Hosting a C'YA Happy Hour

So you want to organize a Happy Hour? Here’s how:

STEP 1: Call your alma mater. Give the Alumni Office a call (877-683-7666) or e-mail the Alumni Office at alumni@cornellcollege.edu. Let us know that you want to organize a Happy Hour.

STEP 2: Select a location. You found it. The perfect bar, restaurant, or brewpub. Now what?
• Will they do a cash bar for 25-30 people?
• Are the drinks affordable?
• Do they have a free separate room or roped-off area?
• If they have a patio, is there a rain back-up?
• Is the space available on an early evening?
• Is it easy to find and centrally located?
• Do they serve inexpensive munchies? Cornell will spring for about $50 in appetizers or light snacks to make sure that alumni don't completely starve while visiting.

STEP 3: Spread the word. This is where you shamelessly promote your event.  The Alumni Office will sing your accolades and:
• Email you a list of alumni in your area with e-mail and phone information.
• Design & send a postcard to alumni in your area. The Alumni Office will need to know Location of event, time, address and directions to event, your preferred phone & e-mail.
• Post your event information on this web site.
• Send you a "host kit" including a disposable camera (or you can use your own), nametags, sign-in sheet, giveaway prizes, college news and pre-paid return postage.

You will thank us profusely and:
• From the alumni list, recruit a volunteer committee, one that represents different affinities, if possible. This committee will assist in convincing area alumni that this is a cool event and that they want to come.
• (Optional but recommended) Design an evite invitation on evite.com or on Facebook. Double check all the event details with the Alumni Office, first.
• The week of the event ask your committee to contact the young alumni in your area and demand that they attend.

STEP 4: Sit back, relax and let the good times roll.  On the day of your event:
• Post directional signs to the entrance, etc.
• If meeting in a public area - arrive early and claim your space!
• Order some light munchies to have at the tables.
• Ask alumni to sign-in and update their info.
• Take some pictures of alumni looking great and having a good time.

STEP 5: After the dust has settled... Reusing the kit box, take the enclosed return postage and return the disposable camera, sign-in sheets and any leftover or unused materials to the Alumni Office. If you took your own digital photos, email them to alumni@cornellcollege.edu. Look in the mirror and tell yourself that you are king/queen of the world.