organising community events

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organising community events

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gil
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 18415

Posted: Tue Nov 01, 05 10:45 am Post subject: organising community events

I seem to have offered

to write / collate an article on the nuts and bolts of organising community events, particularly dances / concerts.

It's always struck me that these kind of events are very downsizerish in nature,
a) being of, by and for the people
b) not being consumption-driven, commercial 'leisure opportunities'
c) often involving active participation by all present (the band play, and everyone else gets up and dances : neither would make sense without the other, and the event is the interplay between them), though there are usually a few spectators.
d) offering homemade food supplied by local volunteers

Obviously there are lots of other kinds of community event, and for various purposes : fundraising, community cohesion and creation, special interest groups, etc.

I thought it would be good if folk on this site pooled their experience and knowledge of 'how to' put on events. Doing something like that for the first time can be quite stressful and worrying. Especially when it comes to ticket sales, and whether you're going to cover costs !

And if you downsize by moving out to a smaller or more rural community, this can be one way of getting involved with and making a contribution to the local area / school / etc.

Would love to have contributions from downsizers on this forum - I know that many of you are active in your local communities one way or another (scouts / church / PTA / etc). PM me. We could start a thread as well, but I think this kind of information might be too useful to leave in only that form.

I'm happy to collate, part-write, and structure the article.

Look forward to hearing from you all : particularly Mochyn, Sarah D, jamsam and Fiddlesticks Julie (your names have been mentioned or your posts suggest that you know about these kinds of thing)

cheers
Gil

jamsam

Joined: 21 Oct 2005
Posts: 2560
Location: erm....i dont know, its dark.

Posted: Wed Jan 18, 06 4:32 pm Post subject:
id be happy to think of some pointers, do you want them on here or as an email? i only realised after reading that what i had actually acheived in the last few years, so its worth writing down before i forget!

gil
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 18415

Posted: Wed Jan 18, 06 4:37 pm Post subject:
That'd be great, jamsam. Do it for yourself, anyway, but do please post it on here too - sounds as though you have considerable useful experience that would be good to share. I've still to write mine down and various others have offered to contribute too. Where you send / post it depends on the length - if it's more than a post, why not PM it to me ?

jamsam

Joined: 21 Oct 2005
Posts: 2560
Location: erm....i dont know, its dark.

Posted: Wed Jan 18, 06 4:52 pm Post subject:

ok here goes then...

firstly, what ever you get involved in, do it for the right reasons. no revenge organising or family feuds will help to put on anything...believe me, i had to get through some hair raising meetings whilst being given the death stare of a friend scorned.

secondly, it will help if its all jolly, happy and fun. i know that sounds a bit 1950's but if you dont have a laugh and a pint then dont get involved..it will seem easier and quicker if you all get on.

im always surprised at the ideas that come from the strangest places, so i always have a pen and some paper to get peoples emails or phone numbers, whether im in the school yard or im town, i will see something, but always give it a credit.
ive found that in wales the language is a real issue, if all the committee memeb rs speak welsh then 99% of the meetings will be in welsh, so where ever you are, city or country , try to include other non-local language people. it might help to find out what the most common language is, hindi,urdu,welsh whatever!!
If you are planning some big event, summer show or concert, check whatelse is on. silly i know, but never double book a village show or big wedding, as we found 1n 2003 when the biggest local wedding of the decde was on the same day as the local show and the royal welsh...bad move!!

lastly, if you need real basic help, try to follow this:
1.tell anyone and everyone about what you want to do, someone will share your vision
2.have clearly defined and simple roles, always milk someone for thier talents and never overlook a willing volunteer
3.have fun!
4.be realistic, dont stage glastonbury in the back of the school and always check with the council/police about the licence and conditions of ANY event.
( remeber the fundraising tea party that was made to buy an entertainments license because the poster said'live music'? no..precisely!)
hope that helps..

Mrs Fiddlesticks

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 10460

Posted: Wed Jan 18, 06 4:59 pm Post subject:

I'm still up to help, Gil.

I'd add that there are a wealth of organisations that can give help and advice around, from rural district councils with subsidised drama or entertainment (we've a Salsa night in the village this weekend!!

) to national organisations like NCPTA for PTA's

Also when organising something put some thought in to how you're going to advertise the thing. There is much more you can do besides posters on lamp-posts. Local radio, and papers for a start plus roadside boards and community websites.

Mary-Jane

Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 18397
Location: The Fishing Strumpet is from Ceredigion in West Wales

Posted: Wed Jan 18, 06 5:16 pm Post subject: Re: organising community events

gil wrote:

I seem to have offered

to write / collate an article on the nuts and bolts of organising community events, particularly dances / concerts.

I'm happy to collate, part-write, and structure the article.

Look forward to hearing from you all : particularly Mochyn, Sarah D, jamsam and Fiddlesticks Julie (your names have been mentioned or your posts suggest that you know about these kinds of thing)

cheers
Gil

This is such a great idea. We're just about to lose our local village school (but that's anther story) and I feel that the building, right in the centre of the village with a half-decent plot of land - bit of grass and hard standing - would make a brilliant village hall for local events. We don't have a local village pub which is often the heart of local community events, so a village hall would be ideal. I would certainly welcome an article on this Gil.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46212
Location: yes

Posted: Wed Jan 18, 06 5:54 pm Post subject:
people. objective. needs. work to a common agreed end . ask for specific help . obtain needs . safety . law . do it . retain good will or profit . enjoy . been there , hope i learnt , i will help if i can .

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