# So, where were you on the big night?

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2009/01/21/so-where-were-you-big-night/
- Published: 2009-01-21T21:10:56+00:00
- Author: John Baguley

[⌊great gift!⌉⌊great gift!⌉[

No, I was at a packed cultivation meeting for a charity called Trafford Hall. And
when the invitees knew it was The Inauguration they still came. Okay, it was in 
Kensington Palace hosted by Richard Rogers, but rarely have I attended a little 
known charity reception with so few drop-outs on the night – two to be precise.

The striking acceptance rate and the low drop-out rate both had the same cause. 
Potential attendees were phoned personally by people who knew them and felt it was
important they attend. Perhaps we (or maybe I) have become used to accepting a low
success rate for cultivation events, and this really startled me. So, now I’m back
to the personal with my clients – that phone is going to be placed in the hands 
of the hosts and key organisers until their fingers seize up.

And the inaugural speech itself – doesn’t it just lend itself to be adapted by every
client to their own organisation and learnt by heart. Why should you give to us?
Let me tell you now…

## Advertisement

 [⌊Posthub advert. You create the campaign. We'll handle the postal journey. Get started at post-hub.co.uk.⌉](https://fundraising.co.uk/ads/posthub-20261007-300x250/)

John Baguley www.internationalfundraisingconsultancy.com

 * **[Both the BBC and SKY broadcast in Israel – is this the reason for their appalling decision not to broadcast the DEC appeal?](https://fundraising.co.uk/2009/01/27/both-bbc-and-sky-broadcast-israel-reason-their-appalling-decision-not-broadcast-dec-appeal/)**(
   27 January 2009)
 * **[Looking for free expert fundraising advice, but can’t make it to First Friday in London just go online…](https://fundraising.co.uk/2009/02/05/looking-free-expert-fundraising-advice-cant-make-it-first-friday-london-just-go-online/)**(
   5 February 2009)
 * **[A single child dies…](https://fundraising.co.uk/2009/02/28/single-child-dies/)**(
   28 February 2009)