Cotillion’s

50th

Anniversary

AUGUSTA SYMPHONY GUILDAUGUSTA, GEORGIA

The

Presentation

Curtsy

Augusta Symphony Guild

Cotillion

• Since 1963

• A beloved legacy

• A time-honored tradition

• Longest sustained fundraiser

• 2013

• Upcoming Cotillion Anniversary

• Ways and Means committee

• Ad hoc committee to study

the concept

Our Story

• $15,000 to be budgeted

• Modest Party ideas • a cupcake party

• a private home tea

• Gift to the debs from the Guild

• Six months timeline??

Recommendations

• 18 months to accomplish

• Established:• Timeline

• Job Descriptions

• Committee

A Plan Takes Shape

• A cocktail party….without men!

• Reunion and celebration

• Avenue of Gowns

• Decade displays of memorabilia

• Photography sessions onsite for debutante classes

• A raffle

• A quartet playing in the background

The Committee’s

Vision

Know Your Community!

Oh, Dear!

The Challenge …

The Solution …• Contact four local businesses -

• all of which have connections to the Guild

• all of whom could make a huge

difference in our outcome

$5,000 raffle

Class of 1973

The First Year-

1963

The

Florals

The Program

Dresses in Silk …

and Sugar

Save-the-Date &

Invitation

Memorabilia

Photogr

aphs

Invitati

ons

Memorabilia

A

Avenue of Gowns1963 – 2014: 27 gowns

Dresses worn by

families

• Act early

• Use Excel

• Research, Research, Research• Cotillion Stalkers Investigations

• Stalking 101 (handout)

Pearls of Wisdom

• Found 1179 of 1199 former debs!

• Celebrated our members

• Engaged community support

• Built community awareness

Successes

Maestro ZAnne Catherine Murray,

Executive Director

$10,000 unexpected proceeds

Cotilli

on’s

50th

Anniver

sary

Augusta Symphony Guild, Inc.

Cotillion’s 50th Anniversary

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. What are some adaptations you have made to a long-standing

fundraiser?

2. This project was successful because of historical memorabilia and

a reunion of several generations. How could this formula be used

in your organization?