Following some big changes at the dance studio, as a teacher and competitive coach, I seized the moment to realize an idea I had been toying with over the previous couple of years: A Halloween Haunted House Fundraiser.
With my supervisor busy dealing with business changes and the start of a new season, and the dancers adapting to new teams, I was given full freedom to organize and put on this event, which turned out not only to be a great fundraiser, but a fantastic team building exercise!
From coming up with a theme, to making posters and advertising at local schools and stores, the preparation for the event within the short time-frame we had before halloween was a collective effort and success! We ended up with the theme of a deranged circus and called the production "The Show Must Not Go On".
I pulled in favours and used all my resources to collect item loans and donations towards our Halloween decor, while managing a budget to collect anything else that was needed. The project further evolved to include a full day of open haunted house with payed entry, as well as a bake sale and a flash mob every hour.
The event was praised by visitors and parents who recognized it as more than a fundraiser for competitive teams, but as a true team building experience, and a fantastic way to start the new dance season.
Time management
Budget management
Realizing a project from start to finish