Past Presidents Night, like the legendary Twelfthnight Parties that preceded the current affairs, follow a guiding vision unlike your typical catered affair. For one thing, I do this all essentially for free - the gate receipts pay for the food and my labor is uncompensated but for the fun of producing awesome stuff and the greater fun of watching people enjoy it all.
That means it's hard to fire me if my vision is not copacetic with that of this year's president. And 10 years of successful parties is a track record worth reckoning.
So here's my vision. Don't try this at home! (or more accurately, only try this at home, and not where someone can fire you for a dumb vision).
- Build participation from anticipation. Everything is in limited supply and if you don't pay attention, you might miss the hit of the evening.
- It's all good. Even if you miss one awesome thing, another awesome thing will be in front of you in short order.
- People love to be In The Know - a few well-placed words to guests can build excellent energy in advance of the next food or drink to be revealed.
- Stampedes are usually bad. Tell some guests about one thing, and other guests about another, then encourage them to compare notes. Soon they are doing your marketing work and the excitement builds.
- Everything from the kitchen should be of impeccable quality. Past Presidents Night is not a profit center. Spend every dollar to make the best party the club can host. The payback in dues and Friday night dinners is worth far more than the cost of a jar of truffles.
- If the party ever does become a profit center, then all is lost. The profit motive is fundamentally incompatible with putting on an awesome spread for your friends. The minute you start getting thrifty, you start cutting corners and accepting less than the best you can do. Save money somewhere else.