More WA Dem Live-Blogging

Event Planning Stuff

DNC is looking at national events from which can be piggybacked on.

In July DNC will sponsor a community service event plus picnic.

Herelocal8.org, Do Not Patronize List. Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees

Try to use a union facility first.

Two kinds of events: fundraisers and friend-raisers

Work the contract: it is as starting point for negotiation. Food discount, if block of guest rooms get meeting room discount. Block rate must be better than online rate. Have facilities compete with each other.

Keep a good list for the event. Get from other orgs. Friends and family list

Build and maintain the list. Look at who the donors are on pdc.. But you must have a second source for address before you use a PDC address.

Fundrace.org uses FEC list from 04, tray.com is more recent

Invitation:
Use email if possible.

Use union print shop (build a steady relationship. Capitol City Press ships state-wide) If you print yourself put “printed in house, labor donated” so you don’t displease the union people who receive the invite. Try to support unions as much as possible.

Must go out at least 3 weeks in advance

If fundraiser, include a remit in the invite. People can support without actually attending and can book attendance right away.

Press Craft in Pasco is a union shop

Sponsorships help make more money, give them good publicity, logos on stuff, in a slide show, make it worth it to them.

Get sponsors and attendees to come by following up with phone calls and remind, remind, remind. Make it as convenient as possible to contribute.

RSVP list is critical. If you muck it up it will be a nightmare. Can drive mailmerge to created name-tags, etc.

Print it with multiple sorts and/or have a laptop at registrations.

Print individual envelopes with all the critical stuff on cover and documents inside.

Make sure the facility knows what your needs are. Must be on contract. As much detail as possible, lists, diagrams, maps, etc. Have a panic box, (tape, extension cords, spare name tags, etc, etc) Contact the site day before and have an onsite contact for the day of the event.

Day of event, walk-through early, signs etc. Have some floater volunteers.

Stay calm. Attitudes are contagious.