Funraising, Marketing, and community Service

[blu_theatrics]

Hello sorhors, in response to the why aren't we (greeks) popular anymore topic, I decided to start this one about the different type of fundraising, marketing and community service we are doing this semester. I know that sometimes it seems like we are doing the same old thing and we need to liven things up. So maybe if we exchange a few ideas, we could see what can develop.

[blu_theatrics]

Ok, I'll start with letting you know a few things my chapter is doing this semester....The Elegant Epsilon Chapter of Indiana University Northwest (Gary, Indiana)

You can also cheack out our web page (I'm the webmaster...so I am forever plugging this page ya'll. )

But as far as commmunity service, some easy and FREE projects I've found are
~Voter registration booths (it's amazing how many freshman aren't registered and this is a presedential year)
~Blood Drive (all you do is give the support and help get people invovled the Red Cross really does the rest, and you have th joy of knowing you helped save a life)
~Can Drive for Thanksgiving
~We also give out 7 baskets (for the founders) to families for thanksgiving
~Visit local nursing homes (they are so happy to see you there)

Fundraising

~Raffles (sell something everyone will need. We are gonna try a certificate to the bookstore...you know those college textbooks can put a hurtin on yo pockets)
~coffee/donut/pretzel/bake sales
~Service and date auctions
~old fahion Car wash
~Tag Days
~Yard Sales

Marketing
(we need help in this category)

but we are basically just making sure everyone knows we are around and active. Through our service and through other small things....like puttting up welcome back to school flyers. Utilizing campus bulletion boards
~We are starting a Greek newsletter ( to have news of all the greek orgs on campus)
~Greek Week Booths

Hope this helped some and Please give me some ideas, I could use them

[This message has been edited by blu_theatrics (edited July 24, 2000).]

[Paragon1922]

Hey Sorors,

This upcoming year, I'm going to be the Epistoleus, and so I've been looking into various ways to advertise. Here are a few ideas/suggestions that I plan on trying...

"Paragon's Top 10 Ways to Market/Advertise"

1) Advertising events on http://city-alert.com
You can post events on their calendar and they send out weekly emails listing events for all major cities. In Chicago, ALOT of people are on the listserv.

2)Advertising on www.stepshow.com which is a popular website among greeks, and you can list your events by state for free.

3) Subscribing to the SGRho eGroup for your region and any other eGroups that are either greek, community service, and/or party related and posting events on there.

4) Utilizing free differnt campus advertising. Every campus has different things you can do, but look into having table tents in the university center and dining halls, small plugger distribution in campus mailboxes, reserving display boards/cases in dorms/student center, sending event info to RAs to put on email listservs, and advertising in campus newspaper (if alot of students read it and it's free for student groups).

5) If your university has an "Events Calendar" student groups can post on, use it.

6) Plugging after other major parties (after you get your party on) or club/concert events.

7) Dropping off flyers for community service projects at community centers, youth centers, etc.

8) (If you're really ambitious) Calling local/campus newspapers to tell them about the event. Media coverage and articles are always good for exposure.

9) I think BlackPlanet (www.blackplanet.com) also has a page to list events on, and since everyone and their momma seems to be on there, it couldn't hurt.

10) Gimmicks! Gimmicks always attack people... whether it be a special speaker, prizes, discounts, "themes", or controversial topics/issues, it's sure to bring people a-coming!!! Also, try giving people like a $1 discount if they sign their email addy to be on your Events listserv.

(I thought of all this stuff because I'm a marketing major and have worked in the marketing dept. the last couple years.)

Hope this helps!!! EE-YIPPP!!!!!!

[blu_theatrics]

thanks sorhor, i will truely be tring these this semester

[CodeBlue_R3]

Visit a woman's shelter during women's month.

Talk to children who are from less fortunate areas at community centers-trust me it gives them so much hope. (I've been to what is known as the lower class neighborhoods and worked with the kids-it gives them so much hope.)

Pass out blankets to homeless.

Serve as local tutors.

Host a talent show, hold an entry fee for contestants (depends on amount giving back), an admission fee for guests (generally $5 depending on location), and pay top 3 winners. Remember advertising is everything. And you gain with usually no losses, depending on where you hold it at.

More to come...