Good planning and organisation will allow your Club event to not only run smoothly on the day but will also allow you to better access funding that Arc offers for such events, including the Clubs Grant and/or the Student Community and Development Grant (SCDG), as well as allowing you to nominate for the Arc Club Event of the Year, and Photo of the Year awards.
Before your event:
- Publish the event on the Arc Membership Portal.
Include the Arc Clubs logo in any marketing material for your event (including event photos for Facebook events). The logo must be clear and legible. You can access the Arc Clubs Logo in the Files section if you are a Club Executive.
If your Club is supplying alcohol at the event, ensure that the Alcohol Policy requirements are met (see Clubs Handbook Section 16)
Make copies of all receipts (i.e. scan them) and keep both the originals and copies in a safe place.
Retain any invoices and proof of payment regardless of cost (e.g. bank transfer screenshot or updated invoice showing $0 as the owing amount)
Create a budget for the event, including ticket prices.
If ticket fees (or other compulsory fees) are charged to attendees, make sure to charge a premium of at least 110% on event fees for all non-Arc members. For example, if Arc members are charged $10 entry (the base price), non-Arc members should be charged at least $11. If Clubs charge different fees to Club members and non-Club members, this may result in a four-tiered structure. E.g:
| Membership Status | Example Price |
| Arc member, Club member (base price) | $10 |
| Arc member, Non-Club member | $11 |
| Non-Arc member, Club member | $12.5 |
| Non-Arc member, Non-Club member | $15 |
When budgeting for your event, it is usually a good idea to set ticket prices under the assumption that all (or a large majority of) attendees will be paying the base price. That way, you should generally only have a larger than expected income, rather than falling short. This is especially important if your Club has limited funds, and you are hoping to breakeven or make a profit from your event.
Planning Your Event
The first step in planning an event is to establish the idea of the event. It is important to do this as early as possible! During planning, your team should have a clear scope of your purpose, your event details (location, date, timings), your audience and any resources you need.
Know your purpose!
The purpose of your event should never be to just make something happen, you should view it as a Club objective or goal. Consider the following:
Why do you want to run an event?
What is the main purpose of your event? What do you want to achieve?
Recruit members?
For members to socialise?
Raise funds? Raise awareness?
Consider the Location:
Investigate multiple options (indoor and outdoor venues) and venues that can accommodate the maximum number of people that you expect at your event. You should consider:
Where do you want it to be held?
Confirm if this location inclusive for all attendees
Visit your preferred location spaces
Take photos of your space so that you have a reference through planning
Create a map to establish orientation of your site and environment surrounding it.
Put yourself in the position of your audience and visualize how your event would like
Make reference to landmarks or key areas: power, tables/chairs, fixed points, loading zones, doorways, ramps. Consider how this makes your space accessible and anticipate any modifications
Analyse your audience:
How many people are you expecting to attend?
Research similar events and their participants/attendees
Reflect on your past events:
What are the most successful components (venue/location, performance/program, catering, time of the year) of these events?
Make note of the types of characteristics, demographics and interests of the people you would like to attend your event. Profile your target audience:
Who are they? What do they have in common? What do they study? Where do they live?
What do your members already enjoy? Will they be interested in this type of event?
Timing: When to hold your event?
Pick a date and have a backup (or two!)
Think of the student lifecycle/uni calendar (be mindful of breaks, exams, peak periods)
Scope for clashes or convenient times and any potential audience overlap
Consider Public holidays, Weekdays vs Weekend, Weather/Timing in the year
Resources & Budget:
What resources do you have, or do you need?
What sort of budget, if any, do you have to work with?
Do you need to apply for grants or sponsorship?
Be Inclusive!
- Refer to our Inclusive Event Checklist here.
Planning Resources:
There are many places to connect, communicate or store files. You should have a location that your whole planning team can access. Here are some accessible platforms for you to consider
Google Drive
Slack
Trello
Dropbox
Asana
Microsoft To Do
Twobird
Things (Apple)
Todoist
Cortana
Google Hangouts or Skype
Office 365 Applications: OneNote, Sharepoint, Planner, TeamsBooking a Venue and Drawing Up a Schedule
Once you have planned out these initial aspects, you need to book your venue. Venues should be booked well in advance to secure your event’s date, time and location.
For on-campus events, refer to Clubs Handbook Section 23 (Location and Equipment Bookings) for information on booking a room or an outdoor space. For off-campus events, you should also approach the venue or relevant booking authority well in advance. This may also include public spaces such as parks, which may have special booking procedures for large groups. Make sure to be aware of any Terms and Conditions of hire and any other important information given during the booking process (including information included in the confirmation email) to avoid any problems!
Once you have confirmed your event’s time and place, it is advisable to draw up a schedule for the day of the event, starting from before the event at the time you have to set up (or even earlier – from when you will begin promoting your event). This will often highlight the little things that are often forgotten, e.g. iPod and playlist, decorations, signage, etc. It will also allow you to keep an eye on your budget and delegate tasks, especially for large tasks like organising catering and drinks.
Catering is something that will need some research and time in planning. Keep in mind catering for vegetarians/vegans/allergies/other dietary requirements.
WHS, Risk Management and Insurance
Your group has an obligation to run a safe and inclusive event for yourselves and the public. Make sure that you are aware you of your Club’s Work Health & Safety responsibilities and perform a risk assessment to minimise the risks and the consequences of incidents.
You should always conduct a risk assessment prior to your event. This will help you when things potentially go wrong, and also enables you to foresee, minimise or mitigate and potential risks.
You should also have a contingency plan established, as well as a clear sense of any site inspections licenses, permits, insurance, grants, security that may delay your planning. A contingency plan is your plan of action if an identified risk eventuates (training, planning, staffing, equipment, procedures).
Some financial risks are covered by existing UNSW insurance, however you and your Club may want to purchase additional insurance to cover other risks.
Event Waivers / Terms & Conditions
Clubs can use an Event Waiver form when there is no online registration for your event. If you do have online registration, use should use the Arc Clubs template Club Events Terms & Conditions document instead:
- Club Event Waivers Template - Use this waiver template where there is no online registration for this event. If you do have online registration, use our template Club Events Terms & Conditions instead.
- Club Event Terms and Conditions Template - Use these Terms & Conditions on the online registration system for your event. If your event doesn’t have one, use the waiver form template instead.
COVID-19 Safety
It is your club’s responsibility to stay up to date with NSW Government guidelines and restrictions, as well as any parameters provided by UNSW Safe Return. The Arc Clubs team will provide updates via email and our Club Newsletter where relevant.
Clubs should explore running online or hybrid events to ensure they are creating accessible and inclusive events. Additionally, events should be prepared to factor in safety guidelines such as Physical Distancing or Mask wearing throughout in person events. Be prepared to adapt to rapid changes in Government requirements, including having a cancellation or rescheduling plan. Familiarise yourself with the COVID-19 guidelines available on the Forms & Files page, and don’t forget to nominate yourself a COVID Safety Officer for each event.
Have a Back-Up Plan
It is important to remember that it is highly unlikely that everything will go according to your schedule or plan. If something does go wrong, do you:
Have a contingency plan?
Have a wet weather plan?
Know where to get first aid help?
If you have to book additional venues to accommodate for these situations, make sure you do it with your initial venue booking.
Promotion
After this initial planning, you can then begin to implement your plan. If you are planning to promote your event (especially if you promoting to a wider audience than your members), develop a plan and start early. Remember, good promotions often make all the difference in how many people turn out. If it’s a big ticketed event, Facebook and Arc Website/Newsletters promotions will not be enough.
Consider handing out flyers or giving away free stuff with your information attached. Increase your event promotions closer to the date, both online and offline. See Clubs Handbook Section 25 (Promoting your Club) for more ideas about promoting events.
On the Day
On the day of your event remember to bring:
Any booking confirmations received (having it accessible in your email is usually fine)
All the necessary items to help you apply for an Arc Clubs Grant. These include:
An attendance form from the Arc Clubs Space
Your Club Banner OR a generic Arc Banner
A camera to take a photo at your event with the banner. The photos we need are the ones that show the event in motion, not posed group shots with the banner - these tell us nothing about the event!
Have all attendees sign the attendance list (including non-Arc members).
- This is especially important if the Club is providing alcohol at the event (see Clubs Handbook Section 16).
- The list should contain full names, student numbers and whether they are active Arc members. Also remember to include date, Club name and activity at the top of every sheet. You can use Arc’s template attendance Form available on the Clubs Forms & Files Page.
- Where a performance or conference is hosted or organised by the Club, the attendance of Arc members may be based on the attendance list of the organisers, performers and crew. Performance observers and conference entrants are not required to complete the attendance list; however, they may do so.
- Check Arc membership when collecting ticket fees (if fees are charged) - Arc members have a current Arc sticker on their student card
- This is recommended because we check your list of Arc member attendees before awarding $1 per Arc member. If you’ve budgeted very precisely but don’t check membership, you may receive less funding than anticipated.
- Take photos of your event, showing that the Arc Clubs logo was displayed prominently. This photo should show attendees at the event participating in activities and not simply holding the Club’s banner up for a photo - the idea is for the Arc Clubs logo to be on display for the duration of the event.
- If your event is online, post the Arc logo in the event chat during the Event and take a screenshot of this to submit as your event photo
- Displaying the Club’s Arc banner will usually be the most convenient way to fulfil this criterion, however an alternative use of the Arc Clubs logo is acceptable, as long as it is prominent and clearly associated with the event. For example, Clubs may be able to display A3 printouts of the Arc Clubs logo or include the logo in signage; however, an attendee simply wearing a shirt with the Arc Clubs logo is insufficient. Acceptance of other methods of displaying the Arc Clubs logo at your event is at the discretion of Grants Staff. Consult staff prior to the event if you are
Remember to take the logistics behind packing up your event into consideration! The best way to ensure an event that runs smoothly is to plan well in advance, and to always have a back-up plan
Post Event Consideration
Thank those involved (no matter what their contributions)
Follow up on any issues or feedback – this may be injuries, conflicts, lost and found, late arrivals/early departures
Share photos or testimonials with your online community
Begin processing necessary payments and follow up on outstanding invoices
Send out any surveys if relevant
Begin reporting while details are fresh in your mind
Archive your event in a logical and consolidated way
Provide your event report or any acquittals on time
- Make scan all receipts (if you haven’t already).
Have a Arc Membership Portal Admin go to the clubs events tab, then click the “Past Events” link to access each past event’s activity grant application form. The following is required:
Actual budgets detailing all income and expenditure (including sponsorship). Please only account for spending you have receipts or invoices for. There is a template on the application form, however you are welcome to attach your own. These amounts should match up to your Club’s financial records.
The photo showing that the Arc Clubs logo was displayed throughout the event.
Copies of any marketing material, showing the Arc Clubs logo, date, location, time and ticketing structure (if relevant).
The completed attendance list from the event.
Scans of all receipts proving the total expenses of the Activity.
The application must be submitted within 30 days (including non-business days) of the start date of the activity (I.e. if the event was on the 3/5/23, the grant must be submitted by 3/6/23). Late applications will not be eligible for funding.
Your Wellbeing
Planning events takes a lot of work and sometimes can be stressful. Here are some tips to look after yourself during planning:
Have time for yourself and take regular breaks
Manage your workload by creating realistic timelines and goals, or delegating throughout your team
Switch off distractions – set yourself times to check in with your club or your email and turn off your notifications when you are working or studying
Have a back-up plan – prepare your contingencies in case things go wrong
Give yourself realistic expectations based on your planning time
Speak up – if you are struggling, talk to someone
Keep a healthy lifestyle – have proper meals, exercise, get fresh air, sleep and hydrate yourself. You can become easily overwhelmed when working on events, but your mental health or wellbeing should always come first.
Where can I find out more information?
- Australian Sports Commission – Clubs/Association Management Program: Event Management - www.clearinghouseforsport.gov....
