Here are my reactions when reading this (in no particular order):
[list=1][*]Someone (whomever is telling you to stop) has noticed that you are doing "biads" (what an odd word to me!) with groups who aren't following policies and/or who are engaging in dangerous behavior.[*]Doing biads with groups who aren't following policies or who are being dangerous greatly expand your liability, especially if you know that they are doing something wrong and don't remove yourself from the situation or refuse to participate.[*]You never said how the alcohol gets to these "biads". You mentioned that chapter funds aren't being used, but what if one member takes a collection (or doesn't have to pay dues) and uses the money to purchase the alcohol. If something happens, your group could be in trouble.[/list=1]
Red flags from your post:
Quote:
|
Nonetheless, alcohol is served to all by and large,
|
It doesn't matter if you wristband those who are of legal age...if everyone is served alcohol regardless of age, you are violating the law and many other policies (school, HQ, FIPG, etc). If you are doing a biad with XYZ and the XYZ members are serving the alcohol to underage people, you too can be held responsible because you are allowing it to happen at an event you are co sponsoring.
Quote:
|
though we don't use chapter funds for booze (which is the norm in the Greek System here, so is serving minors).
|
YOU may not use chapter funds for alcohol, but if XYZ fraternity that you are co sponsoring the biad with does, you can still be held responsible for violating the policies because you are cosponsoring an event where the policies are being broken. Not to mention that there's no guarantee where if you give XYZ fraternity $100 to pay for "refreshments" they aren't using your money to buy the booze.
Those are just my initial reactions based on the information you gave us. Of course, I think you should do more than just parties that involve alcohol. Get creative and do some dry events like others have mentioned. Alcohol does not have to be present at every single social event you have. It also sounds like to me that someone might be trying to give you a gentle nudge in the right direction because they either see a trainwreck coming down the tracks or they've been hearing stories and want you to keep your nose clean.
If all else fails, sit down and have a good long discussion with these people...ask them exactly what's concerning them, and ask how your chapter can safely host a biad.
PsychTau