Poetry Reading & Coffeehouse
Almost anywhere you go, there are people who write poetry, songs, short stories and other what-have-you’s that are looking for a way to share them.
When
I was in college, we used to pile into whoever’s car we could
borrow and drive to this little art museum in the city just to
be able to share our poetry with the odd collective of local
poets that met in their attic. To us, that attic was a place
to share our voice and their snaps of approval were the
sweetest song.
Anyways, I digress… there is always a lot of room in human rights for the politics majors, future social workers and otherwise socially savvy. Getting them involved is usually pretty easy. It’s important to intentionally make room for the non-political people on your campus or in your group to get involved as well. We’ve already mentioned ways to include musicians and artists, here’s how you can attract your poets and philosophers as well.
Put together a poetry night. Give the guideline that all poems submitted must be relevant to social justice and submitted ahead of time for review (to weed out poems that are too obscene and to get an idea of when to place whom thematically). It’s also a good idea to make a booklet with all the poems that will be read that night in it, a bio and picture of all of the poets, and information on the issue that you are trying to raise money to stop as well. You can sell these for $1 or so to raise funds. Keep it cheap.
Remember to set out a donation jar (as always) and a table with information on the issue that you are trying to raise awareness of and action for. Pamphlets, take-homes, candies and lots of pictures will help attract people to your table. Sell the booklet there as well.
AND nothing goes better with poetry than coffee. Be sure to arrange to have coffee and baked goods sold throughout the evening (Fair trade coffee for extra points!) You can arrange for this with your student union, cafeteria, school, local coffee shop or just bake the items yourself, form a baking committee that throws baking parties with baking party mixed CDs playing in the background, or try and get donations from a local bakery.
Keep proceeds from the sales (if possible) to put towards the cause. Make sure to advertise that as well. People will be even more willing to buy coffee and cookies if they can justify it as being for a good cause.
Be sure to advertise for this event within your English Department and Poetry Clubs as well as on campus and in chapels about a month in advance to give people time to prepare. Promote. Promote. Promote.
Let us know how this idea worked for you!
JESUSpolitik, Inc. (c) All images and content are subject to copyright.