Ideas for Setting Up Your Local Seminar   How to Get Started 1. Discuss your ideas for a seminar with a group of friends.  To prepare yourself look at some of the hot links in this web site such as: Jims Topics Typical Weekend Format Speaking Engagements Information Sheet Typical Seminar Brochures Jim's Publicity Pictures 2. Get your group of friends together.  Be  prepared to talk about some of the following areas: The needs of your group -- understanding the needs of your people will determine all that follows.   Talk about possible dates which won't conflict with any church or community events.   Discuss other people who could be part of your steering committee.  Try to choose people from various age groups so that the needs of all ages will be understood.    Begin designing a questionnaire which can be given to all potential seminar attendees.  The questionnaire should be a list of about 50 potential topics, which are a major concern to the people who would be attending the conference.    Make your questionnaire topic list very specific -- not, "We need help with communication." -- rather, "We need help to know how to discuss our sexual differences."  As you understand more precisely the needs of your group, it will help your steering committee to focus on a weekend topic, as well as to choose your potential speaker.  Be sure to include a question about the best time of the year for them to attend a seminar.   Tell your potential attendees that by filling out this questionnaire they will be helping to decide the topics to be covered at the weekend retreat or seminar.  Potential attendees who invest time in filling out a questionnaire are more likely to attend the seminar. 3. Look at the data which you have collected.  Now think through the following: What are the best dates?  Be flexible. Discuss finances –(see No. 4 below. ) What are the potential locations?  Some locations need many months of advanced notice -- be flexible. Now set your weekend focus. Discuss potential speakers.  You may find that sure No. 1 speaker choice is not available on your exact weekend -- be prepared to be flexible. 4. Carefully think through the finances.  What can various people in your group afford?  Sometimes only the people in their 50s and older can afford to attend a weekend retreat.  Especially focus on the needs of people in their 20s and 30s. Perhaps you can arrange scholarships by asking one or more people in your church or community to give $1000 or more for scholarships.  Additionally, maybe teenagers or older people would be willing to baby-sit as a way to cut the cost for younger couples. 5. Plan the strategy for publicizing and recruiting your event.  General information is helpful such as publicity flyers, bulletin inserts, video presentation clips, and verbal announcements.  ( Look at some of the sample brochures on our website which might give you deas: Typical Seminar Brochures Jim's Publicity Pictures The most effective way to recruit people is to assign specific individuals or couples to each person in your planning committee.  All of their contacts should be face-to-face and the person or couple should be warmly invited, "I really want to do whatever it takes to help you get to the conference -- how can I make that possible?" It's at this point where of the scholarship and babysitting resources are likely to help people make the decision to attend.  When a person is personally invited by a friend, it helps the person to feel wanted, plus they have an opportunity to hear firsthand how they will benefit from this weekend retreat.