Planning an event might sound overwhelming, but it’s actually pretty easy!

First, decide what kind of event you want to plan. Charity walks and 5k run/walks are always popular and there are plenty of great resources available online to help you plan. If your area has a local running club, they can be a helpful resource as well.

If you know a local up-and-coming band or have neighbors who like to cook, you could organize something like a benefit concert, a chili cook-off, or a barbecue. The key here is to play to your strengths, use the resources you already have, and think about the kinds of events you enjoy. All of this will make planning easier.

Just like real estate, it’s all about location, location, location.

Depending on the type of event you are hosting, you’ll need different kinds of venues. For a barbecue or picnic, it can be as simple as reserving a picnic shelter at a local park or borrowing a canopy and asking permission to set up your event at your church, in a local park, or at a nearby school. Other events might take more logistics.

For a charity walk, for example, you might need to contact your local government to get permits or permission to use a local walking trail or to put signs up on sidewalks along your route. Each jurisdiction will have its own rules, but your local government’s website is a great place to start.

Get some friends to help!

We’ve all heard the saying “many hands make light work.” That’s true for planning fundraisers as well. Plus, help from family friends is often free and they are likely to be excited about doing something for narcolepsy awareness. Figure out who you can ask for help and divide up tasks based on each person’s skill set.

Be sure to stay organized!

Make sure you start planning well in advance of your event and keep checking in with people who are helping out as the event approaches. People can get busy and things can slip through the cracks, so it’s important to stay on top of things. Setting reminders for yourself on your calendar can make this easy. Contact us for awareness materials like wristbands and educational materials.

Invite everyone!

Publicize your event anywhere and everywhere. Use social media, the community board at your favorite coffee shop, and your local newspaper (and their website). Tell your local media organizations about the event and invite them to come. And of course, invite all your friends and

family. If there’s an active narcolepsy support group near you, contact them too! And of course, don’t forget to contact Narcolepsy Network! We love to promote the awesome things our members do. We will gladly post your event on our social media or send a blast email to our contacts in your area.

Do make sure to have fun!

Take some pictures and share them on social media (don’t forget to tag us), and enjoy seeing the evidence of all your hard work and enthusiasm.