I need your creative minds what type of venue to get for 300 or so?

[Microcell]

I need to figure out a location to do a schoolwide ceremony for Girl Scouts that will probably have no more than 300 in attendence. Our location fell through and I am kind of at a loss. I am checking churches, the school system treats us like we are a cult or something, so a school is out. Where else in a decent sized metro would you think of? I probably should keep it in our town, which is mid sized, 80,000 people town.

It would be nice to have a stage, and we do need an area to do cookies and punch.

Any ideas welcome!

 

[CarolA]

Churches are the first thing that comes to mind.

We have also used corporate meeting areas, but there were only a few big enough for you. Museums might be an option.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

Try your local firehouse. We used to use our town rec center for everything, until it burned. The local volunteer fireman have been kind enough to let us use their banquet rooms for event. Oh, and our VFW has a huge banquet facility. They have also stepped up to the plate and have not charged at all. Good Luck!
BTW, what is going on with 300 girls?

 

[Cthia]

Wow I am sort of shocked that the school system won't allow you to have it there. Where do you hold your meeetings? The troops here hold their meetings in either of the three schools, the library or the church, always at public places.

Could your local girl scout council help? Does your town/city have a place for public meetings? (I live in a small town so our public town meetings are either held in the high school gym or one of the rooms at the town hall.)

 

[goodeats]

Libraries, City Hall, Schools (still surprised at your comment!), Museums, etc.

 

[Microcell]

It is probably 90 girls and their parents and siblings. I just got the boneheaded idea to do one end of the year ceremony for all the grades. The Kindergarteners are going to brownies, 3rd grade to juniors and the 6th graders to whatever they go to. I am so flustered, many calls nd no yeses

The school district only lets us send out one flyer a year, and fight us on using the schools. We have to fill out building requests and they won't allow us to come until 630 for meetings. They do not allow us to do anything there in May at all.


We meet at the local grocery store! It is too small for this.

I am looking into already mentioned above stuff. Thanks! Keep em coming if you have anything else.

 

[kimmikayb]

Without knowing your area I'm taking a guess....how about community halls? We have buildings for that purpose and they are usually very kind to us Girl Scouts. Bank basements? Libraries sometimes have a big enough room to meet. I'm bet your're very disappointed in your school! Churches are also a good bet.

Love your idea...I've been wanting to do that with our service unit but it's hard to cordinate. I hope you find a place!

If all else fails....do it in your city park....ours has shelters and plenty of room...maybe you have something like that?

 

[sk8belle]

Are there any large VFW halls near you?

 

[Microcell]

I am livid with my school! I just got off the phone with them and had begged them and nothing is booked the day I need, but their last minute events take precidence apparently. They need to keep it free in case the school needs it.

 

[agnes!]

Some service organizations have meeting halls, like VFW or Knights of Columbus or Masons, etc.
Since your public school system is collectively being a horse's patoot, are there any private schools that have auditoriums/lecture halls/theatres?
Do you know *anyone* who can get you into a local hotel for little or no money, since it is for a non-profit? Maybe one of the girls' parents/relatives are a manager at a local hotel & they can arrange it.
Any community colleges, universities, hospitals with lecture halls?
Maybe the local theatre (even a movie theatre would work if it has a stage) might work.
National Guard depots with meeting rooms?
Call up the local Chamber of Commerce, maybe there's a local businessman that can help.
Call up the local newspaper/radio station...perhaps you can get an editor/reporter interested in your dilemma, as a human-interest story.

Good luck,
agnes!

 

[Microcell]

Three cheers for the VFW!!!!! They are not available on the night we might have wanted, but they are free and no charge for another night and I hope to talk my one holdout leader into it. Wish me luck!

 

[Microcell]

Some service organizations have meeting halls, like VFW or Knights of Columbus or Masons, etc.
Since your public school system is collectively being a horse's patoot, are there any private schools that have auditoriums/lecture halls/theatres?
Do you know *anyone* who can get you into a local hotel for little or no money, since it is for a non-profit? Maybe one of the girls' parents/relatives are a manager at a local hotel & they can arrange it.
Any community colleges, universities, hospitals with lecture halls?
Maybe the local theatre (even a movie theatre would work if it has a stage) might work.
National Guard depots with meeting rooms?
Call up the local Chamber of Commerce, maybe there's a local businessman that can help.
Call up the local newspaper/radio station...perhaps you can get an editor/reporter interested in your dilemma, as a human-interest story.

Good luck,
agnes!

Thanks for so many great ideas! Thanks to everyone! I am waiting on a call back from the thorn in my side about the VFW, but I will look into the local comm college about space since the thorn probably won't budge. I will look into hotels. For the size of town we are the hotels are in short supply.

 

[bsnyder]

Do you have a YMCA in your community? I would imagine they'd be very accomodating.

 

[HayGan]

I'm glad you found some place. I can't imagine the other leader holding out when you have been able to find an appropriate palce for FREE!!!

 

[Cthia]

Good luck. I hope you are able to work it out.

Our town did exactly what you are doing and I know the girls had a great time. (They held it in the Middle School auditorium)

I will say I am still shocked that the school is giving you a hard time. I would definitely work on getting that rectified. Sounds like you made need some help from your local/state chapter to see how that can be changed. I would be calling the school committe, town manager, school superintendent, etc. Sounds like they need a course on what Girl Scouts is all about.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

If "Thorn" disagrees with the date change, I would have my resignation letter in hand along with the file and hand it over to her and quietly walk away

 

[mom2boys]

Elks, Moose, AmVets, VFW, 4H or other camp facility...
Have you considered a local park? Our "city" has a bandshell for use. Out town park even has a small stage.