This semester, I faced the challenge of planning Fall Commencement. It was difficult, stressful, and I would do it again in a heartbeat—all because of the simple gestures of others.
Do you ever feel like you’re holding a meeting to schedule another meeting to discuss a meeting you previously met about? Sometimes, I feel overwhelmed by all the meetings I attend, yet I know—if properly managed—meetings are an effective way to delegate tasks and monitor their progress to ensure project success.
I’ve always been confused as to whether or not raffles can be conducted on campus. Some colleagues have cautioned that they shouldn’t be—per Institute policy—while others seem to raffle off items at all their events. So, if raffles are allowed, how do we obtain approval?
Throughout the past few months, we’ve focused a lot of attention on event management and planning. However, I don’t want to forget about the second piece to our name – protocol. I’ve recently joined a great organization named Protocol and Diplomacy International – Protocol Officers Association, who released a weekly message regarding tipping etiquette last March. Since we are entering vacation season, I thought this topic is very timely for event planners and travel aficionados alike.
Thank you to the more than 100 colleagues who registered to attend our professional development event on February 23, where we introduced our new Institute Special Events & Protocol website. The new site, intended to provide event planners with a centralized location to find all the necessary information they need to produce a successful event, includes information on policies, entertainment resources, catering options, and many other useful topics.
The Office of Institute Special Events & Protocol was created in July 2011 to execute Institute-level events, set the standards and protocol for event planning at Georgia Tech, and serve as a resource for fellow planners in the Tech community. Since then my colleague, Serena Wallace, and I have committed ourselves to hearing the needs of our campus colleagues and providing resources and solutions to assist them in efficient, exceptional planning.
