Walk into almost any traditional charity gala and you’ll immediately notice the hierarchy.

There’s the VIP reception behind closed doors. The head table at the front of the room. Reserved seating. Long speeches filled with organizational jargon and insider references. Before the evening has really begun, first-time guests have already received a subtle message:

“You’re welcome to watch. But this isn’t really your community yet.”

That’s unfortunate because one of the primary purposes of an event shouldn’t simply be to raise money. It should be to help people feel they belong.

• Eliminate the “Best Table in the Room”
• Celebrate Every Way People Make a Difference
• Put a Human Face on Your Mission
• Give Everyone a Shared Purpose
• Create a Shared Moment