The Enrichment Cottage

Here is what I did and what works.  You don’t have to be so publicized after you have at least 3 successful enrichments because from that point on, the sisters and their word of mouth just snowballs.
I had sisters planning vacations around enrichment nights and coming up to me and telling me how sorry they were because they were going to miss enrichment.

Publicity is key.  However, if you advertise and advertise and get your sisters out there, but if you have nothing to offer them or feed them spiritually they will not come back.
The 3 rules that worked when I first got this calling and which continue to work today are:  you have to make it worth their time to leave their busy schedules and families,  you don’t need to be pulled away to another meeting, and come back drained or regretful that you even left the house.

Publicity

- Advertise it everywhere.  Have it in the bulletins, RS letter, the Sunday before have the bishop and the Elder’s Quorum President and the HP announce it.  The support of the bishop encouraging husbands to let their wives be able to come out is incredible.  If enrichment was on the 19th, change out the hymn numbers in sacrament.  Talk with the chorister and ask her to choose a song with the number 19 in it, as a reminder to the sisters.  I had the number 19 everywhere:  water fountain bathroom doors, bathroom stalls, even in the men’s room,   Bishop’s door, yw, primary, mothers lounge,  and car windows.   It costs a bit for paper, but you don’t have to do it EVERY time, but I do suggest the first 3 to 4 months.   Then, if you notice numbers dropping start it up again.

I used to give candy handouts and paper handouts every week prior to enrichment.  That becomes exhausting and COSTLY.   I definitely make sure I have a handout the week of enrichment.

Give food handouts to the men.  I have done catchy songs or parody’s for our Enrichment nights, and those were always fun and memorable!!  I need to do that for the ward I am in now.  They were fun and the sisters ate it up!!

I used to hang the moon for enrichment.  Now, I just hang myself. *smile*, no its not that bad, but I’m hanging something I just don’t know what.  I have had this calling for 2 years and it is really a demanding calling (if it is done right).  It is very selfless too.  I have not had the opportunity to enjoy an enrichment meeting because of the prep before, during and after.

You get a week to relax then you have to worry about the following month.  This is why I say it is crucial to be spiritually in tune because you really need that added support and comfort.

My rules are:

Touch them from the minute they walk into the doors.  You have a poster or a sign or something relating to the theme of your night. If you notice every enrichment night I have posted there was something at the front entrance.  This is also where they sign for the early bird.  So, there you have already set the theme and the mood.

Advertising and coming up with a theme or something that will peek their interests.  I treat these women just as if they were YW. (we are just a little older and still like to have fun) but we have so much more to be responsible with.  The advertising and theme will only snag them.

Touch them spiritually and emotionally, – When you are in tuned with the spirit on how to plan your enrichment night and whom to ask, then you leave it in the hands of your teachers.  Each time when I have had the spirit and listened to whom should lead a class, the sisters have been so touched.  THIS keeps them coming back for more, and leaves them with a feeling of satisfaction and educated and glad they came out.

WE are in a new ward and the dynamics are different.  I just got set apart after holding this calling for 5 months.  Being blessed with the keys have helped but I really need to pull my life together spiritually so I can better serve the sisters.  I trying to spiritually serve myself and my family let alone 70 sisters.  So, feeling a little drained and I think that is where my spark isn’t as bright.  (So, take care of your spiritual needs and you will know that things will be ok.)

Touch them physically-  It is important to find a good food committee.  Put your budget money here and then to decorations.  Food or tasters tables are important.  Don’t just grab a bag of oreos and dump them on the table or leave them in their package.  Presentation is everything.  Sometimes this is women’s only night out.  Make it memorable and special.  Touch their palette or touch them through sight.  An ordinary cake looks so much more delicious when it is adorned with flowers. (pansies and roses are safe) and edible too.  If you are going to use packaged cookies put them on nice platters.

PRESENTATION is key.  It not only lends to saying, someone took a little more time on me, but it opens up conversations.  Having something with a little more care leads to sisters lingering a little longer.  This will meet everyone’s needs to socialize and want to connect with others.

By Shiloah Baker

So, you were called into the calling of Home, Family and Personal Enrichment?…Congratulations! Since all well attended and spectacular events begin with the invitation, here are ten things NOT to do when putting together invitations for your ward or stake.

1. Do not put “we’re not telling”, especially when it comes to a Stake or large organized activity for Enrichment. It suggests either you are not organized or that no one would want to come if they knew.
2. Do not hand out black and white, plain, crooked cut invitations. They will become scratch paper and rarely will be put “up” to remind the sister’s of the activity- it’s not catchy and will most likely be quickly forgotten.
3. Do not use it as a way to chastise or as your soapbox. (i.e. Because of the fact that no one showed up for nursery last HFPE and the misbehaved children we will no longer have nursery.)
4. Do not include long lists of needed items. Make it short and to the point. For long lists, either offer to email it or have the sisters meet you later for a copy.
5. Do not make them too big. Keep them small enough that they can be slipped into a purse, bag, or scripture case. Something too big can be torn before it reaches home.
6. Do not do too much. Don’t go through so much labor to create an invitation that will be used once. Have fun…but don’t spend hours!
7. Do not forget the important details! Things like date, time, and place are just as important as the new and amazing classes that will be taught.
8. Do not overdo or under do it. Generate some excitement, but don’t sound like a car salesman. On the flip side, do not bore them to sleep while they are reading it. Both may produce a low attendance.
9. Do not forget the theme. Do not put unrelated clip-art on an invitation with a certain theme. Keep their interest and show them from the beginning that it is well organized.
10. Do not forget what a USEFUL tool invitations can be in getting a good attendance!

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Shiloah Baker a homeschooling mom of seven and is an entrepreneur who runs the Homemaking Cottage & Co., an online business which sells books, eBooks, ideas, LDS related materials, and a special subscription service. For more information go to: http://www.homemaking-cottage.com

By Shiloah Baker

After completing the list of ten things not to do for HPFE invitations, I realized that a DO list was important as well. Here are ten things that every leader should look over so she can know what to DO when making invitations!

1. Do use some creativity and exercise your talents: cross-stitch a letter, add some flair with a rubber stamp, add some ribbon, etc, etc.
2. Do remember to put date, time, place and any other important information like- Sunday Dress! No one likes to show up in street clothes and everyone else is in black tie dress!
3. Do attach a goodie every now and then. Treats can teach!
4. Do mail them to the sisters when you can, it is personal and makes them feel special.
5. Attach a magnet and it will be displayed easily and help the sisters (and possibly even their family members) to remember your activity.
6. Do add a poem, saying or scripture that goes along with your theme.
7. Do add color. Color enlivens the soul and excites the spirit! It also captures attention.
8. Do get help putting them together. It blesses others to share their talents too.
9. Do add textures and embellishments when appropriate. Many people enjoy feeling the 3-D things and it gives them enjoyment and reminds the people who are kinestic learners.
10. Do give them out early enough for the sisters to plan and make arrangements to come to your activity.

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. Shiloah Baker a homeschooling mom of seven and is an entrepreneur who runs the Homemaking Cottage & Co., an online business which sells books, eBooks, ideas, LDS related materials, and a special subscription service. For more information go to: http://www.homemakingcottage.com

© 2007 Homemaking Cottage, All Rights Reserved

These ideas are for your personal and church use. If you would like to contact Shiloah you may email her at Shiloah@Homemaking-Cottage.com