Host & Facilitator Guide
You don't need to be an expert to host. You just need to share the materials as they are, and point people toward help.
Download this guide as a PDF (includes a printable parking lot sheet).
First, the most important part: personal questions
People will share their stories and ask what they should do. That's a sign of trust. Your job is to listen kindly and point them to the right help, not to give advice about their situation.
Rule of thumb: explain what something is. Never say what someone should do.
| If someone asks… | You can say… |
|---|---|
| "In my case, should I…?" | "That's exactly the kind of question an attorney should answer for your situation. The last slide shows where to find one." |
| "Do I owe my dad's debts?" | "That's a very common worry. The website has a video on how this generally works. For your situation, please talk to an attorney." |
| "Is my sister allowed to do this?" | "I can't judge a specific situation, but I can show you where to learn about the general topic and where to get help." |
| "Which attorney should I use?" | "We don't recommend specific attorneys. The website lists licensed lawyers, and your state bar's referral service can help too." |
| Someone becomes emotional | "Thank you for sharing that. Take all the time you need." Let them step out if they want to. |
Use a parking lot. Keep a sheet of paper for personal questions. At the end, hand those guests the Where to Get Help card.
Before your event
- Choose your format and topic
- Book a room with a screen or projector
- Promote 2 to 3 weeks ahead with the flyer and bulletin inserts
- Print handouts for about 1.5 times your expected attendance
- Arrange interpretation if your community needs it
- Read through the slides and speaker notes once, out loud
During your event
- Read the disclaimer slide aloud. Please don't skip it.
- Keep tissues nearby, and let people know they can step out anytime
- Stay with the slides and speaker notes; avoid adding your own advice or stories about legal outcomes
- Use the parking lot for personal questions
Sample agendas
5 minutes
| Segment | Time |
|---|---|
| Title and one-line disclaimer | 0:30 |
| Key idea | 1:15 |
| Second idea or roadmap | 1:30 |
| One step this week | 1:00 |
| Where to learn more | 0:45 |
25 minutes
| Segment | Time |
|---|---|
| Welcome, grounding, disclaimer | 3 min |
| Core slides | 15 min |
| Where to get help | 2 min |
| General questions | 3 min |
| Learn more, thank you | 2 min |
45 minutes
| Segment | Time |
|---|---|
| Welcome, grounding, disclaimer | 5 min |
| Full topic | 28 min |
| Where to get help | 3 min |
| General questions | 7 min |
| Learn more, thank you | 2 min |
90 minutes
| Segment | Time |
|---|---|
| Welcome and disclaimer | 5 min |
| First topic | 30 min |
| Break | 10 min |
| Second topic | 30 min |
| Help, questions, thank you | 15 min |
For 90 minutes, present any two 45-minute decks: skip the second deck's opening slides and the first deck's closing slides.
After your event
- Remind guests to scan the feedback code on the final slide
- Share the website with attendees
- Tell us how it went; it helps us improve the materials and reach more families
A note on privacy: you don't need to collect names or contact details from attendees. If you choose to, keep them within your organization.
What you can and can't change
You can add your organization's name or logo to the title slide (editable files on request), add event details to flyers, print and share handouts, and present to any group at no charge.
Please don't edit slides, remove disclaimers, charge admission, or use the materials to promote services. Full details are in our Community Presentation Terms.
Where to get help
- Lawyer directory: licensed lawyers listed on our Find a Lawyer page. Listings are paid; they are not recommendations.
- State bar referral service: every state bar can connect people with a lawyer, often with a low-cost first meeting.
- Free legal aid: LawHelp.org lists free legal help by state, for people who qualify based on income.
- Court self-help center: many county courts have staff who explain forms and procedures (not legal advice).
- If someone is struggling: call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, any time.