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Important note: this page is definitely NOT a complete statement of the legal issues - we only give pointers. Check out our Legals page for further help in this area.

Events Diaries

Awareness Campaign Register has a calendar of all campaigns logged with them, to help avoid clashes or fit in with existing events. This is part of the Profile Group, which compiles information on all types of events and produce various diaries. However, access requires a subscription, from £125. Profile Group (UK) Ltd, 6/7 St Cross Street, London EC1N 8UA, phone 020 7440 8555.

Count Me In Calendar has been expanded, summer 06, from listing campaigns to include environmental events, faith dates and charity challenges ((fundraising trips etc).

Park Events online is for events taking place in parks and green spaces throughout the UK, and is developed and managed by charity GreenSpace.

Fundraising UK has some information on upcoming events.

Where Can We Go, while a general 'family events' listing site, encourages community and other charity events to be added.

Note: the VolResource/VoluntaryNews listing section is for events aimed at the voluntary and community sector, rather than the public.

General tips

'The event isn't over until you've packed up and got back to base'. Too many events fall into chaos at the end due to premature celebrations by the organisers.

Checklist from Open University 'Winning Resources and Support' - SCHEMES:
- Space
- Cash
- Helpers
- Equipment
- Materials
- Expertise
- Systems

Start from the event date and work backwards in planning the lead up. Can you realistically carry out several tasks in parallel, or do you need more volunteers or time (or money to pay overtime, outside agencies etc)?

Don't forget contingency planning - 'what if .....' You can't anticipate everything, but a way to deal with a broad range of problems should be thought through early on. What is crucial to success, and how do you ensure this?

If your organisation is ever going to run any other event, a 'debrief' is very helpful, within a few days of the event finishing. What went wrong, but also what went right - it is easy to assume that the latter happened naturally and end up not giving these items enough attention next time.

Although it is helpful to divide up the work, it also needs to be co-ordinated by one person or a very active (and small) committee.

Practicalities

Taking Money

Don't forget that there are strict rules about collecting money in public places, with charities having to be particular careful. While police/local authorities may turn a blind eye to small-scale bending, it is usually better to do the homework. See Charity Commission website for leaflet CC20 - Charities and Fund-Raising

If you are running a more sophisticated event and have the potential to process credit card payments, note that it is now possible to get hold of hand-held electronic terminals which connect via the mobile phone network. The web site we had for suppliers Checkline has disappeared, however (Aug 03).

A leaflet from HM Revenue and Customs, Exemption for Charities and Other Qualifying Bodies (CWL4) sets out the conditions for direct tax and VAT exemptions that apply to fund-raising events.

Licensing

There are quite a few regulations around 'public' events. Unless your event is by invite only (and even then you ought to make sure on the exact status), it is likely to fall within this. Possible issues:

• Sale of alcohol. Will require application to magistrates court - check out via local council. The common tactic of selling raffle tickets and winning a 'free' drink is legally highly dubious!
• Public entertainment licence. Check with local authority. May also require Music licence - see Legal page.
• Lotteries. You need to register with the local authority.
• Street collections. Ditto.
• Food hygiene registration if you are preparing food 'on site'. Try Environmental Health section of local council.
• Fire regulations are generally the responsibility primarily of the venue management. Hirers may be required to observe particular rules, or notify them if certain hazards are present (e.g. fuel for a barbecue?).
• Street activities will probably need clearance from the police, and maybe the highways authority (local council) too.
• Also see Risks below.

Films

Village halls and the like wishing to show films need a licence from the local authority. There are a number of exemptions to this, including:

• if there is no charge or private gain
• if the premises are used for no more than six films a year
• if you are a non profit making organisation with a Home Office exemption certificate
• if you form a non-profit making film or video society whose performances are only open to members

Copyright and royalty permissions are necessary even if a licence is not required.

Plays

The Theatres Act 1968 states that where a local authority is satisfied that a play is to be performed for a charitable or other like purpose in respect to one or more particular occasions no fee is payable for a licence. This means in practice that if a play is to be performed for charitable purposes and if dates of performances are given in advance, no fee will be required. However, in the case of an annual licence, there would be a fee payable because it relates to unspecified performances throughout the year.

(The above two items extracted from June 01 Newsline from Community First H&W. They may well be out of date at Jan 2006, due to the Licensing Act 2005.)

Premises

Centre for Accessible Environments has produced a guide, Make your conference accessible, but now doesn't seem to be on the web site (March 07).

Also see Admin page on Access and other premises issues.

Publicity

The usual marketing checklist - who's the audience (people), how do you get to them (place), what is the attraction (product) and what do they have to do to participate (price)? Don't forget to give contact details, meeting or kick offs times and how to get there. Obvious but often something is missed off - get a second person to check over what has been produced before it goes to printers/local newspaper etc.

See Marketing page.

Risks

See the Insurance information page, or go direct to Insurance Services page for brokers.

A 'duty of care' is placed on anybody organising an event. This means looking at activities for possible health and safety problems for participants, organisers and bystanders. While challenge and other (fundraising) physical activities have obvious risks, everything from meetings in badly maintained buildings to crushes around celebrity appearances have their own unique issues. Step back and consider the (reasonable) possibilities, and plan to prevent or manage them.

The Home Office (wiith wider input) has produced (summer 06) 'The Good Practice Safety Guide for small and sporting events taking place on the highway, roads and public places' so that such events are as safe as possible for the public and participants. At first glance it is rather heavy at 72 pages but there are specific sections on charity stunts, carnivals, charity walks, cycle races and other useful material.

Code of Practice

The Institute of Fundraising has various Codes of Fundraising Practice which cover running events - outdoor, charity challenge etc. They have also produced a leaflet with the Association of National Park Authorities on Charity Challenge Events but no longer on the web site?

More Resources

See Publications on Marketing Books page.

Society of Event Organisers run various seminars etc. on how to organise exhibitions, conferences etc. Phone 01767 316255.

ts Express is the UK’s first free online ticketing service accordind to ts.com, "a quick and easy way to produce and sell tickets online".