I got approximately 250 names from IHQ of all the people within a certain zipcode range. Since I had no budget, I contacted only the girls with email addresses, I sent an Evite that a JC informational meeting would take place (date/time/place). Out of the 100 email addresses I used, approximately 25 women responded and 24 showed up. This started in January, since then I’ve been contacted and so far maintain a database of approximately 75 women that have indicated interest. Mind you, it’s a good showing if I can get 25 to show up to an event, but people come when they can and it’s not usually just the same people. My chapter sister helped me with the first few meetings, but I've taken charge since then.
We’ve had different formats to the meetings: fun restaurants, business meeting setting, pottery painting, and potluck. What I would emphasize is that if you have an alumnae chapter nearby, work/build/nurture that connection. If both are used in tandem, you can make the JC work. The alumnae group can allow you to do a fundraising event, like a silent auction/wine tasting because the JC doesn’t have a financial account. The JC is an informal way to get sisters involved until they want more structure that an alumnae club would provide.
By the way, I’ve been getting a lot of interest in one particular activity we’re planning. It’s basically a mixer with a twist to it. Several of the women wanted an event that the men in their life could go to. Since it left out the single women, we’re requesting that they and the couples invite their single male friends. One of the couples already promised about 4 men who wouldn’t mind giving a couple hours of their time.
We’ll give the couples and the singles different colored name tags to distinguish their “status”. They say that most people meet their significant other via friends or work, so maybe we’ll generate some new couples from this. It should be fun…I’ll let you all know how it turns out.
Good luck with the JC, PM me if you have any questions...
LIEP,
Amy