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Sisters,

We did this just last week!  We live in a college town & we receive anywhere to 25-40 new couples in the fall.  So we thought this would be a great idea.

1. I went to Wal-Mart & purchased the cheap paper (colorful) folders (they were down from .10 to .06 cents the day I was there) So I bought up 50.
2. Then I assigned each of the sisters in our presidency to do a different part.
3. I made a logo for the front that says Welcome to the Laramie LDS 3rd ward with a border around it.
4. Then I went to Chamber of Commerce & got visitor guides & a map of the town & come to find out it has a map of the campus on the back.
5. I called Deseret closest to us & asked if they could send me 50+ of their temple schedules,
6. I made up a business card to staple to the inside front flap that had the 1-800 numbers for church distribution, prayer roll....etc., then
7. I took the 4x6 blank note cards & made up a list of important phone numbers (bishop, primary pres., elder's quorums pres, R.S.  Pres, etc.....
8. Then our mtg times & the homemaking date for each month)
9. Then I printed them out on my computer & decorated with 2 lady bug stickers (8shts for 1.24 at Wal-Mart).
10. Then I went to our ticket office & got the sports schedule for the yr.  & a Pocket version.
11. I went to our local church book store & asked if I could get 50 of their business cards to staple in the front also....-
12. Then I looked through the phone book & made a sheet of # / add.  for our town that would be of interest with getting settled in;
 Things I included: # to get phone hooked up, power #, gas#, cable #, water #, voter information #, local newspaper #, public health nurse #, the P.O. address, hwy road & travel #.  Then on the other side (had counselor that lives on campus get me important campus information such as: assistance #, admissions #, ticket office #, book store #, libraries, police (campus)#, financial aid #, student health #, theater #, etc.....
13. Then I also had her make up book marks that had the lessons/week/ for the rest of the semester, so they know what is being studied.
14. Then the other counselor made a sheet.  of town phone # (cause you usually don't get your phone bk for 2-3 mo.) listing grocery stores, clothing stores, dept. stores, gift stores, movie theaters, video rentals, LDS bookstore, mini golf/roller rink.
15. Then my sec.  made us up a monthly calendar of events that were/are happening.
16. Then we included a ward roster (already outdated LOL)
17. Then our temple committee included a business card that included all of our ward temple trips on it so we can plan a head.

Wow that is a lot, but it was fun.  Then I had a pres.  mtg. & had them all over to my house, had cookies & milk & put the packets together & just visited.  They look awesome & the new families have loved them.  When I hand them out (gives me a chance to introduce myself & get to know them first) I give them a "Getting to know you" form & ask them to fill it out & get it back to me!
 

Hope this helps! Good Luck Jeanna In WY
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Michelle in LA
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We have used a newcomer packet for the past four years.  It has been helpful for the sisters to be aware of things in our community, as well as things in the ward.  We buy the three-prong folders for $.10 each at the back-to school sales, and use these for our packets.   They include the following:

1.  Cover letter from our presidency - welcome, with our phone numbers, meeting times, and the names and numbers of the ward leaders.

2.  Ward roster

3.   Map to the temple in Denver, and a  temple schedule

4.  Mid-week activities - a list of ongoing activities we do - aerobics , mom and tot playgroups, lunch out at a restaurant each month, craft night once a month,  scrapbook groups twice a month,  temple trips each quarter and home evening packet exchange each quarter.

5.  List of YW/YM in the ward who baby-sit  (We circulate a sign-up sheet in their organization, so they sign-up and let us know when they are available, if they drive, etc..)

6.  Community information:   Local radio stations,  school closing information,  where to get your driver's license,  volunteer information, etc...

This has been effective and helpful to the new sisters in our ward.  When we go to do a welcome visit, we take a Brigham Young lesson manual, in case they haven't gotten their own copy...  don't give many of them away, but some of the younger girls just getting married have needed them.  We have given a few to less-actives we go visit as well.   I also wanted to add to these that have been on the list before the information that I received when I moved into my home.

The phone and addresses were given for

General information        Emergency numbers                    Disabled Services        Job Service
Hospitals                       Non-emergency help numbers     Legal assistance           Legal aid
Lawyer referral              Newspapers                               Poison Control            Tourist Information #
Voting Information #      Utilities                                       City Hall                      Public Works
Animal Control

Transportation             Bus                                           Airport
Taxi                               Bus Lines                                   Train                          Car Pool

Stores                          Food                                           Clothing                    Hardware

Banks                            Credit Union

Recreation and Entertainment            Libraries        Points of Interest

Education         College         High School         Junior High         Elementary         Private

Churches in our area
Ward Information(Sunday and Weekly like YM & YW or Homemaking)

Hope this helps!

Mickie in Fort Collins, Colorado

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