This is a fundraiser (and you're not even including staff time on your pricing). Your options are: 1. Get more than 20 hosts. Use these extra hosts to subsidize the minimum re-enactors needed to "set the historic tone." Then advertise to the re-enactors the limited seating at reduced price - those who are too late with reservations must pay the higher price if they want to come. If you could get enough sponsors to pay for the re-enactors, that's the ideal option, because you really are relying on their presence to make the evening a success. If you don't get enough re-enactors, are you up the proverbial creek? 2. If your general public can handle a higher rate than $75, then raise their ticket price to subsidize the re-enactors, but you must again limit the number of free/reduced re-enactors so that you make your $20,000 goal. The key to either solution is to target your mailings. You can send invitations directly to the re-enacting groups and make it clear that they are getting a special price because they are essentially participants in the program. Get them on your side by explaining that they are an important part of this and you demonstrate that by an at-cost price.It is true that you are relying on them to provide the atmosphere. You may need to provide other benefits to these re-enactors, because it's true that they have no reason to pay for the privilege of "working" at your Ball. Perhaps also giving them another incentive - a free pass to the museum on a regular day, will entice them as, well. Especially if this is your first year, the more incentives to attract them is extremely important. This shouldn't have any effect on your marketing to the regular public because they won't know of your re-enactor mailings. If any questions arise about different prices/free admission, it is simple to explain that they are participants in the program for atmosphere and authenticity, but they are covering the costs of their own meals as their donation to this fundraiser. Best of luck. Sabrina Henneman Registrar Genesee Country Village www.gcv.org -----Original Message----- From: Katie Anderson [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Friday, August 05, 2005 12:16 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [MUSEUM-L] reenactors at ball We are planning a Heritage Ball as a fundraiser. The 8th Regiment Band (mid-19th century) is providing music for free. The local SCV is excited about participating. I'm in a quandary about what to charge for tickets. Cost per person including food, drinks, rental etc. is $38.75. We can seat 200. Our goal is to raise $20,000. I plan on asking 20 old Rome families and businesses to "host" at $1000. For that they receive 4 dinner tickets and a brief family history in the program. This leaves 120 seats at $75.00. This gets us to our goal. Here's the dilemma. My dear friend from the band says most re-enactors would expect to and be willing to pay $50 per couple max. I don't want this to be an elitist event but $50 for a couple doesn't break even much less raise funds! We had planned on advertising the ball to regional re-enactors and inviting local re-enactors. I don't want to offend them with the high ticket price. We really need them there to provide a sense of authenticity. The band members will receive free tickets but I can't give all re-enactors free tickets. I can't think of a way to have two ticket prices without it becoming uncomfortable. Any sage advice? If you've put on a ball before I'd love to hear from you! Thanks, Katie ------------------------------------------------------------------------ --------------- Katie Anderson Museum Director Rome Area History Museum 305 Broad Street Rome, GA 30161 706-235-8051 cell 678-908-7751 fax 706-235-6631 <mailto:[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask] <http://www.romehistorymuseum.com/> www.RomeHistoryMuseum.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ --------------- A new exhibit highlighting the efforts on the home front during WWII is now open at the Rome Area History Museum. "World War II: The Home Front" contains photos and artifacts from the 1940s that tell the story of this transformational time. A video containing clips of oral history interviews with local WWII veterans and civilians is on view in the exhibit. As a partner of the Library of Congress Veterans History Project, we are coordinating an oral history project with World War II veterans and civilians in northwest Georgia. It is vital that we preserve these stories. Please contact the Museum to schedule interviews. The oral history project and exhibit are supported in part by a grant from the Georgia Humanities Council. *********************************************************************** ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).