Post by modorney on Apr 14, 2011 15:48:58 GMT -5
Last Saturday, we had an alumni banquet that went quite well. Traditionally, we have held this at the faculty club. www.berkeleyfacultyclub.com/index.asp
This has attracted about 200 alumni and costs $50 - which pretty much covers the costs. Last year, the house corp went with a catered buffet at the house, and charged the same $50. but made a profit for the house. And only about a third as many people.
My take is that we should do both. Once a year, have the big shindig in the Faculty club. And twice a year do the house - the house dinner is real easy; besides it is a moneymaker.
My view is that none of these events should be fundraisers, but "celebrations" of those who have accomplished things, or donated large sums.
The house corp did make a change in how the house is run. Berkeley is a heavily regulated city. I think if we converted the fraternity house to a refinery, strip mine, or nuclear power plant, we'd face fewer rules. So we found a "fraternity management" company that will collect the bills (like Omega) as wel as keep on top of all the bits and pieces that the city and campus require. They have a collection of handymen that do minor repairs, like broken windows, bad faucets, and all those odds and ends that go into sprinkler and alarm systems. They charge 6 percent (about twice Omega) but keep a close eye on the place.
Today;s college student isn't smarter or dumber than those of my era. They just know different things. For me, replacing a window, toilet, etc., is routine. For todays 20 year olds, they know websites and webby marketing.
Run with your strengths, have the alums fix the toilets, but make sure the undergrads have timely, informative websites.
This has attracted about 200 alumni and costs $50 - which pretty much covers the costs. Last year, the house corp went with a catered buffet at the house, and charged the same $50. but made a profit for the house. And only about a third as many people.
My take is that we should do both. Once a year, have the big shindig in the Faculty club. And twice a year do the house - the house dinner is real easy; besides it is a moneymaker.
My view is that none of these events should be fundraisers, but "celebrations" of those who have accomplished things, or donated large sums.
The house corp did make a change in how the house is run. Berkeley is a heavily regulated city. I think if we converted the fraternity house to a refinery, strip mine, or nuclear power plant, we'd face fewer rules. So we found a "fraternity management" company that will collect the bills (like Omega) as wel as keep on top of all the bits and pieces that the city and campus require. They have a collection of handymen that do minor repairs, like broken windows, bad faucets, and all those odds and ends that go into sprinkler and alarm systems. They charge 6 percent (about twice Omega) but keep a close eye on the place.
Today;s college student isn't smarter or dumber than those of my era. They just know different things. For me, replacing a window, toilet, etc., is routine. For todays 20 year olds, they know websites and webby marketing.
Run with your strengths, have the alums fix the toilets, but make sure the undergrads have timely, informative websites.
