Someone who plans parties or performs outreach on behalf of a political party is referred to as a “party organizer.” Although these two jobs are very different, they both require an outgoing personality, strong organizational skills, and excellent communication abilities. Party planners must be able to coordinate a large number of people for events such as weddings and birthdays. Political organizers work in their communities on behalf of political parties and community organizations that want to increase public outreach and participation.
A party planner meets with clients to discuss the event, the budget, and the theme, as well as any other potential topics of interest, in the case of a person who plans parties. The organizer books a venue large enough for the event on the specified date and arranges for music, decorations, lighting, food, and anything else the clients may desire at the event. Birthdays and office parties are just a few of the projects that party planners can work on. Some may also assist with weddings, though this is usually the responsibility of a wedding specialist.
To ensure that everything needed for the event arrives in good shape and on time, this type of work necessitates good relationships with suppliers. The party planner will also require a crew of full or part-time workers to handle setup, breakdown, party service, and other needs, depending on the amount of work available. Most event organizers are responsible for multiple events at once and must be able to keep track of them all. Cultural sensitivity and awareness of traditions may also be required, as a party planner may be called upon to organize events for a variety of cultural groups, each with their own set of requirements.
Political party organizers work with their respective parties to raise community awareness of the party and its activities. They may participate in a variety of public relations campaigns. During election season, some groups organize local precincts, hold voter registration drives, and engage in phone banking and door-to-door outreach to encourage people to vote and educate members of the community about the issues at hand. Local organizations may collaborate with political party organizers to gain access to funding and promote events, allowing political parties to expand their reach.
During a campaign, a political party organizer may work in a local field office as well as in the community to meet with various groups and connect with people. Party organizers can also help organizations such as unions and charities with political strategy and networking. Political science degrees are often useful, but not required, for a career as a party organizer. The work can also be used to lay the groundwork for a future campaign leveraging name and party recognition, as well as the party’s resources, to run a successful campaign.