Ambassador Program

The Ambassador Program is a grassroots program focused on increasing awareness of NewHope’s LAP-BAND outpatient surgery program via a network of NewHope Ambassadors.  Ambassadors are LAP-BAND Champions.  As an Ambassador, you are the stars of the NewHope program and have the ability to give LAP-BAND surgery a human element.  By sharing your weight loss stories, you will be able to communicate the benefits of the surgery and discuss the surgical/post-op process in a very personal and informal way.  People who are hesitant about the surgery or intimidated by the formal seminar setting may be willing to learn about the surgery in the intimate setting offered at Ambassador parties.  The program therefore is a critical tool for encouraging people to pursue weight-loss surgery because it provides a compelling and emotional way to educate potential patients about the benefits of surgery and the advantages NewHope and Malley Surgical’s joint surgical program.

As an Ambassador, you will be asked to host an informal “LAP-BAND” party once a month. During these parties, we ask that you share your experience with prospective patients and talk about the LAP-BAND in a very intimate, informal setting.  Our hope is that your story will encourage people to embark on weight-loss journeys of their own.  The primary goal of each party is to encourage others to attend a seminar, schedule a consultation in their area and ultimately have bariatric surgery with NewHope Bariatrics.

Please read on for answers to commonly asked questions about the Program:

What happens at these parties?

Ambassador parties are intended to be informal – you will invite a group of prospective patients to a safe location, talk to them candidly about your experience with NewHope and the LAP-BAND and encourage them to take the next step by signing up for a seminar.

We do not require that you follow any sort of script at your party, but we do ask that all Ambassadors follow the same general same structure to ensure that the parties are both personal and educational:

• Small Talk/Introductions
• Ambassador’s Story
• The LAP-BAND in detail –
  • The Band (we will provide you with a sample of the Band)
  • Before surgery
  • Surgery itself
  • Living with the band
• Q&A

We will also ask that you take down the information of everyone that attends your party and later send that information to your Ambassador representative, so NewHope can stay in touch with prospective patients as they move through the process.

Will NewHope give me everything I need for my party?

Yes.  NewHope wants you to succeed as an Ambassador and will provide you with everything you need to host a successful party:

• Information about NewHope Bariatrics, Malley Surgical and the LAP-BAND
• A copy of the NewHope seminar presentation
• LAP-BAND sample
• Check-list for each party
• Invitations
• Business cards
• Lists of prospective patients
• Refreshments stipend
• Sign-in Sheets
• Successful Presentation Tips
• Tips & Ideas for sourcing Party-goers
• Goodie Bags to give out at parties
• Local Seminar Schedule + list of support groups

Where should I have my parties?

We will work with you to find a location for your parties, or you can choose to have it at your house, if you feel safe.  The location should be comfortable and accommodate anywhere from 10 – 20 people.   We recommend you consider any of the following locations:

• Church Facilities:  Sunday School Rooms, Dining Facilities
• Coffee shop
• Libraries (Many have meeting rooms)
• Public Parks (during warmer weather)

How do I find people to invite to my parties?

Ambassadors will work with NewHope to recruit people to attend these “LAP-BAND” parties.  In the beginning, NewHope will provide you with a list of potential candidates in their area.  However, we also ask that Ambassadors recruit people within your communities:  through your church, community activities, friends, co-workers – even in line at the grocery story.  As part of the program, we will provide you with invitations to send out.  We will also cover the cost of postage and mailing labels.

Ambassadors can also choose to advertise their gatherings on LAP-BAND community pages.  Using their own user name & profile, each Ambassador can create a group or page within the community where they try and recruit people to come to their gatherings.   If you choose to advertise for your parties on public sites, we recommend choosing a safe, public location for your party.

What else is required of me as an Ambassador?

1. We ask that all Ambassadors attend seminars from time to time, especially when someone from one of your parties plans to attend.  Not only will this add a human-interest angle to the seminars, but also if you choose to, you can promote the Ambassador program and invite people to attend a party to hear the personal story of someone living with the LAP-BAND.
2. All Ambassadors will be asked to provide feedback after each of the first 5 parties.  We will ask you to give us the good, the bad, and even the ugly.  We also want your feedback on additional tools or materials you feel would make the parties better or more effective.  We would also ask them to share tips & advice to help other Ambassadors leverage their success and avoid their mistakes.
3. Ambassadors will be periodically sent information about NewHope in order to stay up to date on the program.  Eventually this information will be posted on aNewHope Ambassador-only website, but for now we encourage you to contact NewHope, or even each other with questions, or for general support and advice.

Will I be Compensated?

Ambassadors will be compensated for their involvement in the program.

• $50 for every 10 people they get to attend a NewHope
• $20 for every consult
• $100 for actual surgeries ($150 for cash paying patients)

To be compensated, referrals must be qualified and have a BMI of 28 to 45.