Help Me!!

[MSSTCY1]

Okay, here is the deal. I was formal chair this semester and I had everything perfect until the SARS virus hit Toronto really hard. I had like 10 sisters back out and our greek affairs office asked all of GLO's not to have any events in Toronto. So I had to cancel formal. We lost A LOT of money backing out of the original contract, and are having a really low budget semi-formal instead. Basically, its at a bar on friday that we go to ALL the time. We have our own room and private bar there, but bascially no one is excited b/c they think its going to be really shitty. A couple girls said they were only going if there was going to be something fun going on. SOMETHING FUN? I don't know what this means but can someone help me out? Is there anything that I can do to make a semi-formal more interesting?

[Peaches-n-Cream]

My sorority had a similar problem when I was in college. We had a measles outbreak on campus and an epidemic in the local schools in town. We didn't have to cancel our sorority semi-formal, but we definitely had to make changes. We all had to carry proof of our vaccinations as did our dates. We wound up moving the location to outside of town. Luckily, our original place was sympathetic to the situation and didn't penalize us and returned our money.

I think that you should contact the original place and ask them very nicely to return your deposit in full. This change is not your fault. There is a medical emergency and potential epidemic. You can also add how you would love to utilize their facility in the future and would encourage other groups to do the same. Refunding the deposit would show that they also want to build a long term relationship with your sorority and the university. It might work.

Did the university tell you to cancel the event in Toronto or just strongly encourage it? If it was mandatory then the university should re-emburse you or accomodate you in another way. Maybe they can talk to tthe facility and explain the situation.

I am not sure what you can do to make the semi-formal more fun. Sisters, alumnae, decorations, good food, music, and dancing is really all that a semi-formal is. The location is irrelevant. It is supposed to be a celebration of a year's work and a way to say goodbye to the seniors and welcome back the alumnae. If that's not enough, I don't know what it. Maybe if you get some of the movers and shakers to attend, others will follow. Good luck! Stay healthy!

[AlphaXiGirl]

Originally posted by Cream
I think that you should contact the original place and ask them very nicely to return your deposit in full. This change is not your fault. There is a medical emergency and potential epidemic. You can also add how you would love to utilize their facility in the future and would encourage other groups to do the same. Refunding the deposit would show that they also want to build a long term relationship with your sorority and the university. It might work.

Good suggestion. If they won't agree to refund the money, maybe they will consider it a deposit for an event next year - hopefully this thing will be over by then.

As for making the semi-formal more fun...

Can you make it a themed event where everyone dresses up - not like your typical mixer - more refined than that - maybe more of a masquerade ball?

You could have a talent show - of sorts for the guys. I'm sure that a few of the dates would be willing to make fun of themselves for a cool prize.

Does your chapter give awards? My chapter always gave awards during our formal... Sister of the year, The Sisterhood Award, Highest Merit Points, Most Improved GPA, Highest GPA, etc.

You could also make a "sappy" video to recap the year's events. That's always a good bet to pull down a few tears.

Since the university asked you to change your plans, maybe you could get them involved in your semi-formal by having them do a "pageant" for you. Get some of the favorite profs, the Greek / Panhellenic Advisor, Student Affairs VP, etc and have them "strut their stuff".

Good luck.

[MSSTCY1]

Originally posted by Cream
I think that you should contact the original place and ask them very nicely to return your deposit in full. This change is not your fault. There is a medical emergency and potential epidemic. You can also add how you would love to utilize their facility in the future and would encourage other groups to do the same. Refunding the deposit would show that they also want to build a long term relationship with your sorority and the university. It might work.

They actually wanted to charge us for the entire event and all of the guest rooms that were going to be cancelled ($5000). We were lucky to talk them down to only the deposit which was only $1000, the contract said we needed 20 days to cancel. Which was BS b/c they wouldn't let me book until exactly one month before b/c we were such a small group.

The contract said that we could only cancel to get everything back in the case of "fire, catastrophe, or an act of God." Well I tried to explain to her that this is a catastrophe in my book, and I'm not quite sure what an act of God is considered to be.

The school didn't force anyone to cancel, but after 10 girls cancelled on me, and we got the letter from the school a lot of other people were thinking about not going as well.

Thanks for the ideas AlphaxiGirl It's hard to try and make a semi-formal more than what it is. I just wanted to try and make it a little more special than a night at the bar- which considering the place is exactly that.

[LeslieAGD]

How about a raffle or a limbo contest? It'd be fun to watch people fall on their butts in a formal wear!

[MSSTCY1]

hey Les, that's not a bad idea. It would be hysterical to watch!!

I tried to get one of my sisters to bring her kareoke machine but she said no (party pooper).

We're going to have to stick to awards and limbo!

thanks everyone!!!

[MSSTCY1]

okay, I am totally postijng after myself.. but I feel like I have to give an update.

so we had a semi- and only had to pay $100 deposit.. there are twenty of us. We were charged only for 30 ( with dates). So many people left ( with their dates) and didn't pay that I had to front over $100 of my own money. Everyone is saying that they didn;t ddrink and they shouldn't have to pay. I am so f'ing mad I cannot tell you. If we do not vote on giving me my money back for paying for them, I will never hold another posistion ever again!

WHO DOES THIS?

does anyone have brothers/ sisters this dishonest? I am completely appalled!

[LeslieAGD]

I know you're angry, but I would approach your chapter in a calm manner. Tell them you are very upset and hurt that they would treat you like this. Explain that after the Toronto formal was cancelled, you tried very hard to put a nice semi-formal together, and the fact that people walked out AND didn't pay you back is insulting.

If you come off as pissed and b*tchy, you're going to look like the bad guy.