Theme meetings are great. One of the most
successful ones was to Welcome Back Returning leaders. The service unit sent each Leader
and Co-leader a ticket to Hawaii, (not real of course). Then the SU set up the meeting
room to resemble a Jumbo Jet. (2 seats, row, 3 seats, row, 2 seats) The SU manager dressed
up as a pilot and ran the meeting. Four of the Service Team members dressed up as
stewardess and served virgin Pina Coladas and Peanuts up and down the isles. The opening
was the speech that you hear on all plane trips. (copy attached, along with other items
used for this meeting) They had barf bags (small white paper bags said barf), and inside
the bag was a balloon they were to use as their oxygen tank. They were instructed to blow
them up and keep them handy in case they needed oxygen. They even had yarn seat belts tied
to their chairs. They had found a pilot with Continental Airlines, who made a tape that
was played periodically during the meeting. This tape included sites you see out of the
windows while flying to Hawaii. He even had them put on and take off their seat belts
several times during the flight. The Service Unit had pictures of the places that the
pilot announced and when he did so, a service team member would stand up on what ever side
he said to look out and hold up that poster. Halfway through the meeting the plane landed
in beautiful Hawaii where they had a Luau with Leas, Shish kebobs, Cheese and punch. After
refreshments they boarded the plane and returned to Houston where again the Pilot
continued to interrupt the meeting with sights to see and seat belt instructions. When
they landed the leaders gave them a standing ovation and many thanks for their FREE, well
deserved trip to Hawaii. (click
here to get the pdf of the script for the pilot)
(Note: Continental Airlines donated ticket jackets, voided airline
tickets, cups, napkins, & peanuts. Travel posters were secured from travel agencies.)
