How to get people to attend your philanthropy?
 

Hey guys, so straight to the point. It's been a year since my chapter's chartering and we're still non-IFC which really sucks because it limits the things I can do as social/philanthropy chair. Anyways, for this fall semester I'm planning a really big philanthropy which would resemble something like MTV's VMAs or maybe America's Best Dance Crew. I'm very good with event planning and exhausting all my resources. However, because of our current non-IFC status I'm expecting it to be very hard to get other Greeks to come to this event. I'm just wondering if there were any incentives that might motivate people to go. I was thinking maybe having the sorority that buys the most presale tickets would have a limo escort them to the event and having the grand prize winner earn $750 to their own philanthropy and an afterparty for the entire sorority. Any ideas/suggestions would be great!

And by non-IFC you mean not recognized by the university? That's what my very good friends who are UF alumni have told me. Just checking.

Are Panhellenic women even allowed to go to your events? All the incentives in the world don't mean a thing if you don't have a relationship with those organizations outside of the event. You need to build relationships, period, not just invite people to an event and hope they show up.

Why would a woman in Panhellenic not be allowed to go to a philanthropy event? I go to events like this that are sponsored by non-IFC/NPC groups all the time. Unless there's some backstory that I'm missing?

I think speaking at chapter meetings and getting word about the event sent out on a sorority's listserv (talk to the secretary or VP of Philanthropy) are really effective ways to bring people in. I know several sororities on my campus require their members to attend a certain number of Greek (or sometimes any) philanthropy events per semester, maybe you could check with the VP of Philanthropy if you could have your event count towards their requirement.

Because Sigma Alpha Mu is not a recognized fraternity at the University of Florida. Non-IFC =/= a fraternity on another council in this case.

But are Panhellenic members forbidden from going to their events? How would it be different than going to a friend's big house party or a Humane Society philanthropy event? Neither of those are recognized by UF.

Oftentimes, yes, they are prohibited from attending events of an unrecognized group.

Why is your fraternity not IFC recognized?

Oh, and if I came to a philanthropy event and saw money being used on things like limos, it certainly wouldn't inspire me or my sisters to give that group any donations.