GOLD Happy Hours

Organize a GOLD Happy Hour!

The research:
Visit local bars and search for the perfect atmosphere and location.

The contacts:
Call and e-mail your SU friends in the area.

The credit:
What could be better than cocktails, conversation, and laughter with college friends?

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Step #1: Select a location.

You found it!  The perfect bar/restaurant/brewpub/etc.  Now what?

• Will they do a cash bar for 25-50 people?
• Are the drinks affordable?  Are there happy hour specials available?
• Do they have a separate room or roped-off area?  If they have a patio, is there a rain back-up?
• Is the space available during the week in the early evening?
• Is it easy to find and centrally located?
• Do they serve cheap munchies?

Step #2: Call your alma mater.

Give the Alumni Office a call (1-800-960-6363) or e-mail JoAnn Lucero.  Let us know that you want to organize a GOLD Happy Hour (three to four months in advance).  The Alumni Office will sing your accolades and:

• Send you a list of alumni in your area with e-mail and phone information;
• Send you a box of goodies (including sign-in sheets, name tags, and directional signs);
• Design and send three e-mail notices to alumni (one "Save the Date," one "RSVP," and one "Reminder");
• Spring for $50 worth of appetizers,
• OR spring for drinks for the first 10 people (limit one drink per person),
• OR send $50 worth of SU apparel for a raffle.

The Alumni Office will need to know:

• Time and date of the event;
• Location of the event (including an address and phone number);
• Your preferred contact information (phone and/or e-mail);
• How soon you need to confirm how many people are coming;
• Who will keep track of the RSVP list.

You'll thank us profusely and from the alumni list, recruit a volunteer committee (one that represents different affinities, if possible).  This committee will assist you in convincing area alumni that this is a cool event and that they want to come. 

Step #3: Spread the word.

This is where you shamelessly promote your happy hour. 

• The Alumni Office will send the "Save the Date" e-mail three months in advance.
• You will confirm all the details and give us the information for the "RSVP" e-mail, which will be sent two months in advance.
• In the meantime, you ask your committee to call the GOLD alumni in your area and demand that they attend.
• A week prior to the event, the Alumni Office will send a "Reminder" to area alumni.

Step #4: Sit back, relax, and let the good times roll.

On the day of your event:

• Post directional signs to the entrance, etc.
• Ask alumni to sign in and update their contact information.
• Take lots of pictures of alumni in the act.
• Have fun!

Step #5: After the dust has settled...

• Send pictures of the event and return sign-in sheets and feedback to the Alumni Office.
• Suggest a good date/location/coordinator for a future GOLD Happy Hour.
• Look in the mirror and tell yourself you're the king/queen of the world!

For other GOLD Alumni opportunities and ways to get involved, click here.