Support Learning Life: Host a Diplomacy Dessert

Want a fun, social way to support Learning Life’s Family Diplomacy Initiative (FDI)?

In our divided, insecure world, FDI is an ambitious, long-term, grassroots effort to connect, train and empower a growing international corps of family diplomats to participate in decision-making at local to global levels.  We envision a world more connected and caring because every family has one or more family diplomats, and those citizen diplomats advocate effectively via nonprofits, businesses, media and governments for the needs, concerns and aspirations of families worldwide.  One of the most fun, social ways to support family diplomacy is by hosting what we call a “Diplomacy Dessert.”

Diplomacy Dessert hosts invite their friends, family and/or colleagues on a weekend afternoon or evening for 2-3 hours to socialize, learn about family diplomacy, and enjoy dessert in-person at the host’s home or online via Zoom or another platform.  Since the Desserts are typically fundraisers, the invitation should request each guest or couple to contribute to the FDI via Learning Life’s donation page.  Set your own fundraising goal (minimum of $750), and accordingly, invite however many people you need to reach that goal, with the understanding that at least 2/3 or 3/4 people you invite may not be available on the Dessert date you set, about 1/4 to 1/3 of those who confirm may not show up, and some may contribute without attending.  We recommend setting the contribution level at $100 for individuals, and $150 for couples or families, but you can set your own levels.  Guests who contribute $100 (per person) become members of Learning Life’s Democracy & Diplomacy Community.

Diplomacy Dessert

Diplomacy Desserts can be organized anywhere in the world.  If you live anywhere in metro Washington DC, Learning Life’s founder, Paul Lachelier, can present to your group live in-person.  Outside of metro DC, Paul can present to your in-person or online group via Zoom, Facebook, Skype or any other platform suitable for screen sharing.  Just make sure your internet connection is strong enough for live video streaming.

The process of hosting a Diplomacy Dessert can be summarized in five steps:

    1. Create a list of friends, family and/or colleagues you would like to invite to your Diplomacy Dessert.  We suggest your list have at least 36 people in order to arrive at a minimum of 12 people who RSVP their plans to attend.  If you like, we can work with you to selectively invite other Learning Life supporters outside your network to help you reach your attendance goal.
    2. Consult with Learning Life’s founder and director, Paul Lachelier, to set a date, time and agenda for your Diplomacy Dessert.  We recommend setting aside 2-3 hours: the first hour for socializing, the next hour for family diplomacy presentation and discussion, and any remaining time for further socializing.  If you like, we can work with you to selectively invite other Learning Life supporters outside your network to help you reach your attendance goal.
    3. Send out your Evite, or email invitation to your friends, family and/or colleagues at least two weeks in advance, with a couple of reminders in the days prior to the event.  We can take care of the email invitation for you via Evite if you like, or provide you with an email template.
    4. If in-person, please make or buy whatever desserts or sweets you think your guests will enjoy.  If online, you can invite your guests to present and eat desserts of their own choosing or on a theme (foreign, French, apples, chocolate, etc.).
    5. Enjoy your Diplomacy Dessert!  At the appointed time, Paul Lachelier, will present on FDI’s principles, past, current and planned activities, and ways to get involved, followed by questions and discussion.

Interested in hosting a Diplomacy Dessert?  Schedule a time to meet with Paul Lachelier to discuss using his Calendly.

Thank you for your support!