In this episode of That Sounds Like a Plan, we dive into three key strategies to keep your steering committee meetings on track.

In this episode we explore:

• The value of creating and sharing an agenda.

• Why brainstorming sessions should be separate from steering committee meetings.

• The importance of summarizing and clarifying next steps

In this very digital age, the personal touch of human interaction becomes increasingly important.  Today we’re going to bring that personal touch back to event promotion.  We’re talking about promoting your event with a street team.  

In this episode I share: 

- What a street team is

- Why they’re effective and the benefits to using this form of promotion

- Where and how to use a street team

- Recruiting and training your team

- How to maximize your team’s exposure.

Whether you're organizing a small gathering or a massive conference, AI tools can streamline your processes, enhance attendee experiences, and make your event planning smoother than ever before. 

In this episode I share:

- Nine ways to use AI that will save you time and money

- A way to use AI that is a game-changer for an auction (check out my social media pages for an example)

- How to get the best results when using AI

As the host of a nonprofit event, the program is your opportunity to educate and inspire your audience. Sadly, many event hosts get caught up in the planning of the event, how many auction items, the entertainment, the food, the decor. The program, which is arguably the most important part of the event, gets only a fraction of the attention.

In this episode I share:

- Why you need to start with 'why'

- The importance of storytelling in your program

- Why you need fewer speakers

- The importance of a script

Today we're talking tech. I'm sharing my must have event tech tools that streamline planning and ensure everything runs smoothly.

Whether you're an event planning pro or just getting started, these tools are game changers.

There's a lot of waste in the event industry. If you've ever cleaned up after an event, you see it firsthand. I cover ways to make your event eco-friendlier in seven categories: 1) Event marketing and promotion 2) Registration 3) Catering. 4) Venues and AV 5) Transportation 6) Décor and 7) SWAG.

We often talk about the need to have a successful fundraising event. But what does that mean? Just because your event made money doesn’t necessarily mean it was a success, financial or otherwise. In today’s episode we’re going to talk about the different ways you can measure event success.

In this episode I share:

• The most common goals for nonprofit events

• Two formulas to measure financial success

• Why it’s important to track and monitor your goals as you plan your event

If you are a relatively new nonprofit, or new to events, you might be wondering when it’s a good time to host your first fundraising event. In this episode we’ll talk about what you need organizationally and personally to be ready to host your first fundraising event.

In this episode I share:

- The most important thing your organization needs

- Why you need board support organizationally and personally

- The skills you need to be able lead an event

Without systems, planning an event can easily become chaotic and overwhelming. Systems enable you to delegate tasks and create consistency.

In this episode I share:

• The difference between a system and a process

• The seven core systems you need for nonprofit success

• Four tips for creating systems & procedures

Having a successful event year after year is a great thing! There are times, though, when you need to change things up slightly to refresh an event to keep it from getting a little stale.

In this episode I share:

- The difference between the Flywheel Effect and the Doom Loop

- Seven ways to refresh or breathe a little fresh air into your event

Are you heading into the new year excited and ready to take on your first event? Or are you feeling overwhelmed and anxious? If it’s the latter, it may mean you simply need to do some year-end tasks that will set you up for success for next year’s events.

In this episode I share:

Why you need a recap for all events

Why you should start recruiting your planning team now

The importance of organizing your digital files and event “stuff”

How to create an event kit and what you should put in it

What is an event script?  Why would you need one for a small nonprofit event?  I answer these questions and more in this week’s episode.      

In this episode I share:

- Why you need an event script, no matter how small your event or program

- What should be the maximum length of your program

- The format and content of your script

Being nervous on event day is understandable. Your mind is filled with all kinds of scenarios of what could go wrong.

In this episode I share:

• The three ways to minimize issues

• The five areas where problems tend to arise

• How to keep your cool on event day

There are many lessons learned each time you and your team plan a nonprofit fundraising or awareness building event.  An internal recap document is how you capture those lessons and use what you've learned to build on and improve your event the next time around. 

In this episode I share:

• What an internal recap is and why you need one

• The input you need for a thorough recap

• The structure + dos and don’ts for your recap

The weeks leading up to an event can be chaotic. There’s a lot happening and there will be lots of questions about what’s happening and when. The easiest way to ensure everyone is on the same page and minimize questions is to create two documents that will keep you on track on event day; a Show Flow or Run of Show and a packing checklist.

In this episode I share:

• What a Show Flow or Run of Show is

• How it’s different from a timeline and why you need one.

• How to create an event packing checklist.

Volunteers are the lifeblood of a nonprofit. They provide staffing and labor in areas where nonprofits typically can’t afford to hire staff, especially when it comes to events.

In this episode I share:

• The types of event volunteers you need

• The structure of your planning team

• How to create a volunteer grid for the day of the event

• Why and how you should plan for continuity when changing volunteers

A theme can turn a ho-hum event into a memorable experience. When done well, a theme can seamlessly tie your mission to something fun and interactive.

In this episode I share:

• The purpose of event themes

• The best type of theme for a nonprofit event

• A brainwriting process for coming up with a theme

The Listener Action Item for today's episode has the exact steps for hosting a brain writing session to come up with an event theme.

After a year of producing a large number of events, I hit a wall.  I experienced event burnout.  

I don’t ever want anyone to go through what I did.  While this isn’t a foolproof method for avoiding burnout, it’s a cautionary tale.  

**I am not a therapist or a mental health professional, so if you are feeling there’s something more than just event burnout happening in your life, please seek help from a professional.  

Giving someone hope can change their life. The word HOPE, however, should not be part of your event, especially a fundraising event.

Planning an outdoor event comes with its own set of unique challenges and tasks on your to-do list. Learn about the logistical factors you need to consider and how to handle them.