Happy Holidays!

The high school prom isn't high on most people's priority list at this time of year. A spring formal seems a long time away when we are still planning Christmas parties and family get-togethers. For those reasons, I probably will give this blog a rest and join you in celebrating this most festive holiday season.

In the spirit of the holidays, I would like to wish all of you a joyous holiday season. I invite you to bookmark my blog and come back for a visit after the kids are back in school and the holiday rush is behind you. Most schools and parent organizations will get busy planning the prom and after prom party early in the first quarter, so be sure to make a note to visit that After Prom Party Planning website. I hope you will.

Have a safe and fun holiday!

After Prom Party Guide - Thank You

In the belated spirit of Thanksgiving, I just wanted to add a quick post to say "thank you" to everyone who has already downloaded my book. I cannot tell you how (pleasantly) surprised I am. I honestly didn't expect to see much activity until the holidays were behind us.

My guess was that most people would begin to get serious about prom party planning when school resumed in January. I didn't expect to see so much activity in December. I can only assume that the Press Release was responsible for the traffic.

In addition, I am really pleased that a few people have taken the time to email me telling me how much they like what I've done. You have no idea how that lifts my spirits. It is so rewarding to know that others appreciate your work, or that what you have done is helping someone else.

Thank you

Should prom be casual?

I received a comment from Regina in NY and thought her question merited a response as a post because others may have the same thoughts...

I wanted to thank you and I have a question. I bought your book for our prom committee hoping that it would make our job easier. In fact, you gave me so many ideas, I think our collective heads will be swimming when I introduce the group to your book during our next meeting. What a great resource this will be as we move along this uncharted path, you've made our job so much easier, it doesn't look like you've missed anything. Thank you very much.

My question is this. Our school is a small inner-city high school where the majority of the parents are not well off. One of the concerns that the committee has is that a lot of the seniors may not go to the prom because they can't afford the dresses and all that goes with a modern prom. Do you think it would be acceptable to make the prom casual? We're afraid that the cost to attend may keep a lot of kids home.

What an insightful question. Thank YOU for buying my book, and taking the time to ask such an important question. I'm sure this is something that has been considered by many schools. These days, prom expenses are something that folks from all but the highest income levels must wrestle with - how much do you spend on your teenager's prom? A family does not need to be "financially disadvantaged" to feel the bite of prom expenses.

Over the past few decades, the prom in many areas has evolved from an annual semi-formal dance to a Hollywood-style red carpet ceremony. What was once just a reason to dress-up and socialize has become a major expensive affair. As I mention on the website and in my book, some affluent schools now spend six-figures on prom party planners alone. The words we associate with the prom create an expectation in most people's minds. Words like princess, prom queen, limos, Cinderella, corsage, prom gowns and tuxedos - the mind pictures these words create intensify the significance of the word 'prom'.

Should your committee consider making the prom a casual affair to save money? Certainly that is an option, but in my opinion, that could open the door to other issues. The least of which is that if the magnitude of the prom is diminished, attendance may suffer more than it might from the financial reasons. In addition, peer pressures could intensify if some teens dress casually and others choose to 'dress to the nines'.

There may be another solution. You may not be aware of this, but there are hundreds of organizations all over the country that obtain 'gently worn' prom dresses, tuxedos and accessories and offer them to students whose financial situation could prevent them from attending their school's prom. Typically, students need only produce a high school ID to qualify. These clothes and accessories are either free or extremely affordable. Some of these organizations have outfitted thousands of students over the years.

In keeping with my mission of offering alternative solutions to prom related issues, our webmaster has compiled what may be the most definitive list of free or low-cost prom apparel organizations. We link this from the "Resource" area of our website. Hopefully, one of these "Fairy Godmother" organizations is near enough to your area to be the solution to this problem. I wish you well with your prom and the party your committee is planning.

Reference: http://www.after-prom.org/prom_attire_redux.html

Press Release 11/22/06

After Prom Party Guide aims to prevent prom night tragedies

A "Fast Start" approach to planning an after prom party for high school seniors presented as an instant download eBook. How to make prom night one to remember - not a tragic night to forget.

KALISPELL, MT―November 21, 2006― The high school senior prom is supposed to be one of the happiest days of our children's life, but for too many kids it turns into a horrible tragedy. Drugs, alcohol and a "coming-of-age tradition" of rowdy parties usually means that some kids will end their revelry in police custody or with hangovers, and far too many vehicle accidents - or worse.

According to the U.S. Dept. of Transportation, on a typical prom weekend, 48 American teenagers are killed in vehicle crashes and 40 percent of the deaths are alcohol-related. Lori Heatherington discovered those shocking facts soon after her daughter announced she had been asked to the senior prom, and the topic of an After Prom party was discussed.

After discovering the DOT statistics, and learning that her daughter's school was making no provisions for an After Prom event, Lori decided to get organized and make something happen. Her remarkable efforts resulted in an After Prom party that was more appealing to the students than engaging in other potentially dangerous activities. The party was such a huge success that the school requested that Lori pass on her notes, outline and plan so that it could be used in upcoming years.

Heatherington realized that parents and schools across the country could benefit from her hard won knowledge, so at the urging of other parents, she compiled her exhaustive notes into a comprehensive how to guide. The 'After Prom Party Guide' is a step-by-step instruction manual for parents and school organizations (PTAs, PTOs) who want to know how to plan a compelling alternative to non-sanctioned activities after the prom.

The After Prom Party Guide is a "Fast Start", in-depth blueprint that covers everything from facility selection and fundraising to meeting agendas, liability and security issues, decorating, party themes and every related topic. Also included are form letters, checklists and even a creative telemarketing script to be used when requesting donations from businesses. Heatherington offers tips on how to win over the teenagers by promising and delivering a fun-filled and entertaining party. The 'After Prom Party Planning Handbook' sells for $24.97 and is available for immediate download from her website, http://www.after-prom.org/.

About After Prom.org

After Prom.org™ is owned and operated by Lori Heatherington, author, mom and owner of a small business. Lori holds a marketing degree from Dallas Baptist University in Dallas, Texas. She was involved in one of the first ISPs in the country and that experience prompted her to co-author her first book, which was published by Macmillan entitled, "The Complete Small Business Internet Guide". Lori currently works full-time for the Humane Society of Northwest Montana as Administrative Director.

Additional information ISBN: 1-4276-1231-5

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This release uploaded 11/21/06

Why Plan an After Prom Party

From the time I enrolled my daughter in elementary school it seemed that the world was out to ruin her innocence.

Her know-it-all six year old friends with older brothers and sisters shared the world’s reality with her on a daily basis. And I, who was happy living in the land of talking stuffed animals, was in no hurry to debate the concept of Santa Claus.

Unfortunately, that age of innocence doesn’t last long enough. Whether we like it or not, reality plops itself on the sofa in our living room and sits there while our children struggle through adolescence. About the time that we’re able to find some common ground, they’re talking to us about claiming their independence and graduating from high school.

This is an excerpt from an article I wrote for publication. Read the entire article here...

A Significant Question

I was speaking with a friend yesterday regarding the announcement of my new book, the “After Prom Party Guide”. I was telling her how excited I was and about the wonderful comments I was already receiving from people. I just couldn’t believe that in less than two days, people were already commenting about my book. It is so gratifying to hear that others are seeing the value in this and appreciate all the effort that went into it.

Out of the blue, my friend asked me a question that I had not seriously considered (at least on a conscious level) up to this point. She asked, “What is the one thing you want someone to get from reading your book”?

Wow, that really made me think… Obviously, I want people to use the guide to help them plan and stage an event that keeps teenagers off the street during this most dangerous night of their lives. I want them to see the tips and suggestions I have about every topic. I want them to learn how to raise the money, create awareness, protect themselves and their organization from liability issues and I would hope that people learn something from every page…

After pondering her question, I told her that to me… “people will see the value in this book when they put it down and say something like…

I didn’t know that or...
I never thought about those things”

With so many things in life, it is often that “ONE” idea that makes an impact or changes how we do something or look at things. I guess I want people to read my book and come away with knowledge that they didn’t know before reading the After Prom Party Guide. THAT is what I want people to get from this book

After Prom Party Guide Now Available

After a comprehensive rewrite and months of exhaustive research and interviews, Version 2 of the After Prom Party Guide has been released. It is now available for immediate download.

In addition to a detailed course of action, specifics about what to do, how to do it, where to go for help and how to finance, promote and stage an after prom party, the book includes everything from your first meeting agenda, party theme ideas to sample solicitation letters.

This powerful new eBook is an all-encompassing "how to" instruction manual for staging an event that will have the kids talking for months afterwards. BUT most of all, this is a solution to keeping kids safe on one of the most dangerous nights of their lives.

What's more, this is about helping you save time, money and frustration. The guide covers every conceivable facet of planning, organizing, promoting and producing your event. Please visit our main website and learn more about this new eBook, the After Prom Party Guide !

Prom or Graduation

Although I have titled this book the "After Prom Party Guide", it can also be used to plan virtually any occasion where you want to host an event for older teens. Graduations, birthdays, post game parties, homecoming, any occasion where the safety of teenagers is a factor. Obviously, the school and the community will not be involved in a birthday party, but the planning tips, resources and party ideas can be used to help you stage any event.

And remember, I am so confident that you will see value in this book that I offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Just one idea could save you thousands, but if you decide this information isn't worth much more to you, you have 30 days to receive a full refund. There is nothing to lose - except time - and possibly forgetting one tiny item that means the difference between a party - and a GREAT PARTY!

I do hope that you will visit my After Prom Party website and read more about our party planning guide. Thanks!

Testimonial

I just received a testimonial about the After Prom Party Guide that I wanted to share. This testimonial came from Mac Bledsoe, who is a teacher, coach, parent and author of "Parenting With Dignity" books and DVD program. Mac is also the father of famed Dallas Quarterback, Drew Bledsoe. Mac wrote...

"It has been my privilege, over a thirty-year career, to work with kids as a teacher, coach, and parent and I must say that one of the most recurring problems during that time has been the Prom Night Parties! I have seen, first hand, some of the terrible things that can happen on prom night. Not until this book have I ever seen a plan for preventing the terrible things form happening, while at the same time preserving the excitement, wonderful traditions, and lasting memories of that great event in every kid's life. This book is a must read for every parent with a child of an age to attend a prom dance! The suggestions in this book will make the Prom Night more fun for kids while preventing the common problems associated with that event!."

You can read other testimonials here.

Why a book?

Why do you need a book just to throw a party?

Your After Prom party is a major EVENT. This is not a neighborhood Bar-B-Que or friends getting together for a relaxing evening. Arranging a party - and staging an event where you will have legal, financial, security and liability concerns are two completely different things. Your After Prom Party will require significant demands, forethought and intense planning that most people have never needed to consider.

Typically we get wrapped up in the food and entertainment aspects of throwing a party for friends. With an event such as an After Prom party, those are secondary concerns. That is why we have taken the time to develop effective guidelines and procedures and include everything from example solicitation letters (that you can download and customize), party theme ideas, instructions on what to do, how to do it, where to go for help and how to finance and insure your event.

In addition, the world is a different place today after the tragic events of 9/11. There are new laws and requirements that must be acknowledged that relate to everything from fundraising to liability issues. As an example, there is now the government sponsored "Do Not Call" program that can affect how you proceed when you solicit funds and gift donations.

You cannot hope to stage a successful After Prom party without proper planning and knowledge. This is why our book was created - to help you plan, promote, finance and stage a FUN, After Prom event that meets everyone's expectations - from the kids to the parents, police and school officials.

Who needs this?

We ALL know what can happen on prom night - after the prom. We either learned the hard way, or read about incidents in the newspaper. Whether we want to admit it or not, prom night is often viewed as a "right of passage" and an excuse to abandon values and common sense and go wild.
The After Prom Party Guide is a remarkable new eBook crammed full of effective and proven procedures, sample solicitation letters, party theme ideas, instructions on what to do, how to do it, where to go for help and how to finance an After Prom party that will have the kids talking for months afterwards. BUT most of all, this is a solution to keeping YOUR kids safe on one of the most dangerous nights of their lives.

According to the U.S. Dept. of Transportation, on a typical prom weekend:

• 48 American teenagers are killed in vehicle crashes
• 5,202 are injured
• 40% of the deaths are alcohol-related

As parents and caregivers, it is sometimes necessary to protect our children from themselves. Prom night is one of our last opportunities to do this.

So, "who needs this book"?

Every high school in the country.

This book is about helping you save time, money and frustration. Mostly - this book is about saving lives. The purpose of this book is to serve as a detailed "Fast Start" guide for parents and PTOs to stage a substance free After Prom party that is FUN. The guide covers every conceivable facet of planning, organizing, promoting and producing your event.

Don't put this off a moment longer, get the book and begin organizing your after-prom party today! Learn all about it here...

Welcome Message

Thank you for visiting our After-Prom blog. The purpose of this blog is to support our new After Prom Party Planning Guide by offering new information and resources to assist your party planning efforts.

In many cases it is not the PTA/PTO or the school that organizes the after-prom party. It is often the loving, concerned parents who take it upon themselves to ensure that their children have a safe, fun alternative to 'traditional' After Prom carousing. Those parents seldom if ever have unlimited resources or "Hollywood prom party budgets".

If we provide just ONE idea for you, it could save you thousands of dollars... and yes, possibly even save a child's life. That is why we created the After-Prom Party Guide. In the After Prom Party Guide you will get event planning tips from concept to completion! Coordinate a safe, fun, drug and alcohol-free, teen-focused celebration with entertaining and engaging activities. Learn more about our After Prom Party Guide by clicking here.

Thank you!