Educational Programs help!!!
 

I was elected Programs Vp for Alpha Xi Delta, Delta Zeta chapter, and I have to start booking rooms for educational programs immediately! Our binder only has a few options which have been done in the past year: Domestic violence, condomology, eating disorders, and alcohol awareness. The binder has not been updated in a while so we have no new ideas or options and for some reason I'm having a major block for ideas, if someone could help that would big fabulous!!!
Brit
Alpha Xi Delta

Condomology? There's actually a word? Do you mean Safe Sex 101?

Consult with your University health office to see if they have any ideas on topics. They may have staff who might be able to come in and do health and wellness presentations on various topics.

Money management's always been a favorite of my chapter. Also, ETIQUETTE. I've found that the etiquette presentations are the most beneficial when you're approaching an event with your alumnae (Initiation and post-Initiation celebrations, especially) and also right before Formal.

"Life lessons for once you graduate". These are things that no one advised me about and nothing prepared me for.

- creating and following a budget
- how to save even when you are entry level
- building and maintaining credit
- renter's insurance
- health insurance coverage for the possible gap between graduating and new job
- finding an adult doctor (I have heard of 35 yr olds still seeing their pediatricians for yearly physicals
- learning the basics of cooking
- how to buy a new car (not only is the price important, but the cost of the insurance, warranty info, gas mileage);
- filing taxes on your own
- "must have" wardrobe investiments
- coping mechanisms for dealing with the stress of being out on your own, out of the "safe" college environment, making your own decisions, being the low man/woman on the totem pole and the importance of paying your dues

One great resource for educational programming is alumnae. If you don't know any alums personally, ask some upper class sisters of the chapter alumnae chair if they know any recent alums with interesting jobs who might be willing to come speak to the chapter.

For example, my chapter had an alum who was a dietician come back and put on a presentation about tips for eating healthy in the dining hall (we didn't have a chapter house) and when you're out to eat. It was seriously disturbing to learn how bad some seemingly "healthy" options were and it definitely opened my eyes.

Or, for example, if your chapter has an alum (or even a collegian) who does something like yoga instruction, that can be a GREAT variation from the usual educational programming.

Also, your IHQ may have resources to help you get started too.