Post 7

I'm extremely excited that I have the opportunity to do this thesis project, and that it will be another rewarding thing to experience before graduation. I met with one of the directors of Grandfamilies this past week, and they were grateful and excited that I'm going to help them with their Halloween event. It's something that the youth and their families look forward to and I want to make it spectacular for them. I was told to wait on fundraising because organizations usually won't commit to something when it's several months away. Although I can't do it yet I have organizations in mind and I'm trying to speak with the right people about it.
I see this as far away from now, but I know that it will creep up on me if I'm not fully prepared. I have a list of activities and ideas for the event, and now I'm trying to prepare my proposal, so that everybody else can capture the vision that I see.
Got to go. Work to do.
"The only thing worse than being blind, is being able to see and not having a vision."

Post 6

For my Senior Thesis project I will be integrating my two emphases, English and Hospitality Management, to coordinate a Halloween activity for unfortunate youth in Utah. Through fundraising for the event, coordinating activities, and providing a memorable experience for these kids and their families I will build experience for a future career while contributing to the community.
For this project I want to get several organizations to donate with this event by providing food, entertainment, and donations for the organization so that they can best help the youth and families that they work with. I’m currently researching companies in the area who donate to non-profit organizations and have the means to do so. I plan on providing publicity for these companies who help by having KSL write about the event, and possibly attend it. (I have connections with KSL) I am researching activities that would be enjoyable for this type of event, while talking with the organization about their needs and wants. By the end of this semester I’ll have a detailed plan of everything I need for this event to happen. I need to continually talk with those who have experience with this type of work, and find articles that will help me have a better understanding of what I need to do.
Fundraising
http://www.tgci.com/magazine/fundraising.shtml
http://www.fundsnetservices.com/Fundraising/fundraising_articles.htm
http://www.fasttrackfundraising.com/fund-raising-tips.php
http://www2.guidestar.org/rxa/news/articles/2007/fundraisings-four-magic-questions-answer-these-and-the-gift-is-yours.aspx?articleId=1108
http://www.fundraising.com/fundraising-events.aspx
Event Planning
http://event-management.bestmanagementarticles.com/a-35695-best-event-planning-tips.aspx
http://nonprofitpeople.monster.com/training/event-planning/articles/392/category
http://www.wikihow.com/Category:Event-and-Party-Planning
http://stedwards.libguides.com/content.php?pid=37278&sid=274523
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Event_planning

Post 5

I waited a day to post my annotated bibliography because I had a meeting scheduled for today to meet with last year’s Halloween event coordinator for Grandfamilies. Unfortunately she had to cancel. I work with at-risk youth and have spoken with several people over the past few weeks who have given me tips about fundraising for a youth event, and possible targets. There information has been valuable and I felt that I could learn the best from those who have done what I am setting out to do. I continued to search the internet for articles and resources and I’ve found some valuable information that will help with this process. Here are a few of the many articles which I’ve found, and I’m continually searching for more.
Fundraising
http://www.energizeinc.com/art/getyes.html
This article had an important section titled “Getting to Yes” and it showed the steps to take after sending the initial letter, or contacting the organization for the first time.
http://www.ssireview.org/articles/entry/fundraising_in_tough_times/
This review had some great tips for fundraising, especially during the economic downfall. There were two sections that will be extremely beneficial and they are “fish where the big fish are” and “strengthen your case.”
Hosting an Event
http://heidirichards.com/successandthensome/21-tips-for-hosting-a-successful-event/
Here website is more for small businesses but the section “21 Tips” contains some key principles that will lead to a successful event.
http://www.fundraiserinsight.org/articles/hostingafundraisingevent.html
This article has been extremely helpful with providing information about the overall process of hosting a fundraising event. It focuses on the strategy of hosting an event and how to be successful.

Post 4

Right now, I am gathering information from those who have hosted events with this organization before. I plan on talking with more people who coordinate events, because I feel that face to face interactions will be more meaningful for me opposed to finding articles on the internet. I have been searching the internet for steps to coordinate an event and to raise money for a non-profit. These sites have been very bland and haven't provided me with anything new. I will continue to look though. As I'm meeting with these professionals who have done what I've set out to do, I'll document our conversations and all that they have to share. If anybody has done something similar or has raised money for an organization, I would love to have a minute of your time to hear the valuable information and knowledge which you've received.

Post 3

So I have a company that will work with me for my Senior Thesis. I will be coordinating, planning, and executing a Halloween Party for the non-profit organization Grandfamilies. This organization is for Grandparents who take care of their Grandkids, because the childrens parents are unfit to do so. I will be in charge of providing these kids with a memorable Halloween activity. I will also be in charge of getting donations for this event, and finding a sponsor who could provide dinner, and volunteers. I will have to use rhetoric to get this help and plan on contacting multiple organizations so that these kids can have a wonderful event that will greatly influence their lives.
Please let me know what you think and any ideas that you may have about my thesis.
Thanks

Post 2

After spending a week brainstorming and working toward a certain project I'm pleased to announce that progress has been made. I am a Hospitality Management and English major, and feel that the best way to incorprate these two emphases will be to host an event for underprivledged youth. I will use my Hospitality Management to arrange, and host an event while focusing on service as the most important priority that I'll undertake. I'll use English to bring to pass my ideas, by getting support from local organizations and companies from this area. Through letter writing, and speaking to businesses I will get support to execute this event. I originally had an idea to do a sports theme but after speaking to several non-profit organizations I know that I need to cater to the childrens needs, and when I decide upon a non-profit organization that will be sponsoring me for this event, I will know which needs I need to focus on.
I have chosen to do this event for the youth because I believe that their is nothing greater and more important than reaching out to the children and showing them that they matter, and that people care about them. Hopefully this experience will inspire, motivate, and make them happy.
I have spoken the organizations Grandkids, and Discovery House about sponsoring me for this event. I need a non-profit organization to work with so that those who donate to the cause, will be able to donate to a company and not an individual. I have arranged to speak with more non-profit organizations and will be deciding which group I will throw this event for next week.
I am interesting in knowing if anybody has a non-profit organization in mind that they feel could benefit from an event like this.
Please give me alot of feedback and ideas about how I could improve my project.
Thanks.

Senior Thesis Project

I am struggling with ideas about how to integrate my two emphases into a senior thesis. My emphases are Hospitality Management and English. As of now, I'm planning on throwing a sports themed event for underprivileged youth. I'll soon post my ideas for this event, and the reasons why I feel it's necessary. If anybody has ideas about how to integrate my two emphases for a different project, I'd be more than interested to hear them. Thanks.