5 Ways to Avoid the Pep Rally Effect and Stay Results-Driven

Would you rather people leave your fundraising event having had a good time or having raised a lot of money? It doesn’t have to be one or the other. Ideally, you want both, but you must always put donation before ovation. Which is why the event itself, along with the meetings leading up to it, need to focus on getting the right kind of audience participation.
A pep rally gets an audience to rush out inspired, except then all they do is sit on the sidelines. The objective is not just to pump people up. To avoid that effect with your fundraiser, let’s focus on how to get the most out of your meetings.
Designating a few roles should establish accountability and a sense of common purpose that will ultimately lead to event success. Here are a few key ways to proceed:

1. Set clear meeting objectives
Designate a meeting leader to define the scope of your conversations and keep attendees from straying off task. A respected leader who sets and resets the agenda makes all the difference.
2. Create action-item list
Appoint someone to take a list of action items during the meeting. Things that get written down get done. When appropriate, assign action items for attendees to work on individually or pair up and report back. The more people pulling on the same side of the rope, the less chance you’ll end up in the mud.
3. Go Modern!
Event technology can be employed during meetings to show clear team opinions and drive collaborative results. These tools allow you to make decisions more quickly and democratically, while creating an engaging environment that is interactive and inclusive.
4. Keep tasks visible
After getting verbal buy-in from attendees, action items should always remain visible. Post names for those who took ownership next to action items. Remember: out of sight, out of mind. In sight, in mind.
5. Follow up after meetings
Are the timelines and expectations clear? Is there anything or anyone else who could help? Resetting the agenda is not only reserved for meetings.
Keep these steps in mind to make sure your next event is a success. Can you think of some other ideas we missed? Do you think any of these shouldn’t be included? We’d love to hear your thoughts and insight in a comment.
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