Stupid Fundraising Idea--Opinions

[maps]

Hi all

I'm on the PTA and we have a small group of parents, some with constant brilliant ideas.

In Sept, they came up with an idea to have a Suitcase Party. Essentially it would be a night when families would come to the school with their backs packed and if they won they would go on a weekend trip right then and there.

Everyone was thrilled with this exciting idea. I had some reservations about it but went along and somehow managed to get myself involved in running the whole thing. Along the way, I would make progress reports and everyone was still excited.

The prize package includes:
1 night stay at a local hotel
Rental Suv for the weekend
1 night stay at a Boston Hotel
5 tickets to the aquarium
5 tickets to the science museum
$100 gift cert to Legal Seafood
Gas card and Dunkin Donuts card

(All this was donated but the prize total is about $700)

The theme for the party was Willy Wonka. We would show the movie, have popcorn, drinks and desserts and then each family would get a king size candy bar. The one with the golden ticket would be the winner.

Fast forward to a week before the event. The members of the PTA want to first cancel the event because "nobody" is going. Then they want to change the date for the trip (so much for spontaneity with the suitcases). No one is volunteering to help out.

So far no one has responded that they are coming but we did say you can get a ticket at the door.

I'm at my wits end. I work, have 2 kids that have been sick for the last 2 weeks, and I'm having renovations on my house so it's an absolute diaster.

What do you guys think about all this? Would you cancel, postpone, continue and just chalk it up to a bad idea and never volunteer again?

Thanks for letting me vent and for your opinions.

 

[bananiem]

What a nightmare! I guess you could still hold it. Since the prizes were donated the PTA won't be out any money, right? If you're the only family that shows up, you win!
If you choose to cancel it I'd be sure to return the prizes to the donators. I'm sorry the other PTA volunteers dropped the ball.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

Is there a way to make the trip a "must be taken by..." kind of thing. Personally, unless you included a pet sitter to come and take care of our zoo at the house, we wouldn't be able to just leave right then.

I don't know, party nights at our school are usually pretty well attended, especially when we get a group of the Jr. Highers to agree to provide a kid's club in the Preschool rooms.

But we do lots of smaller door prizes, not just one huge thing like that.

 

[maps]

I feel it is a nightmare and we had the potential to make a lot of money. The last brilliant idea the PTA came up with was a dance and they had to give the band $1200 so in the end we only made about $200. Here, everything was donated and we'll be lucky to make anything.

 

[buddy&wooz]

Maybe you can raffle off the trip instead, since you have the prize donations.

I have to admit it's not something I'd participate in with my family. I can't see setting aside a weekend, planning boarding for the dog, etc, for a possible trip. I'd feel obligated to plan an actual trip (that I'm paying for) in case we didn't win- I'd hate to waste the weekend!

These big production fundraisers are hard. Much as I hate the giftwrap it sure brings in a lot more money for a lot less work!

 

[SpecialK]

I'd cancel the party, make the date of the overnight flexible, and sell raffle tickets. I personally would buy a raffle ticket, but I doubt that we'd attend an event like this.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

This is something that sounds good in theory, but in reality, its not so good. I couldn't imagine packing for my children in what they think is going to be an exciting weekend and then it turns out one of their classmates gets to go instead.

I say keep the party, cancel the suitcase idea and make the grand prize a $50 raffle ticket and make arrangements with the donors on availability.

 

[golfgal]

They did something like this when I was in college, except it was a 4 night stay in Cancun or Florida or someplace warm. It was a HUGE fundraiser, but then we were all college students and it was over spring break.

 

[minkydog]

Yeah, I vote for the raffle. My life is so complicated, there is no way i could ever just drop everything and take a trip on the weekend. But if I could schedule it later, i'd be all over that! The prize sounds amazing.

 

[minniecarousel]

Yeah - I'd re-advertise it as a raffle - trip to be taken by...
I wouldn't attend an event like that with little kids & have them disappointed that we weren't going away for the weekend. I'd make the tix available for a reasonable cost. Have all the PTA officers selling them at as many events where parents congregate as possible - before and after school - they need to make it work! Is there an Open House or student concert coming up to sell the tix at and have the actual raffle?

 

[rt2dz]

Events like this have made big money for other schools, but it depends on the climate of your school--and where the trip is to. Also they tend to advertise outside just the school population. In your situation I don't know what I'd do. I suggest visiting PTO/PTA experts here .

 

[Toby'sFriend]

yeah, the great thing about a Raffle is that you can buy a ticket even if you can't come to the party.

You've done a great job getting prizes donated. I think that if you work it around a little, you'll raise some good money.

 

[Tink33]

Can you get the local media involved?

There was a fundraiser at our elementary school a few years ago that included an auction and one of the items was a signed print from a former astronaut. The newspaper ran an article and we had so many people show up.

Could you raffle or auction the items separately?

 

[pixiemomma]

I just wanted to add I don't think your idea is stupid at all. Ambitious yes, but not stupid. Good luck!

 

[Karel]

I know from experience that most people wait till the last minute for fundraising events. If it is a busy night, that will be the first thing crossed off the schedule.

I also know that you can't panic. It doesn't sound like the PTO will be out much money if you just get a small group of people.

I think the trip prize is great but would not make it a 'drop everything and go' prize. It's just not feasible.

 

[mickeysgal]

I love the idea of raffling off a weekend getaway - as long as it has a "use by" date. However, there is no way I'd be game to pack up my entire family, clear the weekend of any appointments/obligations, and make kennel reservations for a trip we may not win. The idea of it sounds thrilling, but not practical. I think you'd get a stronger response by selling raffle tickets. Good luck!

 

[horseshowmom]

I love the idea of raffling off a weekend getaway - as long as it has a "use by" date. However, there is no way I'd be game to pack up my entire family, clear the weekend of any appointments/obligations, and make kennel reservations for a trip we may not win. The idea of it sounds thrilling, but not practical. I think you'd get a stronger response by selling raffle tickets. Good luck!

I agree. In theory, the whole idea sounds wonderful - spontaneous, exciting, etc., but in reality, I know that I wouldn't participate for the same reasons others have mentioned (too many responsibilities to clear on a "might win but really not likely" basis).

Good luck!

 

[maps]

thanks for all of your responses. The gal that came up with this idea says she did it in college and it was a huge success. We must have forgotten how simple our lives were in college as oppposed to now!

Since it's already been advertised as a weekend away beginning immediately, I don't really know how to even change it at this point.

Learning experience: spontaineity is easier in college!

 

[kristen821]

I think this sounds like a fun idea. I work weekends so would not be able to do it, but for the rest of the world I think it would be a lot of fun. Even if they don't win it would be fun for the families to watch willie wonka. I would see how it goes and decide if you want to do it again next year. Since everything was donated you aren't losing money.