Advanced Organizing

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Introduction to Advance Organizing

After you've organized a few events, you'll probably start to notice that you're doing a number of repetitive things that it would be awfully nice to simplify or even automate. You may have also encountered a few problems that you'd like to prevent from occurring in the future. (We hope that you haven't encountered any difficulties, but we have noticed that when problems do occur, they seem to be the same ones or at least variations on a theme.)

This section addresses both streamlining the process and avoiding common problems.

Site Contact Information

Start here! You can continue to collect only the Basic Information Needed from Site Contact provided under Basic Event Organizing if you wish, but many experienced organizers find that having a bit more information up front can make the whole event go smoother, so we've provided you with a list of common pre-event queries. Remember, if the question doesn't apply to your event, just don't ask it!

Start here! even if you decide to continue using the Basic Information Needed from Site Contact. You'll benefit from beginning your Advanced Organizing by reading over the discussion included with the Advanced Site Checklist as a number of helpful suggestions are covered there.

Confirmation Letter

Once you've set up an event at a site, sending a Confirmation Letter with the details you discussed is a ensures that you and the site have the same expectations -- and gives you a written document to which to refer if the event doesn't turn out as you expected.

Event Notice

You may continue to use the Basic Event Notice, but many organizers find that a few tweaks to the Event Notice can both simplify things in the long run and help avoid some of the more common problems.

Registrations

You'll find that in general, the easier a registration system is to set up, the more work it takes to maintain. Conversely, the more effort you put into initial creation, the less effort it takes to maintain it.

via email
this is the easiest method to set up and the hardest to maintain. It's covered under Basic Event Organizing.
via a Yahoo Group Database
This is second easiest registration method to set up, but it does still require some effort on your part to maintain
via a HomeschoolRecess Field Trip
Some people find HomeschoolRecess.com a bit complicated the first time through, but it automates much of the maintenance, and the process quickly becomes familiar.

Getting Fully Reimbursed: Payment Collection

Getting fully reimbursed for the cost of an event is the biggest concern that organizers raise in discussions. Most people send their payments promptly and take reimbursing the organizing very seriously, but when problems arise, you want to make sure the cost doesn't come out of your own pocket!

We cover the following issues under Getting Reimbursed

Event Reminders

An emailed reminder to participants shortly before the event can prevent forgetful no-shows and ensure that everyone arrives with any important details fresh in their minds -- and any required supplies as well.


On Site/Event Day Management

This section under construction.

  • Last Minute Cancellations
  • Check-In Process
    • Reciepts
    • Name Badges
  • Latecomers
  • No Shows
  • Disruptive Behavior
    • Disruptive Parents
    • Disruptive Children
    • Difficult Staff Members