FCA Sunday Game Evaluation

1. What was your event? Describe it, all elements, name your contacts, and describe how you planned the day to work out.

In the weeks leading up to Sunday, January 31st, I planned an event called FCA Sunday for GCSU's Bobcat Athletics. The plan was to have an event for members of FCA all around Middle Georgia including groups at GCSU, Georgia Military College, Baldwin County Public Schools, and more. A similar event had taken place last year and this year's event was decided to be modeled after that one.
Initially, food, drinks, and halftime games were planned on FCA’s end but they were cancelled due to the quick turnaround of the game from the time contact started. Still, FCA members were invited and recognized with a talk at halftime of the Men’s basketball game. Additionally, it was decided that not only FCA members but anyone who came with a church program would get into the game for free.
My main contacts were Scott Adams, Regional Director of FCA for Middle Georgia, and Kara Teresi, the student coordinator of FCA at GCSU. With them, I worked to plan the event they wanted. Though there were problems resulting from the quick turnaround that caused some last minute changes, the event still went off and FCA was welcome and recognized.

2. Was it a success? How do you know that? What forms of measurement did you use to assess your success?

I feel, overall, that FCA Sunday was a great success. Though it took a different form than the event of the year before, the main purpose was achieved - to host and recognize FCA groups from around Middle Georgia at a Bobcat Basketball game.

Another form of measurement I used to assess my success was simply that of numbers. The event was heavily crowded, especially for a Sunday Basketball game at GCSU.

With that, our main purpose was achieved and a huge crowd was present to enjoy a Sunday basketball game. That is why I believe the game was a success.

3. What was the best takeaway learning moment you got from your event?

It would be hard to select one specific moment from the planning process of FCA Sunday as I learned so much about PR and planning from the entire process. One moment where I felt like I learned an especially valuable lesson, however, was on the night before the game. As I was preparing and getting ready for the next day, I learned of not one but several things I wasn’t aware that I needed to have ready. Communication is key in Public Relations, and I learned this while I was down to the wire in a big way. Additionally, in relation to something Dr. Carter Miller tells me all the time, Details! Details! Details! There will always be issues in Public Relations. It is part of the game. If you try your hardest to keep open communication and combine that with extra attention paid to even the tiniest detail, however, hopefully a lot of these problems can be avoided.

4. What is the one thing you wish you could do over?

One thing that I felt was an issue in the planning of my event was communication. When working with clients, communication issues will often arise. In my opinion, I at times felt that the client didn’t truly understand who they were working with simply because I was a student. This, however, is all the more reason to focus on communication and work these situations out.

5. If you had to grade your event, what grade would you give it?

I would definitely give my grade an A. Planning an event as big as this on your own for the first time is quit a task and I felt I pulled it off great with what I was given to work with. It was a great learning experience especially because not ever aspect went perfectly, but in the end, it all worked out. I feel like that is how PR goes and I learned that from the experience. In the end, Bobcat Athletics wanted to recognize FCA and in return bring a large crowd to their game. I myself achieved both of those things and for that, I feel I deserve an A.

6. What's your one best idea to keep "Mean in Green" ALIVE?

Mean in Green was built from a PR perspective and ironically, I feel I can apply two PR principles to keeping it alive. First, Communication! Everyone needs to be on the same page about using Mean in Green. It needs to be promoted as much as possible and everyone needs to help. Second, details! To keep Mean in Green going as successfully as it is in the way it is, it needs to be paid attention to. It is a complex machine but still needs maintenance. I hope it maintains!