stumbling block "through prayer and remaining humble, remaining honest, and spending time with the Lord constantly to check my motivations. You really have to double-check your pride at the door."

How This Compares with Past Events: This was a first time Event.

Future Plans: Leslie plans to hold another Event next year with one or more Comedians.

What Would You Do Differently Next Time? Leslie mentioned that she would cutoff registration sooner, and check staging more closely. The 2 supporting pillars in the middle of the room made the stage difficult to see for some audience members.

Leslie Haskin on Event Planning:

"The most important factor when planning an event is to listen to the Lord. When God says "Go!" doors just fly open. Everything happens in His planning and in His timing. Where He provides the vision, He also provides the resources."

Comedian Matt Jernigan

Comedian, Musician & Actor Extraordinaire

Where are you from, and what was it like growing up there?

I grew up in Tabor City, North Carolina, the sweet potato (or yam) capital of the world with 4 brothers and 3 sisters.  Population was only about 2700, but there was lots to do.  Like having pinecone fights, running from rabid dogs, and pretending we had a movie theater by peeking through our neighbors' windows during "fight night."

When and how did you become interested in being a stand-up comedian?

I was an actor and was trying to get into an improv troupe.  They would let amateur stand-up comics perform 5 minutes before their show to warm up the audience (or help them appreciate what humor is NOT).  After I did a couple sets, I liked having my own show and didn't have to share the stage with anyone.  I kind of became their opening act. I've now been doing stand-up comedy for more than 8 years.

What made you interested in music parody specifically?

I've always done impressions of singers since I was a kid and ALL singers have quirks.  I knew, going in, that people love music.  They love impressions, and when you change the words to a song they know, they LOVE it for some reason.  Personally, I think I'm an idiot.  Luckily, I get paid for it.

How did you become a Christian?

I grew up in a Baptist church in the South.  I accepted Christ in the 7th grade. I had seen a bunch of my friends getting baptized and I decided that I didn't want to get left behind.  Although I didn't swear or drink or anything that didn't "look" Christian, my walk wasn't as strong as it should have been.  I always told God, "Just wait until I make it big, I'm going to do so much for You and the Kingdom."  I said that until I was 32 years old.  I realized that to become big, in God's eyes, you must first become small.  I rededicated my life about 3 years ago, and have been in pursuit of God and His will everyday.  Of course, I fail, but I've never been happier, more blessed, or closer to God in all my life, as long as I've known Him.

What's your favorite thing about being a comedian?

I love being a comedian who's also an actor.  People are SO interested in the TV and film that I've done, and I get to let them know how small it is compared to how big most make it. 

What are some of your current struggles and triumphs?

I've been in the entertainment industry for about 8 or 9 years.  I've been pursuing an acting career.  I've worked in commercials, TV, and film.  This industry is very sad.  It's very difficult to not be caught up in your looks and yourself, in general.  It is incredibly illogical and self-destructive.  I audition with hundreds of the some of the most desperate people I've ever seen.  It is hard to be "real" in a business that's about faking it, not only on-camera, but especially off-camera.  You're a puppet.  You are constantly putting yourself in front of others who decide on whether or not you'll be successful.  And basically, you have to get used to being rejected about 250 times before being accepted once. 

I have tried to use any success that I've had to God's glory.  People put TV and film on such a pedestal, and forget about eternity.  I always try to let them know that everyone has to decide where they want to spend eternity.

How do you see the Lord moving through your Comedy?

The Lord leads me to saying things that I could never come up with.  He gives me blessings that I would never expect.  When I do shows now, I talk about working in the industry AND being a Christian.  I think that it builds other Christians up who work in industries where you feel alone, or outnumbered.  I also encourage people to pray for the entertainment industry instead of being bitter and offended about it so much. People come up afterward and tell me how they are struggling with that.  It blows me away.

Where do you see yourself in the next ten years?

God's plan is always so much better than mine, so God willing, I will be running the production company that I'm in the midst of starting right now (Who Am I Productions), which will be writing and producing high-quality, cutting-edge, in-your-face, and real, about real-life film, television, music, and theatre productions-both dramas and comedies. My goal is to move people to a place where they understand that they HAVE to choose-that not choosing, is not choosing God.  And also to let other Christians know that we need not to settle for less than amazing in music, television, and film.  We have the greatest motivation of all, and a lot of the "Christian" music, TV, and film are mediocre. 

What's your favorite Bible verse and why?

To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. - 1 Corinthians 9:22 (emphasis added).

I think that sometimes we, as Christians, end up hanging out with Christians all the time.  So much so, that we don' t find ourselves in places to share the gospel.  I LOVE hanging out with people in the world.  Not because they are doing worldly things, but because I get to understand them, and because I've been there.  But the more I care about them, the more respect I earn from them.  And in turn, they hear the greatest news of their lives, from me... a punk from North Carolina. 

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I LOVE hanging out with my wife and kids.  I have 2 sons, 14 and 16, and 2 little ones.  They are all just SO awesome and fun.  I LOVE to play and sing and write and record music.  And occasionally, I play basketball.  And I'm not bad for a white guy.

What's you're all time favorite gig?

I've got a lot of favorites, but the latest favorite was a gig at the LA Prison for 60 female inmates.  They responded SO amazingly, and the Holy Spirit filled the room. Several gave their lives to Christ for the first time.  

Anything else you'd like to share?

I'd like to tell my Christian brothers and sisters to not to settle for less in Christian Music, Film, TV, etc.  Our lives are exciting and interesting and scary and hilarious!!!  We are not these cheesy, prude, bound-up nerds.  We have been FREED by the grace of God.  God gave us amazing talents and resources to fulfill His will. Get involved.  Look what The Passion of the Christ did.  That is our example of how we can reach the world by the millions. 

Click here to read more about Matt Jernigan and watch his video clip!

Monthly Website Promotion

When you schedule an Outreach Comedy Event* by September 30th, ask to receive your vouchers--each good for a large one-topping pizza and 2-liter Coke® to Domino's Pizza®. Party with the church staff, show your volunteers some appreciation, or use the pizzas towards your Event! Any way you slice it, enjoy a few pizzas on Outreach Comedy as a big Thank You! Click here for more details.

*Booking minimum required. Offer good on new Events only. Not valid with any other offer. Must mention offer to Event Coordinator at time of first contact. Promotion and prizes sponsored by Outreach Comedy. Offer good thru September 30, 2004.

©2004 Domino's Pizza, LLC. Domino's®, Domino's Pizza® and the modular logo are registered trademarks of Domino's Pizza PMC, Inc. Coca-Cola® is a registered trademark of The Coca-Cola Company.

Referral Rewards Program

*Qualifying Referrals must book an Event, valid on referral's initial Event only, new clients only, with a minimum Event price of $1000.

Fundles!

Outreach Comedy Top Talent
+
Outreach Communication Tools

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A Successful, Cost-Effective Outreach Event

Outreach Comedy's top-quality talent, combined with the best Outreach communication tools available, provide the essentials for an effective and successful Outreach Event. Capture their attention with Outreach communication tools, then capture their hearts utilizing a hysterical and entertaining Outreach Comedy Performer.

Now specifically bundled together, "Fundles" combine both these essential elements into one strategic and specially priced package for a complete, effective and successful Event. Ask your Event Coordinator about Fundles and pricing!

Fundles Include...

Understand Your Target Audience

1 Corinthians 9:22* (emphasis added) -

To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.

Gain a clear grasp of the group you are trying to reach. Explore your target audience's socio-economic demographic: age, culture, gender, education, recreational activities, family status, employment, income, etc. Understanding your target audience will have a huge impact on your Event, and can mean the difference between a "fun night" and changed lives. Dig deeper into the thoughts and feelings of your target audience so you can approach them from the right angle.

*Above scripture quotation taken from the NASB.

 

Comedian Phil DiTommaso

Our newest performer, Phil DiTommaso is now online, complete with live video footage. Meet this fabulous comedian - new to the Outreach Comedy roster! Click here.

 

 

Comedian Kerri Pomarolli

Kerri is about to release her book titled If I'm Waiting On God, Then What Am I Doing On The Christian Chatroom? .Confessions of a Do-It-Yourself Single. Available in bookstores soon! Click here to read more on Kerri Pomarolli.

 

Event Administrator Ruth Keefe

Welcome a new addition to the Outreach Comedy team! Ruth Keefe began work with us at end of July, and is now a permanent addition to our team. Say "hi" next time she calls you to follow up with your Event. Click here to learn more about Ruth and the rest of our team.

 

November 3-6 in San Diego, CA. Experience the synergy and excitement of joining with thousands of church leaders from across the nation and around the world at the 2nd annual National Outreach Convention. Your passion will be fueled, your vision expanded and your skills sharpened through the transformational general sessions and more than 80 focused workshops in fourteen different learning tracks. While you're there, visit Outreach Comedy's Night of Comedy and our side comedy room, The Comedy Spot for FREE! Visit the National Outreach Convention website for more convention information.

Featuring Matt Jernigan

"I can't believe that kids are still wearing the Hip- Hop clothes.  You know, with the pants hanging way down, with their boxer shorts hanging out, and a tank top.  Cause I'm thinking, all of a sudden, my grandfather's in style and he don't even know it."

Click here to read more about Matt Jernigan and watch his video clip!