Just picture it: Janice from accounting is relaxing with her husband under the shade of a large oak tree while her daughter plays with Nancy (from marketing) and her two sons. Could it be that Janice’s daughter has made new friends who she can play with after school? It seems like it! And it isn’t just Janice’s daughter who has found a new friend; Janice and Nancy could become fast friends, too. It’s for reasons like these that so many companies plan annual picnics. It allows families to come together and provides the opportunity for employees to mingle and get to know one another. While it might be obvious that your company could benefit from holding a picnic, it might not be obvious how you should go about planning the soiree. But it can’t be too difficult, right? It doesn’t have to be if you follow a few simple steps and enlist the assistance of a few coworkers.

Form a Planning Committee

Putting just one person in charge of planning an event could be a recipe for disaster. Figuring out all the logistics on your own, planning the menu, contacting vendors, and scheduling events can be downright overwhelming. Don’t put too much stress of yourself; instead, ask some of your coworkers for some help. Even a small committee with only two or three other people can make the task of planning a company picnic so much easier.

Choose a Date

Keep in mind that you won’t be able to accommodate everyone’s schedule. Stacey from HR might be out of town one weekend and Dave from IT might have a prior engagement the week after. Unfortunately, someone probably won’t be able to attend the picnic unless they change their plans. You shouldn’t feel guilty about scheduling the picnic at a time when only one or two people can’t make it. Your coworkers are sure to be understanding if you just approach them and explain that you’d love for them to come, but it’s just not possible to reschedule.

Select a Venue

Once you have the date for your picnic established, it’s time to call around to various venues to see what’s available. You might want to start with local parks, as they often rent out gazebos and pavilions at very low rates. If none of your local parks have availability, contact your local YMCA or even the local high school (it might be fun to have a picnic on their football field!). Also keep in mind that you’ll want to choose a location that’s centrally located, or that is at least in close proximity to the office. You won’t want everyone to have to drive all the way across town.

Plan the Menu

These days, many companies are operating on very tight budgets. If there simply aren’t any funds to cover a catered lunch, then plan a potluck instead. Create a signup sheet and post it in the break room or employee lounge. Having the menu on display will give everyone an idea of what they can or should bring. If everyone has already signed up to bring desserts, then others can plan to bring side dishes or appetizers instead.

Set a Few Ground Rules

While you don’t want to be a “party pooper,” you will need to set some ground rules. We’re talking very general, easy-to-follow guidelines that dictate whether alcohol is permitted, how many guests an employee can bring, and whether or not children are invited.

In Conclusion

Planning your company’s picnic should be a blast! If you find yourself getting overly stressed, just take a deep breath and ask for help. When it’s all said and done, be sure to pat yourself on the back.

Taylor Thomas is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Thomas is able to able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to business.

Taylor Thomas is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications, on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to business. http://www.bizjournals.com/profiles/company/us/fl/tampa/laser_spine_institute/922548

Author Bio: Taylor Thomas is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Thomas is able to able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to business.

Category: Recreation
Keywords: business