Rotary Sunrise Fellowship Events
We have had some remarkably good SUNRISE Fellowship events and a word or two on our policy and what we are trying to achieve might be useful.
First we strive to give value for money. Cayman is considered expensive by most, but when we organise we try to give the best value that we can. We often borrow homes for our events and this promptly excludes the restaurant margin on food and drinks and the 15% addition for gratuities. Fellowship committee members and other club members help by marketing, buying, transporting, cooking and serving.
The commercial liquor, wine, beer and soda mark-up in Cayman is often 100% or more. We usually buy at discounted prices and although we all prefer proper glassware – plastic is much cheaper and we don’t have to wash up! Similarly good quality plastic plates and cutlery are much cheaper than hiring real glass and we avoid loss and breakages.
We often buy meat weeks ahead of an event and freeze it. Everything else is carefully planned and executed and this is why we have to have firm bookings beforehand together with a firm cancellation policy.
Currently we have 99 members and if everybody came we could easily have to cater for 250 or so with spouses, partners and guests. We are very keen to encourage and meet spouses and guests – particularly potential members. At one time our members were very lax about pre-booking and used to wait until the last minute. Now this problem is less because we almost always have to cap reservations. There are not that many places in Cayman that can accommodate the larger numbers. Private home locations are far and away the most popular but few houses can take much more than 70/80 people, particularly indoors, in case of rain.
We always get some cancellations, sometimes at the very last minute. This doesn’t matter if we know in time to adjust the supplies but is embarrassing if we have ordered food which has to be bought and paid for and can rarely be saved and stored.
Despite reminders, there are usually some no-shows at events and we have to insist on payment or we could easily lose money – margins are razor thin! Our Fellowship events are not designed as fund raisers – more as fun makers when we relax and enjoy in the company of friends.
When we started Rotary SUNRISE we tagged it – the friendly club – it is – we are proud of our reputation and best looking Rotary club too.
Amazingly SUNRISE members love to dress up. Many Fellowships have a special theme – we are working on more.
If you have any ideas or would like to work with the Fellowship committee – please let us know – Everyone is welcome.