Have an Idea for a Community Event? Five Steps to Make it Happen by Amarachi Kejeh (MBA, FP&A), Founder, The DIY Strategic Plan Program, 2023 Elgin/St. Thomas Under 40 Business Leadership Award Do you have a great idea for a neighbourhood gathering? 1. Define your idea: It is crucial to start with a clear and strong foundation for your event. • Start by understanding the purpose of the event. Why do you want to host it? • Imagine what a successful event looks like. Who will come? What will they enjoy about it? • Think about potential challenges and how you might overcome them. At this stage, focus on these basic questions rather than getting into the details like themes or menus. 2. Test the idea: Before moving forward, share your idea with others to make sure you are on the right track: • Talk to your neighbours to get their feedback. This is not the time to take things personally — constructive criticism can help refine your plan. • Find out who might want to volunteer and start building community support. 3. Plan the event: With some positive feedback and help lined up, begin to detail your plans. You will need to think about:
• Choosing a date and location • Setting a budget (remember, even small events have costs!) • Invitations • Location setup and decor • Food and drinks • Event agenda and activities. 4. Take action and enjoy the event: Start bringing your plans to life: • Assign tasks to volunteers, gather materials, and prepare to- gether as a team. • Keep your goal in mind, especially when unexpected issues pop up. • As the event day nears, send out invitations, arrange decora- tions, and finalize the day’s schedule with your volunteers. Remember to have fun too! Don’t get so caught up in organizing that you miss out on the enjoyment you have planned. 5. Reflect, learn, and celebrate: After the event, set aside some time to reflect on the experience. • Gather feedback from attendees and volunteers about what worked well and what could be improved for next time. • Finally, celebrate your achievements. You have made a positive impact in your community, which is something truly worth celebrating! No matter what your idea is for your community, you have the power to bring it to life. Keep dreaming, start defining, testing, and planning your idea.
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Hometown St. Thomas • June 2024 • Page 47
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