Political Campaigning (Thursday, March 23, 4th period)

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

"Today we're going to talk about planning a fundraising event," Josh said, pacing around the room. "The most important thing to remember is that the entire point of a fundraising event is to raise money. You might have the greatest idea for a party in the history of history, but if it costs you more than you made, it's stupid. Also, you're normally tossing these things together with at most two weeks' lead time, so they have to be realistic."

He waved his hands. "Events, done right, can generate momentum for your campaign, can be used as a reward for major donors, can help you build your list of contributors, and can give you a specific deadline for getting money into the campaign. However, they can also be a gaping black hole of a time-sucking pain in the ass."

He grinned. "They tend to fall into several basic categories: dinners, receptions, breakfast/luncheons, and home parties. Home parties are the cheapest for the campaign: someone else, normally a major donor, comps the food and forms the guest list. All you have to do is show up. Dinners can be huge catered things where you can charge ungodly amounts of money for rubber chicken dinners. The other types fall in between, and are good to spread around throughout the campaign schedule." He raised his eyebrows. "If you are going to be doing this for a living, the fundraising things start to be thought of as dinnertime. And sometimes the only time you get out of the office. But remember that campaign staff won't be paying for the food--make sure you've got some actual people there to raise some funds."

Josh sat down. "Okay. Form into pairs--I don't care with who--and plan me a party. Decide how many people you'd invite, how much you'd charge, and what kind of thing it would be. Bonus points if you don't serve chicken or chili."

Comments

During class

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

Party planning, whee!

Re: During class

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker looked around for someone to grab for this, and started making lists of foods and locations. Hmmm. Beach? Home party?

Re: During class

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

Angel took one look at Parker...

...and immediately looked like he would teleport out of the room if it were possible.

Re: During class

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker looked up, and grinned.

Then made a little c'mere, you gesture, crooking her finger at him with a certain gleam of determination.

Re: During class

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

Angel kept his nose buried in his notebook. Boy oh boy was that... totally blank page fascinating.

Re: During class

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Glaring, Parker went over, and slapped her notebook down. "We're planning a party. We're spending money. We're having fun. I know you hate all those things, but you need to adjust, and fast. Now. What do we serve, aside from alcohol?"

Re: During class

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

"Cyanide capsules?"

Re: During class

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Only if we get them to make out wills before the appetizer course."

Re: During class

[notstakedyet.livejournal.com]

"I'm not seeing why that can't be an option. We could earn extra money if we promised them the cure."

Re: During class

[fh_jackass]

Logan glanced over at Parker and looked around for someone else to pair up with.

Re: During class

[threeweapons.livejournal.com]

Alanna glanced around the class and threw a crumpled up paper ball at Logan's head.

Re: During class

[courier-gavin.livejournal.com]

Jake looked at Logan. ...No. He kept looking.

Re: During class

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

Rory peered over at Jakey.

"Want to work together?" she asked as adorably as she could.

Re: During class

[courier-gavin.livejournal.com]

Jake nodded. He waited until she'd moved closer then, "You! Traitor! You forgot, didn't you?"

Re: During class

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"Forgot?" Rory asked, eyes wide. "Oh! OH. The coffee thing. Yes, I did." She made a sad face. "I had a good reason."

Re: During class

[courier-gavin.livejournal.com]

"There is a good reason to miss coffee?" Jake asked, partly suspicious, partly confused.

Re: During class

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"A good friend of mine came back from being away for a very long time," Rory said with a slightly goofy smile. "I'll make it up to you, though."

Re: During class

[courier-gavin.livejournal.com]

"I was hurt," Jake informed her, pouting. "Hurt and wounded."

Re: During class

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"Of course you were," Rory said seriously. "I'll bring you coffee, though. Will that make it better?"

Re: During class

[psycho-barbie.livejournal.com]

Callisto looked around for a partner.

Re: During class

[notcalledlizzie.livejournal.com]

"Hey, Cal," Elizabeth smiled, dropping into the seat next to her.

Re: During class

[psycho-barbie.livejournal.com]

"Hey, Liz," Callisto grinned back. "Partners?"

Re: During class

[notcalledlizzie.livejournal.com]

"Sure," Elizabeth nodded, opening up her laptop. "Party planning, huh?"

Re: During class

[psycho-barbie.livejournal.com]

"Not really one for party planning," Callisto shrugged. "Although I guess lots and lots of booze is a good place to start."

Re: During class

[notcalledlizzie.livejournal.com]

"I've had some experience with dinner parties, but they were usually much smaller than what's going to be needed here," Elizabeth replied. "Booze is good, but could also be expensive. Depending where it's being held, cash bar or bring your own booze."