CONTENTS
Appendices 63
- Additional Resources 63
- Family Activities, Community Building, Celebrating: Advent & Christmas; Celebrating Year-round; Easter & Lent; Environment (Care of Creation); Media Literacy; Music/Worship 63
- Alternatives’ Simpler Living Community Network
(incorporating SLOW Down Network) 66 - Promotion 72
- SLOW Down Promotional Material 72
- Reaching Out Through the Media 74
- Coaching Groups on the Internet
- Reaching Out Through Social Media
- Graphics 2, 76
- Resource Index (original version) 7
Simple Living Community Network
(incorporating “SLOW Down” Network)Alternatives’ Mission Statement
Equipping people of faith to challenge consumerism, live justly and celebrate responsibly.
Alternatives’ Goals
1. To heighten awareness in an increasingly larger audience about the implications of consumerism and commercialization in the celebrations of Christmas and other holidays.
2. To continue providing a forum and support for those trying to live responsibly so that changes made in experimentation become established patterns of living.
3. To work closely with faith-related and denominational hunger and lifestyle programs and other social justice organizations.
4. To divert persons and institutions from overconsumption to a more just distribution and stewardship of funds and other resources.
5. To provide a bridge between those concerned about peace, justice and sustainability of creation whether within religious institutions or outside them.
6. To suggest alternative ways of relating within social institutions through structures and decision-making patterns.
General and Membership Information
ALTERNATIVES for Simple Living was a nonprofit organization “equipping people of faith to challenge consumerism, live justly, and celebrate responsibly.” Started in 1973 as a protest against the commercialization of Christmas, it encourages celebrations year-round that reflect conscientious ways of living. It has expanded to year-round simpler living. (Also see “What Do I Say?” on p. 69.)
Simple Living Works! continues Alternatives' mission and provides most its resources online free of charge.
Everyone is welcome to use Alternatives’ resources, regardless of their religious beliefs.
Alternatives produced seasonal materials:
- Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway? Christmas booklet (new each year)
- Simplify & Celebrate!: Embracing the Soul of Christmas
- Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas Video (VHS & DVD) & Audio (cassette & CD)
- Collections to Read Aloud or Alone
- Christmas Campaign Kit (25 items)
- Carols with Justice (booklet/pageant/CD)
- 40-Day Guide for Lent (new each year)
- Who's Risen from the Dead, Anyway? - Lent/Easter collection
Alternatives produced year-round materials:
- The Alternative Wedding Book
- Treasury of Celebrations
- Break Forth into Joy! Beyond a Consumer Lifestyle Video (VHS & DVD) & audio CD
- Stories & Songs of Simple Living book, cassette & CD
- Sing Justice! Do Justice! New hymns & songs
- Simpler Living Alternative Calendar (any year)
- Living More with Less Study/Action Guide
- Simple the Best: Over 30 Years of Alternatives CD-ROM
- Spirit of Simplicity: Quotes & Art book/CD-ROM
- Worship Alternatives book/CD-ROM
- The Good Life Curriculum
- Simply Enough: Straight Talk from Tony & Shane on Simple, Just Living VIDEO
- Simple Living Works! VIDEO (updated Simple Living Struggles and Solutions)
- SimpleLivingWorks.org offers resources and activity guides on simpler living and related topics for adults and children.
Simpler living can be lonely. So Alternatives provides help in locating other like-minded folks. Also, our SLOW Down Network provides volunteer Motivational Speakers, Workshop Leaders, Event Organizers, Local Media Contacts and Discussion Group Consultants to help reach others person-to-person with the message of simpler living.
Why become a SLW! activist volunteer? It is essential to restore moderation and perspective to celebrations that are too often self-indulgent. Changing the way we celebrate is an important first step in adopting a more responsible lifestyle. A major part of our work is distributing resources designed to help people look at celebrations in more responsible ways.
By becoming a activist volunteer, you help challenge the way our consumer society continues to usurp our holy days and exploit people and the environment. With your help, more and more people can experience the joy that comes from celebrating and living in ways that affirm all God’s creation.
What symbols are in Alternatives’ logo? The circle represents the Earth. The tree and the star answer the question “Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway?” Alternatives has been pointing people to Jesus at Christmas time since 1973. The tree and its shadow also form an arrow, urging us to change directions, to turn away from overconsumption to alternative, simpler, more people-oriented ways of celebrating and living. The entire logo is a stylized “A” for Alternatives. The lettering of the name is simple but strong.
Network Volunteer Guidelines
We urge you to start your own support groups and study circles… face-to-face, by mail, phone and e-mail. We will support you through our materials and our free group coaching service via internet. (Click Volunteers above, then Activities.)
Living more simply can be lonely, especially if friends and family are not open to it. The purpose of ASSIST is to prevent isolation, which can kill the spirit for simplicity.
Also, there is a real hunger for the message of simpler living. It is overwhelming to think of all the places – local churches and organizations, regional and national conferences – where Alternatives could have a presence. So, Alternatives provides support to motivational Speakers, workshop Leaders, event Organizers and Discussion group consultants through the SLOw Down Network.
Welcome as an Alternatives member, volunteer and participant!
Network Guidelines
1. Members of the SLOW Down Network (Speakers, Workshop Leaders, Event Organizers, Discussion Group/Study Circle Consultants, Social Media Activists) are affectionately known as “SLO’s.”
2. SLOW’s receive a newsletter from Alternatives to stimulate communication and idea sharing, to report activities and to update the guidelines. SLOW’s are not required to be dues-paying members of Alternatives.
3. The SLOW Down database will be kept current and used by the SLOW Down Coordinator to fill requests for speakers, organizers and other services. Appropriate information is available to all who request it, members or not, customers or not.
4. SLOW's are volunteers, not paid speakers, requesting no honoraria (except expenses).
5. If you prefer a professional speaker, sign a formal agreement with them to receive a fee.
6. Any SLOW may be contacted directly by the event host. SLW! can provide support materials and other help.
7. Alternatives provides support materials for SLOW's, such as a Flex Talk (for presentations from 15 minutes to more than an hour) and promotional material. Hosts are welcome to pay shipping charges for support materials. Materials should be distributed as beneficially as possible, not discarded or returned. If nothing else, they will at least be recycled.
8. Site hosts and SLOW's are welcome to report results of each event (attendance, reactions, etc.) to SLW!, no matter who booked it, on the Report Form (p. 71).
Additional Volunteer Guidelines
SLW! depends on volunteers to spread the message of Christian discipleship through voluntary simplicity. These guidelines are meant to answer questions about the relationship between the organization and volunteers. They will be revised as we learn together. Your input is welcome.
1. WORKSHOPS. You may copy any materials you need for your presentation. Or gte them at nominal cost from the ELCA Archvies.
SLW! videos may be played from the internet on YouTube.
Expenses, such as mileage and meals, may be covered by the host.
2. CONSIGNMENT SALES. Since SLW! sells nothing, we no longer provide consignment materials.
3. PROMOTIONAL ITEMS. There is no charge for promotional items, such as brochures or flyers for volunteer events, consignment events, conferences or conventions. Do not return promotional materials. Put leftovers to another good use, or, if that's not possible, recycle them.
4. IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS. If you donate your mileage and other expenses, you may deduct them from your income tax (if you itemize). Submit the number of miles and actual cost of other expenses after an event and your host will provide you a receipt for your tax records. Such a receipt is required if you claim an in-kind contribution of $250 or more in a given tax year.
5. RECOGNITION. Volunteers may be recognized from time to time in SLW! social media.
Network Q & A
Why a SLOW Down Network?
SLOW Down is a way to meet the needs for presentations and help and to empower volunteers.
SLOW Down comes from our Mission Statement: (Please memorize it.)
Equipping people of faith to challenge consumerism, live justly and celebrate responsibly.
Alternatives’ first “Operational Goal,” derived from the mission statement, is: “To heighten awareness in an increasingly larger audience about the implications of consumerism and commercialization in the celebrations of Christmas and other holidays.”
From that goal, the staff, the members, the members of the board of directors, volunteers and others strive…
1) to reach others face-to-face by speaking at conferences and meetings, classes and worship, by leading workshops which you or others organize, by organizing events, such as Third World Crafts and Clothing Alternative Christmas Fairs, and by helping with Discussion/Study/Action groups and Simplicity Circles,
2) to support each other through ASSIST, Alternatives' support service or other means, such as helping people start local Simplicity Circles, study/accountability groups, etc.
This experience is good for all of us. You'll find that standing in front of people sharing your convictions will have an effect on YOU. It does on me. I've made some vows that must have come from God because I might not have said them if I'd thought much about them first… such as reducing my possessions by 50% by my 50th birthday. It took me over 40 years to get into this mess. I'll give myself a little time to get out!
Making presentations reminds us of our values and commitments and lets us share them with people who are hungry for ideas and encouragement to live more simply.
The network began quietly in 1997. It was publicly launched in 1999. By January, 2000, it had over 500 volunteers; in 2006, 850+.
What Do I Say?
Here is our standard description.
What Simple Living Works?
SLW! is the successor to Alternatives, a nonprofit organization that “equips people of faith to challenge consumerism, live justly, and celebrate responsibly.” Started as a protest against the commercialization of Christmas, it encourages celebrations year-round that reflect conscientious ways of living.
Throughout its 40 years, Alternatives has helped lead the movement to live more simply and faithfully. The many staff members and volunteers of Alternatives have developed a wide variety of resources, organized an annual Christmas Campaign, held the Best and Worst Christmas Gift Contest, led numerous workshops, and reached countless people with the message of simple, responsible living.
Alternatives emphasizes relationships and traditions over things, thereby helping to avoid stress and debt, and promoting alternative giving – helping the truly needy instead of spending so much on ourselves.
Alternatives is operated by a small staff which reports to a national Board of Directors. We are funded by memberships and donations, grants and sales of resources.
SLW! website archives includes resources in text, audio and video on living more simply, and resources for children and adults. SLW! provides Alternatives' material free of charge on simpler living and related topics (such as hunger, the environment, media literacy, etc.) for Advent and Christmas, for Lent and Easter, for weddings and for year-round use – some in Spanish.
May I solicit and arrange my own presentations?
YES! And please let us know where and when you’re going and what you need from us. Give us as much lead time as possible. For brochures, allow at least two weeks; for publicity materials, two months.
What support material is available?
- -Flex Talk (a presentation that can last from 15 minutes to three hours)
- -Video(s)
- -Alternatives’ Resources
- -Trade Books
- -Display
- -Past Editions of Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway?
- -Brochures
- -Sign-up List
- -Publicity (media release, PSAs–Public Service Announcements, bulletin blurbs, etc.)
If I have a display or booth, what do I do?
a.) Set up the materials in an orderly and attractive way.
b.) If possible, stand in front of the display and make eye-contact with every person who comes within ten feet of the table.
c.) If they’re wearing a name tag, smile and say “Hi, (name)” I’m (your name) with Alternatives for Simple Living.” If they’re not wearing a name tag, do the same thing, omitting their name. Don’t ask for their name.
d.) Use one short, descriptive sentence, such as, “We help people simplify their lives at Christmas time.” OR “We help families resist the pressures to overspend at Christmas.”
e.) Then say, “May I offer you a free [catalog, brochure, flyer OR booklet]?”
f.) Close with “If you would like to be on our mailing list, please sign up.”
g.) Pursue the conversation if they show interest, but not if it means missing others. Listening to others’ stories is important for them and for you. Your primary job, however, is making contact with as many people as possible.
h.) Many folks sit behind their table and wait for people to come to them. That’s the passive approach. It’s easy and nonthreatening. We take a bit more assertive approach. Reach out! In most cases you have only ten seconds to make contact.
i.) If there’s an unusually large number of people passing by, make eye contact with as many as you can, and say “hi” or “welcome.” Hold out your promotional item so that anyone can take it. If someone stops, use d.-f.
What are some of the “catch” phrases I can use to help people identify Alternatives?
a.) Alternatives’ most widely read resource is “Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway?” OR We're the folks who produce “Whose Birthday…”
b.) Alternatives has been in Sioux City, Iowa; formerly in Ellenwood, Georgia – the Atlanta area – for many years.
c.)Alternatives for Simple Living is best known simply as Alternatives.
d.) A motto to remember – “Resources for responsible living and celebrating since 1973.”
Who do I contact to get help?
Memorize our address or keep it in your wallet: SimpleLivingWorks AT yahoo DOT com.
What are the procedures for the SLOW Down Network?
When a speaker, leader or organizer and local host work out the details, we provide appropriate support and promotional materials to each party, including a presentation which can be given “as is” or adapted.
The volunteer prepares and makes the presentation, then sends us a brief report (p. 73) by mail or e-mail, including the mailing list sign-up. (Also see guidelines on p. 67.)
Any Tips on Scheduling?
More workshops and other events related to voluntary simplicity occur in the fall than all the other seasons combined. In summer, many conferences and conventions occur that may include workshops about the topic.
For a short series (fewer than 13 sessions), the school year is the most popular time. Try scheduling one about Christmas in the fall and one about year-round simpler living in the winter, possibly during Lent.
Take the initiative. We'll back you up! Don't worry if you don't see yourself as “there” yet. Approach the group members as fellow travelers. “Let's learn about living more simply together.”
This experience is good for all of us.
Any Tips on Preparing for a Presentation?
You will find a sample presentation in Simple Living 101. Only you know how much time you need to prepare. Don't expect it to be perfect the first time, but prepare well enough so that you can feel confident at the beginning and good about yourself afterward.
See “Part One: Planning the Workshop” in “Leader’s Guide to ‘Unplug the Christmas Machine’ Workshop”.
How Do I Get Support Materials?
1. A simple promotional flier is available on this site at About Us >> Contact.
2. Most SLW! resources, even videos for your own use, are free at SLW.org or at nominal cost from ELCA Archives.
How do I keep up-to-date on the network?
By joining as a volunteer at no cost or obligation, you will receive the monthly SLW! eNewsletter. Your comments, questions, concerns and funny stories are welcome. Please save the newsletter.
Past issues of the newsletter are posted at SLW.org >> Services >> SLOW Down Network. For additional presentations click on “Simple Living 101 Bonus.”
Network Event Report Form
Please tell us by mail, fax or email about the following eight items, using numbers 1-8.
SimpleLivingWorks AT yahoo DOT com.
1. Name of Alternatives' representative
2. Place, date and time of event (In case of an event consultation, list the information for the upcoming event, not the consultation.)
3. Event/site host's name, address, phone number, e-mail address
4. General response to the topic and the volunteer
5. Number in attendance and type of audience (characteristics like age, gender, etc.)
- at your workshop(s)
- at the larger event (if your workshop was part of a larger event)
6. Hospitality and organization of event
7. Other details and comments
8. What could Alternatives do in the future to make your work more fulfilling, e.g. support materials?
Feedback: Ideas, Changes
Alternatives started the network to help spread the ideas and practices of simpler living, to challenge rampant consumerism, to help us all to live more justly and celebrate more responsibly.
- Has Simple Living 101 helped you to do these things, to help yourself, your family and your community in good ways?
- What can we add or change to help you better?
- Please call, write, email or, fax your ideas. We will try to make changes from the experience of our network leaders and participants in their programs.
Thank you for your interest, support and help.
Newsletter
(File your copies at the back.)
Page updated 26 Jan. 2014
FORMER GUIDELINES: See SLOwDown.html
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MISSION: Equipping people of faith to challenge consumerism, live justly and celebrate responsibly // An all volunteer educational organization.