Resource Management - Not necessarily a 'position' but it helps to have someone to keep track of Avalanche's budget, expenditures, and financial resources. In addition this need speaks to considering how equipment or money for events might be acquired through alternative methods. Essentially someone needs to keep track of money and know the ways to get more money, as well as find alternative paths to procure resources when money is either unavailable or insufficient.

Time Management - Lord knows I've been pretty confused with event timings this year, and more positive work could be done in this direction. An Avalanche calendar is a bit of a must, and someone should be aware of the large events like concerts, holidays, or youth group events that might substantially impact attendance to events. Furthermore planners should take into account timelines for events, when forms need to be submitted by, when equipment can be gathered by, picked up, returned, etc... Planning and setting up ahead of time is an absolute do-or-die must in this game. Being late is a necessary evil, but you can always do your best to think ahead. See what you can do to take a chainsaw to red-tape. Sometimes you'll find more success than you'd ever logically expect to.

Event Planning/Preparation - This was already largely hit on up above, but generally its nice to have an organizational meeting or gathering to specifically plan out events. Some, like Open Mic Night or Sex In the Snyder take hours and hard work by several people. Best to start at a top level, outline the needs, and then delegate how those needs are going to be met. Some of the good events we've had could have been even better if there was a comprehensive plan set down beforehand. Figure out the W's (different order) -

Why - Why are you running the event, how is it in Avalanche's mission?
What - What is the event
Who - Who's planning/running it, who's attending it
When - What date and time does it take place on
Where - Where are you running the event
How - How is the event being conducted? What do you need to make it happen? How do you fulfill those needs?

Think of backups or contingency plans if an important or undependable element falls through. Have different people get whatever is needed ready before hand - space requests, equipment, presenters, food, timelines, decorations... You know the drill, you've all been part of it at some point.

Execution - Perhaps one of the most pressured roles - someone's gotta be on point to make it all happen. Most often this person needs to be excited, have some gift of command, and really have a flare for grabbing attention. This person has to account for sudden changes of heart in the crowd, deal with people that may want more or less out of an event, and make tough judgment calls as to when to do what. All the planning in the world won't change the fact that sometimes, things just don't go as you'd expect them to. Sure many events will have other groups or focuses out on the floor, but an MC, team captain, judge, or whatever other administrative role is almost always needed. If possible it's nice to get multiple people to be involved here, however. Developing a face to be associated with a program is good, but we want to show that we're more than one person - diverse representation helps fuel diverse participation.

Publicity - The most important for last? Arguably one of the most crucial components of Avalanche is getting the word out. We try to reach to an audience that comes from different places - ideally different genders, races or cultures, and religion. Those previous categories are a bit restraining and inaccurate, though. Look at it more as what people like to do - meet that need. In the past we've used signs (hang them at the bottom of the stairwells by the doors every person goes out, or above dryers in the bathroom, or inside bathroom stalls or wherever else will get attention). Beyond this we make announcements, send Emails, post to the web, reach out through AIM and facebook, and most of all let it travel via word of mouth. Floor runs - having couples or groups of people run throughout floors inviting residents to attend events can really help secure people too. Advertising to other halls and other groups that might have parallel interests is a good idea as well.

Lastly, is the concept of, well, simply put, Avalanche. We have what you might refer to as a brand name, or a affiliation or symbol. This caries with it responsibility to define who we are and what we mean, and to upkeep this image - committing to those who participate in it and upholding the ideals behind it.