We were just talking about things like this last week! We always ask for cake/cookies donations for our Cake Walk and we ask that they are brought in by Friday and not on Saturday (the day of the event). This way we can bake or buy enough to make the event go. We ALWAYS get more people trying to bring stuff that day than the whole week before. They get free tickets for their donation. Last year, I told the people running the ticket booth to turn them away and let them keep their item because it casues a huge hold up at the booth and our principal grabbed tickets off the table just started giving them away to people who brought food. I was so mad. How many notes can you send home saying please don't show up at the last minute with stuff?
When I brought up having Dad's RSVP for Donuts with Dads (becuase those numbers are always weird from year to year) I was told I'm too controlling. That since most Dads don't live with their kids, I would be expecting too much. I wonder, at what point did it become acceptable for adults to be so irresponsible and put that much more stress on the responsible ones?

RSVP's are needed to know how to plan for the food. It seems that there was a time that RSVP meant something. People just don't care & are being very inconsiderate.. I've run into this with birthday parties, I'd plan on the RSVPs then have more show up so I started planning for however many were invited. Maybe have a check-in at the door so if someone hasn't rsvp'd then you can say, 'I'm sorry but you didn't rsvp & I only have enough for those whose did.' then maybe people will be more considerate & rsvp next time. In this type of planning you need those RSVP's so stick to your guns. Good luck.

I have a question that we are just wondering about. On events that you request RSVP's how strict are you when cutting them off after a deadline. We have a grandparent luncheon that draws almost 500 adults in a four hour time frame, our space in the lower grades was just about maxed out last year and we found ourselves scrambling for more tables.
This year the decision has been made that due to the space limitations that we will be VERY strict on not accepting late rsvps. Last year we had 93 people just show up and almost 60 of them ate, that we did have planned on. We cover the total cost of this event. We want people to take responsibilty and rsvp, this will be on 5 different things going home starting last week, the actual event is the 26th of April, I say our butt is covered and yes we will upset people but we need to get this event done with less chaos. So to my question we have had a few parents saying we are off base being strict and turning people away at the door...please let me know what you think? having it two days , in classrooms or outside are not options.