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

Book Review: The Essential Cooking Planning Kit by Godfrey Harris

Title: The Essential Cooking Planning Kit
Author: Godfrey Harris
Genre: Reference

Challenges: 101 Books in 1001 Days Challenge, Read and Review Challenge 2010, Read Your Own Books 2010, TBR Challenge 2010, Reading From My Shelves Project 2010, 100 + Reading Challenge, Pages Read 2010,


Rating: 3/5
No. of Pages: 60
Published: First Edition: August 2003 (The Americas Group – www.americasgroup.com)


Synopsis: A step-by-step system to help anyone organize and manage a cooking event of any size or complexity – by providing reproducible forms and easy-to-follow instructions on how to account for every activity, visualize every moment, and plan for every detail so that a function occurs on time, without stress, and within budget. This books does not say anything about how to cook or what to cook but how to plan the cooking event

Mine
“A book about culinary planning, such as this, has only one purpose: To help individuals get ready to make and serve one or more of the fascinating recipes produced in these other media”

One of the best things is the forms that are found in the book that can be copied for personal use:
* Culinary Activities – the components of the meal
* Culinary Needs – what needed from the kitchen, store or other places
* Culinary Calendars – either monthly or annual (when to do the shopping, what can be made ahead)
* Culinary Budget – how much is it going to cost
* Menu Items – plan – to cook, fresh, frozen?
* Kitchen Allocations – what’s needs – oven, stove, microwave
* Counter Layout – use the space effiecently
* Table Arrangements – who is sitting where?
* Timing Arrangements – when what is served
* Contingency Considerations – what if it rains and the event is outdoors - better to think of these things early on
* Goal Statement – what is suppose be the purpose of the cooking event?

Not being a cook – I often depend on others to bring things. This is a great way to plan a event (BBQ) and make sure that all the items are there. Whose bringing what for the event.

Mailbox Monday

I just recently sent out several letters to small publishers to see if they might be interested in helping improve my blog with Author Interviews, Guest Blogs or book reviews. The response has been very positive and I have received several books.

For Review from The Americas Group




Courting Failure by Godfrey Harris and Kennith Harris
The Essential Event Plannign Kit by Godfrey Harris
100 Years of Nobel Prizes by Baruch A. Shalev
Leonardo da Vinci's Musical Gifts and Jewish Connections by Giovanni Maria Pala with Loredana Mazzarella
The Essential Moving Planning Kit by Godfrey Harris
The Legacy of Leonardo da Vinci by Godfrey Harris
The Essential Cooking Planning Kit by Godfrey Harris

For Baskerville Enterprises



From Fat to Fit: Turn Yourself into a Weapon of Mass Reduction by Carole Carson
Remembering When I Was Young Gift Set by Carole Carson, Peggy Kenfield (Illustrator)


From Aviary Publishers



My Dog Bites the English Teacher: Practical Grammar Made Quick and Easy by Marian Anders

I also got a couple of books from book blog giveaways.....



Don't Call Me Ma'am by Anna Mitchael from Dollycas's Thoughts



Just Let Me Lie Down By Kristin van Ogtrop from Booking with Bingo


May all your mailboxes be full

W...W....W.... Wednesday

WWW Wednesdays are hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading.


To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

* What are you currently reading?
* What did you recently finish reading?
* What do you think you’ll read next?


So here we go.....

* What are you currently reading?
Savor the Moment (#3 in the Quartet Series) by Nora Roberts

The Invisible Island (A-Z Mystery Series) by Ron Roy (audio) it's summer reading time for my nephews and I try to read along.


* What did you recently finish reading?

Playing for Pizza by John Grisham (audio) - was not what I expected, but was throughly enjoyed it.

The Haunted Hotel (A-Z Mystery Series) by Ron Roy (audio) it's summer reading time for my nephews and I try to read along.

The Essential Event Planning Kit by Godfrey Harris - recieved to review


* What do you think you’ll read next?

The Jaguar's Jewel (A-Z Mystery Series) by Ron Roy (audio)it's summer reading time for my nephews and I try to read along.

A book that I've gotten review, but not sure which one since I have 5 in the TBR pile

Book Review: The Essential Event Planning Kit by Godfrey Harris

Title: The Essential Event Planning Kit
Author: Godfrey Harris
Genre: Reference

Challenges: 101 Books in 1001 Days Challenge, Read and Review Challenge 2010, Read Your Own Books 2010, TBR Challenge 2010, Reading From My Shelves Project 2010, 100 + Reading Challenge, Pages Read 2010,


Rating: 4/5
No. of Pages: 56
Published: Ninth Edition: October 2009 (The Americas Group – www.americasgroup.com)


Back Cover: A step-by-step system to help anyone organize and manage a memorable event of any size or complexity – meetings, dinners, inspections, exhibits, funerals, conferences, seminars, receptions, parties – by providing reproducible forms and easy-to-follow instructions on how to account for every activity, visualize every moment, and plan for every detail so that a function occurs on time, without stress, and within budget.


Mine“In the United States, most people attend some 24 events a year – birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, weddings, commemorations, receptions, opening, parties, etc.”
That in itself is daunting, but never fear the answer is here…..The Essential Event Planning Kit has a great checks and balance way to help you prepare for an event. No matter how large or small, private or corporate.
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.