My community organizing journey began in 5th grade, when myself and classmates organized a student-run, student-led carnival to raise money for charity. I continued organizing kind initiatives through high school and college and organize events professionally now. Please enjoy the lessons, tips, and tricks I’ve learned over 10+ years of coordinating kindness.
#1 Things won’t go to plan.
Even if we plan to the best of our ability, things won’t go to plan, that is the one guarantee. To organize great events, we must accept things will go wrong throughout the organizing process and prepare for the unexpected. A back-up plan for a back-up plan is always the right answer.
#2 Slow and steady wins the race.
Events are complex. There are endless moving parts to coordinate into a single focused vision. Give yourself ample time to organize and use a list of tasks organized by priority so you can focus on the right things at the right time. Then, focus on making slow and steady progress. My recommendation is to “touch the project daily,” meaning you make progress every day.
#3 Don’t be afraid to invite on a co-organizer.
Share the love and coordinate kindness together!
Organizing a kind initiative with someone else can be fun and beneficial! It means two brains and hearts coordinating kindness instead of one. It means two humans to carry the mental weight and coordinating stress instead of one. It means two sets of creative insight instead of one. It also means to brains growing and learning from the experience instead of one.
#4 No event is worth your mental health and safety.
Events are no joke. They can be stressful, humbling, and impact your mental health.
The kind efforts you coordinate are not worth your safety and peace. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, postpone an event, or bring on more volunteers! It is not weak; it is a choice that will allow you to make an even greater impact down the road.
Find Kind’s tips and tricks for navigating self care and burnout can be found here.
#6 Signage is often overlooked.
Signage is typically the marker between a good event and a great event.
By taking the time to create written communication for your guests, you give yourself the best chance at avoiding confusion / frustration from guests AND it is an extra reminder to consider logistics.
A good event will consider signage from directional signs to guide guests into the event to dietary signage at any serving tables. Every table where guests could grow confused should have signage.
#7 Many lessons can be mastered by doing.
I could provide an endless number of tips and tricks here for you, but lessons are best learned by doing.
I wish you the best in your journey and am always available to help you in your journey. Feel free to reach out via Instagram direct messages or email. I’d love to know what advice you want to pass on to other community organizers!