How to Celebrate a Sorority or Fraternity Chapter Anniversary

Celebrate your chapters anniversary with a gala.

When your Greek chapter turns another year old, it's the perfect time to celebrate with an anniversary dinner or gala. You can invite everyone to come together to reminisce and even bring in lifetime members to speak during the program. Your celebration should at least be a semiformal affair and can contain other sideline elements like a fun sporting event during the day to give the celebration some casual entertainment.

Instructions

1. Appoint a committee to begin working on the anniversary logistical planning. Select a venue to host the gala, decide on a budget and how that will be paid such as through sponsorships from local businesses, from your internal budget or if it will be a ticketed affair. Consider all of the elements for planning your event including music and entertainment, invitations and printing.

2. Create a list of guests who will be invited to attend. Include past sororities or fraternities as well as special guests who can speak during the program. Think about inviting other chapters as well. If your event will be ticketed, invite interested pledges who are interested in your organization.

3. Organize a program for how the gala will run. Plan to have a master or mistress of ceremonies, someone to speak about the history of the organization and perhaps a special speaker to give some real world experience to discuss how being a member of your organization has been personally beneficial.

4. Determine the food and beverage menu for your anniversary dinner and monitor according to the budget that was set. Decide if alcohol will be allowed. Check if the budget allows for a full-plated meal or if you'll need to stick to ordering heavy hors d' oeuvres.

5. Order favors or trinkets with your Greek emblem imprinted on it such as a key chain, coffee stein or tote bag that can be given as take-home gifts for your gala guests. Plan activities during the gala such as a silent auction or poker night.

6. Build sideline activities before and after you gala such as a pre-gala softball game for an interactive way to celebrate. When the fun needs to continue after the gala, plan an after-party location where attendees can let loose and keep the fun going.

References

• Kappa Kappa Psi Tau Beta Sigma: Spring Podium
• Delta Zeta 50 Years: 50th Year Celebration