An RMEF Ladies Night Out features many of the same fundraising tactics as regular RMEF banquets except they are specifically catered to female attendees. Most of these events include live and silent auctions, games, raffles and dinner. Since only women are allowed to participate, everything within the event is marketed to them including merchandise, firearms and how the games and raffles are presented. Below, we’ll dive deeper into how these events are conducted and look at some suggestions offered by RMEF staff and volunteers.
Ladies Event Planning Committees
Who plans these events? Is it the responsibility of the chapter committee? It all depends on who is interested in helping. These events are executed under the charter and name of the local chapter but may have an entirely different group of volunteers that sit on the planning committee. For most of these committees however, there are typically a few volunteers from the chapter’s banquet committee with additional female volunteers who want to help. Because it is specific to women, this event creates a great volunteer recruitment opportunity to gain new female volunteers. These committees are not just limited to women either. Just like a typical chapter committee, men, women and children are all encouraged to help.
Scheduling
What time of year, day of the week and time of day are these ladies events typically held? For many of them, committees try to stay to space them out on the calendar far enough from the chapter’s regular banquet to not disrupt its results. Spring is typically a busy season for chapters (and regional directors), so fall and early winter are popular times for scheduling these events. Currently, around 75 percent of all RMEF ladies events take place between September through February. Most of them are also on a Friday or Saturday night, however a few chose to hold their events on a weeknight. These events are held in the evening and follow similar timelines of a regular chapter banquet.
Event Themes
A fun and very different feature to most ladies events is the utilization of themes. Committees plan their invitations, decorations, meals, games and raffles to match a chosen theme. Themes give attendees a reason to dress up and add a fun element to the evening. RMEF supplies a list of approved themes to chapters annually, which are incorporated into the printed EMS invitation.
Event Activities
Within these events, many of the fundraising activities mirror those of a typical RMEF banquet. These include live and silent auctions, games and special raffles. But rather than hosting a general raffle, these events typically use a basket raffle described below.
Basket Raffle
Ladies events usually rely on a “basket raffle” to bring in a large portion of the event’s donated merchandise, which is then used for a “general” style raffle. With a basket raffle, attendees are incentivized to build a basket with contents to donate to the event. The incentive to donate can vary, but typically for every basket donation, you earn raffle tickets for a special basket raffle donor drawing. For example, a ladies event may advertise this in its invitation: “Don’t forget to build and bring a basket to donate and receive a free ticket for every $20 in value of your basket (max ticket exchange of up to $100 per basket). Each ticket received for donation is for a Kimber Micro 9mm with Crimson Trace Grips!” Tickets for the basket raffle are sold both before and during the event. Baskets are then drawn and given away at the end of the evening.
Merchandise
Between merchandise made available through the RMEF’s event merchandise program and locally secured donations, there is plenty of women-specific merchandise for a ladies-only event. RMEF has increased its selection of women’s merchandise in recent years, with plenty of jewelry, home décor and gear available to fill all auction and raffle needs.
Event Donors
An extra benefit to these events is the opportunity to solicit new RMEF donors. Where a regular RMEF committee may never ask for a donation from a beauty salon or other women-specific business, this event makes that donation request much easier and more appropriate. It is also important to be cautious with donors when asking for donations because you don’t want a donation for a ladies event to affect a donor’s contribution to the chapter’s banquet. Make sure donors understand this is a different RMEF event.
Table Packages
Offering and selling table packages to these events are the number-one reason they are so well attended. When eight or 10 attendees can be added within a single transaction, it only takes a handful of those transactions to begin to fill a room. Because memberships are not required at these events, an eight-person table with $40 meals only costs a buyer $320. Depending on your state raffle laws, you can even add raffle tickets and other benefits to add in value and incentives to buying an entire table. For example, a table package may include 10 meals and $200 in basket raffle tickets and it is priced for only $500. When asking for donations, be sure to include an invitation with table package information to leave with the donor.
Invitations
RMEF has invitations within EMS that fit the approved themes for these events. They are built on the same format as banquet invites and function the same way. Like a regular banquet, this event requires a ticket chairperson to process sales and serve as the contact for potential attendees.
Event Food
These do not have to be fully catered events, especially if it is a smaller or newer event. Some events include light finger food or other casual offerings. Wine and charcuterie boards in venues like wineries or distilleries fared well for some ladies events. This also enables people to snack throughout the event. Have enough food so attendees don’t leave hungry, but don’t be afraid to think outside the box.
Conclusion
RMEF Ladies Night Out events are a fun and productive fundraising event designed for women. They function similarly to a banquet, so RMEF’s volunteer and support structure can easily adapt to hosting them. Most importantly, they are a profitable fundraising tool that help generate significant funds for RMEF’s mission.
Additional Tips
- Since these events are for women only, male volunteers should not be allowed to participate in raffles, games or auctions. If they purchase or win something, it will not sit well with event attendees.
- For some of these events, women plan and set it up, but only men work the night of the event. This allows women to fully participate and enjoy the evening.
- Host a best-dressed contest for your event’s theme. Award the winner a fun prize with low cost, such as a special crown or sash. Advertise the contest beforehand to encourage attendees to participate.
- When looking for new donors, look to quilt shops, coffee shops, boutiques, female realtors, salons, banks and other similar businesses. These donors have also typically bought tables for their staff or clients to attend the event.