Alcohol-FreeSocialEvents
Usetheseideastohelporganizeyournextalcohol-freesocialevent—orusethesepartyideasasaspringboardtoyourownchapter’screativity.BesuretosubmitacompleteEventPlanningForm30dayspriortoanyqualifyingevent.
GamesSports
IceSkating
Hereisonethatcanbedoneanytimeofyear,butwillserveasagreatfunctionattheendofthefalltermandbeginningofthespringterm.Simplycallthelocalicerinkandrenttheplaceoutforacoupleofhours.Afterskating,inviteyourguestsbacktoyourchapterfacilityforhotchocolateandsnacks.
PhiDeltOlympics
ThisisagreatwaytohavefunandbuildGreekunity!!IfyouhaveGreekOlympicsforyouruniversity,justtakesomeofthoseideasandminimizethem.Eventscouldincludeabedrace,applebobbing,etc.
CasinoNight
SetuptablesofVegas’mostpopulargamesandtryyourluckinwinningplaymoney.Attheendoftheeveningholdanauctionandseewhichofthebigwinners
walksawaywiththeprizes,donatedbylocalbusinesses.Contactyourcampus
activitiesofficetoseeiftheyrentcasinosupplies.
CardTournaments
Haveacardtournamenttargetingthosestudentswhositinthecafeteriaandplaycards.PlayHearts,UNO,Euchre,orRummy.Getprizesdonatedtoenticeparticipation.
IntramuralEvents
Co-sponsorintramuraleventswithotherfraternities:arm-wrestling,freethrowshooting,footballtoss,anddoublesvolleyball.Co-sponsorsomeco-edteamswithsororities.
BoardGameNight
Holda"GameNight"withaboardgamecompetition:monopoly,trivia,Twister,etc.AlsoincludeavideogamecompetitionwithPlayStationandNintendo.
CaddyShack
Getoutthoseoldargylesandknickers,putonyourgolfshoes,findthatoldalligatorshirt,grabthegolfbag,pulloutyourputterandputonsomesunblock…then,hitthecourse!Thegolfcoursefortheeventcouldbesomethingaseasyasthelocalminiaturegolfcourseorafantasticcoursecouldbecreatedinsidethesororityorfraternityhouse,studentunion,lodge,orothersimilarstructure.Membersandguestsshouldbepairedintoteamswhocompeteforthelowestscoreoncethecoursehasbeenfinished.Designscorecardsfortheteams,orevenusescorecardsfromalocalgolfcourse.SetupclubhousenearthecoursetodistributethepartyT-shirts.Servehotdogsandpolishsausages.Havepotatochips,pretzels,andBabyRuthcandybars.
CrazyBowling
Reserveafewlanesatyourlocalbowlingalleyandhaveeveryonedressinacrazyoutfit(youcanchooseatheme).Everycoupleofframes,makeparticipantsdosomethingdifferent(ex.Spinaround5times)before,after,orduringtheirshots.
Kickball
Rememberthisgamefromelementaryschoolgymclassandrecess?Findanopenfield,getakickball,andinviteasororitytoplayonco-edteams.Thisshouldnotbe
menagainstwomen!
Broomball
Useasasocial,recruitment,orbrotherhoodevent.Gatherupyourguestsupandheadtothelocalicehockeyrinkandplayhockeywithbroomsandatennisball.Don’thavearink,headtotherollerskating/bladingrink.
VolleyballTournament
Invitethesororitiesoverforavolleyballtournament.Ifpossible,createasandvolleyballcourt!Serveupsomemocktailsandhavegagprizes,e.g.“Weakest
Serve,”“MostSandintheEye,”etc.Forfun,changetherulesoruseabeachball
insteadofavolleyball.
DayattheDrivingRange
Thisactivityissimplywhatitsays,atriptothedrivingrange.Checkwithacampusorlocalgolfcourseforadrivingrangeforgroupratesandavailability.Clubsmay
alsoberentedthere.Golfprosmayalsobeavailabletoassistyourmemberswith
theirswing.Contestssuchaslongestorshortestdriveandmostwiffs(completelymissingtheball)mayalsobringabitofcompetitionandexcitementtotheouting.Athematicpre-orpost-outingideawouldbetowatchmoviessuchasTinCup,CaddyshackorHappyGilmore.Considerprizesforlongestdrive,mostridiculous(authentic)golfoutfit,etc.
MyTieBoardgameNight
Competitionatitsfinest!Challengeyourmind,yourfriends,yourownbrothersandsisterstoaneveningoffast,frenzied,andfantasticboardgameplaying.Hereistheconcept:menmustsupplyoneoftheirneckties.Allthetiesarethrownintoahugepileorbox.Thewomenaretheninstructedtochooseatieandwearit.Eachmanhastofindthewomanwhoiswearinghistie…oncethetwohavefoundeachother,amatchismade.Theythenactasateamandparticipateintheevening’sactivities.
Setupdifferentboardgamesthroughouttheeventlocation.Eachroomshouldhaveanewgameandagame-specificsnackandalcohol-freedrink.Besuretohavethefavoriteshandy—Monopoly,TrivialPursuit,Pictionary,Life,Risk,Clue,ScruplesandScatergoriesarealwaysenjoyed.Theteamstravelthroughouttheeventandplayabbreviatedversionsofthegames.Haveteamscarryascorecard.Pointsaregiven
foreachgameateamwins…teamsthataccumulatethemostpointsreceiveprizes.
NewlywedGame
Thisisanincreasinglypopularsocialeventwithstudentsacrossthecountry.Arrangethiseventjustlikethegameshow…butsincetherearenottoomanymarried
couplesincollege,usecouplesthathavebeendatingforalongtime.It’samazingto
seehowmuchcoupleswhohavebeendatingalreadyknowabouteachother.Justbesuretotailorthequestionstofityourbrandofnewlyweds.Questionscouldbe
similartotheonesonthetelevisionshow,butmakethemmorespecifictodating,
collegeandthecampus,etc.Participantswhoarenotservingasoneofthecouplesshouldbetheaudience.You’llfindthatthemembersoftheaudiencewillenjoywatchingandlisteningtothecouplesargueasmuchasthosecoupleswhoareplayingtheactualgame.So,despiteone’sintrovertedorextrovertednature,this
eventcanbefunforeveryone.Ifsomeoneisinterested,filmingtheeventisabonus.Findavideocameraandgetthisonvideo…You’llbesurprisedatthenumberof
timesyouwillviewtheeventafteritisover.Thinkaboutarranginganiceevening
outforthewinningcouple…possiblyadinnerandamovie?Whateverthecase,youwon’tsoonforgetyourversionoftheNewlywedGame!
CapturetheFlag
CreateyourownCapturetheFlagcourse.Thegoalistocapturetheopposingteam’sflag.Usesquirtgunsfilledwithcoloredwatertosquirtthem.Haveteamsofabout
10-15perside.Everyonemustwearwhitet-shirts.Thetwosidesgetdifferent
coloredwater.Playacertaintime,usuallyapre-determinedfifteenminuteswithfourquarters.AstheopposingteamapproachesyourHeadquarters(whereyourflagislocated),yousquirtthem.Ifyourcoloredwaterhitstheirshirt,theymustreturntotheirhomebase.Refereesareneededtomakesurethegameisfair.
Rent-A-Theater/Rink/Alley
Thisisasuperideaforalatenightevent.Checkwithyourlocalmovietheatertoseeaboutrentingoutthetheaterafterhoursorforthelatestshowing(generallylesscrowded)ofaparticularmovie.Trytoworkoutadealwiththemanager/owneror
getafixedpriceperpersonorcouplethatincludesadmission,andallthepopcornandsoftdrinksyoucanconsume.Ifthemoviehasageneraltheme,considercoming
incostumeorcharacter.Ifthemovieisasequel,thegroupshouldviewthevideo
thatprecededthesequelpriortogoingtothetheater.Beforegoingtothetheater,havedinneratthesororityhouseorlodge.Thereareother,similaractivitiesthatyourgroupcouldorganize.Contactalocalskatingrink.Havealate-nightskating/rollerbladingparty.Therearealsobowlingalleysthatstayopenlate.Trytoworkoutadealthatwouldincludeafewhoursofbowling(afternormalbusinesshours),shoes,andsnacks.
ThanksgivingDinnerMixer
BeforepeopleleaveforThanksgivingbreak,hostadinnerwithasorority.Cookthemealtogether,ifpossible.Playsomegamesandenjoythegoodfood.Thiscanbe
doneforalmostanyholiday.
Win,LoseorDraw
Secureafewflipcharteaselsandplentyofwhiteflipchartpaper.Getsomeofthosehugemarkers.Placechairsorcouchesaroundtheroom,facingtheeasels.Selectteams.Play.AllyouneedtodoisfollowthesameformatastheTVshow.Agroupwillneedtoselectthewordsorphrasesthattheteamswilldrawduringtheevent.
Considercuttingwordsandphrasesoutofcampusmagazinesornewspapers.Greek-relateditemsareusuallyfunforpeopletotrytodraw.CampusorganizationsaswellasthephrasesandsayingsparticulartoyourcampusandGreekcommunityare
goodcluesaswell.Competewithdifferentteams.Winprizes.Thisisagoodwarmupexercisebeforeadance,gameorothercampusorGreekevent.SomeGreekshaveusedthiseventasastudybreakactivitybetweenafraternityandsorority.SomeGreekcommunitieshavedonethisduringGreekWeek.CampusPledgeClasseshaveusedthisideatogetbetteracquainted.Somestudentshavedonethis
intheresidencehalls,oranothercampusfacility.It’saneventthateveryoneenjoysdoingorwatching.
DatingGame
Conductthiseventalongthelinesofthepopulartelevisiongameshowofthesamename.Thisissimpletoorganizeandproduceshilarioussituationsforbothmembersandguests.Thosepeoplewhositintheaudienceusuallyhavejustasmuchfunwatchingasdotheparticipatingbachelorsandbachelorettes.Startbyfindingbothmenandwomenwhowillagreetoparticipatepriortothebeginningofthefunction.Besuretokeeptheidentitiesofthoseindividualswhowillbethebachelorsandbachelorettesasecret.Whenpeoplearriveattheevent,showthemtotheseatsthathavebeenarrangedfortheaudience.Somesortofstagecouldbebuilt,if
appropriatetothelocationyouwillbeusing.Atminimum,youwillneedtocreatesomesortofdivisionsothatthecontestantcannotseethosewhoaretryingtowinadatewiththem.SomeGreekshaveusedanon-campusauditorium-styleroomfor
thisevent.FindanoutgoingindividualtoplaythepartoftheMC.Thoseparticipating
shouldpreparequestionsinadvance.Haveactualprizesforthewinningcouples…usuallyadinneroutatthelocalhotspot.Findthreebachelors/bachelorettesandfollowalongliketheshowdidsomanyyearsago.Members/guestswhodonotplayaretheaudience.
IceCreamGutterParty
Similartoanicecreamsocialbutfillanew,cleangutterwithallthefixingsofanicecreamsundae.Haveseveralgutters,dividepeopleintoteams,andhaveacontesttoseewhocanfinishtheirsundaethequickest.
CrazyBall
Sponsorajointsoftballgamewithasorority.Priortothegame,thewomenestablishcrazyrules—makingthemenrunbackwards,hittheballwithonehand,etc.Topoff
theafternoonwithacookout.
DateFunctionsMixers
BallroomDancing
Contactalocaldancestudioorcampusdanceinstructor.Haveyourmembersandguestsdressinsuitsandformaldresses.Servenicehorsd’oeuvresandsparklinggrapejuice.
GrabaDate
Haveeveryonemeetatadesignatedtimeandplace(thehouse/lodge/etc,ifpossible).Tellthemtheyhave30minutestofindadate,anditmustbesomeonetheydon’tknow.Goouttoamovie,mini-golf,go-karts,orotherfundateevent.Also,foranaddedtwist,requirethatthefirstlineyousaytoyourpotentialdateisacheesypickupline.
IceCreamSocial
Everybodylikesicecream!!!Thisisagreateventtostartoffthefallterm.OnawarmAugustorSeptembernight,callupasororityandmakeyourwaydowntothelocalicecreamparlortocoolofforinvitethemtoyourchapterfacility,whicheverismoreconvenient.
PartyGras
It’stimetohaveamixerjustliketheactualpartyinNewOrleans,butthedifferenceisyoudon’thavetotravel.Findplentyofstringingbeadssothateveryonecanmaketheirownchain.Also,don’tforgettheconfetti.Forfood,getshrimp,crawfish,andsomegood‘OleCajunCookin’!!!
HawaiianTropics
Putonthegrassskirtsandwiggleyourhipsasyoudineonroastedpigandsiptropicalmocktails.
CoffeeHouse
Recreateyourfacilityintoadimlylitcoffeehouse.Servecoffeedrinkswhilelisteningtoaperformerortwo.Offeranopenmicsectionofthepartywhereguestscangetuponstandandperform.
CarnivalNight
Setupboothswithcarnivalgames—dunkbooth,ringtoss,darts,otherfavorites.Rentacottoncandymachineandhavebucketofpeanutsavailable.
FiveDollarSeniorProm
Menandwomenarepairedandmustdressintypicalformalattire;thecatchisthateachpersoncannotspendmorethanfivedollarsontheoutfit.Inotherwords,use
yourbestshoppingskillsattheGoodwillstore,SalvationArmyShop,second-hand
storeorvintageclothingstoretofindanoutfitthatis,orwasusedpreviouslyas,formalattire.Allthetraditionalprom-likeactivitiesshouldstillbefollowed.Besuretogoouttodinnerpriortothedance,butremember,nomorethanfivedollarsfordinner.Fakeflowers(cannotaffordrealoneswithfivedollars)areamust.Polaroidpicturesarealsoessential(again,fivebucksisnotenoughforaprofessionalphotographer).Attheprom,besuretoelectapromkingandqueen.Youmayevenchoosetoelectthebest-dressedcouple.Theafter-promcouldbesomethinginexpensivelikebowling,goingtotheYMCAoralate-nightmovie…rememberonlyfivebucksforwhateveryoudo.Thenextday,alltheclothescanbereturnedtothethriftshopwhereyouboughtthem.Thisturnsyourpartyintoacommunityserviceeventaswell.
GoGreek!
Well,gobacktoGreece,thatis!Turnthechapterfacilityintoamini-Rome.ItCANbebuiltinaday.GiveyourmainareastheairofaGrecianbathorthefloorofthesenate.Leaveplatesofgrapesoutfortheguestsandpalmleavesforfans.Pillowsstrewnontheflooraddanicecushioneffectforcomfort.Thiseventmightevenre-inventtheToga(TOGA!TOGA!TOGA!).
HauntedHouse
Createahauntedhouseinyourchapterfacilityandinviteguestsovertobescared.Or,createthiseventintoa“Grab-a-Date”functionandheadtothelocalhauntedhouse.It’sascare-rifictime!
FrostedFlakes
Coverthefloorwitholdwhitesheets,whiteballoons,feathers,cottonballs,glitterandStyrofoam.Youmightevenwanttoturnyourchapterfacilityintoaskilodge.
Sprinkletinselandstringwhitelights.Hangwhitecandycanes.Serveicecream,
snowcones,marshmallowsandhotchocolate.Whenwomenentertheevent,eachis
handedasmallwhitepapersnowflakethathasanumberprintedonit.Theyaretoldtohangontothesnowflakeuntillater.Onceithasbeendecidedtohavethesnowstorm,thewomenareinstructedtoputtheirsnowflakesintoabasket.Eachisaskedtorememberhernumber.Thebasketisthentakentoasecondlevelwhereitisdumpedonthemen.Themenscurrytogetasnowflake.Withoutrevealingtheirnumbers,themenwaitforthewomentocallouttheirsnowflakenumber.Whenthemenheartheirnumber,amatchhasbeenmade.Thesecouplescanparticipateinavarietyofactivitiesrelatedtocoldweather.
MurderMysteryParty
Okay,socialchairpersonsandcommittees-fictionallymurderoneofyourmembers,foundersoralumni.Themurdershouldtakeplacewithinthefraternity/sorority
house,lodgeoreventhestudentunion.Membersandguests,notinvolvedinthe
creationofthemystery,attendthefunctiontosolvethemurdermystery.It’ssimpletoplan,killoffBrotherBobSmith.Createastoryastohowitallhappened.Everyparticipantisgivenadetective’sbadgeandacluepacketthatcontainsbiosofeachofthesuspectsandaplacetowritedownclues.Threehoursaregiventosolvethe
casebytravelingthroughthehouseorlodgetodifferentroomswhichcontainsclues.Aftertheallottedtime,thedetectivesaregatheredinaloungeareaandthecase,if
notsolved,isrevealedbythechiefdetective(socialchairperson),orifsolved,is
revealedbythedetectivewhohascrackedthecase.Thecaseyoudevelopmaybetoodifficult.Haveasquealerwholeaksinformationtodetectives!Ifcreativityisaproblemgooutandbuythegamefromthelocalgamestore!
Mortician’sBall(akaEmbalmer’sBall,SixFeetUnderParty)
Allguestswearblack.Decoratewithdeadflowers,coffins,dryice,andotheritemsofghoulishnature.Serveappropriatemocktailsandsnacks.
AnEveningAbroad
Turnthattraditionalformalintosomethingalittlemorespecial.Spendtheeveningexploringallthataparticularcountryhastooffer.Starttheeveningwithareceptionatachapterhouse,lodge,oreventhestudentunion.Servehorsd’oeuvresthatare
representativeoftheculturalcuisine.Borrowmaps,travelposters,picturestohang
onyourwalls.Goouttoarestaurantthatservefromthatparticularcountryorprepareamealatthehouse.
Dante’sInferno
Threefloors/roomsaredecoratedaccordingly...Heavenwouldbedecoratedwithwhitesandgolds.Balloons,dryiceandflowing,whitepaper.Peacefulmusicshouldbeplaying.AtmosphereshouldbebrightwithwhiteChristmaslights.Foodshouldincludewhitechocolateitems,fingersandwiches,marshmallows,andclearsoda.Purgatorywouldbeallgray...nocolorsifpossible.Coverwallswithgraypaper.Play
amonotonehum.Servenofood.Sitquietly.Hellwouldbethelowestlevel.Decoratewithreds,oranges,andblacks.Serveroomtemperaturewater,bread,crackers,andchips.Whenguestsarrive,theyaregivenachoiceofcardsfromaboxorhat.The
threechoicesareheaven,hell,andpurgatory.Whateveronechoosesishisorher
startingpoint.Theobjectistoreachallthreelevelstoseewhoisatthefunctionandtoseehowtogettothenextleveleitheraboveorbelow.Participantsareasked
triviaquestions.Iftheyanswercorrectly,theypasstothenextlevel.Onlythreetriesperlevel—afterthatonlyGodorthedevilcandecidetoletapersongo.
DayattheRaces
Contactthestudentactivitiesstaffaboutsecuringpre-recordedtapesofhorse
racing.Ifthereisnocompanyinyourarea,considercontactingANightattheRaces,Inc.—officialracetrackcinematographers,at1-800-252-7373.Thiscompanyrents
thecassettesyouwillneed.YouwillalsoneedabigscreenTVtoshowtheraces.
Provideracingformsthatgiveinformationaboutthehorsesandjockeys.Locatesomewhitelawnfurnituretosetaboutthehouse.Haveabettingwindowandstarteveryoneoffwith$100inplaymoney.Ifyouhaveatrackinthearea,considergoingtoanactualrace.
FondueFrenzy
Contactthelocalrentalstoreforalargequantityoffonduepots.InviteanotherGreekorganizationtoparticipatewithyou.Planthiseventlikeadinnerexchange.Setuptables,eachwithitsownfonduepotsandequipment.Seatnomorethaneightpeoplepertable.Witheachnewfonduecourse,playadifferenttypeofmusic.Planthedinnerwiththreedifferentfondues:cheese,hotoil,andchocolate.The
cheesefonduewouldbeservedfirst.Havebreads,fruits,andvegetablesreadytobedippedintothedifferentkindsofhotcheese.Choosechicken,beef,orporkasthemainentree.Takeforkstodipthemeatintothehotoil.Fordessert,chocolatefondue!Makesureyouhaveplentyoffruitsandcakestodip!
InspectorGadget
Detectivesmustsolvethecaseofthe...(youfillintheblank).Teamsofthreeor
more,usingPolaroidsnapshotsastheindicatorofthenextsite,areledfromonesitetoanothertoanswertheriddles,questions,andcluesthatallfittogethertosolve
themystery.Teamsareassignedasmembersandguestsarriveattheevent.Draw
playingcardsfromahat—allofthefoursareateam,Kingsareateam,etc.Teamsstartatdifferentsites.Ateachsite,theparticipantswillfindasnapshotofthelocationofthenextclue;andanumberedclue,riddles,orquestionthatneedstobeanswered.Theteamswillhaveapre-printedformthathasnumberedblankslots(tobefilledwiththeanswerstothequestionsandriddleslocatedateachnewsite).Theteamsneedtofindallthesitesandansweralltheriddles,questions,andcluestosolvethemystery.Themysteryissimplyafalseeventthathastakenplaceattheuniversityorcollege,orwithinsociety.Besurenottomakethemysterytooeasytoguess!
LaundromatNight
SelectalocalLaundromatfrequentedbystudentsandaskthemanagementforacampusnightthatyoucouldusetospiceupwashingclothes.Giveawaymocktailsfoodthatnight.Youmightevengiveawaysoapandotherlaundrymaterials.Getanearbysandwichshoptogivecouponssopeoplecanmunchwhiletheywash.Whataboutlivemusic?Turnitintoaparty!
Cinderella’sBall
Getthesocialeventstartedwiththisfunidea.Eachfemaledonatesashoepriortothebeginningofthefunction.Whenthemenarrive,theyareinstructedtochooseashoefromthelargebox.Fromthere,themenmustsearchfortheirCinderella.Menmustfindthefootthatfitstheshoe.Oncethematchismade,thetwocanthenparticipateinthevariouspre-plannedactivities.
Hay-Ride
Haveahayrideandcampfire.Takestudentstoalocalforestpreserveorstatepark.Roastmarshmallows,tellstories,andsingsongs.
CruiseShip
Here’sagreateventforthewomentoarrangeforthemen…intheirhome.Ifhousingisnotavailable,besurethatthewomenstillarrangethisevent.Whatafantasticwayforthewomenandmeninyourcampuscommunitytocooperatesocially.Decoratethefacility(house,lodge,roominthestudentunion,barnorwhatever)likeaship…palmbranches,beachballs,loungechairs,andsunbrellas.Attirefortheeveningiscruiseorbeachwear.Forentertainment,setupoutdoorshuffleboard.Playbigbandmusicfordancingandsetupahugebuffet.Haveacaptain’stableanddrawforthosewhowillbeluckyenoughtoeatathis/hertable.Providenon-alcoholicfruityboatdrinkscompletewithpineappleslices,strawsandlittleumbrellas.
BlackMagic
Here’sanideawithadifferenttwist.Cardreaders,crystalballs,fortuneteller,magiccrystals,cob-webs…thelistofitemswithwhichtouseduringthiseventisendless.Decoratewithblacksandwhites.Havevasesfullofdeadflowers.Setdryicearoundtheeventlocation.PlaymusicfromoldHalloweenmoviesorfromthosescaryDisneyfilmsyouwatchedasachild.Duringtheparty,showmovieswithablackmagictheme,suchasGhost.Thinkaboutcosponsoringthemovieswiththeprogramboard(rememberthecopyrightlaws).Makearuntothelocalnoveltystorebeforeandpickupsomeeasymagictricksthatanybodycanuse.Ifcostisaproblem,askeverybodytobringamagictrickastheirtickettogetintotheevent.Havethecardreadersprovidefortunestothosewhoask.Anotherspotcanbethecrystalballarea…aprofessionalseercouldbeusedhere.Fortunetellersarealwaysgoodlaughaswell.Trytofindoneortwofromyourcommunitytoparticipate.
Greek/campus-wideevents
Speakers
TalktoyourcampusactivitiesofficeoryourIFCpublicrelationschairmanforideasonwhowouldbegoodtocomeinandspeaktothechapter.Thetopicscoveredare
normallyeducational(AIDS,Drinking,Etiquette,etc.)whichpromotehealthy
lifestyleswhileearningrespectfromyourpeers.Somepotentialspeakersincludeyourschool’sathleticdirector,yourGreekOfficial,yourfacultyadvisor,aprofessor,thepolicechief,thefirechief,orafamousalumnus.
GreekParty
EveryFriday,holdaGreekpartyfrom6-9pm.Havelotsofgreatnon-alcoholicdrinks,contests,greatmusic(BattleoftheBands?),anddiscountticketstomovies,bowlingalleysandothertypesofentertainment,whichdonotincludealcohol.Afterall,studentssaytheydrinkbecausetheycan’tthinkofanythingelsetodo.Establishanawardforthebestalcohol-freesocialprogrameachyear!
GreekServiceProject
DoaGreekserviceprojectonanightwheneveryonewouldnormallybeatthebars.Maybeyoucouldsponsor“openbasketballnight”atalocalBoysClubforyouth.Or,
washallofthecitybusesandsaveyourcitymoney.Whateveryoudo,getsomePR
forit,makeitfun,andmakeitlastlateintotheeveningsothateveryoneishavingsomuchfuntheyforgetaboutdrinkingaltogether!
Progressorama
Callyourinterfraternalfriendsandorganizeaprogressivepartynightwheremenandwomenfromdifferentfraternitiesandsororitiestravelfromonelocationtoanotherdoing,eating,andexploringavarietyofactivities.Considerthisprogressiveidea.Haveayearinonenightprogressivetheme.Eachfraternityorsororitythatchoosestoparticipatewilldecorateitssitearoundonespecificholiday.So,NewYear’sEve,St.Patrick’Day,ValentinesDay,BirthdaysandHalloweencouldallbecelebratedinonenight,butatdifferentlocations.Howaboutthisone?StartatABCchapterhouseandwatchtheinitialmovieofonethathassequels.Afterthefirstmovieandlocation,ventureonwardtoanothersiteandwatchthesequel.Keepthisgoingaslongasyoudesire.Besuretohaveplentyofpopcornandsoda.Essentially,theprogressivethemecanbeusedwithallsortsofideas:aroundtheworldinonenight,funsports(darts,puttingcourse,baseballtoss),dinner,snacksfunbeverages,TVshows,music,bands,themes,activities,etc…
HostaBarbecue
Haveabigbarbecue.Forafee,studentsgetfood,aliveband,etc.Endthenightwithroastingmarshmallowsandmakings’mores.
CampusSquares
OrganizethiseventbasedonthepopulartelevisionshowHollywoodSquares.SolicittheassistanceofyourfavoriteGreekleaders,faculty,staffandadministrationto
serveasthestarsinthesquares.Ateamcouldbeorganizedtocreatethequestions
themselves.Aninterestingsetofquestionswouldincludecampushistory,famousuniversityalumniandcurrentcampusaffairs.Trytouseanauditoriumorlecturehallfortheevent.Tworowsofrisersareprobablyeasilyobtainedthroughthephysicalplantdepartment.Thisoptionworksequallywell.Ahighlypersonablemember
shouldbedesignatedtheMCandactasthehostess/hostoftheshow.Perhaps,alocalradio/TVpersonalitywouldassistastheMC?Thetriviaquestionsandtrue/falsequestionscanbetakenfromTrivialPursuitoranothersimilargameofriddles,questionsandpuzzles.Videotapethiseventforrecruitmentpurposes.
Drive-In
Secureaboutsixwhitesheetstogethertocreateamoviescreen.Hangthesheetonthesideofthechapterhouseorfromthebalcony.Pullitrealtight.Rentthe
appropriateprojectionmachinessothatmembersandguestscanviewamovieina
drive-inenvironment.Machinesareavailablethroughmostrentalstores.Theeventcanbedesignedasanactualdrive-inwherethesheetishungonthesideofthehousefacingtheparkingarea.Membersandguestswillbeabletositinparkedvehiclesandviewthemovies,eatsnacksandrelax.Thesheetcouldalsobehungfacingtheroomiestpartoftheyard.Peoplecansitonthelawn,throwdownblankets,orwhatever!
GreekIslandCampOut
Pickawarmnight,findanextremelylargetentandinviteyourfriendsoverforaneveningofmusic,talltales,meltedmarshmallowsandS’mores.Rentalargepartytentfromthelocalrentalstore.Setthetentupineitherthefrontorbackyardofafraternityorsororityhouse,orusealocationoncampus.Checkwiththeproperauthoritiesaboutgettingpermissionforbuildingabonfire/campsitefire.Emphasize
thepointthattheeventusnon-alcoholicwithyourmembersandguests.Spendpartoftheeveningtellingghoststories,talltalesandothercampsitefiction.Putonsomemusicandroastmarshmallowsandhotdogs.MakeS’mores.Getoutsomeplayingcardsandplaypokerandothercardgames.Informeveryonethatthiseventisasleepover.Allparticipantsareresponsibleforprovidingasleepingbagandpillow—onesleepingbagforeveryperson.Everyonemustsleepinthetent.Whenthefestivitiesareover,throwdownthosesleepingbagsandcrash.Besuretohavebreakfastfoodreadyforthemorning.Youcaneithercookoutagain,orheadinsideforsomecereal,bagelsanddonuts.Becreative,havefunandwatchoutforthewildanimals.
GrandPrixRace
SetupacourseandhaveaGrandPrixraceusingtricyclesorscooters.Awardprizestowinningteams,bestform,etc.Followthiswithacookout.
FilmFestival
Useatheme,orfocusonfilmswithacertainactorordirector.Co-sponsorthiswithyourcampusprogrammingboard,andhavelotsofpopcornandsodas.Youcanevensetituplikeadrive-in,projectingthemovieupontoabigscreenmadeofsheets
tackedupagainstawall.Getcreative!
FortuneTellerNight
Sponsorafortuneteller,palmreader,orastrologertocomeoncampustodemonstratehis/herskills.Thiscanbeafundraiser!
StudentNightOut
Setupastudentnightatlocalentertainmentattractions:miniaturegolf,movietheaters,coffeeshops,sportingevents,skatingrinks.
PediatricPartyNight
Visitapediatrichospitalinyourareaandhaveagamenightwiththekids.
Late-NightPlayground
Rememberthegamesfromyourchildhood?FourSquare,dodgeball,jumprope,etc.Haveaneveningofchildhoodgamesforeveryone.Makecottoncandyandotherkidfoodsforsnacks.
Miscellaneous
ChuckE.CheeseNight
GetagrouptogetherandheadtoyourlocalChuckE.Cheeseforsomepizzaandsomegames.Provideeveryonewithacertainamountoftokens.
StudyTreats
Askyourcooktomakesomecookiesorputtogetherafruittray.Callasororitytosetupacertaintimeforthesnacks.Thiswillgiveeveryoneachancetobreakthestressandgethisorhermindoffstudyingforalittlewhile.
LocalTrip
Sponsoralocaltriptoanearbyareaattraction,beach,mountains,mall,etc.Gosightseeing,shoppingortoashow.
RopesCourse
Checkwithyourcampusorlocalcampgroundsforaropescourseinyourarea.Worksbestwhenactivitiesaredoneinasmallergroup.
GreekOpenHouse
DuringHomecomingorGreekWeek,openupallfraternityandsororityhousesfortours.Thisisgreatforpotentialmembers,parents,alumnitoo.
MinorLeagueGames
Ifpossible,takeadvantageoftheaffordableentertainmentofferedbyyourtown’sminorleagueteams.Whetherit’sbasketball,baseball,orhockey,minorleagueticketsarecheaper.
OtherPartyThemes:
BeachParty / GodfatherParty / CowboyParty / FarmerPartyCaveparty / MidnightTruckStop / DreamDate / DecadeParty
Charteredfishingtrip / OldiesbutGoodies / Roaring20’sParty / HauntedHouse
Twistin’50’s / ThePriceisRight / Survivor / HumanScrabble
CincodeMayo / BubbaGumpShrimp / PumpkinCarving / MakeYourOwnPizza
BeachParty / Putt-PuttGolf / FrisbeeGolf / ChiliCook-off