Red Dress Gala
 

Hi Girls,
My chapter of Alpha Phi is doing our first annual Red Dress Gala this coming Feb. and I was wondering if any of yall with experience with a Red Dress Gala could give me some ideas. We're trying to get it all together now so we can submit it. Thanks!

Bentley's going to be doing it for the first time too. What other schools have done it so far? I know Marquette has from some stuff I got from someone else at Convention, but I'd love to maybe talk to another chapter to see how they planned it and what they included.

Red Dress Gala
 

Zeta Gamma (Santa Clara University) had their first Red Dress Gala in April. It was a huge success and the chapter raised $31,000 for the Foundation. It was a Silent Auction as well as a Live Auction. The Chapter raised donations from local and national businesses. It was a FANTASTIC success. I believe that Loyola Marymont has had 2 Red Dress Galas, but not sure.
Hope that helps!

How did you collect items to auction off? We've drafted a letter, but I was thinking it might be better to go to the businesses in person as well. Also, what items did you auction off? Who did you invite to the Gala? Just the campus, or did you invite alums, parents, and faculty too?

Sorry I have so many questions!

There were a few ways we collected items:
1. We had the HOUSE get into their Ivy circles. Each circle had to raise $1000 in donations. Calling on business, asking family to contribute, gift certificates, "garage sale" type stuff too
2. Advisers also pitched in for bigger ticket items. Calling National companies, like Benefit Cosmetics, to donate a basket of stuff.
3. Local restarants will give g/c, as will spas and manicure/prdicure places.
4. The fraternities on campus dontated a night of cooking to highest bidders.
5. Sports paraphenally is good.
6. Tickets to movies, operas, shows, etc etc.

A letter is good, but going in person is the way to get them items right away.

Big tickets items went for, literally thousands, like a chaffured limo trip with dinner and hotel.
The Alpha Phi girls making a 6 course meal for highest bidder.
We tried to get a cruise but were unable to last year. Will try for this year.

WHO we invited:
The House + date
Parents - we did it in conjunction with Parents Weekend
The Alumnae Group

We did not invite the campus, other Greek organizations, or faculty. That may change this year - but being that the Chapter was fairly large, there were a total of 400+ that attended the event.

I hope this helps!!
I can put you in touch with the Adviser of the Red Dress Gala 2007. She will have a ton more information for you. Let me know. :)

So far this is what we have planned:
1. selling raffle tickets throughout the week and raffling things at the gala
2. auctioning off dates with fraternity guys (atleast 1-2 from each chapter on campus)
3.making "stress balls" attached with heart healty info
4. making the invites in the shape of red dresses
5. getting t-shirts to wear throughout the week, supporting the gala
6. Inviting all greeks on campus and alum, parents and administration

If yall could give me some input on this...