Florida Conference 2012-2013 OCWM Second Annual Chili Cook-Off Fundraiser

Purpose:

The Conference-wide fundraiser is designed to assist the local church in raising money for OCWM, while stimulating the environment for community building and wholesome fellowship. The goal of the Conference-wide fundraiser is to generate additional monies for OCWM, as well as a winning chili recipe from each church in the Conference. The winning recipes will be published, and the winning chefs will be invited to the Conference-wide cook off event held at the 2013 Annual Meeting of the Florida Conference. Every UCC church in the Florida Conference that would like to participate and contribute funds to OCWM. Your church is free to host the event at a time that would work best for your church. However, the month of October has been designated as Florida Conference OCWM month. Individual churches are encouraged to find a day in that month to host the Chili Cook-Off Fundraiser and to report the results of the event to the Florida Conference by November 15, 2012. Review the document, How to Run a Chili Cook-Off, pages 2 7, and feel free to make changes as needed. Every church is different, and in some churches additional ideas may emerge to make the fundraiser even better. Your church is encouraged to submit your ideas and/or changes with your final report to the Conference. Be prepared to submit photos and the winning recipe to the FL Conference, so we may celebrate along with your church. How to Run a Chili Cook-Off Fundraiser (CC-O)

Goal:

Who:

When:

How:

Step #1

Form a committee and subcommittees

Committee responsibilities are the following:

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1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Communicate your plans for the event with the FL Conference Invitations, announcements, newspaper/radio liaison Judge selection, winner certificates, pictures at the event Entry fee collection, raffles (optional), reporting Supplies for the cook-off Set-up and clean-up

Recommendations (not mandates) for each responsibility 1.Keep the FL Conference in the conversation by calling the Regional Minister (RM) for your church and letting them know your plans and how they can help. 2. Invitations Decide when to prepare and release invitations for the Chili Cook-Off (CC-O). The invitations may be handed out in church or mailed. If the general public is to be invited to participate in the CC-O, determine when to release public announcement messages to the newspaper and local radio. Invite local newspaper reporters to your event for story coverage and pictures.

3. The selection of judges will need to be decided relatively early, especially if you intend to have local celebrities involved. It is recommended that you ensure their availability and willingness to participate several months in advance. Possible ideas for judges could include; local fire chief, police chief, school principals, newspaper editors, local news celebrities, church elders, church deacons, and/or church youth. Judging can be also done by those in attendance at the CC-O. In this case, voting tickets are given to attendants at a cost of $5 per ticket. Each voter writes on the voting ticket the number that corresponds to the chili-cooking participant. The tickets are then collected and counted.

You will need CC-Os winners certificates. The winners should be presented their certificates at the conclusion of the event. Picture taking is a must at an event like this. 4. All announcements and flyers for the CC-O need to indicate that all proceeds from the event will be given to OCWM. This funding will support mission work throughout the world on behalf of the United Church of Christ. All donations are tax deductible.
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You will need two volunteers to receive the entry contributions and to sell tickets. They will need a cash box containing start-up funds. Tickets can also be used for a raffle or participant voting. Ideas for a raffle can range from fruit baskets, wine baskets to homemade cookies and cakes. At the end of the event, all contributions are to be consolidated and counted. The amount remitted to the Florida Conference - OCWM should be announced along with the CC-O winners the following Sunday. 5. Here is a list of recommended supplies for the event. 1.Entrance tickets or some sort of stamp indicating payment 2.Participation tickets - Small plastic 3 to 5 ounce sampling cups. These cups will be used during the chili judging for those who wish to sample multiple chili dishes. 3. 4. Bowls to hold a full ladle or two of chili, - Plastic tablespoons, knives and forks

- Condiments to doctor up the chili: chopped red/ sweet onions, sliced or chopped jalapeo peppers, shredded cheddar cheese and hot sauce. - Large kitchen knife for chopping onions and peppers - Homemade cornbread brought by church members - Drinks, diet and regular soft drinks, water and tea 5. Extension cords will be needed for those contestants bringing crock pots.

6.Napkins, paper towels and large trash bags for clean-up will be helpful. 7.Note pads or index cards for judges to write their notes 8.OCWM promotional materials

Chili contestants need to bring their own ladles and a large serving spoon. The chili may be self-served or contestants may serve their own chili to the attendees. Hot pads for the chili pots may also be necessary depending upon the surface top of the table.

6. Setup and clean-up Chili contestants should bring their chili pots, ladles, serving spoons and hot pads home with them. The lay out of the event depends on the versatility of your space. It is recommended the small sampling cups (3 to 5oz.) be placed next to each of the chili pots to encourage sampling. Having trash bag lined trash containers strategically placed will be very helpful to the clean-up process.

Step #2

Choose a date and time

With your pastor and/or lay leadership consider a date that will best generate excitement and participation for this activity. For some churches that will be a Sunday. For some other churches it might be a Saturday. You will need about 1 2 hours for set up. For an event starting at 11:30 a.m., the set-up crew may have to begin at 9:30 that morning. It is recommended that you do not make this an all day event. Most people have other responsibilities. Obviously, the number of contestants and participants will affect how long the event lasts, but it is best to keep in mind an end-time, which will keep everything running smoothly.

Step #3

Set a fundraising goal

Speak to your pastor and/or the budget committee of the church to learn your churchs OCWM commitment. To help set the goal, consider the following questions: A.Does your church have the resources to meet that commitment? B.How many people do you expect to attend and participate at CC-O? C.How much would you charge a CC-O contestant? Participant?

Step #4

Promotional Strategy

Your church will want to create a lot of energy for this event. The more people who attend and participate, the more fun everyone will have and the more money your church will raise for OCWM. To have a FREE newspaper article or radio announcement promoting the event would not hurt. Refrain from paying for promotional ads since the purpose of the event is to raise money.
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Consider inviting important community leaders such as judges, politicians, and other celebrities since their participation will likely increase attendance.

Step #5

Rules and regulations

How the judges determine the winner is very important. If everyone is clear about the rules and regulations, chances of a disgruntled participant can be avoided. Suggested rules and regulations 9. Judges should not be relatives of any contestant 10.At the time of voting, all chili bowls should be marked anonymously and placed in order. Judges will walk along the line and take a cup of the chili, and make their notes accordingly. 11. Each judge will cast a vote for the best chili in each category 12.1st, 2nd and 3rd winners certificates are given according to the voting.

Step #6

OCWM Educational Materials and Promotions

Be sure to educate your congregation and faith community about OCWM and why it is important to participate. For educational resources, contact the Florida Conference office or locate the link on the UCC web page for information and OCWM resources. It would be helpful to have a table with OCWM materials and the OCWM DVD at the CC-O event for the many visitors to the church who may know little or nothing about OCWM. For those very same reasons, it is suggested that you also have UCC materials available.

Step #7

Create a Festive Atmosphere

During the event you will want music, decorations, games and other complimentary activities that will help create the right atmosphere. Find a sound system, a good DJ or, if possible, a live band and let the party begin. If people have fun, they are more likely to have a good memory of the event and the church hosting the event when they return home. SAMPLE CC-O (on a Saturday) 9:30 a.m. Set up crew arrives and begins to set up tables and chairs 11:00 a.m. Doors open for contestants to set up their chili bowls 11:30 a.m. Doors open for participants
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Music begins Games begin 12:30 p.m. Announce and introduce the panel of judges 12:45 p.m. Panel of judges begin the judging process 1:15 p.m. Winner is announced and crowned The party continues 2:00 p.m. Clean-up begins 3:00 p.m. CC-O fundraiser ends

SAMPLE CC-O (on a Sunday) Assuming worship service begins at 10 a.m. and lasts for one hour 10:00 a.m. Worship service begins Re-announce the chili-cook off in the service If panel of judges is in worship, you may want to acknowledge them 11:00 a.m. Worship service ends People go to the CC-O Music begins Games begin 12:00 p.m. Panel of judges begin the judging process 12:30 p.m. Winner is announced and crowned The party continues 1:00 p.m. Clean-up begins 1:30 p.m. CC-O fundraiser ends