Make a checklist of everything you want to include on the invitation, even obvious aspects like the date, time, address, attire, etc. Sometimes when you’re caught up in the design itself, it may be easy to leave out crucial details.

1. Be aware that the size and weight of the invitation, and its components, can impact the amount of postage required which can directly affect your budget.
2. Provide several RSVP options: 1. RSVP card and envelope, 2. telephone number, 3. web address and 4. email address.
3. Include the charity’s mission in your invitation.
4. Include a donation option in case the invitee cannot attend your event but may wish to make a donation.
5. Communicate the style of the event through the invitation design, including the logo.

What other tips do you have for invitations?

]]> http://vivanista.com/2010/09/five-fundraising-tips-designing-an-invitation/feed/ 0 http://vivanista.com/2010/09/behind-the-scenes-part-v-the-designer/ http://vivanista.com/2010/09/behind-the-scenes-part-v-the-designer/#comments Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:02:59 +0000 Vivanista http://vivanista.com/?p=15459

Aida is a spectacular love story with breathtaking music and incredible history.  However, each performance’s own uniqueness truly shines in the costume and set design.  Vivanista talked to Aida’s multi-talented, creative, and colorful Production Designer Zandra Rhodes to hear her perspective on the differences between designing ready-to-wear clothing versus fantastical opera costumes, her inspiration for Aida’s design, and the changing face of fashion.

Besides past productions, did you have other inspiration for the costumes for this version of Aida?

I went back to my sketchbooks that I did on a visit to Egypt in 1986 of the wall paintings, especially in the tombs. I then did a dress collection called “Secrets of the Nile SS 1987.” In it was the “Egyptian Leopard Print,” and it is this print that has been used on the priests. It is all of this research I used as the original inspiration. For more research I went to the book of etchings from Napoleon’s original Egyptian campaign.

Do you have a sense of the differences between fundraising for Opera companies in the U.S. versus Britain?

U.S. fundraising seems to be a much more glamorous and well-organized affair, especially as this money has to be part of the income to contribute to the running of the opera in the U.S. It is fabulously organized with society ladies competing to chair.

You have designed costumes for a variety of operas including The Magic Flute and The Pearl Fishers. What differences are there between designing costumes and ready-to-wear?

The opera can be larger than life! Dresses do not always have to be practical as long as they can sing in them! The opera is a vehicle to create a marvelous world where the eyes and one’s other senses (like music and sounds) combine and take the participation to fabulous heights! Ready-to-wear must have a different kind of practicality. They can be eye-catching if the wearer wants them to be, which is not always the case!

How is the face of fashion changing?

The face of fashion always changes. Currently its key moving force is whether or not a garment is seen on film stars and personalities in the public eye. Pictures of pure fashion in magazines do not now have the same influence. It is the red carpet and footballers’ wives who now influence sales.

How do you overcome the creativity drain bringing out a new collection year in and year out?

By being lucky enough to have tremendous variety in my life. By designing for opera so I can go into a totally different fantasy world. Because I started as a textile designer and design all my own fabric prints, this expands the horizon. I can work on print ideas to go on a bed linen line that I do for a company called Ashley Wilde in the UK. Additionally this September a book of my early work from 1961 to 1971 comes out: Zandra Rhodes – Textile Revolution: Medals, Wiggles, and Pop 1961-1971.

Your hair color is one of your signatures. Will you share what your real hair color was growing up?

My hair was dark brown, but now underneath it is grey/white! But I never leave it for long enough! I first dyed it green in 1971 – first streaks, then more and more. In 1980 I dyed it pink and since then have had it in varying shades of pink and red-pinks.

Besides an Opera fundraising event what is the event that you enjoyed most?

I really enjoy doing lectures about my work. I travel all over the world to do these. I also love looking after all details that build up to an event and make the event “happen” in a very special way. For example, when I first came to La Jolla and did a fundraiser for the La Jolla Contemporary Art Museum, all the ladies in the committee met me wearing pink wigs! For that show I also did a magical fabric forest composed of all my fabric hanging all from the catwalk ceiling and showed a fantasy of all my incredible evening dresses and ball gowns.

Who is your role model?

I suppose my ultimate role model is my mother. She was very exotic and taught dressmaking at the art college I went to. Before her marriage she was a fitter in Paris at the House of Worth. She taught me my work ethic.

Do you attend charitable fundraising events?

I attend many, especially with my partner Salah Hassanein. “Water for Africa” and heart operations for children in third world countries are his main focus. In San Diego where we live, we go to fundraising events for San Diego Opera and the Old Globe Theatre. I have also worked for 13 years on behalf of the UCSD Cardiovascular Center for which I do all the artwork. The center will be opened this year.

What has been the most interesting party, besides the San Francisco Opera Gala, that you’ve been associated with?

There was a fabulous gala for the Globe and Dr. Seuss in La Jolla where everyone received a hat made from brown paper bags to wear, but so wonderfully done. I still have mine! Another was the opening of The Magic Flute for San Diego Opera opening night when the whole of the ladies in the audience wore pink feather boas!

What tip are you willing to share as to how to best express your own style?

Always be willing to experiment, even if in hindsight some of the looks are a mistake! I think of my face and hair as a wonderful palette that I can try things out on.

For more information on the San Francisco Opera production of Aida, click here.

For more information on the Opera Ball, click here.

Previous segments in the Behind The Scenes series include:

• Part I: The Co-Chairs
• Part II: Day of Beauty
• Part III: The History of Aida
• Part IV: The Event Designers

Everyone can sign up for a Fan Page, but unlike your ordinary website where you set it up and let it run, it wont collect fans for you. Facebook is a community and your fans are brand ambassadors, you want them to ‘Like’ you! Fans require engaging content, interesting commentary, pretty pictures, quotes, questions and something unique to win them over. Here are a few suggestions as to how you to manage your page once it is set up.

Getting Started:

• Upload your Avatar using your organization’s Logo or an eye catching image.
• Provide Basic Organizational information including your mission, about us, and site url.
• Post Status Updates which could include announcements, updates, news or more
• Invite your friends from your personal accounts, e-mail, twitter etc. to grow your fan base.

Grow Your Fan Base:

Once all of your basic information filled in, it’s time to start using the applications facebook provides to engage and attract your fans. Be sure to first utilize the apps that are defaulted on your fan page.

These include:

• Wall – Interact with members, make announcements, and allow them to post in this communal space.
• Notes – Write blogs, or syndicate your current blog to the ‘notes’ section to share lengthier posts.
• Photo/Video –Incorporate images, or sync your flickr and/or youtube channels to interact with fans using photos, videos, webcasts and more.
• Discussion Boards- Fuel a discussion around a relevant topic to engage members
• Events- Post and advertise any upcoming events that your organization might be hosting, sponsoring, or attending.

Lastly, be sure to use a unique voice, and have some FUN!

Show a little personality, add fun pictures, video, quotes and ask questions to engage your viewers.

The Event: On August 23, 2010, co-chairs Charlot Malin and Mary Poland and San Francisco Opera Ball patrons celebrated the upcoming opening of the San Francisco Opera’s 88th season. Guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and cocktails from Credo, McCall Associates, Grey Goose, William Hill and Scharffenberger. Obscura Digital, known for their innovative and interactive experiences, co-hosted the event and brought the world of Aida to life via a digital, full dome movie. The event added to the growing excitement for the Opera Ball in honor of Aida’s opening night on September 10.

The Cause: The Opera Ball’s proceeds are aimed at extending the impact of opera in the community. The Opera and Opera Guild’s education and community programs make a difference in the lives of more than 58,000 Bay Area children.

For more information on the San Francisco Opera production of Aida, click here.

For more information on the Opera Ball, click here.

The Event: On August 16, 2010, more than 300 young San Francisco Symphony patrons celebrated the September 7 launch of the Symphonix Opening Night Gala. In the ballroom of the St. Regis Hotel, guests danced to music by DJ Consuelo, sipped wine and cocktails, and enjoyed food provided by the hotel.

The San Francisco Symphony will kick off its 99th season with their Opening Night Gala on September 7, 2010. Before the Gala concert, guests will gather in San Francisco City Hall for the Symphonix Dinner. Afterward, Operatic superstar Jessye Norman will blow guests away as she performs Duke Ellington classics alongside Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony. And to complete the night, guests may attend two after parties in City Hall and the Grove Street Tent Pavilion, featuring complimentary entertainment by the Fundamentals and Jonathan Poretz.

The Chair: Ye-Hui Lu

The Cause: Symphonix is an organization designed to bring together the Bay Area’s “socially minded, culturally curious, and professionally active” young adults who share a love of music and an interest in the San Francisco Symphony.

The Credentials: Wells Fargo District Manager Jason Royce presented the gala’s co-chairs Kristen Harper and Maggie Hazelrig a check for $250,000 to show Wells Fargo’s support as the presenting sponsor for the gala.

The Celebration: On Thursday, August 5, Autism Speaks to Young Professionals (AS2YP) presented its New York Stock Exchange Summer Event. The sold-out affair (850 people in attendance) raised over $80,000 for Autism Speaks.
The Cause: Proceeds from the evening went to Autism Speaks, the nation’s largest autism science and advocacy organization, dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments, and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families.
The Credentials: This second annual event was held on the trading floor of the Stock Exchange. The night was filled with great music, great food, great drinks, and great times, overall. One of the highlights was the opportunity for guests to get their picture taken on the NYSE bell podium, where the morning opening bell for the market is rung (how cool is that)!
Event Sponsors: Skybridge Capital, Stitchgraphics, Barbadillo, New Age Imports LLC, Given Liqueur, Cabot, Heartland Brewery, Long Island’s Original Vodka, and Magner’s Irish Cider.

The Celebration: On Saturday, August 7, Governor and Mrs. Paterson, Jenny and John Paulson, and event chair Jean Shafiroff welcomed more than 1,000 guests to Southampton Hospital’s 52nd Annual Summer Party, “An Enchanted Evening.” Barclay’s Wealth served as Honorary Corporate Chair and Tiffany & Co. served as Honorary Jewelry Chair for the event which raised a historic $1.72 million to support the Hospital.

The Cause: Proceeds from the event support the operations of Southampton Hospital’s recently opened Jenny and John Paulson Emergency Department. The hospital is affiliated with Stony Brook University Medical Center and is a member of the East End Health Alliance. In 2010 the hospital was awarded the Healthgrades Patient Safety Excellence Award for the second time and was recognized by The Healthcare Association of New York State with its Pinnacle Award for Quality and Patient Safety.
The Credentials: Summer Party guests gathered under the tents on Wickapogue Road in Southampton to dance to the music of  The Alex Donner Orchestra, enjoy fine dining by Robbins Wolfe Eventeurs and savor the creative Enchanted Evening theme designed by Tony Urrutia. Highlighting the dinner program was a compelling address by Jenny Paulson who dedicated the Paulson family’s recent gift of $5 million in memory of her late father. The Paulson’s gift enabled the hospital to nearly double the size of its existing emergency department which cares for more than 25,000 patients annually.

Do, do, do, do, do, do, do… Do you ever feel like the Jeopardy theme song is playing in the background while you’re making an intense decision? Well, if you throw a Jeopardy-themed Party with a Purpose, you’ll have a legitimate excuse to play in real life it and support a good cause at the same time!

The Event:

As its name suggests, a Jeopardy Party with a Purpose involves recreating the famous television game show. However, you can also personalize the game to your audience and your cause. For example, choose topics and questions that fit the theme of the cause(s) you will be supporting. Then split the audience into three teams that will coach and cheer for the three contestants.

The Set-up:

Try to match the Jeopardy set as much as possible. This means podiums for contestants with name cards, a host, theater-style seating for the audience, a device for contestants to “ring in” (like a buzzer or bell) and pens and paper for Final Jeopardy. Of course, one of Jeopardy’s trademarks is the giant answer wall. If you can’t round up dozens of television screens, simply make posters with point values on one side and answers on the other. Don’t forget posters to go at the top of each category!  Or use one big-screen TV with a Jeopardy template found online.

The Cause:

While you may have one cause in mind as a beneficiary for your event, keep your mind open to alternatives. For example, if contestants’ winnings are donated to the charity of their choice, it will motivate guests not only to participate, but also to do well! You may choose to donate each of the contestant’s winnings to their chosen cause or simply donate the winner’s earnings to her charity. Then, donate the remainder to your favorite charity.

How to Fundraise:

Charge an entrance fee for each guest. To raise additional support, come up with creative ways to choose your contestants. For example, hold a miniature auction where the top three bidders will win the opportunity to participate. Or, choose participants at random by selling raffle tickets. In addition to raising excitement, these methods add an extra incentive for guests to donate. Or, with an audience who would rather embarrass their friends than participate themselves, the highest auction bidder could choose a contestant. Or, follow this fun, simple model: A bidder pays $20 to see their friend as a contestant. Their friend can either match the bid and avoid the spotlight, or they can accept the challenge and go onstage as a contestant. As a bonus, create Final Jeopardy Pay-Down, where guests bet on which contestant will win.

Final Thoughts:

Keep in mind that this Party with a Purpose involves a lead time of about one to three months to promote the event, design a Jeopardy set, and create questions, along with other preparation. This is also an event best suited for an experienced fundraiser who is comfortable juggling multiple aspects of an event. However, don’t be discouraged if you think you can pull it off. Whatever you do, just don’t forget to phrase your answers in the form of a question!

Michael Franti can’t be summed up in just one word.  He’s a musician, world-traveler, activist, celebrity, survivor, artist, and ambassador.  And most importantly, he has found a way to bring all of these aspects together to use his influence for good.  You can see him at the Power to the Peaceful Festival in Golden Gate Park on September 11, but don’t expect him to stop there.  He told us,

“It’s not what any individual does one time, whether it’s really good or really bad, it’s what an individual does over a lifetime or career in the public eye.”

Learn how his near-death experience changed his perspective (and his music), what item he would save from his burning home, and how he is changing San Francisco, the United States, Bali, East Timor, and the world with the power of music.

How can music be a vehicle for change, social justice, and, inspiration?

Music can do three things. It can highlight social issues that are not very well known. It can also raise money for particular issues. Perhaps most importantly music can serve as an inspiration to help people believe that change is possible, and inspire them to work through hard times to make that change come to life.

If you could choose any place in the world, besides San Francisco, to hold a free concert, where would it be?

I would love to play music where people don’t have access to it, so any place where there’s need for music. I’ve played in a lot of prisons and schools and on the streets in cities in developing nations. In the past few years I’ve spent a lot of time in Bali. I would love to do a concert there, but really anywhere I go I’m happy to play for whoever wants to listen.

Finish the sentence: “Social justice begins with…”

“Social justice begins with…” the belief that all people have a right to basic needs, the freedom from tyranny and threat of violence, the freedom of self expression, access to clean food and water, safe homes, and religious freedom and the opportunity to pursue their dreams for themselves and their families.

There’s been a backlash against charitable celebrities. How can ordinary citizens tell which celebrities are truly altruistic?

It’s not what any individual does one time, whether it’s really good or really bad, it’s what an individual does over a lifetime or career in the public eye. It’s easy to become skeptical of someone who appears to be opportunistic or has had a series of public scandals and is trying to refashion their image, but ultimately I believe that any act of generosity or appeal to others to help the greater good is a step in the right direction. No artist should do it with the expectation of something in return.

You had a near-death experience when your appendix ruptured. In what way did that episode change your perspective on life?

It gave me a deeper appreciation for simple things that I often have taken for granted, like seeing the sun for the first time in the morning, or hanging out with my friends, or eating a really delicious piece of fruit. The same week my surgery took place I had my first song ever go into the top forty after more than twenty years of making music and while this was a really exciting thrill in my career, it paled in comparison to just being able to live another day and be surrounded by the people I care about the most.

As a CARE ambassador, how do you share your passion for the organization’s mission?

CARE is determined to help people in need help themselves and what makes CARE unique is that it’s not an organization that provides handouts, rather CARE provides a helping hand enabling farmers to grow for themselves and individuals to start businesses through microfinance and providing girls in developing nations access to education and the opportunity to become powerful leaders in their families and communities.

The PTTP Festival is one of the largest free musical, art, and action events in the county. What do you think the majority of the 70,000+ attendees will gain from the experience?

PTTP is a day when we remember September 11th as a day to volunteer to make the world a better place. We bring together over 100 different social justice organizations, everything from youth gang prevention to environmental causes and veterans groups, and help people to plug into ways they can have a direct impact on the world.

The Global Action Forum & CARE Celebration the night before the festival will feature a video from your recent trip to East Timor for CARE’s Peace and Conflict Resolution Programs. In what ways did this trip have an impact on you?

East Timor is a place I had heard a lot about in the news as their struggle for independence had made international headlines, but it wasn’t until I went there that I realized that for most people independence was not just a political struggle, but a day to day struggle for existence. I learned that something as simple as a 40ft by 40ft plastic tarp to collect water during the rainy season meant the difference between having access to irrigating crops during the dry season and starvation.

If your house were on fire, what is the one thing you would grab?

After making sure my family was safe and I had taken photos that were irreplaceable, there wouldn’t be anything I couldn’t let go of. The most important material possession that I have is my passport because it allows me access to places in the world that people in many nations do not have access to, but my passport is very easily replaceable.

You’ve dabbled in a variety of musical styles. What is one genre you will never attempt?

I don’t think there is a genre that I would “never” attempt. There are many that I’m sure I would not do well at attempting. I’m not a huge fan of classical music, so you probably won’t see me writing a symphony any time soon.

Your new album “The Sound of Sunshine” comes out September 21^st. What should listeners expect?

Well, most of the songs were written after my appendix surgery, so most of the songs are songs of upliftment. It’s a very upbeat record that is intended to help people get through difficult times by laughing, dancing, and connecting with people they love the most through music.

Listen to the 30 second audio sample of new song, “Hey Hey Hey”, which will appear on the upcoming album THE SOUND OF SUNSHINE.

Can you suggest one way in which others can give back in their everyday lives?

A lot of times people ask me what they can do to help others and my response is “do what you can”. One time I met a woman who owned a hair salon and she had a woman come in one day who was undergoing chemotherapy and she cut this woman’s hair and spent the afternoon talking with her about her situation. After that she decided she was going to dedicate time each week to taking care of the hair needs of women who are undergoing chemotherapy. This may seem like something really small, but it was the thing she knew how to do best and so she gave of her best. Each of us have to figure out what it is we know how to do and figure out a way to apply it to helping others.

Join Michael Franti at Power to the Peaceful!

The annual Power to the Peaceful Festival, featuring CARE Ambassador Michael Franti and more than 50,000 music fans, will take place in Golden Gate Park on Saturday, September 11, 2010. The night before, on Friday, September 10, at 8 pm, CARE and Michael Franti will kick off this Festival with the second annual Global Action Forum & Celebration at the Fillmore Theatre in San Francisco. The evening will feature the screening of two short films, one about Michael’s recent trip with CARE to East Timor and another about a girls’ education crusader from Mali. The films will be followed by an intimate conversation with top experts in global women’s issues and an acoustic performance by Michael Franti.

Visit www.care.org/forum for more information and to buy tickets.

http://www.powertothepeaceful.org/

In 2010, it’s safe to say that Facebook has become a must-have for individuals, businesses and organizations alike. For non-profits, it has empowered many by providing free online tools that enable organizations to cost-efficiently raise awareness, increase fundraising, mobilize communities, organize events, and more…

So, have you created your fan page yet?

What is a Facebook Fan Page?

In their own words, pages are for organizations, businesses, celebrities, and bands to broadcast great information in an official, public manner to people who choose to connect with them. Similar to profiles, pages can be enhanced with applications that help the entity communicate and engage with their audiences and capture new audiences virally through friend recommendations, News Feed stories, Facebook events, and beyond.

You can create and manage a Facebook page for your organization from your personal account, but please note that only the official representative of an organization is permitted to create a page.

10 Reasons why you should set up a Facebook Page for your Non- Profit

1. It’s a great way to connect with other organizations and supporters who may be unaware of your cause.
2. Creating a Facebook page provides a way to upload blog posts, interviews, podcasts, video contests, and more without exhausting much of your resources or time.
3. Increase traffic, membership, and brand awareness by creating a presence on the second largest website on the internet.
4. Plug into an existing audience of like-minded organizations with similar interest groups.
5. Easily collaborate with, connect, and increase your network of partners, volunteers, and supporters.
6. Quickly broadcast your announcements to your network without having to create a newsletter and risk blacklisting by your Internet Service Provider.
7. Have the ability to connect Facebook with Twitter, Flickr, and your blog to connect to your cross-channel networks.
8. You can post and promote your organization’s events easily and efficiently.
9. Facebook pages are a great way to gain real insight and spark discussions from customers and supporters.
10. Lastly, it’s free!