USC&A - Fraternity and Sorority Life
Virginia Commonwealth University
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The purpose of this module is to teach
participants about how to implement and
host “BYOB” social events. Participants
will leave this presentation equipped with
the tools and knowledge of how to
successfully conduct events with alcohol
in this manner.
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What does the
acronym
BYOB mean?
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BYOB = Bring your own backpack full of beer.
BYOB = No ID no problem.
BYOB = Drink until its all gone.
BYOB = The men provide all of the alcohol.
BYOB = Shots, Beer Pong, Kings, and Quarters.
BYOB = No cops no problems.
BYOB = All you can drink for $5 at the door.
BYOB = Jungle Juice and Hula Hooch.
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BYOB =
Bring Your Own
Beverage
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The next few slides include a specific
statement.
If the statement applies to you please stand-up.
If the statement does not apply to you remain
seated.
Please make sure to be honest with yourself.
There should be no talking during this activity.
The information shared by individuals should
remain confidential.
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I have drank underage at
an organization event
during the past two
years.
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I have bought alcohol for
a member of my
organization who was
not of age.
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I have helped or
organized the purchase
of alcohol for members
and non-members of my
organization.
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I have hosted a social
event where members
and non-members have
drank underage.
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I have never stopped
anyone from drinking
underage at an
organization event.
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I want my organization to
be on social probation.
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I want to go to jail or be
the defendant in court.
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I want to have a good
time at my
organization’s social
events.
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If everyone in my
organization knew what
BYOB was and how it
worked it would be
easier to do.
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If my organization
followed BYOB we
could still have a good
time at social events.
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 How do you feel?
 What did you learn
during this
activity?
 What was tough about this activity?
 After this activity do you feel that
your organization practices BYOB
social events correctly?
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What are the basics and
what does every member in
my organization need to
know about BYOB?
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The organization
does not provide
alcohol.
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There should be no separate
beer fund or social fund
organized or set-up for the
purpose of providing alcohol
to members and/or guests.
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Individuals, over the
age of 21, bring their
own alcohol for
personal consumption
only.
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Only individuals of
legal drinking age can
possess and consume
alcohol at events.
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Entrances
Guest lists
Punch Cards
Types and amounts of
alcohol
 Food and non-alcoholic
beverages
 Chapter monitors and
security
 Service distribution center
 Evaluating events
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How many entrances will there be
to your event?
 It is recommended that you only have
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one entrance to your event.
The entrance should be well lit.
It should be controlled and
monitored by hired security or older
members.
The entrance should be different
than the exit to your event.
Both the entrance and exit need to
have monitors.
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Ask for identification to
check for the following
items on your guest list
before letting individuals
into your event.
 Review to see if their name is
on the guest list.
 If their name is not on the
guest list inform them politely
that they will not be able to
attend the event.
 Inform them of how to get on
the guest list for the next
event.
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Check their identification
 If the individual is
not of legal drinking
age mark both of
their hands with a
large identification
marker of an “X” in
permanent marker.
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If the individual is of drinking age and
checking alcohol at the event:
 Provide them with a non-adjustable wristband.
 Stamp each of the individuals hands to identify that
the individual has already brought alcohol into the
event.
 Check the individuals name off of the guest list and
write the type of alcohol next to his/her name.
 Provide them with a punch card.
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If the individual is of drinking age and does
not check alcohol in they DO NOT receive a
stamp or a wristband.
Only those who bring alcohol are allowed to
consume alcohol.
The organization does not
provide alcohol.
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
Punch Cards
 Each guest who brings alcohol is given one punch card which
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has a mark for each beer/drink he/she checks in at the door to
the party.
The punch card is personalized with the type of drink the
guest brings. (ie. Bud Light, Smirnoff Ice, etc)
The name of the attendee is written on the punch card.
The guest’s drinks are delivered to the central bar by a
member who is working the social event.
The guest ticket is punched at the bar each time he/she claims
one of the drinks he/she brought.
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One centralized
location should be
established for the
distribution of all
non-alcoholic and
alcoholic beverages.
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No other location,
especially members
rooms, can be used
for the distribution of
alcoholic beverages.
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The holding tank,
which serves as a
cooling area for the
alcohol brought to the
function by members
and guests, is as simple
as a large rubber trash
can filled with ice.
 Large coolers, tubs, or
refrigerators are also
alternative options.
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Non-alcoholic beverages are to be presented in
an attractive and accessible manner.
These drinks should also be free to anyone
who desires a non-alcoholic beverage.
Closed single serving containers are suggested
(cans and plastic bottles).
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Anyone who wishes to acquire
an alcoholic beverage that
he/she brought to the event
must present their punch card,
show their wristband and
stamp.
 The bartender should pour
each drink into an empty cup.
 The bartender should not
provide the individual with a
new cup or refill the cup until
the individual has finished
their drink.
 An individual should only
have one alcoholic beverage at
a time.
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The service monitors
must not serve anyone
who is intoxicated, even
if the person has
alcohol remaining.
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DO NOT serve to anyone
who is drunk.
2. Present the punch card.
3. Show the wristband.
4. Return the empty.
1.
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Only one beer or wine
cooler may be acquired
at a time.
 Left-over alcohol can
be picked up the
following day;
otherwise it is
discarded.
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kegs
jungle juice
gin buckets
liquor bar set-ups
hard alcohol
beer bongs
pitchers
shots
common source
glass bottles
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cases
pallets of beer
premixed soda bottles
or beverages
water bottles with hard
alcohol
bottles or boxes of wine
squeeze bottles
thermoses
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Wine coolers in glass bottles
are permitted to be checked in
at the event.
Wine coolers are to be poured
in cups before being
distributed to the participant.
All other glass bottles are
not permitted.
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Six (6), twelve (12)
ounce cans of beer.
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Four (4), ten (10)
ounce wine coolers.
or
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The amount of non-alcoholic
beverages should at least be
equal to the number of
underage members and guests
at the event and provided
throughout the event.
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Non-alcoholic beverages
should be served from closed
single serving containers (cans
and plastic bottles).
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If alcohol is present the
organization should
provide food at the
event.
 Appropriate types of
food are breads,
cheeses, vegetables,
brownies, cookies,
subs, pizzas, fruits, and
dips.
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The role of chapter monitors is to make sure
that the chapter(s) risk management policy is
being followed.
There should be at least one monitor for every
25 guests in attendance.
Monitors should be older members of all
participating organizations.
Specialty clothing may be worn to distinguish
monitors from the rest of the event attendees.
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Chapter presidents, risk management chairs,
and social chairs should not use alcohol during
social events.
This should be done to ensure that the event is
run smoothly and the environment is kept safe
for all attendees.
In a crisis situations these officers serve as a
point of contact for the chapter and should not
be under the influence of alcohol
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Monitors have the right to deny access
to the event to anyone they think is
already impaired by alcohol or other
drugs, even if the person is on the
guest list for the event.
THIS INCLUDES MEMBERS &
OFFICERS
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After the event is over, review it as a group at
the next chapter or officer meeting.
Evaluate what went well.
Decide what you will need to improve upon
for the future.
Agree to what you will not let happen again.
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1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Don’t Break the Law.
Individuals bring their own alcohol for personal
consumption only.
The organization does not provide alcohol.
If you are not on the guest list you cannot attend
the event.
The six or four rule.
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Why is it important to follow BYOB?
What is something new that I learned?
Who is responsible for making sure we
follow the rules?
 Can we have alcohol at social events?
 Can we still have fun following BYOB?
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FIPG Policy
http://www.fipg.org/FIPG/FIPG.nsf/835fe7d91217664d8525723c007a7545/9c0d3c
4d4ca5614e8525734b007b08a4/$FILE/FIPG%20Policy%20July%202008.pdf
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Fraternity and Sorority Governing Councils VCU Risk Management
Policies and Procedures
http://www.chaptertools.net/site_files/file_1215715513.pdf
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North-American Interfraternity Conference BYOB:Hosting Safe
Social Events Guide http://nicindy.org
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Delta Chi Fraternity Risk Management Manual 2008
http://www.deltachi.org/resources/reference_material/pdf-files/FIPG_11-08.pdf
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For more information or support please contact:
USC&A Fraternity & Sorority Life Office
907 Floyd Ave., Room 014
Richmond, VA 23284
Phone: (804) 828-4685
Email: vcugreeks@vcu.edu
Web: www.usca.vcu.edu/greeklife
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