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Chapter 41. Rewarding Accomplishments >
Section 1. Arranging Celebrations >
Arranging Celebrations |
Tools & Checklists | Contributed by Catie Heaven Edited by Jerry Schultz |
Tool 1: Reasons to party
Tool 2: Arranging the party
Tool 3: Budget
Tool 4: Reflect
Tools
Tool # 1: Reasons to party
As we learned in this chapter, to celebrate is an important part of any initiative or project. But sometimes the reasons to celebrate are not so obvious and this tool will help you go beyond the in-your-face 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!
Besides:
- 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
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Tool # 2: Arranging the party
We all know how 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'll offer you a chart to guide you through the arduous and rewarding task of being a party manager. A filled out chart can be found in the Examples section.
| 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: |
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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 end and becomes a reason not for celebration. Here we'll provide you with a budget guide for you to keep track of the money and plan your party inside the boundaries of your budget. Of course, the items in the budget will vary accordingly to the kind of celebration you'll organize. It might not involve food, or maybe it just involves one price (going to an amusement park, for instance). In this Tool, we followed the fictitious party we started organizing on Example # 2.
| BUDGET | TOTAL |
| Total budget | $ |
| Food | $ |
| Beverages | $ |
| Entertainment | $ |
| Location | $ |
| Decoration | $ |
| DJ | $ |
| Services (caterer, clean-up) | $ |
| Others expenses | $ |
| | $ |
| | $ |
| | $ |
| Total expenses | $ |
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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 a date 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:
So, what's next?
What is going to be your next goal?
Final thank-yous
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Checklist
Here, you'll find a checklist summarizing the major points contained in the text.
___You have decided that it is time to celebrate!
___You want to strengthen relationships in your workplace.
___You have decided that it is time to recognize the hard work by those involved in every aspect of your organization.
___You have decided that there is much to be gained through reflection.
___You have decided on a reason to throw a party:
- After reaching an important goal
- At the end of the year
- You didn?t quite reach a goal
- During a moment of transition
- ANYTIME!
___You have decided on the caliber of party that coincides with your budget.
___You have made out a guest list of who you would like to attend and it reflects the nature of your party.
___You have chosen a place to have the party, keeping in mind the type of atmosphere you want.
___The venue matches the agenda for the party.
___You have decided on the appropriate food and drink.
___You have entertainment, whether it is live music or wall decorations.
___You have sent invitations to the people you would like to attend.
___The party is being planned by a skilled organizer who will keep things running smoothly.
___You have recognized everyone and thanked them for their contributions.
___You feel proud of your work.