Celebration, Into Action
Completion and a New Beginning
 by
Phil Bartle, PhD
Training Handout

A party is not a vacation from your work, but a vital part of it

 Organizing and implementing community celebrations are hard work,
 and are important and vital parts of mobilization. Once you might
 not have realised this; for pupils and most workers, a celebration
 is an exciting break from the monotony of work or study. For you,
 the mobilizer, it is part of your job description.

 As well as the obvious time for a celebration (ie the completion 
 of a community project), you should encourage other celebrations
 through the process: fund raising harambee, laying a foundation
 block, cheque handing-over, finishing a key phase (walls, roof,
 painting) and other key turning points.

 Drumming, dancing, plays or skits, parades, talent shows, and
 other entertainment or semi-entertainment, should be included in
 every celebration. Invite local amateur culture groups and school
 groups to perform. Ensure some "big-shots" attend, to make speeches
 of public praise (but not to politically hi-jack the celebration),
 and invite the press and media.

 Why?

 The celebration adds public recognition,
 validation and legitimacy to the whole
 developmental process, not just the project. It is a good
 venue for raising awareness, improving
 transparency, and making the community project a
 more high profile activity.

 With the executive, plan and organize well. Do not do everything for
 the executive. Encourage, praise and advise -- that they take
 charge. See "Celebration."


 Enjoy.

Updated: 2003 May 11
http://www.scn.org/cmp/