Level of difficulty: Basic
Cost to attend: Low

Project: Regional Yale Club sponsors Night with the California Ballet Company, club members attend ballet performance with upgraded seats and backstage tour.

Lead time: 5 – 6 months
Date of event: Spring, 1990s

Resources:
1 lead volunteer – 8 hours
1 volunteer (newsletter and publicity) – 2 hours
1 Director of ballet company – ½ hour
1 staff member of ballet company -1 hour

Results: 25 attended, including alumni and guests

Why a success?

Enlisted several new members for the Yale Club of San Diego (YCSD).
Initiated a connection between the California Ballet Co and the YCSD.

Details:

SPONSOR: Yale Club of San Diego (YCSD)

DATE: Saturday Night, 1990’s

ORGANIZER: Alan Cohen, M.D. – Member, Board of Directors YCSD, Member, Executive Board of Directors and Vice President of Development, California Ballet Company

Backstage tour with the Director of the California Ballet Company
Ballet performance by the California Ballet Company
VP seats arranged for standard ticket prices
25 tickets were purchased up front by the organizer
Checks were mailed directly to the organizer prior to the performance
Revenue neutral for the Yale Club of San Diego

PUBLICITY:
Announcement in quarterly YCSD newsletter – pre-dated email
Presentation at YCSD monthly Board Meeting

Possible Improvements:

Much improved current day publicity: email, Facebook, YCSD website
More advanced announcement and RSVP date might improve attendance
Post-performance reception : would allow an opportunity to discuss the ballet, interact with alumni etc.