Taking those pins and putting them into action. All for a good cause! By Kelby Peachey Social Media Chair - National Arthritis Walk Volunteer Committee Denver Arthritis Walk Co-Chair Peachey's Pack Team Captain | Peachey's Pack

Pinterest What is Pinterest? – a virtual pinboard — a place where you can create collections of things you love and "follow" collections created by people with great taste. – People use Pinterest to collect and share all sorts of things -- wedding inspiration, favorite T-shirts, DJ equipment. You name it, people are pinning it.

Why Pinterest? Over 10 million registered users, most of whom are women. Mashable calls Pinterest 2012′s hottest startup. But what about a Pinterest Party?Pinterest 2012′s hottest startup We marvel at why we never thought of some things, speculate on how people make others, and ponder why we’ll never actually get everything we pin.marvel at why we never thought of some thingsspeculate on how people make others ponder why we’ll never actually get everything we pin

Source: Once you start, you can’t stop…

But let’s put all that pinning into action and for a great cause!! Host a Pinterest Fundraising Party

How to host a Pinterest Party 1.Keep the attendance list small. Just enough woman to be able to sit around your dining room table. 2.Who to invite: anyone who knows Pinterest, posts ideas on Pinterest, or just likes to craft! Its also an opportunity to make new friends, so invite a variety of girls who may not know each other! 3.Ask the guests to bring three things: a)All of the supplies that they will need to create a project/DIY that they have "pinned" on Pinterest. Be sure to inform them that they need to complete their project within the party time allotted! b)A dish created from a recipe they found on Pinterest and that they have pinned (it can be an appetizer, meal, dessert, snack, drink, whatever). c)$10-$20 donation in support of the Arthritis Foundation (Please indicate all monies collected are a donation and considered a deduction) 4.Make a Pinterest Party board so that everyone can contribute ideas on what they will be crafting at the party and what food they will be bringing.Pinterest Party board 5.You supply all the basic supplies like: scissors, glue, paper, or anything you may have in your crafting drawer. 6.Add some cute decor, fun music, and you got yourself a party!

Pinterest Party Board

Themes Back to school Organization Fashion – Nails, outfits, hair Summer activities Bridal Shower Wedding Extravaganza Baby Shower Backyard Recipe

Other Pinterest Party Ideas As a group Virtual Once a month

Group Party – Everyone participate and do the same project/DIY – If you host this kind of party, you would be responsible of getting all the materials for the group project/DIY. This allows each girl to have everything she needs to get down to business and a place around the table. – Make sure to ask your guests to bring some money to contribute towards the cost. However, your goal is to raise money for the Arthritis Foundation! Keep it simple and easy!!

Ideas for a Group Party This is a great way to get your team together! Create a fun team spirit around a theme of your team through – T-shirts – Hats – Shoes – The possibilities are endless. Just search through Pinterest!

Virtual What if your friends and family live out of town? No problem!! Hosting a virtual party takes care of this. Designate the day of your virtual party and invite your friends and family. Have them pin their project/DIY on the Pinterest Party Board. Tell them to donate through your Team Walk Page! Have them take pictures of their completed project and send it to you. Share your photos on other Social Media sites (Facebook, Twitter, etc) Bonus: Host a real party at the same time as a virtual party!

Once a month If you see yourself doing this more often, then do it once a month! Switch it around to other girlfriends houses. Switch it up and try a virtual party or a group project/DIY.

Be sure too… Take a lot of photos!! This is an opportunity to show the world – What wonderful girlfriends you have! – How crafty they are! – That you can actually complete a Pin on Pinterest – That you did all of these crafts for a wonderful cause!! – Share on all social media sites! Facebook, Twitter, etc.

Social Media Interaction After the party, be sure to share on all social media sites. Here’s some example wording – Thanks for attending my Pinterest Fundraising Party in support of the Arthritis Foundation (link name name! We raised $X!!! I’m now ___% closer to my goal. – That Pinterest Fundraising Party was awesome! We raised over $X in support of the Arthritis Foundation (link page)!! Pictures coming soon!! If you would like to donate, you may do so here (add link to your team donation page!) Create a photo album on Facebook and call it “Pinterest Fundraising Party”. Post all the pictures of the party, tag all of your guests in the photos, and add a link to your Pinterest Party Board.

The beauty of it! 1.When the party is over, each girl goes home with several completed project/DIY. 2.But, more importantly, several new friends. 3.The true beauty of the party is less in the crafts or the food (although that part is definitely fun) but more about the opportunity to meet new people, hear their stories and raise money for a great cause!!!

Testimonial We heard a lot of, “I pinned this recipe, too, and I was wondering how it would turn out!” mixed in with “Oh my goodness! This so good!”