Organizing an event.

mac · 16th September 2007, 18:27

After reading about an event that did not work out I thought I would put pen to paper about the problems of trying to get something done. I spent 16 years organizing fund raising events for local schools and it is very hard work and sometimes a thankless task. Some people (who have never helped) even think you make moey for yourself but the opposite is true. It always costs you something, be it time, effort or hidden costs such as telephone, petrol, postage and sometimes if things go wrong- cash.
We had 230 parents in the school and never expected more than 10% to turn up for anything despite promises to the contrary and all these people lived in the same county. If you were selling tickets for a function you could get a big audience (my record was over 500 for a celebrity cooking display) but from members only if you got 30 you were lucky.
With the forum only a small percentage live in Tenerife or are visiting on a certain date and they are scattered all over the island. (I have only been able to attend one event ever). Then "time and unforseen circumstances befall us all" so with the best intentions some cannot attend.
I am not trying to put a damper on trying to organize get together but I think it always helps to be realistic.

Jackie B · 16th September 2007, 18:54

You are so right Mac. My husband and I used to run a boys football team for some years back in the UK. We always had the traditional end of season do plus others during the year [just as an excuse for a get together and party really

] and although we did have a brilliant group of parents who were all willing to put their hand in their pocket when needed we very rarely got any help organising these events due to the amount of work involved. It just made us all the more determined to make them the best they could be. We always used to try and do something a little bit different.One year we presented each player with caps as their end of season trophy that we had actually had made in the team colours and embroidered with the team name and their names on. We had them made by the company that make the caps for the England football team, the parents where gobsmacked. We always ended up out of pocket, but it was worth it for the success of the do's.

mac · 16th September 2007, 19:05

I know the post sounded a bit negative but I must say that on the whole I enjoyed the work and team spirit with those who worked along. We also got a great sense of achievement when we accomplished something and felt it was all in a good cause.
You just have to be realistic and the ones that do not work out are learning experiences for the next one

K9 Tenerife · 16th September 2007, 23:13

We, at K9 know all about this, it can be very frustrating can't it? All of our income is from donations and fundraising events so there can be some sleepness nights prior to an event. However when a plan comes together and the money is raised then it is a great feeling!

sgd