10 results from the first 10 Experiment

In order of how they came to mind:

1. A check for $100 was given to The Macon Rescue Mission from Killian's Cafe. (That's a picture of the official check giving!)

2. Around $750 was given out to participants who met their matches in the Macon Money game during the 3 hour period. This was a great addition to a great day.

3. Almost $150 of that Macon Money was spent right there in Killian's that morning.

4. The day presented a great introduction opportunity - A really high percentage of the day's participants had NEVER been in Killian's.

5. The owner of Killian's told me that the numbers generated in three hours were equivalent to sometimes three days.

6. Greg, the owner of Killian's says that he seeing repeat business from the 10 Experiment's patrons.

7. Fox 24's Michelle Apon is working on a story that covers the day of the event, the day of the check to the Salvation Army, and the next event, giving great coverage of not only the event but downtown as well.

8. We had a great number of Mercer University students who turned out to support 10 and Killian's. For years people have been working to help mercer students connect with downtown for more than a night of drinking.

9. New social connections were made. Props to Macon Money's contribution here. Matching up game pieces meant matching up people - often people who had never met before! New faces, new conversations, new friendships.

10. A lot of fun happened. People waited in line for 30 minutes sometimes just to get a cup of coffee - and they did so happily! People talked, people laughed, people played Macon Money and were genuinely excited to take part in the day.

11. And a bonus - I think Greg, the owner of Killian's lost 10 pounds from working such a fast and furious pace! this was a benefit that we had not anticipated.

The Experiment - Amazing Day

Below is a copy of a quick email I sent about today's 10 Experiment... great day... fun... new people... amazing

Gene,
The 10 Experiment took place today – check it out on facebook if you haven't already - http://www.facebook.com/The10Experiment . We met at Killian’s Place – the coffee shop. During the 3 hours of 10 (10am-1pm) the place stayed packed! People waited in line for 30 minutes at a time for a cup of coffee – socializing, playing Macon Money, meeting new people. It was great! Michelle Apon from Fox 24 was there to do a story – they shot some video, she interviewed several people, even participated in Macon Money and 10!

Killian’s promised 10% of sales during the 3 hours to The Macon Rescue Mission – raised $100 for them – That’s $1,000 worth of coffee and stuff in 3 hours – not bad!

Another great thing about the day was that the vast majority of people there had NEVER been there before! Killians will enjoy a lot of repeat business and I guarantee you people will be talking about the 10 experiment for days and weeks! Businesses and non-profs are already asking how they can be a part.

This was a HUGE success.

Keith

The 10 Experiment - Already Fun

It looks like The 10 Experiment is taking off! There seems to be a LOT of chatter on our primary means of promoting 10e - Facebook... and it is turning out to be pretty fun. New City Church decided to help bring a crowd by giving 20 people a $5 gift certificate to Killian's Place. The response was great! New City and non-New City people saw the offer and jumped on board! The 20 gift certificates went fast and having people post on my status to get one was great... I have already made some new friends - people I will meet face to face on Thursday!

One of my new friends is Michelle Apon (That's her picture). Michelle is a meteorologist for Fox 24, a local TV station. She heard about 10e from a roommate. Not only is Michelle coming to see what's going on for a news story, but she is also shopping at Killian's Place as part of The 10 Experiment. Now - Michelle, give us a hand with the weather on Thursday and it should be an amazing day!

I'll post Michelle's report when we see it.

The 10 Experiment - With and For Our City

I saw a video at http://www.carrotmob.org/ - cool idea. My mind began to churn - we could do that here, but with our own spin, I thought. So I shared the idea - and it is about to happen as 10e - The 10 experiment! Watch the video - then check us out on FB - http://www.facebook.com/The10Experiment

The 10 experiment will:

1) Help Support Our Downtown Businesses

2) Help Support Non-Profits Working For the Good of Downtown

3) Socially Bring A Diversity of People Together as a Force For the Good of Downtown

It will also serve to show our city that New City Church downtown is serious about being With and For Our City! I cannot wait to see the doors this one will open to us and to the gospel through our love for the city.

* Since before our first day, New City Church has talked about being a church who is "with and for our city." We have done more than talk: we have volunteered in great number at festivals and downtown clean up days. We have attended downtown events in force, and we have recently adopted the downtown elementary school with the goal of making it Macon's most desired school. New City people dine downtown, shop downtown, and live downtown - all very intentionally with the goal of seeing the transformation our city.