75outrageousacts

Gloria Steinem Would Like to Take You to Lunch

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 13:26:00 -0400

Join feminist icon, Gloria Steinem, for an intimate lunch on the Upper East Side. Enter the Ms. Foundation’s House Party drawing and you can win free airline tickets to New York City to join Gloria on a private, complimentary lunch date.

To be eligible to enter our ‘Lunch with Gloria Drawing’:

Throw an outrageous house party/fundraiser to benefit the Ms. Foundation for Women in honor of Gloria Steinem’s 75th Birthday; and
Raise $750 or more through your party.*

Celebrate Gloria Steinem’s legacy of accomplishments with your friends and commit Outrageous Acts for Simple Justice to further our movement.

Our house party kit can give you ideas, information and a special video you can download. (Limited quantities of a DVD version are available.) Review the kit or call the Ms. Foundation at 212-709-4452 for more information.

*Details: All house parties meeting the eligibility criteria described above must be held by December 11, 2009 and the Ms. Foundation for Women notified of the qualifying party by December 18, 2009 at 5 pm. The random drawing will be held December 21, 2009 and the winner will be notified at that time. The Ms. Foundation will fly the winner and a guest roundtrip to New York at a mutually agreed upon date for lunch with Gloria Steinem.

The Ms. Foundation for Women

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 17:38:03 -0400

The Ms. Foundation for Women, a social justice foundation, delivers grants, capacity-building and leadership development to over 150 grassroots and national advocacy organizations throughout the U.S. Ms. Foundation support enables groups to create connections across issues, constituencies and policymaking levels to strengthen social movements and ignite change on behalf of women, families and communities. Since 1973 the Foundation has granted more than $50 million to organizations in rural and urban areas nationwide.

House Party Video Learn from Gloria Steinem about her...

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 17:30:00 -0400

House Party Video
Learn from Gloria Steinem about her introduction to the women’s movement, the creation of, and work of today’s Ms. Foundation for Women, and the need to support the Foundation and its outrageous work in the cause of simple justice.

See video on Google Video.

House Party FAQs

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:58:00 -0400

Who can host a party for the Ms. Foundation? Do I need special permission?
Anyone can host a birthday party for Gloria Steinem and/or an Outrageous Acts party. You can tag a group of friends to serve as co-hosts to share in the planning and fun. All we ask is that you let us know when your party is happening, where, and what your fundraising goals are. After the party, we’ll ask that you send us a copy of your guest list along with the funds raised so that we can thank your guests.

What does a party host do?
As host your responsibility is to plan, invite and provide support for the event. We’ve found that a house party is easier (and more fun) when you enlist a few friends to help. Our downloadable House Party Kit provides you with many of the materials you’ll need to create a successful event and identifies tasks that can be easily shared with your co-hosts.

Is there one format for a House Party?
Not at all, you are welcome to customize the party themes and format. If you need ideas, we’ve put together a few party themes for you to consider. There are themes on celebrating Gloria Steinem’s 75th birthday or on hosting an Outrageous Acts Party.

Does my house party require a house?
No. Any safe, comfortable space that can hold the number of people you’re expecting will do. Just make sure to give your guests clear directions (preferably in the invite) and provide a phone contact if they have questions the day of the event.

How do I prepare to host a party?
The best way to prepare is to allow plenty of lead time, we suggest 8-12 weeks. Our House Party Tips and House Party Kit [pdf] have the information you need to plan, organize and implement your event.

Where should I send the proceeds of the event?
At the conclusion of your event, we’ll ask that you share your party sign-in sheets and donation forms with us so that we can thank your guests for their participation. All checks should be made payable to “Ms. Foundation for Women”. Guests can also make donations online. Mail all sign-in sheets, pledge forms and donations to:

Ms. Foundation for Women
Attn: Adriana Londono
12 MetroTech Center, 26th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201

House Party Tips

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:49:29 -0400

Organize, organize, organize. Once you’ve decided to host a party, you’ll want to allow enough time to get the word out, invite your guests and confirm any special guest speakers. Be mindful of work schedules, holidays and other local events when setting the date. Most of our party hosts find that the more time they put into the planning of the party, the more fun and funds are raised.
Register your event. As soon as you know that you will be hosting an Outrageous Acts party, please send us an email or register your event on our blog. It’s a great way to publicize your event and to encourage other outrageous actors to join in.
Invite your guests early! We all lead very busy lives and even with advance notice, not everyone that is invited to your party will attend. The general rule is that one out of four people who receive a written (paper) invite attend and the response is even lower when just email is used. Keep this in mind as you begin to put together your invitation lists. No matter what form of invitation you send, make sure to request an RSVP so that you’ll know how many people to expect.
Ask your friends to co-host with you. Co-hosts are a great way of building and maintaining excitement for your party. Some people choose to enlist their friends as members of a host committee in order to share in the planning, expense and promotion of the event.
Let people know that the event is a fundraiser. You should include this information on your invitation. You may want to play with our suggested giving amounts of $75, $750, $7,500, etc. — all in keeping with our “75” birthday theme in honor of Gloria! Your event may not have fundraising as its top goal — and that’s okay. The main point is to be clear with your guests and your co-hosts that this is one of the outcomes for the party.

Host Your House Party

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:44:00 -0400

In this section, we’ve included a variety of tools that will help organize your party, keep track of information, publicize the event and fundraise effectively. You can customize the materials to suit your ideas and party themes - remember - you are the expert when it comes to knowing what works best with your friends and colleagues.

For your convenience, we put together a few tips to help you along and we’ve made these materials downloadable so that you may share them with your co-hosts and guests.

You can download the complete House Party Kit [pdf], or the individual components below:

Check List [pdf]
Sample Agenda [pdf]
Sample Invitations [pdf]
Sample Thank You [pdf]
House Party Hosting Form [pdf]
House Party Pledge Form [pdf]
House Party Feedback Form [pdf]
House Party Guest Sign-in Sheet [pdf]

Materials that are also available online are:

Talking Points for your Fundraising Request
Ms. Foundation Brochure
House Party Tips
FAQs

If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact Adriana Londono at alondono@ms.foundation.org.

Outrageous Acts Party Themes

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:40:00 -0400

Here are a few ideas for your Outrageous Acts house party on behalf of the Ms. Foundation for Women. We encourage you to make your event a reflection of those things that are important to you and will resonate with your guests. Some people are comfortable hosting an event in their home, such as a potluck supper, others opt for a neighborhood bar or restaurant, and when the weather permits, a few decide to go the picnic route. Make your event as traditional or as outrageous as you dare.

Outrageous Act or Everyday Rebellion? - During your party, challenge your guests to play this variation of ‘truth or dare’ - they can share an outrageous act that they’ve done in the cause of simple justice or choose from an everyday rebellion of your choice. Record your outrageous acts throughout the party, submit them at outrageousacts.org
Make it Cultural - There is no rule that says your event can’t be a ‘real’ party! Host your party in a gallery, invite your favorite musicians, poets, spoken word artists and have fun. Just remember to let people know why they’re gathered, present a short program on the Ms. Foundation for Women and ask them to support our cause.
Celebrate Gloria Steinem’s Birthday - Gloria Steinem will be 75 this year, hence our call for 75 Outrageous Acts in her honor. Hold a birthday party celebrating Gloria, educate others to her work as an organizer and learn about the outrageous acts of the Ms. Foundation. You might include a discussion of where women were B.G. - before Gloria - and where they are now. What’s changed, what hasn’t, what do we need to do to move the issues forward? And…..encourage each person at the party to engage in a specific number of outrageous acts - totaling 75! More on Gloria Steinem Parties.
Trace Your Feminist Legacy - The women’s movement owes a tremendous debt to previous generations. You might not realize it, but the woman sitting across from you may have marched on Washington, DC in the cause of civil rights, reproductive rights, or another issue that deeply impacts the way we live today. Maybe it’s a brunch, lunch or dinner with colleagues, neighbors, family members or new friends - in honor of this legacy of simple justice.
Pay it Forward - Many successful women are shaped by an intricate web of formal and informal mentors. These networks offer guidance, support, and access to a variety of professional and personal opportunities. Use your party as a networking vehicle for young women. Share stories, resources and contacts.

Have other ideas? Please post a comment with your suggestions!

Gloria Steinem Party Themes

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:34:00 -0400

Add a Gloria Steinem birthday tribute to an on-going event - Do you participate in a book club or belong to an alumnae association, corporate group or neighborhood association? Celebrate Gloria’s birthday party at your next reunion or meeting incorporating a feminist theme and raise funds for the Ms. Foundation!
Celebrate the “Gloria” in your life! - Is there one person who told you that you didn’t have to follow any path but your own? Honor her (and Gloria) by hosting a party to benefit the Foundation.
Share your Birthday with Gloria - Consider hosting your next birthday as a benefit. In lieu of gifts, ask your guests to make a gift to the Ms. Foundation for Women and take the Outrageous Acts pledge, “I hereby pledge to be utterly outrageous in the cause of simple justice and commit to _____________________”.

Make it Intergenerational:

Mother/Daughter Events - Expose the young women and girls in your life to Gloria and the feminist movement by hosting a tea, brunch or ‘sit-in’ where you can share what Gloria has inspired you to do in your life and why you support the Ms. Foundation. Come up with ways to engage in outrageous acts together!
Inspire Your Young Feminist - Is your daughter involved with a sports team, local leadership group or other social network? Consider introducing a feminism and philanthropy theme to your next meeting or play date. Play the house party video and learn more about Gloria’s legacy and how Ms. Foundation grantees are making a difference across the country. Think of encouraging donations of $7.50 or .75 cents.
Pay it Forward - Use your party to mentor young women. Host a networking cocktail party or young leadership breakfast for the next generation, but give it a twist - in addition to making a gift to the Foundation - each guest has to name an outrageous act that she’ll do in honor of Gloria’s birthday.

Have other ideas? Please post a comment with your suggestions!

Party Outrageously

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:12:00 -0400

Celebrate 75 Years of Outrageousness!
Many of us remember the world B.G. (Before Gloria) and are well aware of the tremendous difference she’s made for us personally and on a global level. Host Gloria’s 75th birthday party with your friends and raise funds for the Ms. Foundation to ensure that her unique and transformational work continues. To get you started we’ve come up with a few ideas on how you can customize Gloria’s birthday theme. [Gloria Steinem Party Themes]

Outrageous Challenge: Host a Party, Join a Movement
Enlist your friends to become involved in a movement for social change. Together you can inspire each other to “commit an act for simple justice”. Your Outrageous Acts party is an opportunity to raise funds, friends and awareness of the work that is being done by Ms. Foundation and its grantees throughout the country to improve the lives of women, girls and their communities. [Outrageous Acts Party Themes]

Fundraising Talking Points

Fri, 06 Mar 2009 16:34:00 -0500

The following points may help you to ask your guests to make a contribution to the Ms. Foundation and its work supporting the outrageous acts of grassroots organizations nationwide.

Thank you for attending our party!

Part of our theme of outrageousness includes asking you to consider making a gift to the Ms. Foundation for Women.

The Ms. Foundation and its grantee organizations are committing outrageous acts for simple justice every day across the country.

The Ms. Foundation helps women in communities nationwide achieve policy and culture change that will build a more just and inclusive society for all of us.

As you heard in the video (and can read in the brochure) the Ms. Foundation and its grantees work in areas that include Economic Justice, Women’s Health, Democracy Building and the prevention of Gender-Based Violence.

Some examples of recent work include:

Achieving policy wins in four states to ensure that medically accurate, comprehensive sexuality education is taught in schools (rather than abstinence-only education). This battle continues in other states!
Protecting women’s reproductive rights in Colorado and California in the November elections. They continue to fight these battles in states across the country where a woman’s right to choose is threatened over and over again.
An ongoing demand that the needs of women with HIV/AIDS are recognized nationally and provided for by the Centers for Disease Control.
Providing aid to the Gulf Coast in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Gustav through the Katrina Women’s Response Fund for relief, community rebuilding and advocacy efforts to fight for a socially just recovery.
The Ms. Foundation and its grantees are also working to ensure that the economic needs of women, families and vulnerable communities are elevated throughout the current economic crisis.

The Ms. Foundation works to connect grassroots organizing to national movements for progressive change to benefit people of every race, class and gender. Together we can strengthen this movement for change by making a gift to the Ms. Foundation today.

"Because I’ve reached the outrageous age of 75, I feel I can call upon people to do an..."

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 14:07:26 -0500

“Because I’ve reached the outrageous age of 75, I feel I can call upon people to do an outrageous act every day for 75 days.”

- Gloria Steinem, February 2009