Select a Target Date
You’ll find that there are lots of factors to consider when picking a date for your event. You may wish to start by selecting three or four candidate dates, then coming to a final decision based on the factors listed below. Be sure to consider:

Are you planning a daytime or evening event?

 
Is weather a factor? Planning large outdoor events can always be risky. Choosing dates in the summer is probably safer for these events.
 
Will the date work for your organization? Most schools avoid planning events during the summer, winter holiday, and spring breaks, as too many people are away. Many Christian organizations choose to avoid planning fundraisers during their Lenten season. Are there dates or seasons that you should avoid for your group?
 
What day of the week would work best? As you might expect, Saturday evenings are the most popular time for dinner auctions.
 
When are the venues, caterers, auctioneers, and emcees you are considering available?
 
Have you chosen a date that is far enough out to give you time for procurement of donations, creation of special projects, and other pre-event tasks?
 
What other events are happening on your chosen dates? This can be an especially important consideration for schools. Many families might be in the position to have to decide between your event and a sports event, or even an auction for another school. (Some private schools even require attendance at their events for students’ families.)

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