Foe some positive news, a friend attended the event this past Saturday and raved about it. He said every aspect was first class. Beautiful venue, great food. Probably over 500 attendees including Coach Carey and 3 of his assts and a few players. He said a tremendous sense of pride came over him. I plan on attending this next year

(02-25-2013 09:01 AM)GCD70 Wrote:  Foe some positive news, a friend attended the event this past Saturday and raved about it. He said every aspect was first class. Beautiful venue, great food. Probably over 500 attendees including Coach Carey and 3 of his assts and a few players. He said a tremendous sense of pride came over him. I plan on attending this next year

What is this?

(02-25-2013 09:46 AM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  

(02-25-2013 09:01 AM)GCD70 Wrote:  Foe some positive news, a friend attended the event this past Saturday and raved about it. He said every aspect was first class. Beautiful venue, great food. Probably over 500 attendees including Coach Carey and 3 of his assts and a few players. He said a tremendous sense of pride came over him. I plan on attending this next year

What is this?

It's a black-tie fundraiser event held annually around this time.

(02-25-2013 09:48 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(02-25-2013 09:46 AM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  

(02-25-2013 09:01 AM)GCD70 Wrote:  Foe some positive news, a friend attended the event this past Saturday and raved about it. He said every aspect was first class. Beautiful venue, great food. Probably over 500 attendees including Coach Carey and 3 of his assts and a few players. He said a tremendous sense of pride came over him. I plan on attending this next year

What is this?

It's a black-tie fundraiser event held annually around this time.

I only own a red and black tie...guess that's why I wasn't invited.

What is the method of the fundraiser?

How do you get invited?

(02-25-2013 09:01 AM)GCD70 Wrote:  Foe some positive news, a friend attended the event this past Saturday and raved about it. He said every aspect was first class. Beautiful venue, great food. Probably over 500 attendees including Coach Carey and 3 of his assts and a few players. He said a tremendous sense of pride came over him. I plan on attending this next year

Actually this is a NIU Foundation event

(02-25-2013 09:56 AM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  

(02-25-2013 09:48 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(02-25-2013 09:46 AM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  

(02-25-2013 09:01 AM)GCD70 Wrote:  Foe some positive news, a friend attended the event this past Saturday and raved about it. He said every aspect was first class. Beautiful venue, great food. Probably over 500 attendees including Coach Carey and 3 of his assts and a few players. He said a tremendous sense of pride came over him. I plan on attending this next year

What is this?

It's a black-tie fundraiser event held annually around this time.

I only own a red and black tie...guess that's why I wasn't invited.

What is the method of the fundraiser?

How do you get invited?

It's a formal dinner where you buy tickets (individual or table). There is a meal and dancing. You get invited if you are a donor on the foundation's list. I have been invited to this for years but never been to one of these because I make all my donations directly to Athletics and individual colleges rather than to a general fundraiser like this. Plus, I do not like or attend formal events where people wear penguin suits. Just not my thing.

(02-25-2013 10:02 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(02-25-2013 09:56 AM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  

(02-25-2013 09:48 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(02-25-2013 09:46 AM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  

(02-25-2013 09:01 AM)GCD70 Wrote:  Foe some positive news, a friend attended the event this past Saturday and raved about it. He said every aspect was first class. Beautiful venue, great food. Probably over 500 attendees including Coach Carey and 3 of his assts and a few players. He said a tremendous sense of pride came over him. I plan on attending this next year

What is this?

It's a black-tie fundraiser event held annually around this time.

I only own a red and black tie...guess that's why I wasn't invited.

What is the method of the fundraiser?

How do you get invited?

It's a formal dinner where you buy tickets (individual or table). There is a meal and dancing. You get invited if you are a donor on the foundation's list. I have been invited to this for years but never been to one of these because I make all my donations directly to Athletics and individual colleges rather than to a general fundraiser like this. Plus, I do not like or attend formal events where people wear penguin suits. Just not my thing.

I don't think you need to be invited. Tickets are $150 apiece. Not sure if it is a true fundraiser or more of an event to cultivate donars. Also, it is not black tie per se. Most of the attendees were in suits. All I know, he walked away feeling pretty good about being a Huskie

I have been saying for years that Athletics needs to do this same sort of thing on a much smaller, less formal basis. Invite your top donors to an informal event/light dinner, introduce the staff (and maybe coaches), and get to know your donors (by name and face as much as possible). They should do this with the top 3 or 4 donation levels - together or separately. Do this on a Saturday night. Many donors do not live in DeKalb/Sycamore and do not feel part of the "clique". If they do this and make the donors feel important, donations will surely increase.

(02-25-2013 10:31 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  I have been saying for years that Athletics needs to do this same sort of thing on a much smaller, less formal basis. Invite your top donors to an informal event/light dinner, introduce the staff (and maybe coaches), and get to know your donors (by name and face as much as possible). They should do this with the top 3 or 4 donation levels - together or separately. Do this on a Saturday night. Many donors do not live in DeKalb/Sycamore and do not feel part of the "clique". If they do this and make the donors feel important, donations will surely increase.

Maybe, but i am just saying this is an event that is a good thing. All of the big donars attend this event. A lot of positive comes out of this that trickles down to football. I think, in the future, if you can attend this event, you should.

(02-25-2013 10:47 AM)GCD70 Wrote:  

(02-25-2013 10:31 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  I have been saying for years that Athletics needs to do this same sort of thing on a much smaller, less formal basis. Invite your top donors to an informal event/light dinner, introduce the staff (and maybe coaches), and get to know your donors (by name and face as much as possible). They should do this with the top 3 or 4 donation levels - together or separately. Do this on a Saturday night. Many donors do not live in DeKalb/Sycamore and do not feel part of the "clique". If they do this and make the donors feel important, donations will surely increase.

Maybe, but i am just saying this is an event that is a good thing. All of the big donars attend this event. A lot of positive comes out of this that trickles down to football. I think, in the future, if you can attend this event, you should.

Oh, I agree. It is a VERY good thing. Now, thanks to you, that I know the majority do not wear penguin suits, my wife and I will probably attend. The problem is that my wife and I don't know many people by name, and we feel like strangers most of the time. We see lots of people who know each other, and we feel like ducks out of the water much of the time. And we have been big donors to Athletics and the capital campaigns for years.

(02-25-2013 10:52 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(02-25-2013 10:47 AM)GCD70 Wrote:  

(02-25-2013 10:31 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  I have been saying for years that Athletics needs to do this same sort of thing on a much smaller, less formal basis. Invite your top donors to an informal event/light dinner, introduce the staff (and maybe coaches), and get to know your donors (by name and face as much as possible). They should do this with the top 3 or 4 donation levels - together or separately. Do this on a Saturday night. Many donors do not live in DeKalb/Sycamore and do not feel part of the "clique". If they do this and make the donors feel important, donations will surely increase.

Maybe, but i am just saying this is an event that is a good thing. All of the big donars attend this event. A lot of positive comes out of this that trickles down to football. I think, in the future, if you can attend this event, you should.

Oh, I agree. It is a VERY good thing. Now, thanks to you, that I know the majority do not wear penguin suits, my wife and I will probably attend. The problem is that my wife and I don't know many people by name, and we feel like strangers most of the time. We see lots of people who know each other, and we feel like ducks out of the water much of the time. And we have been big donors to Athletics and the capital campaigns for years.

My friend had nice conversations with the coaches and a couple of the major donars, Like Chissick. He said all were exrtremely friendly. You just have to talk to people. They put you at tables with different people. Just be a little more aggressive

(02-25-2013 10:52 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(02-25-2013 10:47 AM)GCD70 Wrote:  

(02-25-2013 10:31 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  I have been saying for years that Athletics needs to do this same sort of thing on a much smaller, less formal basis. Invite your top donors to an informal event/light dinner, introduce the staff (and maybe coaches), and get to know your donors (by name and face as much as possible). They should do this with the top 3 or 4 donation levels - together or separately. Do this on a Saturday night. Many donors do not live in DeKalb/Sycamore and do not feel part of the "clique". If they do this and make the donors feel important, donations will surely increase.

Maybe, but i am just saying this is an event that is a good thing. All of the big donars attend this event. A lot of positive comes out of this that trickles down to football. I think, in the future, if you can attend this event, you should.

Oh, I agree. It is a VERY good thing. Now, thanks to you, that I know the majority do not wear penguin suits, my wife and I will probably attend. The problem is that my wife and I don't know many people by name, and we feel like strangers most of the time. We see lots of people who know each other, and we feel like ducks out of the water much of the time. And we have been big donors to Athletics and the capital campaigns for years.

DF, think of it like that first time you walked into "The Grotto".

Sure it was a little awkward at first, but look how far you've come!
(Excuse the pun.)

(02-25-2013 11:37 AM)thxjoenovak Wrote:  

(02-25-2013 10:52 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(02-25-2013 10:47 AM)GCD70 Wrote:  

(02-25-2013 10:31 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  I have been saying for years that Athletics needs to do this same sort of thing on a much smaller, less formal basis. Invite your top donors to an informal event/light dinner, introduce the staff (and maybe coaches), and get to know your donors (by name and face as much as possible). They should do this with the top 3 or 4 donation levels - together or separately. Do this on a Saturday night. Many donors do not live in DeKalb/Sycamore and do not feel part of the "clique". If they do this and make the donors feel important, donations will surely increase.

Maybe, but i am just saying this is an event that is a good thing. All of the big donars attend this event. A lot of positive comes out of this that trickles down to football. I think, in the future, if you can attend this event, you should.

Oh, I agree. It is a VERY good thing. Now, thanks to you, that I know the majority do not wear penguin suits, my wife and I will probably attend. The problem is that my wife and I don't know many people by name, and we feel like strangers most of the time. We see lots of people who know each other, and we feel like ducks out of the water much of the time. And we have been big donors to Athletics and the capital campaigns for years.

DF, think of it like that first time you walked into "The Grotto".

Sure it was a little awkward at first, but look how far you've come!
(Excuse the pun.)

Oh no, the first time I walked into the Grotto, they had their hands out for me. It was the warmest welcome I have ever had. I was made to feel like a part of the family. The way I was treated made me want to come and come again. (Do not excuse the pun!)

(02-25-2013 10:23 AM)GCD70 Wrote:  

(02-25-2013 10:02 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(02-25-2013 09:56 AM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  

(02-25-2013 09:48 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(02-25-2013 09:46 AM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  What is this?

It's a black-tie fundraiser event held annually around this time.

I only own a red and black tie...guess that's why I wasn't invited.

What is the method of the fundraiser?

How do you get invited?

It's a formal dinner where you buy tickets (individual or table). There is a meal and dancing. You get invited if you are a donor on the foundation's list. I have been invited to this for years but never been to one of these because I make all my donations directly to Athletics and individual colleges rather than to a general fundraiser like this. Plus, I do not like or attend formal events where people wear penguin suits. Just not my thing.

I don't think you need to be invited. Tickets are $150 apiece. Not sure if it is a true fundraiser or more of an event to cultivate donars. Also, it is not black tie per se. Most of the attendees were in suits. All I know, he walked away feeling pretty good about being a Huskie

I think that was one I got an invite for. I don't really like formal events myself like so I don't go (and like DF I wouldn't know anyone). Anyway, that one was a little pricey for me.

(02-25-2013 11:47 AM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(02-25-2013 10:23 AM)GCD70 Wrote:  

(02-25-2013 10:02 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(02-25-2013 09:56 AM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  

(02-25-2013 09:48 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  It's a black-tie fundraiser event held annually around this time.

I only own a red and black tie...guess that's why I wasn't invited.

What is the method of the fundraiser?

How do you get invited?

It's a formal dinner where you buy tickets (individual or table). There is a meal and dancing. You get invited if you are a donor on the foundation's list. I have been invited to this for years but never been to one of these because I make all my donations directly to Athletics and individual colleges rather than to a general fundraiser like this. Plus, I do not like or attend formal events where people wear penguin suits. Just not my thing.

I don't think you need to be invited. Tickets are $150 apiece. Not sure if it is a true fundraiser or more of an event to cultivate donars. Also, it is not black tie per se. Most of the attendees were in suits. All I know, he walked away feeling pretty good about being a Huskie

I think that was one I got an invite for. I don't really like formal events myself like so I don't go (and like DF I wouldn't know anyone). Anyway, that one was a little pricey for me.

i can see not going because of the price, but not because you don't know anyone. Have to be a little aggressive.

(02-25-2013 11:52 AM)GCD70 Wrote:  

(02-25-2013 11:47 AM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(02-25-2013 10:23 AM)GCD70 Wrote:  

(02-25-2013 10:02 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(02-25-2013 09:56 AM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  I only own a red and black tie...guess that's why I wasn't invited.

What is the method of the fundraiser?

How do you get invited?

It's a formal dinner where you buy tickets (individual or table). There is a meal and dancing. You get invited if you are a donor on the foundation's list. I have been invited to this for years but never been to one of these because I make all my donations directly to Athletics and individual colleges rather than to a general fundraiser like this. Plus, I do not like or attend formal events where people wear penguin suits. Just not my thing.

I don't think you need to be invited. Tickets are $150 apiece. Not sure if it is a true fundraiser or more of an event to cultivate donars. Also, it is not black tie per se. Most of the attendees were in suits. All I know, he walked away feeling pretty good about being a Huskie

I think that was one I got an invite for. I don't really like formal events myself like so I don't go (and like DF I wouldn't know anyone). Anyway, that one was a little pricey for me.

i can see not going because of the price, but not because you don't know anyone. Have to be a little aggressive.

Honestly, it was more the formality and the price.

(02-25-2013 12:09 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(02-25-2013 11:52 AM)GCD70 Wrote:  

(02-25-2013 11:47 AM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(02-25-2013 10:23 AM)GCD70 Wrote:  

(02-25-2013 10:02 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  It's a formal dinner where you buy tickets (individual or table). There is a meal and dancing. You get invited if you are a donor on the foundation's list. I have been invited to this for years but never been to one of these because I make all my donations directly to Athletics and individual colleges rather than to a general fundraiser like this. Plus, I do not like or attend formal events where people wear penguin suits. Just not my thing.

I don't think you need to be invited. Tickets are $150 apiece. Not sure if it is a true fundraiser or more of an event to cultivate donars. Also, it is not black tie per se. Most of the attendees were in suits. All I know, he walked away feeling pretty good about being a Huskie

I think that was one I got an invite for. I don't really like formal events myself like so I don't go (and like DF I wouldn't know anyone). Anyway, that one was a little pricey for me.

i can see not going because of the price, but not because you don't know anyone. Have to be a little aggressive.

Honestly, it was more the formality and the price.

Yes. I saw that "black tie optional" and I said no. In the past, I was at events like that where the black tie was "optional", and I was one of the few not in a tux. Thus, I stopped going to those "black tie optional" events. Too formal for my blood.

(02-25-2013 12:17 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(02-25-2013 12:09 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(02-25-2013 11:52 AM)GCD70 Wrote:  

(02-25-2013 11:47 AM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(02-25-2013 10:23 AM)GCD70 Wrote:  I don't think you need to be invited. Tickets are $150 apiece. Not sure if it is a true fundraiser or more of an event to cultivate donars. Also, it is not black tie per se. Most of the attendees were in suits. All I know, he walked away feeling pretty good about being a Huskie

I think that was one I got an invite for. I don't really like formal events myself like so I don't go (and like DF I wouldn't know anyone). Anyway, that one was a little pricey for me.

i can see not going because of the price, but not because you don't know anyone. Have to be a little aggressive.

Honestly, it was more the formality and the price.

Yes. I saw that "black tie optional" and I said no. In the past, I was at events like that where the black tie was "optional", and I was one of the few not in a tux. Thus, I stopped going to those "black tie optional" events. Too formal for my blood.

OK, I have eyewitness testimony that the majority were in suits. if its too expensive, thats one thing, too formal for your blood, c'mon, you are not from the swamps. These are events that expand your outlook and maybe just maybe you strike up a connection that may benefit you, called networking

I thought it was a fantastic event, extremely well done.

(02-25-2013 12:27 PM)GCD70 Wrote:  

(02-25-2013 12:17 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(02-25-2013 12:09 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(02-25-2013 11:52 AM)GCD70 Wrote:  

(02-25-2013 11:47 AM)NIU007 Wrote:  I think that was one I got an invite for. I don't really like formal events myself like so I don't go (and like DF I wouldn't know anyone). Anyway, that one was a little pricey for me.

i can see not going because of the price, but not because you don't know anyone. Have to be a little aggressive.

Honestly, it was more the formality and the price.

Yes. I saw that "black tie optional" and I said no. In the past, I was at events like that where the black tie was "optional", and I was one of the few not in a tux. Thus, I stopped going to those "black tie optional" events. Too formal for my blood.

OK, I have eyewitness testimony that the majority were in suits. if its too expensive, thats one thing, too formal for your blood, c'mon, you are not from the swamps. These are events that expand your outlook and maybe just maybe you strike up a connection that may benefit you, called networking

If it's not a formal event, that's one thing. But when they say "black tie optional", that connotes a formal event to me where the majority will be in a tux. The fact that the majority were not in tuxes is great. NIU must have intened this to be a somewhat formal event or they would not have said "black tie optional". They would have stated "business attire".

NIU007 and I do not enjoy formal events. Is that okay with you? Set up a less formal sounding event, and I will be there (like the business casual holiday party).

To be perfectly honest, I would much rather donate the money I would have spent on this to the HASF, which is exactly what I will do when I increase my donation this year.