Social Events with alcohol- How do you prevent underage drinkers?

[Kevin]

Your best bet is to assume people are going to do everything to break the rules and to structure things so that they are exposed to the least amount of risk possible. You'll need buses to and from the event, hire a cash bar with its own liability insurance. You'll need to have adequate security using wristbands for people who are of age. Ideally, you'll hold this event at a hotel or bus over to a hotel after the event where everyone can safely sleep it off.

I hate the idea of having officers check IDs, use your security people so that there is no resulting drama from any shenanigans which may ensue.

As far as discipline, it's not any of our places to even suggest what your organization's internal standards should be. It's hard to imagine that your chapter has never had to deal with a drunk or disorderly member in its entire history. Use that experience, don't reinvent the wheel.

Also, there should be some members--officers/alumnae advisors who should be on the site who remain sober and able to make major decisions should anything bad happen.

[amIblue?]

Please talk to your chapter advisors. My group has suggested guidelines for these very issues, and I would be willing to bet dollars to doughnuts that Phi Mu has something already written for you to reference. If your advisors are unclear, I'm sure there's someone at HQ who can direct you where to find the info.

[JerichaTheCat]

Originally Posted by Kevin

As far as discipline, it's not any of our places to even suggest what your organization's internal standards should be. It's hard to imagine that your chapter has never had to deal with a drunk or disorderly member in its entire history. Use that experience, don't reinvent the wheel.

We actually don't have any history because this is the first event EVER that my chapter will have alcohol at. So we don't have anything really set in place for that situation, so it's my job, along with our e-board, to create something. Thats why I am looking for ideas. I was just curious how other chapters handle it.

[PhiMu_Lindz]

Originally Posted by JerichaTheCat

We actually don't have any history because this is the first event EVER that my chapter will have alcohol at. So we don't have anything really set in place for that situation, so it's my job, along with our e-board, to create something. Thats why I am looking for ideas. I was just curious how other chapters handle it.

Talk to your chapter adviser and your AOFD (Area Operations and Finance Director). They can walk you through Phi Mu policies and the process of holding members accountable if they break policies.