Making Change with Events
Hosting an event and sending the proceeds to your favorite charity is not a new concept. It’s hardly a new trend. But in the last decade a new trend has emerged where if you do have a charity sponsor, then more guests are willing, and wanting, to come dine, play, or dance their way through your event.
This generation is starting to be known as the social justice generation. This generation not only sees social injustices in their own networks (like poverty, sex trafficking, homelessness, and so many others), but they are also being compelled to make a change, and in turn every other generation is being compelled to stop and consider thier part in altering this “status quo”. So how does will this generation affect your event planning?
Here are a couple tips on how to build your attendance base through a socially aware generation:
- Pick a charity that you like. The key to getting others to care about something is to care about it yourself. This might seem like common sense, but when picking a non-profit for your event if others see your genuine desire to help this particular need, then they will join you in your excitement and be more likely to join you at your special event.
- Don’t charity hop. If people know that you always support a particular charity, they won’t look to send their money elsewhere. Not only will they already have a base knowledge about the cause, but they will already feel an investment in the organization/lives that they’ve given to in the past, thus being more willing to come to your events again and again.
- Don’t charity hop. Sound familiar? On another note, people in our culture are now skeptics! There are too many scams, and ploys, and fake Ambassador who need their help! Take the skepticism out by being consistent with your organizations.
- Try choosing an organization that fits your theme. I know, I know, I just said (twice) not to charity hop. But this may be the one exception. It makes sense to others, and hopefully to you as well, that your event would be themed around the charity (or vise versa). If you’re having a baby shower, you can also ask your guests to bring a new born blanket to donate to the local hospital or if you’re having food tasting, you could raise money for a local food bank. There are so many fun options!
- You DON’T have to pick something popular. As long as you have good information available to your guests (links, info, brochures, websites, organization embassadors, presentations, etc) feel free to not pick a well known non-profit. Remeer, the number one way to make your event successful with this socially aware generation, is to be socially aware yourself.
If you’re passionate and want to make change, others will want to join you!
Post Published on February 2, 2012.
