The Chairperson

When you have a big group of people working on a big project, it’s absolutely critical to have someone who can see the bigger picture, keep everything on schedule and be ultimately responsible for making sure everything gets done.

The Chairperson needs to be able to keep everyone motivated, encourage all the different prom committee members to work together well, and be able to report back to teachers and parents about key information.

In one Somerset school they have a male and female chairperson, to make sure that both groups are represented.

Most important skills required: The ability to stay calm, to delegate and resolve conflict.

Treasurer

This is arguably the second most important role as there is a lot of money control involved in prom planning. The treasurer is the one who keeps track of how much money is coming in through fundraising, and how much is going out to pay invoices. This is a role that requires a lot of work, and frequent contact with the teacher who controls the school prom bank account. (You have got one of those, right?)

Most important skills required: Good head for money and maths, attention to detail, forward planning, ability to file important paperwork well.

Head of promotions

Having a person who will make sure that the tickets and prom posters are designed and produced to schedule is a great help. This person is also responsible for giving information to teachers for assembly announcements, promoting fundraising events and also ensuring that timely announcements are made in school newsletters and letters home to parents.

Most important skills required: Artistic eye (artwork itself can always be delegated), forward planning, confidence to make announcements.

Head of prom king and queen arrangements

If you have decided to have a prom king and queen, there is work involved throughout the build up to the prom and on the night itself. We’ll be posting more about the prom king and queen soon so you can see just how much is involved.

Most important skills required: Forward planning, sociable nature.

Head of entertainment

This role is so extensive and important that you might want to assign a team of helpers. In the planning stage, it involves a lot of researching and quote requests, perhaps even auditioning or checking references. On the night, this prom committee member will need to ensure that entertainers have everything they need, solve any problems that crop up and manage any other logistics involved (e.g. power supply to a chocolate fountain) with the school caretaker.

Some prom committees group the prom photography and videography arrangements under entertainment, it’s up to you.

Most important skills required: Reliability, appreciation of broad tastes, practical problem solving.

Head of prom decorations

Prom decorations involve a lot of work once the theme has been decided. Not only is there the sourcing of quotes, choosing the best decorations and buying them, there’s also arranging for them to be put up and taken down afterwards. This role will benefit from a small team of assistants, especially when it’s time to decorate the prom venue.

Most important skills required: Good eye for colour, creative, practical, good problem solver.

Head of food and drink

This role is very much shaped by how your prom committee is planning to handle the catering side of things. If you are going to hire professional caterers, then the head of food and drink only has to source potential companies and liaise with the chosen one. However, if you are planning to lay on a buffet with help from parents and the local supermarket or restaurants, there is a lot more organising involved. The role is especially important in the latter as you don’t want to end up with fifty deserts and only one plate of sandwiches.

Most important skills required: Ability to coordinate lots of different people, an appreciation of different dietary requirements.

Head of post-prom arrangements

This is arguably one of the least glamorous roles, but like lots of the most icky roles in life, it is one of the most important. In all fairness, it’s not just about cleaning up, it’s also about ensuring that any other loose ends are tied up. Returning lost and found for example, or liaising with the photographer and helping the treasurer ensure that all bills are paid and the paperwork collated. You might decide that you don’t need a person to oversee this, but make sure you have plans to deal with the tidying up and paying bills afterwards, as it’s so easy to forget about it when you’re excited about the fun parts…

Most important skills required: Total reliability, ability to motivate people who are very tired and potentially unenthusiastic.

How is your prom committee shaping up?

Do you have any other prom committee roles to add to our list? We’d love to hear about how you have organised your prom committee, let us know in the comments below…