Event Planning Suggestions Updated 12/15/2014

Suggestions for a Simple and Serene Special Event

First things first! Pray about it for direction from your Higher Power.
Ask for support. Perhaps a group will agree to serve as the event/serve as the organizing committee. Today we do not have to do anything alone.
Check out www.oa.org for wonderful ideas and suggestions.>
Select a date, time and place. Email your tentative date to Intergroup at Intergroup@triangleoa.org to find out what others are doing. Look at the Event Calendar on www.triangleoa.org. Put the event on the agenda at Intergroup to discuss dates, get help and generate interest.
Ask for help! Others may have planned a similar event and would be happy to share their experience. Encourage your home group members and sponsees to participate.
Specify positions/needs and invite others to do service – then let it go and trust.
On your flyer, include the zip code with the address so people can find your event.
Place the OA logo* on the flyer – so your event can be posted on the Region 8 website and everyone will know this is a recovery event.
Remember our primary purpose is to carry the message to the still suffering compulsive overeater.
Consider having Newcomers packets in case any attend the event.
Ask for 7th Tradition contributions.
Keep your abstinence your priority.
Have fun!

What is the theme or purpose of the event?
What space do we need and what locations are available?/
For how many people might attend, how will that affect location, parking, handicap access, bathrooms, ease of access, cancellation policy in the event of bad weather?
Are we going to need more than one room for breakout sessions or workshops?
What size rent or contribution can we afford (staying self-supporting)
Can we have publicity materials ready in time to be effective?
An announcement for the newsletter should be sent to newsletter@triangleoa.org by the first Friday of the month to be in the newsletter distributed at Intergroup on the third Saturday
Can we have flyers ready for an Intergroup meeting that falls at least two weeks before the special event? (see guidelines 7 and 8 above)
Who should our speakers be? How many will we need? Will we use people from our own group? Use the speaker list in the newsletter? {insert link} Call the people who have inspired us?
Are we going to have any special activities in additions to speakers and sharing

Are we going to provide something to drink?
Coffee and hot water/tea? Sweeteners? Lighteners?
Bottled water? Need ice? Cups? Napkins?
Diet soda or other artificially sweetened beverages?
Will we put a donation cup by the refreshments or consider that the “door” donation covers this?
Will we decorate?
Will we have a literature table/rack?
What do we need to do to set up? How many people will we need?
What do we need to do to clean up after? How many people will we need?
In order to comply with OA's copyright policy, “Triangle OA Intergroup” printed directly beneath the OA logo.
Will this event be sponsored by Intergroup, a group, or cosponsored? There is a discussion of finances related to who sponsors the event in the Event Hosting policy.