Book Review:The Charity Event Planning Guide by David Mirisch and Godfrey Harris

Title: The Charity Event Planning Guide
Author: David Mirisch and Godfrey Harris
Publisher: The Americas Group –www.americasgroup.com
ISBN: 975-0-935047-75-2
Release Date: September 2012
Pages: 68
Genre: Reference
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher


Back Cover: “If you find one idea in this book that helps make an event come together more quickly, run more smoothly, meet its potential more readily, be remembered more fondly, or raise money more easily, then having acquired a copy of the Charity Event Planning Guide will have been worth it.”

Mine

One of the best things is the forms that are found in the book that can be copied for personal use:
*Event Activities – the components of the event
* Planning Calendars – either monthly or annual
* Fundraising/Sponsorship – is there a purpose for the event
* Layout map – great for seated events
*Furnishings – to be used with the layout map
* Event Budget – the scariest part of any event made simplier
* Planning Guide – to be used with the calendar as a written timeline
* Event Checklist – the day of the event – who, what, where
* Event Program – who speaks and for how long
* Contingency Considerations – what if it rains and the event is outdoors - better to think of these things early on
* Event Goals & Evaluations – feedback and review is always good

This book is clear, concise and easy for anyone to use. Having done large lunches (400+ people) with a committee some of these forms would have been very helpful. Especially contingency considerations “ if something can go wrong it will”. I like the idea of event evaluations – what went well and what didn’t. The author also suggests that you save your forms for future events, it can help with organizing and avoiding pitfalls.

Challenges:
101 Books in 1001 Days Challenge
150+ Reading Challenge for 2013
Let Me Count the Ways Reading Challenge
2013 A-Z Reading Challenge
2013 Read-A-Latte Challenge