Poster Bowl

Our advertising posters are incredible tools that are a bold, direct, and an honest reminder to all of us of the true nature of addictions. When those in public see one of these posters, they cannot use words that “sugar-coat” the problem. These new posters confront each sin problem in it’s true light.

One very effective way to use these posters is to have a Poster Bowl. To do this, split your class into two teams and prepare to have a fun, but highly competitive, poster contest! Even though only one team will win, the real winners are those who are brought to Christ through our efforts.

Choose teams with an official coin toss, just like the Super Bowl. After the teams are divided, each team member is given the number of posters that they think they will be able to put up that week. Along with the posters, they will take the same number of contact forms that will allow them to record the name, address, phone number, manager’s name, and the number of posters that were hung at each business.

The following Friday night during class: Each team will have a team meeting where they will add up the number of posters that were hung up and have a small “pep-rally.” Each week, the captain of the winning team will take the trophy, which is shaped like a large bowl and full of little candy bars, and share the spoils of victory with his team. This, of course, is done in front of class in order to provide motivation. However, the losing team captain must not only forfeit all bragging rights for the week, but he must also smell the “da-feet” (defeat) of the victorious captain!

Picture it in your mind: The losing captain ceremoniously kneels down before the winner, places his nose in close proximity to the other’s bare foot, and then gives a good ‘sniff’ (or at least fakes it pretty well!). This sure gets the class excited! The two teams will then compete again for the victory for next week; however, the scores should not be cumulative until the contest is completely finished. This competition can last four to six weeks. At the end of the last week, all of the scores will be totaled, and the ultimate winning team will get to keep the trophy until the next Poster Bowl.

Helpful hints that we learned along the way:
1. Be sure to have enough posters with neatly hand-written information completed and ready to supply both teams for two weeks before the contest starts.
2. Order enough posters for the entire contest ahead of time.
3. Order a large variety of posters. I suggest some of each, including some of the “Breaking the Chains” posters.
4. Make sure that your class understands that if a student has missed five weeks in a row, they may be recruited by the other team members and are considered visitors. All visitors become part of the team who invited them. This is a great way to get students back in class!
5. Students cannot change teams until the next contest.
6. Take tape with you so that you can put up the poster.
7. Privately owned businesses will be a little more cooperative.
8. Remember - ask everyone!
9. Select team captains and assistant team captains before the contest begins. They should be high energy leaders in your chapter.
10. Posters are hung all week as team members are able; however, plan a couple of Saturdays for the whole class to saturate the town. The Poster Bowl has been very exciting for our class, and we are confident that it can have the same effect on your class. Be sure to make a big deal out of it, because it is a big deal! The contest continues to bring a level of excitement as some students learn, for the first time, that we can have a good time without the help of illegal substances!
11. Keep records of all businesses that let you hang posters. These are RU friendly businesses that may help pay for advertising, curriculum, or at least hang posters in the future.
The ideal place is a retail business. Many are delighted to help. When you approach a business that is a corporate store, and they are not allowed to put them in their window, ask them to put one up in the break room. If the answer is still negative, ask them to pass on one of our brochures to someone we can help.

The following is a partial list of the types of places where we have put up our posters:
Grocery stores
Convenience stores
Gas stations
Drug stores
Banks
Churches
Libraries
Restaurants
Hardware stores
Check cashing stores
Auto part stores
Factories
Thrift stores
Liquor stores
Government buildings
Drug rehabilitation centers
Fire stations
Police stations