tips for planning BAM projects Here are some key principles for organising a successful BAM event: •
Projects should be SIMPLE. Given that your volunteers may have little or no experience, ensure that the project is easy, instructions are clear and objectives can be met.
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Projects should have a BENEFICIARY. There is no point running a project which is fun but where there is no clear benefit.
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Projects should be FUN. There is no point running a project which is useful but that people will not enjoy as they will not do it again.
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Projects should ideally be REPEATABLE. As local partnerships are built, it is ideal if volunteers can repeat or build on their projects.
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Project aims should be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Go for what you can achieve successfully. Better to be modest and successful than ambitious and fail.
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CELEBRATE your project: the more people know what you’re doing, the more likely they are to emulate you. We are after all trying to change the habits of the entire world!
More generally Projects’ costs are the responsibility of the organisers of the project. All projects recommended by NBO below are simple and inexpensive. Health and safety issues are the responsibility of the organisation running the event. NBO take no responsibility for ensuring that projects comply with Health and Safety rules. Insurance is essential. Most organisations such as places of worship and schools carry liability insurance as do most charities where people volunteer. However it is essential that you check that your project is insured and that your volunteers are insured at all times. THIS IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE ORGANISERS OF THE PROJECT.
BAM 2015 Event Planning Guide Stage 0
Decide on the scale of your event: is it individual-based, Centre-wide, local, or even Movement-wide?
Stage 1
Decide on theme of your event or day of action e.g. Climate Change, local environment, networking?
Stage 2
Decide on what you would like to achieve from running an event, basically the key
outcomes Examples: • increased environmental awareness amongst your Centre team and Sangha • increased awareness amongst the Sangha of the link between the Dharma and the natural environment • improved appearance of your local environment • reduced energy consumption at your Buddhist Centre • reduced individual carbon footprints for participating Sangha members
Stage 3
Decide how to do this – see list of BAM 2015 event ideas
Stage 4
Work out what it will cost to run (if anything other than volunteer time) and decide who to approach for the money e.g. Centre treasurer or local businesses
Stage 5
Decide on key actions to achieve the overall outcome(s)
Stage 6
Decide on the date for your event/ day of action. (Note if you are inviting outside organisations make sure they are available on that date)
Stage 7
Decide who will do this, so list names, organisations etc that will work on the actions
Stage 8
Decide when this needs to be done and when by: so draft a timeline for the event, identifying a number of key dates leading up to the event itself, plus some after the event eg a review, publicity, etc.
Stage 9
Ensure that you have done the necessary health and safety checks, carried out a risk assessment for potential hazards and ensured that your Buddhist Centre/ Community Centre/ Partner Organisation has adequate Public Liability Insurance in place to cover in case of accidents (essential).
Stage 10 Promote and Celebrate your event - locally, nationally, wherever! Upload details before, during and after, onto the BAM 2015 web page on The Buddhist Centre Online www.thebuddhistcentre.com/BAM/BAM2015
Theme: (Insert theme of the day/ event here)
Outcomes wanted from your event or day of action: (e.g. why are you doing this?)
Actions: (actions you will take to achieve the outcomes)
Who (will work on the task)
When (key Progress so far (good to Notes dates) review this weekly) (including any health and safety, risk assessment etc)
1 (Insert Actions here and continue below)
2 3 4 5 6 7
Promotion and Celebration
Post-event review
This ‘event planning guide’ developed by Claire Morris and Bec Frost for the NBO’s ‘Earthkind’ project, the precursor to BAM.