Excellence in Fund-raising

QI of Cambridge
Maryland, U.S.A.

On May 3, 2003, Quota International of Cambridge held its Fourth Annual Derby Days Event. Derby Days has become one of the premier social events in Cambridge and the Eastern Shore, and this year it was sold out!

Derby Days revolves around the annual Kentucky Derby's Run for the Roses. Activities include a cocktail hour, legal betting on the race, a raffle, a live broadcast of the Derby, silent and live auctions, and a seated dinner and dance. Everyone gets outfitted in their Derby attire (which includes elaborate and stylish hats for the ladies) and gathers on the banks of the Choptank River at the Cambridge Yacht Club.

The Derby Days concept was born five years ago. Two Cambridge Quotarians, originally from Kentucky, developed this new and exceptional type of party for the area. Since the Derby is always held in the beginning of May, it is a great way to lure everyone out and welcome spring and summer.

Derby Days has unified the membership by creating a sense of ownership in the club's achievements. The event is both personally satisfying for its members and financially rewarding for the club—this year's profit of $17,385 was the highest yielding fund-raiser in the history of QI of Cambridge.

For the complete application, click here.*

QI of Papakura
Papakura, New Zealand

The Drury Primary School provided a space for Papakura's 14th Annual Antique Fair.

One would think that conducting QI of Papakura's 14th Annual Antique Fair 2003 would be a piece of cake and would yield the same positive results as in previous years. However, this year's fair was a bit of a challenge—a challenge that ultimately resulted in DOUBLE the best profit of any previous year.

The first of many obstacles arose when the organizing committee was told that they would be unable to use the hall that had been used for the past 13 years. It took nearly two months to find another suitable venue which, in turn, required the committee to change the date to a month earlier than usual.

The interior of the Drury Primary School before the antique dealers set up their stands.

So, the pressure was on with a number of unknown factors to organize an event earlier and at increased cost. However, a huge team effort by the Antique Fair Committee ensured that these problems were surmounted, and they were rewarded with record crowds.

When all was said and done, $19,900 was raised to support youth at risk in the local community and deaf and hearing-impaired children in the greater Auckland area. While some club members had been concerned that the fund-raiser was becoming monotonous, the changes this year resulted in a new challenge and outstanding success that has rejuvenated the members' enthusiasm. All of which has led the club to come to the conclusion that "change can be good."

For the complete application, click here.*

To return to the 2004 Excellence Award Winners main page, click here.

* To view or print out these publications, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. Click here to go to Adobe's Web site and download a free copy of Acrobat Reader.

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