Setting Up a Goal

Putting a Project Together

Setting Up a Goal

1. 
   What does the club what? (Survey interest in possible program areas.)
   
2. 
   What is to be accomplished? (Blow off steam, meet new people, learn a new task, etc.)
   
3. 
   What are realistic expectations? (Turn out, results, feedback)
   

1. 
   Decide on a time and date for the event. Check for conflicts in scheduling with other student groups around campus and for major campus events. Planning a movie on the night of a home football game may not draw very many people!
   
2. 
   Decide on the theme of your program. It should be something you can carry through the whole program – including publicity. Students know then what to expect.
   
3. 
   Find a place for the event to be held! That may not be as easy as you think, so start early on investigating places to have your program. Keep the size of your group in mind as well as the practicality of your location. Usually, the closer the event is to your group, the more people show up. You’d be surprised how many people won’t walk across campus unless they are really interested in an event, so if the event is off-campus, be sure to include extra publicity and precise directions and maps to help people get there.
   
4. 
   Set a budget. It’s important to establish your budget early and to stick to it as much as possible.
   
5. 
   Make a list of ALL ITEMS that you need to secure! Don’t forget the little things like matches to start the barbecue or snacks for the movie night.
   
6. 
   Make a list of all TASKS that must be done before, during, and after the event. That includes publicity, securing various items, announcer, prizes, clean-up, thank-you notes, etc.
   
7. 
   Make a GENERAL TIMETABLE for the various goals and tasks to be completed. For instance, if you are having invitations printed, find out how long it takes, and budget your timetable accordingly.
   
8. 
   EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED! Even though you are reasonably sure 30 – 50 people will show up, you should think through alternatives if only 5 come or if 100 people come. What will be done with the extra food? What if it rains? Of course, some mighty crazy things occur at events and no one can anticipate everything, but be sure to think through some alternatives in case of major changes at the last minute.
   

4. 
   Recruiting Help
   

1. 
   Identify your leaders. Natural leaders will emerge among groups and you should take advantage of these “naturals”. There are also persons who have the necessary skills and talents but who may be a little shy to step up into the limelight. Building up their self-confidence and helping them develop their talents is a necessity for a program of wide and varied events. Make these people feel like the project is theirs and often they’ll get so excited they’ll see it out to the end.
   
2. 
   Find the followers. Not everyone is a leader, but it takes all kinds of people to pull an event together. Find people who are good at sign making, cooking, or whatever, and utilize them in putting it all together.
   
3. 
   Teach others to organize and motivate. The more effectively people are trained; the easier it will be to plan events. In addition, they benefit by learning new skills.
   

4. 
   Delegating Responsibility and Following Up
   

4. 
   Promoting an Event
   

4. 
   Know All Your Resources
   

1. 
   People – Make use of those who have experience in the areas of leadership training and programming. Find campus advisors, program coordinators, and other student leaders for ideas and assistance. That’s what they’re there for!
   
2. 
   Equipment – What type of equipment do you have available to you and how do you reserve it for your event?
   
3. 
   Miscellaneous – Speakers, Professors, etc.
   

H. Know the Guidelines

Because there are many people and areas involved in planning a program, it’s important to be up on policies and procedures. The most important thing for any on-campus organization is the renewal of their on-campus status.
I. The Actual Event

Well it’s here and it will go just great if everything has been done as planned! Do, however, be mindful to put others at ease. Be aware of what’s happening around you – introduce people, get them to participate, and have fun yourself. Fun is contagious and it spreads faster than a flood.

10. 
    Evaluating the Event
    

1. 
   Why are you planning an event? (Goals)
   
2. 
   To whom are you directing the project?
   
3. 
   Where and when will the program take place?
   
4. 
   Who are your resources?
   
5. 
   What people need to be contacted for reservations, use of equipment, etc.?
   
6. 
   Where is the money coming from?
   
7. 
   Are there special regulations or deadlines you need to contend with?
   
8. 
   What are your plans for publicity?
   
9. 
   Who is responsible? (Division of tasks)
   

L. Planning Ahead

Now you’re all set to plan up a “storm of events”. Plan a working calendar for logistical purposes. This will encourage you to decide on programs early in the year. EVERY MINUTE SPENT IN GOOD AND EFFECTIVE PLANNING CAN SAVE YOU TIME, MONEY, AND PROBLEMS LATER ON
PROJECT/ACTIVITIES SUGGESTIONS
Assassin games

Band and music functions

Beach party / Beach trips / Beach bon fires

Bigger Better Scavenger Hunt

Bowling night

Broomball

Camping trips (locally, and places like Yosemite)

Capture the flag

Car rally

Career opportunities workshops / Speakers from graduate schools and professionals

Cram sessions / Jam sessions

Current events forums

Dances (formal, masquerade, etc.)

Easter Egg Hunts

Exchange programs where people or whole apartments could be paired up

Family Fun center night

Festival of Animation

First Aid / CPR training

Fishing

Foodfest / Cooking programs

Fundraising activities to donate to charity

Turf games / Competitions (All Warren Bong Show, College Bowl, Dating Game, Family Feud, Jeopardy, Pictionary, Scategories)

Gift exchange (non-gender biased gifts)

Hide ‘n Seek or Sardines on Campus

Hiking Trips

Horseback Riding

“How to pick-up chicks without a nice car or earring”

Hypnotist

Ice breakers

Ice cream socials

Ice skating

Jello twister

Kite designing and flying

Massage class

Meet your neighbors programs

Midnight breakfasts

Monday Night Football night

Movie nights at the commons or on the rooftops

Multi-cultural programs

Murder mysteries

Music playing at the commons and some type of food – regular event

Nintendo / Playstation marathon

Paint mural

Pie fights / eating contests

Ping-Pong Olympics

Pizza nights / pizza making parties

Poetry readings, informal sessions with tea

Potlucks / Progressive dinners / Cultural or International Potlucks

Public speaking seminars

Pumpkin carving during Halloween

Relaxation workshops

Safety awareness programs

Scavenger hunts

Sculpturing

Secret pals

Self-defense class

Seminars (computers, photography, public speaking, business and investment)

Sexual diversity programs

Shopping trips

Ski trips

Sports competitions between floors / buildings (i.e. basketball, softball, touch football, volleyball) -–make it a regular event

Star gazing

Stress management programs

Study breaks / study groups / midnight study sessions – establish a study area for year round use, not just during finals

Talent Show / student airband

Theme parties (i.e. tattoo theme party)

Time management / study skills / goal planning / priority setting / resume writing workshops

Tie dyes

Trips off campus (zoo, whale watching, Family Fun Center, beach, other places)

Trips to pro sports games

Valentine exchange

Volleyball tournament

PROGRAMS:

A List of Ideas

• 
  Create a competition i.e. soccer, football, basketball, etc.
  
• 
  Create a “Midnight Basketball” tournament
  
• 
  Have a Pool Party -- either the kind with cues or the kind with water
  
• 
  Set-up a group to go to school sporting events
  
• 
  Set-up a group to go to professional sporting events
  
• 
  Arrange a “Roller Blading Day”
  
• 
  Arrange a “Mini-Olympics”
  
• 
  Arrange a “March Madness” tournament
  

• 
  “Origami Night” with Chinese Food
  
• 
  Have a cooking program
  
• 
  Arrange a “Learn to Tango” program
  
• 
  Arrange a Cultural Potluck or food tasting
  

• 
  Organize a Beach Clean-up and/or bonfire
  
• 
  Have a car-wash and ask for conned foods as donations
  
• 
  Organize a hillside / canyon clean-up
  

• 
  Arrange a rootbeer social
  
• 
  Have a movie night
  
• 
  Plan a day at the lake with beach volleyball
  
• 
  Have a “Star Wars” party
  
• 
  Have a theme night
  

• 
  Have someone come to talk about study abroad opportunities
  
• 
  Counseling and Psychological services available on campus
  
• 
  Conflict Management
  
• 
  Communication Skills
  
• 
  Stress Management
  
• 
  Recovering from Addictions
  
• 
  Eating Disorders
  

MORE PROGRAMMING IDEAS