Well done to our PGRs Peter Inzani, Lizzie Martin, and all their supporters who made the CDT in Metamaterials Christmas Dinner 2018 a success. It is quite a challenge to coordinate dinner, raffle, and secret santa with more than 60 people involved, and they have done a fantastic job to provide the XM² PGRs and staff with good food and a great atmosphere in the Cosy Club.
Peter’s thoughts on the organisational adventure and the benefits of team work:
“I ran the organisational side of things and brought everyone’s efforts together. (E.g. contacting various restaurants, emails (so many emails…), initial numbers etc, doodle polls, spreadsheets etc). At first it more of a solo effort in September when I started contacting places. I started pushing forwards with cosy club in October and moved into figuring out numbers of people (with Lizzies help in an unofficial capacity at this point). As the tasks piled up Lizzie, (who sits next to me), saw me a little swamped and offered to help (November), this turned into co-organising the rest. Lizzie (Official co-organiser) did all the artwork (e.g. banner on emails/menu) and the raffle and kept me sane!
We spent a lot of time and effort pre-planning the event. This was basically: Announcing the event, chasing people up and collecting lists of people plus meal choices (not forgetting dietary requirements). In addition to this, handling everything on the night with the cosy club staff and guests. (probably pretty visible on the night). Not forgetting the elves: Emily, Katie and Jess. Emily (lead) and Katie handled secret Santa, emails, the QR codes and decorative side of things which added a great touch. Emily and Jess cut out the nameplates (scissor wielding life savers) and were good morale support.
And who could forget CDT Santa! Handling cosy club invoice issues, T1, presentation prizes, photos and paying for it yourself when T1 decided to be T1. (Thanks again to Anja for all that!) … Also thanks to Deb and the finance staff for trying to deal with the invoice.
On the night, very nicely some of our other friends (elves in training :p) helped/made us eat our food: Conor Price and Rosamund Herapath (who helped with hiccups on the night). And then there’s of course Frank “megaphone” Davies (no mic needed) who was helpful with the numbers during the raffle.
And thanks to everyone that turned up and we hope had a good time!”
