Home Sweet Home

What makes an event worthwhile?  Reliably good food, wine, entertainment, and a heartfelt message.

An upcoming event incorporates all of the above elements: Home Sweet Home.   If Home Sweet Home doesn’t put the spark in romance, ignite a new flame, or generate patriotism, nothing will.  It’s the perfect first date, seventy-seventh date, or singles opportunity.

The evening at Cambridge’s Hyatt Regency Hotel features a Dinner Buffet and Wine Tasting, Dancing to the Love Dogs, and chances to win Raffle and Auction Items – all while helping Veterans and their Families.

Held this Veteran’s Day, Sunday, November 11th, ticket and sponsorship proceeds benefit Home Base, a Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Program that provides clinical care and support services to New England area service members, veterans and their families affected by combat stress or traumatic brain injury.  Home Base offers education for the community and clinicians on these “invisible wounds of war” and conducts research to improve understanding and treatment of post traumatic stress (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI).  The Home Base Program is a philanthropic partnership between the Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital.

Bring your appetites and dancing shoes!

Ticket and Sponsorship information: Home Sweet Home

617-724-0204

Life is short.  Celebrate!

Galas re-dedicate the dedicated and welcome new donors, provide opportunities for exposure, and enhance fundraising.  Planning a gala requires one year lead time, dedicated Staff and Board Members, and an Event Planner, on staff or hired, who is creative, flexible, and detail oriented.  All must understand and approve of upfront expenses.  A dedicated donor base is necessary to realistically support the event.  (If further cultivation is needed before launching a gala, plan smaller, less costly events.)

Core Gala Planning Details

• Establish a budget.
• Decide on a date with lead time and no other event interference.
• Choose a venue.
• Choose a theme that fits the organization with community appeal.
• Engage an inspiring spokesperson(s).
• Decide on sponsor and ticket levels.
• Name event, decide on technology, refreshments, entertainment, and décor.
• Block sequence of events from beginning to end of the Gala.
• Get written commitments from Sponsors.
• Decide if incorporating an Auction or Raffle.  If so, set up.
• Send interesting invitations.
• Arrange social networking, media marketing, and personal asks.
• Create and print Program Book.  Print tickets if needed.
• Recruit volunteers.
• Orchestrate permits (wine/beer), police detail, rentals (furniture, linens, dishware, etc.), flowers, sound and lighting equipment, and entertainment.
• Thank donors.
• Follow up with donors.  Appreciate, listen, involve.

Suggested Task Assignments

• Person In Charge (Event Planner or Staff Person) – creates time line, works with Staff and Board to establish task assignments and manages, works at event.
• Board – participates in decision making, makes asks for Sponsorship, Ticket Sales; procures Auction/Raffle gifts, attends event.
• Staff – makes final decisions, communicates with donors, follows through on any agreed upon details, works at event.

Gala production is a “team sport.”  The measure of a successful gala is achieving the fundraising goal AND creating a fun, positive atmosphere leading up to the event. Host a gala, and strengthen your team; put the “fun” in fundraising.

How NOT to Host a Rubber Chicken Hum Drum

Wish I Could Stay at Home and Read a Book Event

Consider the Following Elements:

1. What is the purpose of your event?
2. How will you achieve your goal?
3. What do you want guests to experience (see, hear, taste) and how do you want them to participate?
4. What is your measure of success?
5. Who do you want to attend? How are you marketing?
6. Is your venue an attraction?
7. Does your event incorporate impressive creative details?
8. Is the time and date appropriate?
9. Are all vendor details covered?
10. Have you planned an event rehearsal?
11. What is your backup plan in case of unexpected circumstances?
12. Do you have sufficient staffing?

When considering these questions, you’ll focus on key logistics.  You’ll eliminate your wish to stay at home and read a book rather than attend your talk of the town, inspiring, spirited, want to stay longer, anything but routine event.

Life is short. Celebrate!