Ruston Quota’s Plan for a Financial Forum

Members worked together to solicit sponsors and door prizes, sell tickets, and produce a program brochure. But, before the work begins, the project committee holds a fun kick-off party for sponsors and members to generate enthusiasm. A highlight is a visit from Ms. Money Bags, a member dressed in full costume to dole out Mardi Gras coins to the crowd. "It's a really fun event!" Donna says. "It gets us started in the right direction."

The club holds the forum in the local civic center and charges nominal entrance fees. In addition to the seminars, the club and a co-sponsor host a nationally known financial expert as the keynote speaker. Sponsorship also covers printing costs for tickets and programs, hall rental, and other charges. To save money on printing, the club produces all materials.

Most sponsors come from Ruston's financial community—banks, trust companies, brokerage services, accounting firms, and insurance companies. Underwriting fees range from $250 to $1,000. Higher-level sponsorship includes floor space for an informational booth about the company.

The new offering generated tremendous interest in the local media. The newspaper, the Ruston Daily Leader, sponsored the event and ran a four-part series of articles about it in its business section over the four weeks preceding the event as well as an impressive full-page ad. Local radio stations KIX 107.5 and B 99.3 spread the word as sponsors, too.

Best of all, the great moneymaker brought in more service dollars than the Home Tour ever generated for much less work among members. The event showed Ruston Quota volunteers that, as Donna says, "We can stretch our horizons and be capable of great things!"

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