Difference between revisions of "Special events"
From NGO Handbook
| Line 8: | Line 8: | ||
We also started putting more emphasis and attention on the honorees and awards. In the early years we usually had just one honoree per gala. Now in the years that I have been here, we generally have anywhere from eight to ten honorees each year. We also added a live and silent auction to the event, which helps generate more revenue for each event. It is definitely a big part of the event. | We also started putting more emphasis and attention on the honorees and awards. In the early years we usually had just one honoree per gala. Now in the years that I have been here, we generally have anywhere from eight to ten honorees each year. We also added a live and silent auction to the event, which helps generate more revenue for each event. It is definitely a big part of the event. | ||
| − | + | What has made our event such a success over the last few years is that we feel like we have come up with a formula that works fairly well. We have honorees that come in we honor both individuals and corporations. We have a pretty set program and awards ceremony that works pretty well. Granted, each year we take a look back at the previous events and we figure out what has worked and what has not. But there are definitely pieces in place that we come back to every year. | |
The formula includes having a theme for every gala. We also start the event with a cocktail hour, which gives guests an opportunity to mingle a little bit and get comfortable with their surroundings. We have a sit down dinner and an awards presentation. During the awards presentation is when we have our board chair, our president come up and give a few remarks. We present awards to the honorees and tell a little story about each honoree. We usually have some form of live entertainment at the gala, like a house band, a DJ or dancer singers. I will talk a little bit more about these pieces as we get a little bit further into the presentation. Of course we always try to recruit celebrity hosts. Some years we have better years than others but I will talk about that a little more as we go on. | The formula includes having a theme for every gala. We also start the event with a cocktail hour, which gives guests an opportunity to mingle a little bit and get comfortable with their surroundings. We have a sit down dinner and an awards presentation. During the awards presentation is when we have our board chair, our president come up and give a few remarks. We present awards to the honorees and tell a little story about each honoree. We usually have some form of live entertainment at the gala, like a house band, a DJ or dancer singers. I will talk a little bit more about these pieces as we get a little bit further into the presentation. Of course we always try to recruit celebrity hosts. Some years we have better years than others but I will talk about that a little more as we go on. | ||
| Line 180: | Line 180: | ||
Find ways to educate yourself and look at what other organizations are doing. What are the new trends out there? This can be complicated and expensive but if you start reading trade journals or reading your local paper you can find out what other organizations are up to and what fun things they are doing. Maybe you can be able to incorporate those ideas into your event. | Find ways to educate yourself and look at what other organizations are doing. What are the new trends out there? This can be complicated and expensive but if you start reading trade journals or reading your local paper you can find out what other organizations are up to and what fun things they are doing. Maybe you can be able to incorporate those ideas into your event. | ||
| + | ==References== | ||
| − | + | The article is from a presentation by Staci Pierson (Manager of Special Events, Rainforest Alliance) given on June 8, 2010 at the 2010 online World Congress of NGOs. The presentation was titled "Special Events Fundraising With Insights from the Rainforest Alliance." | |
| − | Staci Pierson | ||
| − | Manager of Special Events, Rainforest Alliance | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
Revision as of 06:20, 16 October 2011
This presentation by Staci Pierson, Manager of Special Events for the Rainforest Alliance, primarily focuses on the gala held by the Rainforest Alliance every year. This event encompasses a large number of special event components. The Rainforest Alliance is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation of tropical forests. It was founded in 1987 to conserve biodiversity by transforming land use practices, businesses practices, and consumer behavior. The first annual gala was held in the spring of 1990, with the goal of raising unrestricted funds, create awareness, further its mission, and attract new members and donors. This first gala was successful event, attracting approximately two hundred guests and raising about $20,000. By 2010, the gala drew about 600 guests and raised more than $1.5 million for the organization, with the costs about $250,000.
To read the rest of the article, please log in using your WANGO membership username and password (using the log in at the top, right-hand corner of the page). Not a WANGO member, but would like full access to the articles in the NGO Handbook? Join WANGO (http://www.wango.org/join.aspx) as an organization or individual member or purchase a year subscription for $30.
