It was the best of times and the worst of times....

As the famous opening line to Charles Dickens' classic A Tale of Two Cities indicates, you can have two opposite situations going on at the same time. So was my experience with two different organizations.

In the past few weeks, I've attended two remarkable similar events put on by two different organizations. Both organizations are membership-based, advocacy/non-profits, and are local affiliates of a national organization. I am not a member of either organization (yet).

Each organization handled the sign-up and follow-through for the event in diametrically opposed ways. One organization has

Organization A (worst)

Event: Luncheon featuring a Washington Post reporter discussing the challenges of covering the Trump Administration. Cost was $35.

Sign up: On the organization website, taken directly to PayPal. No information or email list sign up captured.

Reminder for the event: None.

Follow up after the event: None.

Organization B (best)

Event: Cocktail reception followed by panel discussion featuring three White House correspondents about the challenges of covering the Trump Administration.

Sign up: Through EventBrite, which allows for email capture,

Reminder: EventBrite sends a reminder two days ahead of the event.

Follow up: Personalized thank you email from development director, including a program survey, and encouraging involvement in the organization and attendance at future events.

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