Section 1. Arranging Celebrations

Tool 1: Reasons to celebrate

As we learned in this chapter, celebrating is an important part of any initiative or project. But sometimes the reasons to celebrate are not so apparent and this tool will help you go beyond the obvious party reasons and will show you that pretty much any effort is worth celebrating.

You should celebrate:

• If your goal was accomplished
• If your goal was not accomplished, but you are on your way
• If your goal was not accomplished, but you and your team worked hard
• If your goal was not accomplished, but you and your team put effort into it
• If your goal failed miserably, but you and your team tried all you could
• If you decide to set another goal
• If a team member is leaving the group (good-bye party)
• If a new team member is joining the group (welcome party)
• If your team received a grant, an award, a recognition prize, a contribution
• If a team member did something outstanding
• If a team member tried to do something outstanding
• If you want different sections of your team to get to meet each other
• If you want to recognize the work of a volunteer
• If you notice that people are feeling down
• If you notice that people are excited at the end/start of a project
• If your team needs to thank somebody
• If you have any reason at all to celebrate!

And of course, don't forget to:

• Celebrate holidays (Christmas parties, Hanukkah parties, Easter parties, 4th of July celebrations, and any other date that may have significance for you and your team members)
• Celebrate meaningful anniversaries, such as the date your group was formed, the date you achieved an important goal, the date an important grant was received
• Celebrate birthdays (if not all of them, have a monthly party for all whose birthday is on that month)
• Celebrate the end/beginning of the year
• Celebrate the birth of team member babies
• Celebrate the sheer existence of your group

Tool 2: Arranging the party

We all know that arranging a party can be an exhausting, frustrating experience if you're not organized. But if you get things straight, the arranging of the party can be as much fun as the party itself. Here, we offer a chart to guide you through the arduous and rewarding task of being a party manager.

Budget: How much can you spend?

Who's helping with the organization? What are their functions?

Place:

Time:

Who do you need to contact?

Food:

Beverages:

Entertainment:

Other details:

Guest list:

Tool 3: Budget

Budget can make or break your party. It's important to stick to the budget plan so that your celebration doesn't get out of hand. This budget guide will help you keep track of the money and plan your party within the boundaries of your budget. Of course, the items in the budget will vary accordingly to the kind of celebration you'll organize.

Tool 4: Reflect

Of course, there's more to celebration than the party itself. You need to have an underlying reason to put this party together, whether it is to thank somebody, celebrate an occasion, or recognize a success. Here is a list that can help you focus on what the party is all about.

Reason:

• What is this party for?
• Why are you celebrating?

Reflect on:

• How you achieved success.
• How you can improve.
• How to reorganize in times perceived as failure.
• How each team member contributed.
• How important your goal is/was.

Characters:

• Are you celebrating somebody in special?
• What did this person do?
• Is this person leaving your team?
• Is this person joining your team?
• What was/is this person's contribution?

Next step:

• Final thank-yous
• So, what's next?
• What is going to be your next goal?