Drink Limits at Parties

[ErinBee]

Originally Posted by EE-BO

But if you provide a free taxi service to get people home and have someone being forceful about taking away car keys when necessary- then you have something that can achieve the real goal of protecting your guests and the general public, from harm.

Exactly. You can't stop people from drinking but you can prevent them from getting in a car and killing themselves or others on the road.

We had a "Dri Chi" system at my chapter. Sisters volunteered to be a designated driver to anyone of our members that needed a ride in town. We had one every night, two on Thursdays (the party night) and about four for date parties even when we usually had buses. Parents and local police knew about our system and praised us for it. Unfortunately, HQ has since passed the word down that we can no longer use it, even if the drivers sign waivers.

[Gusteau]

Originally Posted by ErinBee

Unfortunately, HQ has since passed the word down that we can no longer use it, even if the drivers sign waivers.

Yeah, shuttling is a huge risk management issue. My university has had a lot of issues with it, and one fraternity is facing major legal action because of an indecent. (I would cite it but I can't find anything besides the university paper which is a piece of journalistic trash)

[33girl]

Isht like this makes me crazy. Just don't write it down or discuss it at meetings. Your sister's immediate safety is the thing that's the most important. If you just "decided" to stay sober and other sisters "decided" to do the same, other nights, on their own, there's really nothing anyone can do about it.

It's a sad state of affairs when a truly sisterly/brotherly gesture is eradicated because a jackass insurance company tells you to do so.

Taxis are great but not an option for everywhere. We were happy to find out that our college town now has two taxi services - but that kind of went in the toilet when we found out they stopped running after 11 PM. UNLESS you make a reservation for later, and I believe you may have had to give a credit card # as well.

[Alumiyum]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Isht like this makes me crazy. Just don't write it down or discuss it at meetings. Your sister's immediate safety is the thing that's the most important. If you just "decided" to stay sober and other sisters "decided" to do the same, other nights, on their own, there's really nothing anyone can do about it.

It's a sad state of affairs when a truly sisterly/brotherly gesture is eradicated because a jackass insurance company tells you to do so.

Taxis are great but not an option for everywhere. We were happy to find out that our college town now has two taxi services - but that kind of went in the toilet when we found out they stopped running after 11 PM. UNLESS you make a reservation for later, and I believe you may have had to give a credit card # as well.

I can completely understand why buses are usually required now at official events. No matter how well intentioned, Sally might say she'll stay sober and then end up drinking which leaves someone without a ride, or worse...Sally driving.

Of course no one can tell you what to do in your free time. I know several actives at my old chapter that don't drink as a general rule and everyone knows that if there's an emergency, they'll provide rides. It doesn't have to be an official roster...it can just be sisters who don't often drink handing out their phone number, just in case. (My college town has no taxis, and though the two bars and two fraternity houses are easily within walking distance of campus, the cops seem to be very interested in public intox-es, so people often drive...which makes the non drinkers very popular).

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by Alumiyum

I can completely understand why buses are usually required now at official events. No matter how well intentioned, Sally might say she'll stay sober and then end up drinking which leaves someone without a ride, or worse...Sally driving.

Of course no one can tell you what to do in your free time. I know several actives at my old chapter that don't drink as a general rule and everyone knows that if there's an emergency, they'll provide rides. It doesn't have to be an official roster...it can just be sisters who don't often drink handing out their phone number, just in case. (My college town has no taxis, and though the two bars and two fraternity houses are easily within walking distance of campus, the cops seem to be very interested in public intox-es, so people often drive...which makes the non drinkers very popular).

For us, sober brothers can provide rides to other brothers, but never to non-members (unless, say, me, Joe Frat, Suzy Sorority, and Jenny Sorority go to the local bar). If it's an official/registered party, we're required to provide contact information for local taxis and coordinate the cabs' arrivals.

[Alumiyum]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

For us, sober brothers can provide rides to other brothers, but never to non-members (unless, say, me, Joe Frat, Suzy Sorority, and Jenny Sorority go to the local bar). If it's an official/registered party, we're required to provide contact information for local taxis and coordinate the cabs' arrivals.

I'm talking about nights out, not chapter events. I know buses have to be provided if there is alcohol at all, and they might have to be provided even at dry events. (I forget). But there's absolutely no driving to an official event with alcohol.

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by Alumiyum

I'm talking about nights out, not chapter events. I know buses have to be provided if there is alcohol at all, and they might have to be provided even at dry events. (I forget). But there's absolutely no driving to an official event with alcohol.

Oh. I didn't realize you meant when folks were hitting the town.

Our RM policies would only go into effect if it's an official function OR if an outsider could possibly misconstrue it as an official function (ex. 40 brothers show up at a house and have a party). If we make the decision to go to a bar, though, it's up to us.