OK,
it seems I’d written a document for candidates about manners and
such… I guess I’d been to a series of parties and seen some appalling behaviour.
Having
recently attended a series of fundraisers and Holiday events, I feel
compelled to make a few comments. I’m beginning to get the sense that
wolves raised many of you.
This is a “progressive” post; if you
can’t successfully apply yourself to the first one, don’t bother to
move on to the next step.
Party Guest: Let’s start by focusing on those 2 words.
“Party”
as in having a good time, an opportunity to meet new people, an
opportunity to wear a pretty blouse or dress, an opportunity to bring a
friend along to introduce to a group or community.
“Guest” as in
accepting some responsibility for your behavior. Arriving on time,
greeting the host or hostess, RSVP if asked, making polite
conversation, be prepared to introduce yourself to some one you don’t
know, offer to help the host if it looks like they need it. Stay in the
designated party space, thank the host and leave on time.
If this is
a “Fundraiser” you are by default obligated to contribute something.
This can be money or if possible, it can be your time or talent. This
also assumes that some money needs to be left over at the end of
evening; it can’t all be spent entertaining you.
Things you are
NOT allowed to do as a Party Guest: Arrive well after the party has
“peaked”, use any personal belongings of the host, whip out a book from
the book shelf and plunk yourself down in a chair in the middle of the
party and start reading it, place glassware on furniture without a
coaster or napkin, leave your food plate behind for some one else to
pick up, get drunk and obnoxious, assume anyone wants to chase, hold or
baby-sit your uninvited children, look like you don’t want to be there.
If you are not having fun, go home, we won’t miss you.
Host and Host Committees:
Again, I stress, if you haven’t mastered Party Guest, don’t attempt
this. The only exemption is if you hire a party planner and contract
out the whole event. If this is the case, you probably have too much
money, and we don’t know you.
Planning: The who, what, where, and
when. Each of these deserves it’s own committee and attention. They
work as a symbiotic relationship, some time the “who” determines the
“where”, sometimes the “when” determines the “who”. Do not try to plan
any important event “on the fly”, unless you are very good and very
organized something will turn tragic, assume these events will not be
successful. Successful events are always planned months in advance.
Have enough seating for at least ¾ of your guests, especially if many
are over the age of 50. Young folks can stand for 2-3 hours; the rest
cannot be expected to do this.
Host and Host; you too have
responsibilities, foremost is greeting your guests and making them feel
welcome. Do not stand in clumps and only speak to those you know, make
an effort to introduce yourself, and offer to introduce people who
don’t look comfortable.
Candidates:
You are by far the “ultimate” party guest and host/hostess. All above
rules apply to you at all times. You are obligated to be polite make
introductions, arrive on time (or arrange before hand with the host to
be ” a little” late) Brief your surrogates, have business cards, wear
your name badge, shine your shoes, do not bring husbands or wives who
don’t want to be there, always RSVP even if the invite doesn’t require
it, how else will the organizers know to recognize you? Also, what if
your opponent is going to be there, it makes it very awkward for
everyone. Don’t pass anything out unless you have cleared it with the
host first, unless it’s a business card.
If
there is an “entry fee” you must pay it, just because you are a
candidate you are not exempt, unless you are someones guest. I have to
tell you, some of you candidates are getting a bad reputation for not
paying, we don’t care that your just stopping by, you brought your
Mother and husband, and they are eating and drinking. If your campaign
is strapped, ask if it’s ok to contribute later or pay a reduced rate.
DON’T expect to just show up and not pay, remember you are a Party
Guest first, then a candidate, not the other way around.
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