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Need to Raise Money for your Program or Event?

Consider Holding a Pub Night
By Jenn Markham, News Editor

ost people have been toa
pub night to raise money
for one cause or another,

but what about organizing and putting
one on? Here are some things to
consider:

Where to hold one:

Many of the local pubs and bars in
New West have held pub nights for
various Douglas College groups, and
those who haven’t already are usually
open to the idea. The appeal for the
pubs is that they receive a lot of
business and exposure from the event,
while helping out a cause.

When to hold one:

Consider the bar, and when their

busiest times are. It’s good to avoid
weekends, nights when there are
hockey games or UFC fights on, and
days with popular food specials. Also
consider which days the students you
plan to invite have classes, exams and
assignments due.

How much the tickets will be:
Generally, bars and pubs will have
established prices for the pub

nights they hold. Keep in mind that
they’re most likely to be different,
but the principle is the same. The
establishment charges you costs for
the burger and beer, and then double
the price so they keep half and the
event gets the other half.

Other ways to fundraise at the
event:

There are other ways to generate

funds at the event itself such a silent
auction, toonie toss or raffle draw. It
is always a good idea to talk about
these possibilities with your contact at
the establishment.

Prizes for a draw:

Caution: You must check with the
college before creating a letter and
putting it out into the community.
The College has created alliances
with some local business’ that already
make contributions.

Consider a theme:

So everyone read this article and

now you’re afraid that pub night
fundraisers are getting repetitive? If
you really want to jazz it up, consider
a themed pub night. The theme

could be anything; such as a small
headband with something attached

7 J

or full costumes. But again, pitch
the idea to the establishment before
you advertise. Imagine a bunch of
Star Trek characters showing up to
an event to find out the bar manager
doesn’t take a joke well.

These are just a few things to
keep in mind, but if you’re tired of
Bake Sales, it’s a good place to start.

 

 

Old clothes became new treasures at
Swap-O-Rama-Rama

By Jenn Markham, News Editor

T= event was a complete
success! The tables were set
up early, and the volunteers
were eager to learn their roles at
each station. When the first few
attendees arrived, it was slow moving
as things started up. After the slow
start, people had no problem diving
right in. The sorting tables were
well organized and it was easy to
find what you needed, even when
you weren’t sure what that was. The
button, silk screening, embroidery
and embellishment tables were busy
all day. Everyone was smiling and
enthusiastic.

Some of the more interesting
bags this year were made from jeans.
By cutting off the legs, sewing them
just under the pockets and adding a
strap, old jeans transformed into cute
clutches.

The sewing machines were full of.

activity. The sewing volunteers were
so helpful and patient, as some people
were sewing for the first time.

The hit of the day was the
pumpkin runway. Throughout the day,
the loudspeakers announced that there
would be a fashion show, and anyone
with items that were finished were
invited up. People loved showcasing
their creations while parading down

between the rows of pumpkins to

a song like Ghostbusters. People
clapped, cheered and giggled at the
sidelines. Then when it was over, the
concentration would set in again. The
music at the event was up beat and
bubbly. Everyone was encouraging
to each other, by offering more ideas
for altering and cheering on the ones
brought up.

At times, participants would have
an altering idea that they couldn’t
accomplish because they didn’t
know the technique. Volunteers and
other participants were eager to
help by doing and even showing the
techniques. Although it was a bad
place to leave an article of your own
clothing lying around, people talked
about looking forward to the next
swap as they left.

 

 

Texting While Driving

Statistics Online Say It’s Killing Us

By Jenn Markham, News Editor

t drivecellsafe.com they warn

that “twenty-five per cent

of vehicle crashes each year
can be attributed to drivers being
distracted. The number one cause
of distraction is wireless electronic
devices, such as cell phones.” They
also warn that “since January 1, 2010,
talking, typing, texting or dialling
on a handheld cell phone or any
handheld portable electronic device
while driving is subject to a $167
fine and a penalty of three points.”
This website was created by the same
people who created the commercials.
on TV that showcase simulated
scenes of accidents that occurred
because of cell phone use.

Despite implementing some of
the strictest driving laws in Canada
this year, B.C. drivers continue to
place getting the most out of their
phone plans over road safety. ICBC
recently released statistics indicating
that nearly 20,000 tickets have been
issued to B.C. drivers for using hand
held devices—talking and texting —
since the no cell phone ban was
implemented in February.

As a self reflection, do you know
anyone who’s gotten a ticket for
cell phone use since the rules were
implemented? Have the new driving

 

rules changed your own habits in
regards to using your cell phone while
driving?

As students, we could argue that
our schedules are so packed that the
only free time we have for necessary
communication is while we’re :
driving. But for class 7 (“N” and “L”)
drivers going through the graduated
licensing system, cell phone use is
completely banned unless pulled over
or making an emergency 9-1-1 call.

It has also been suggested in
more than one resource that texting
while driving accounts for more
accidents and is more dangerous
than driving while intoxicated. It
is suggested that this is attributed
to social norms, and how socially
acceptable it is to text while driving.

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