Lesson 20 - tips for an awesome social

In my time at university, I sat on a hell of a lot of society committees. One of the big things about being on a committee is organising socials. I loved socials. If you're a regular member of a society, turn up to your socials because chances are, some of your subs money is going on them and they're a fantastic way of meeting new people with similar interests to you. Be yourself, try and remember people's names and avoid making a fool out of yourself. Your reputation as "the guy that was sick on the bus" will stick. True story.

If you're on a committee then - no pressure - but socials are often used as the benchmark for how good the society is as a whole. If you run a rubbish first social that no one turns up to, and those who do turn up have a rubbish time, you're facing an uphill struggle for the rest of the academic year. The key to that crucial first social is being inclusive, having a lot of fun and showing your new members what you're all about, as well as reminding your old members of how good they have it. 

Perhaps try a themed social. This year, I'm told that Livewire1350 ran an amazing Scavenger Hunt social. A scavenger hunt is basically when you split your society into teams, give them a list of photo-based missions and a disposable camera and send them on their way. If you get the missions right, it's a great way to get people talking to each other and getting to know their committee members. 

Pub golf (trying to down drinks along a pub crawl essentially) is always a good social but it's maybe not right for a first introductory social. Putting pressure on new members to down drinks might end badly and probably won't go down well with your Student Union. 

Concrete Pen Party 2011

I consider the ultimate social to be the Pen Party. Running a Pen Party in the second semester of term is almost a guarantee of success. By this time, your members know each other well enough to start scrawling profanities and dubious doodles over each other. Get your members to turn up to the social in a cheap plain white t-shirt, provide them with pens and send them on their merry way. Make sure you check with your final social destination that they will let your inky members in. No one likes being turned away at the door. 

Make sure you promote the heck out of your social. When a lot of socials are going on at the same time, you want yours to stick out and be worth remembering going to. Facebook events are an easy way of doing this, but providing members with social details when they join up is also pretty esssential.

Finally - keep it legal, keep it safe. Most Student Unions (I think) make their committees sign a set of rules and regulations for social conduct. Make sure your social abides by these rules - it's just not worth the hassle otherwise!