How to Hold Coed Fraternity Mixers

Careful planning will make your mixer a big hit with sororities.

Planning and organizing a co-ed mixer is a great way for fraternities and sororities to meet new people and make friends. With a little ingenuity, you can find creative ways for guys and gals to get better acquainted while having fun and supporting the community. Be sure to include activities designed to engage both genders in the festivities. By investing a little time and effort, you can create a memorable occasion where everyone has a good time.

Instructions

1. Select a sorority with which to plan a mixer. Decide which sorority to invite well in advance before their social schedules get booked up.

2. Arrange to meet with the sorority to discuss what type of an activity to hold. Will it be a party or a community service project? There are countless ideas from which to choose. Be sure and include activities that encourage joint participation, such as sponsoring a philanthropic event or throwing a party. Once you’ve firmed up the plan, send out an invitation to the sorority for the special occasion.

3. Determine what theme to use if choosing a party. You can try ballroom dancing where women guests wear dresses and men wear formal suites. Carnival night features prizes, booths and carnival games, such as dart games and a dunking booth. Don’t forget the cotton candy. The classic toga party will give your fraternity a touch of ancient Greece. Decorate the house like a Grecian bath with platters full of grapes and puffy pillows strewn on the floor.

4. Plan a community service project with a sorority to get more involved with the community. Discuss which possible organizations or causes to support, whether it is helping animals, the environment or people. There are a number of worthy causes your coed mixer can benefit. Some project ideas include, a run against hunger, food drives to support food banks, or sponsor a dinner to benefit the charity of your choice.

5. Make a positive first impression by tidying up the fraternity house before the party to make your guests feel welcome. Pay particular attention to the bathrooms to ensure they are as clean as possible for your company to use. Play the consummate host by welcoming guests to the festivities.

6. After the celebration is over, arrange for designated drivers to provide rides for guests to get home safely.

7. Shoot photos during the festivities to capture the fun. Post pictures on your Facebook page or website to show potential members what happened during the activity and who attended. It will help publicize your fraternity and educate sorority members and the community about your activities.

8. Send out a personal thank you note to the sorority for their support.

References

• The Fraternity Advisor; Fraternity and Sorority Mixer Ideas; 2011
• Phi Delta Theta International Fraternity Headquarters;Alcohol-Free Social Events; 2011
• he Fraternity Advisor; Fraternity Mixers- 11 Ways to Ensure Success; Pat Daley; 2011
• Washington State University; Center for Fraternity and Sorority Life; Community Service;2011