Eat, Drink, and Be Merry

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Eat, Drink, and Be Merry Planning Your Social
Hours, Class Dinner, and Class Picnic
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Agenda

• Beginning to Plan
• External Vendors
• Alcohol
• Caterers
• Logistics
• Other Considerations

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Beginning to Plan

• Friday social hour
• Friday nightcap?
• Saturday social hour
• Saturday dinner
• Saturday nightcap?
• Sunday picnic

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Beginning to Plan

• Is there a theme?
• How formal should this be?
• How expensive should this be?
• What are classmate expectations?
• Are children welcome?

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Beginning to Plan
Asking these questions will help prepare you for
working with various vendors, including alcohol
suppliers, caterers, and others.
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Working with Vendors

• Alcohol
• Class places order, Association pays for order
• Chair coordinates with dinner chair to purchase
  all alcohol for the weekend
• Vendor delivers on Friday, should be the only
  delivery for the weekend
• Alcohol locked in the storage room at residence
  hall

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Working with Vendors

• Alcohol
• Classmates cannot supply for the group
• Students cannot pour or serve
• Inventory at end of weekend for the returns,
  Association coordinates vendor pick up

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Working with Vendors

• Caterers
• Ask plenty of questions, see the handbook for a
  detailed list of things to discuss
• Type of meal
• Meal cost and extra fees
• Charge for linens/service ware
• Vegetarian/Vegan/Allergies
• Billing

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Working with Vendors

• Caterers
• Select a caterer that can meet your requests
  comfortably (i.e. dont use a clambake specialist
  for a sit-down dinner)
• Ask for references
• Ask for a tasting, and have all of the entrees
  under consideration presented

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Logistics

• We do it all!
• Site the tent and adjust for size
• Order appropriate number of tables and chairs for
  dining and caterer prep areas
• Work with internal and external vendors for
  correct lighting and electrical service
• Certificates of liability

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Logistics

• We do it all!
• Caterer walk-through
• Site map, parking information, access information
• Electrical service and water
• Permits and fire marshals
• Certificates of liability

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Other Considerations

• Additional Activities
• Are you planning to sing at the social hour?
• Are you planning to have a program at the dinner?
  
• Are you planning to have a nightcap?
• Are you planning to take a photo at the picnic?
• Are there other activities surrounding the social
  hour, dinner, and picnic?

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Other Considerations

• Student Staff
• Assist setting up social hours
• Decorating, moving alcohol, setting up tables,
  chairs, breaking down the set up after the
  social hour
• Cannot pour or serve alcohol
• Cannot act as wait staff
• Cannot act as bouncer at class meals

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Questions?