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Glendale Community College Student Life & Leadership

Event Planning

    Event Planning Process

    Event Pre-Planning
    An event is any activity that requires you to make arrangements before the program can actually take place. It may be anything from an introductory meeting to a concert, film, conference, BBQ or fund raising activity. Please bear in mind that no matter how small or easy an event may seem initially, some forethought and careful planning is still necessary.

    Planning successful activities and events is serious business, but it can be fun! The key is to follow specific rules and use a systematic approach. There are payoffs in the end, and the better the planning the more enjoyable and satisfying the rewards.

    Please be aware that there are specific guidelines for food preparation which must be adhered to. Please print and use the Food Preparation Checklist and Food Chart to ensure a successful and healthy event.

    This section looks at what it takes to have a successful event from beginning to end. The basic steps are easy to follow:

    Steps for Planning Events & Activities
    Assess needs
    Assessment is a means of assisting the group in determining the needs of those for whom the program planned. Sometimes the best way to have a good idea
    is to have lots of ideas by brainstorming and making a list. 

    Determine Your Purpose
    What is the overall purpose for doing this program? Does everyone in the group understand the purpose? 

    Define Goals and Objectives
    Goals - the direction to go. Objectives - the means to achieve. Goals will help your group focus on meeting the purpose of the plan and objectives will break down the stages of how the goals will be met. 

    Create and Detail Your Program Plans
    Assign tasks

    Select the individuals or committee that will carry out the objectives.  Provide the assigned committee with planning details to assist them with specific tasks.

    Brainstorm
    Solve problems and find alternatives by identifying the problem and the cause and then brainstorming a solution.

    Keep Notes
    Record the process with a planning diary or log to help keep the project on task and to provide a future source of helpful information. 

    Implement Plans
    Budgets, calendars or time-lines, organizers, and checklists will all help you facilitate implementation your plan. 

    Evaluate Program
    Perhaps the most important part of your planning is the program evaluation. The evaluation will help in determining if you have met your purpose, goals, and objectives. The information that you gather during evaluation will be invaluable in future planning. Determine if goals and objectives were met. 

    Follow Up/Thank Yous
    Make sure that you tidy up your plan by following up. Cleaning up, sending thank yous, making sure all paperwork was processed correctly are all important aspects of pulling off a successful event. 

    Complete Program Report
    Record information and make recommendations for future programs on how the process/program achieved it's purpose and also how it could have been improved. Next year some one will really thank YOU for taking the time to leave such a nice record.


Event Planning Assistance

Facility & Room Reservations 
Dolly Marden - 623.845.3525
To book rooms and/or campus facilities, you must contact the Office of Student Life TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO YOUR EVENT. When planning an event or activity, it is also wise to see what other activities might be going on at the same time. This will enable you to see if an alternative date might be wiser. 

Business Services
Regis Della-Calce - 623.845.3590 
DO NOT Sign Contracts! No one on the GCC campus can sign off on a contract. All contractual agreements between the college and rental companies, event services, performers, and talnet agencies must be approved and signed by our District Legal Services. Please allow three (3) weeks notice for contract review.

If you have a question on a financial expenditure or business transaction involving use of funds, please contact the Business Services office for clarification. 

Aramark Food Services*
623.845.3543
If your group is planning a banquet, or wanting refreshments and/or food for an event, Aramark Dining Services can help. As an exclusive contractor for GCC and MCCD, Aramark does have first right of refusal for campus food services. What this means for us is that you must first consult and obtain a price from Aramark before purchasing food or catering services over $100. Then if you choose, you may seek quotes for comparable product and service off-campus. If you obtain a lower quote or Aramark is not able to provide your request then you may use another company. 

The College Voice
623.845.3820 
The College Voice is always looking for newsworthy information. There are reporters assigned to cover clubs / organizations. The have deadlines to meet, so ask for their dates for publication and deadlines to print your news items. 

Public Safety 
Debra Palok - 623.845.3540
For assistance with security, parking or public safety officers.

IKON Copy Services*
623.845.3127
Club Advisors may obtain a club copy code from the Business Services Manager, Regis Della-Calce by sending an e-mail request. Club copying may then be done at the copy center and billed later. Students should not be given the account number for security reasons.

*Your club/organization must have funds to pay for these services.

Event Planning Packet

Event Planning Checklist

(Adobe Acrobat Required)


Online Guide to Student Clubs and Organizations
Office of Student Life at Glendale Community College
Maintained by Connie Greenwell on Friday February 18 2005. See Legal Disclaimer.