Parent's Day Ideas

chideltjen · #1 07-16-2004, 02:24 PM

I am trying to help out one of my sisters. She is in charge of planning Parents Day this semester. She is having a hard time finding a place that isn't too expensive and that doesn't require us to sign insurance forms/liability claims, etc. (It's Parent's Day, not Formal

)

Anyway, I suggested a BBQ in the park, but BBQs in the park don't work well in December. She has tried hotels, but they want insurance money. We rented a ballroom at the University Union on campus last year but catering costs were really expensive and we can't do a potluck thing I guess.

I remember having one at a pizza parlor but I think she wants it a little nicer. So if anyone has any suggestions for an inexpensive luncheon for a local sorority with about 50 girls (plus their families) please let me know!

Thanks!

winneythepooh7 · #2 07-16-2004, 03:35 PM

Could you go to a local restaurant or even (I hate them but it's a suggestion) buffet? Who pays for this? The chapter or the parents/members combined? Another suggestion, when I interned last year at a law school, for conferences, we would use the big huge lounge and order box lunches for everyone to eat.

chideltjen · #3 07-16-2004, 03:38 PM

It comes out of the chapter's budget. It's sort of a "gift" for the parents, I suppose. That's why it's important for it to be inexpensive.

APhi Sailorgirl · #4 07-16-2004, 03:46 PM

If you use a room on campus, do you have to use the school's catering??

Our school allows clubs/orgs to bring their own stuff. This year we had our Parent's Brunch in the President's Box (really nice), but sister's either made something, or we had the local grocery story cater.

I know this may sound not too great, but near my college there are a couple of better grocery stores that do catering (although Wal-mart does some stuff too). We were able to get a lot of food from them for events.

Lastly, if you want somewhere off campus, try a church parish hall or perhaps a women's club house. Normally they let you use it for free or only charge a small fee (we had to pay the $25 janitor fee when we used a church one time). Then food wise, you have more leeway since the facility is cheap.

Look in your phone book for community type centers. You may have to call a bunch of places, but you may make contacts that will be long lasting.

winneythepooh7 · #5 07-16-2004, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by APhi Sailorgirl
If you use a room on campus, do you have to use the school's catering??

Our school allows clubs/orgs to bring their own stuff. This year we had our Parent's Brunch in the President's Box (really nice), but sister's either made something, or we had the local grocery story cater.

I know this may sound not too great, but near my college there are a couple of better grocery stores that do catering (although Wal-mart does some stuff too). We were able to get a lot of food from them for events.

Lastly, if you want somewhere off campus, try a church parish hall or perhaps a women's club house. Normally they let you use it for free or only charge a small fee (we had to pay the $25 janitor fee when we used a church one time). Then food wise, you have more leeway since the facility is cheap.

Wow, those are good ideas. Also just think, a bunch of sisters can get together to prepare the food. It would be like a sisterhood event. You can make some pasta salads and stuff and it wouldn't be that pricey. Or maybe buy one of those big subs.
Look in your phone book for community type centers. You may have to call a bunch of places, but you may make contacts that will be long lasting.

chideltjen · #6 07-16-2004, 04:25 PM

I'll have to ask her about the school's catering. She just told me she paid a lot of money for catering last year. I know our school is pretty strict on passing out food that isn't theirs. However I have been to design department conventions and I think they had their catered from something other than the school. I think it's a matter of going to some food seminar or something.

I'll double check with her though. I do like the parish hall idea though. I just have to tell her not to get it confused with a reception hall (like for weddings). I would assume those are pretty expensive.

BabyP · #7 07-16-2004, 04:30 PM

you could always do it at chevys but why not try to rent the CSUS new Alumni hall??? but Yeah i know what you mean CSUS is strict with catering, we had to do whatever they say for our Honor society graduation banquet. Oh well. If you really really want cheap. I know an EXCELLENT place that has ethnic food cheap, you could buy it and bring it to the church hall or wherever you are at.

Does Chi Delta have a house? I just got an email from Wood about a house on 65th ave but we had to decline cuz we dont have money to buy, we are gonna rent a house instead. that way dont have to worry about insurance, liability, mortage, etc.

chideltjen · #8 07-17-2004, 05:33 PM

Nah... no house for us. I don't think we could afford it without upping our dues.

But I talked to my sister and she was saying that if you rented a room in the Union, you needed to use their catering... which is about $300-$400.

She actually charged the sisters $5 to cover for a small gift she gave to the parents and to help cover for food. The parents got a little picture frame. This year she wants to do something else but can only spend about $3 per item. (REALLY small budgets suck...)

I'm gonna keep feeding her suggestions, but she said maybe she might just stick to the Union. I may suggest just doing a small appetizer bar like the Design Department does at their shows. (Cheese, fruit, coffee, juice, small rolls, etc.)

D_Chi_Zinni · #9 07-17-2004, 05:45 PM

Our chapter also has done functions in a church hall for very little money, and brought our own food.

I was discussing with my parents about parents weekend ideas the other week and what they like to see, and they said to have some of the other parents involved in the operations of the events. They even volunteered to help, because they felt that It would be impressive if the parents actually cared enough to get involved. They said it might make other parents be really supportive of the chapter and volunteer to help or donate in the future.

just an idea...

BabyP · #10 07-17-2004, 06:17 PM

why not do it at someone's house??? do you have your own house or a few sisters that live together? you got off lucky, the restaurant room that we used in CSUS was like 600 dollars for the honor society! But how many parents and I think you guys could make your own present or those cute "ABC" mom/dad items. it would be nice if you made a film and each sister had a dedication to the parents.

chideltjen · #11 07-18-2004, 11:05 PM

A lot of the girls live in apartments. There are few girls that have houses, but they aren't big enough to fit 150-200 people.

I will bring up the church hall idea again. And maybe if we do get some of the parents involved, maybe they can help us look for parish halls.

Thanks for the ideas.

#12 07-18-2004, 11:19 PM

Last year for parents weekend we rented a room in our student union. We decorated plain picture frames and a sister who loves photography took pictures of each individual family. The decorating was a lot of fun and it was easy to get to know one another, because everyone had to share the craft supplies.

Later that afternoon we all met at a local mexican restaurant. We made arrangements before hand so the entire back section was reserved for our families. Each table pretty much picked up their own tab.

About a week later, we sent pictures home and they were a perfect fit for the frames.

We bought plastic frames, puffy paint (I think that is what it's called) film and developing. We also brought baked cookies for snacks.

This was all for about 50 people.