[sarahboo1979]

I am so excited. My pastor is letting me teach a coupon class at my church. We are using it as an outreach ministry as well. If all goes well we will also be doing a monthly coupon trade group that I will be leading. I am so nervous but I feel this will be great for my church and community. We also have a food pantry in our church and hopefully maybe the ones that need assistance from that may be able to attend some coupon classes as well.

So from the ones that have done coupon classes, any advice?

[Ellbei]

That's a wonderful ministry! Keep up the great work!!! ;-)

[Kmchamplin]

I just did one tonight. My one word of advice is to just act natural and let what you know take over. Trust me...you will not stop talking and go WAYYYY over the time limit.

[michele dj]

greeat idea!

[adavant]

How did you get this opportunity? I'd LOVE to do something like this!

[sarahboo1979]

Originally Posted by adavant

How did you get this opportunity? I'd LOVE to do something like this!

My church recently had a conference with a speaker that encouraged us to think of different ways that we can outreach to the community. I finally told my pastor about it and he said he loved the idea and told me who I needed to talk to about setting it up for our church.
I plan on inviting the community as well by flyers and advertisments. Hopefully this will be a great thing for our church members and non church members too.

[Jeweled]

You'll love it.
I did my first class at a friend's much smaller church about a month ago, and I'll be doing it for the first time at my church in a few weeks.
Some things that helped me:
- Have an outline so you can share the agenda at the beginning. I spent about two minutes telling what I would be talking about. That way people could save their questions until that part of the class, and they knew up front what I would be teaching.
- Have some kind of handout. I've never been a fan of having the entire presentation handed to me while someone reads it, but I do think it's important to have something to take home. I put together a list of online resources (afc, blogs that cover my area, etc), questions to ask about a store's coupon policy, coupon lingo, and a few planning and shopping reminders. I left a full blank page so they could take any notes. (I was also kind of vague because I didn't want anyone taking my resources and doing their own workshop.)
- Have some concrete examples. I brought in a few items I got free/cheap and used them as door prizes. I had everyone guess the shelf price and my oop. One item at a time, I told the shelf price and then described how I stacked coupons, rolled ECBs, whatever, to get the items free. Each item illustrated a different strategy. (I gave them away in a random drawing.)

Just tell people what works for you and remind them that they have to tweak things to suit their needs.

Good luck.

[couponfairy101]

YOU WILL TRULY BE BLESSED TO DO THIS !!! -- i spoke up at mine and asked permission from the elders -- i so wanted to share this new found BLESSING in my life with others from my church --- they were AMAZED and sooooo appreciative --- i plan to do more classes as time allows --- one of the ladies who came has 3 small boys -- they came as well and what a delight they were --- you should have seen their faces as I spoke --- one walked with me out and said WOW i cant wait to try with these coupons -- that in itself -- seeing this shine in this little boys eyes made it worth speaking to the crowd -- i too was nervous -- but ,.... hmm the lord will help you along --- just open your mouth and it will come pouring out !!!!!! --- god bless you LISA

i did an example for them -- i sat some items on the table and showed them how much i paid for the order -- the order had a savings of 89% --- they were like WOW !!! ... just do what your heart tells you to do tho and ull do just fine ... the nervousness leaves as soon as you begin .. truly it will ..

[karenvallone]

What an awsome outreach program. I'm sure you'll do great!

[ecochic]

I am also leading a class at my church this weekend. I'm getting really nervous, but I'm sure it will go well. We are also using it as an outreach activity. I hope that it can help a lot of people through the difficult times they are having now. I love the door prize idea. I was trying to think of what to do, and that sounds great!

[grocerymama]

If your passionate about it I wouldn't worry at all! You'll fill up the time and then some. I'm sure you'll get questions after too. So that always adds some extra minutes!

[Cuponqueeny]

That is how I got started also
It started with my church and ended up spreading into the community and now I do classes all over. I am shy person, but when it comes to coupons, I can talk forever and the nerves leave right away.

Have fun and