Hey. I am the co-chair of a college Relay at Seton Hall University in NJ. I was just wanting some feedback about an issue we will likely face this year. This is only our second year doing Relay and last years did not go all night (ended at midnight). This year we will go all night. It is required for all Greek organizations on campus to participate in Relay. But for those who do not truly want to be there we are hearing they may leave half way through the event. This is because the university will have them sign into the event at the beginning and sign out of the event at the end to "make sure" they are there all night. But we are hearing that some students may just show up to sign in and come back in the morning to sign out saying they were there all night.
What do you suggest? Should we not allow anybody to leave from 12am-6am to prevent this? Any other ideas? Thanks!
Hey thanks all for your comments. It is not as if students don't want to be there or hate being there. It's just they like leaving and coming back and forth a lot. What we're afraid about is them leaving to drink alcohol, etc. Overall, they have a good response and feeling towards us. But it is a university requirement for them to participate because the Greek Council accepted us as their philanthropic project this year.
February 22, 2008 - 12:02am login or register to post comments
relaydivajuli
Posts: 152
Joined: 2006-11-06
Greek
That's great that they do want to participate. I know that we have lots of Relayers who come and go during the day/night and staying for the entire time is not mandatory. People leave to go shower, clean up, get a good night's sleep, etc. And as long as when they return people are in a suitable condition to participate, we don't complain. Many just come for their designated time on the track.
I know it's always disappointing for us that it seems like many miss out on the parts of the day that we consider the most meaningful (Luminaria is the time I really want people to experience but that I think many miss because it gets late and people get tired). But for many, the time they have there IS meaningful and they may catch a glimpse this year of something new and different that makes them want to stay longer next year. I know we take lots of pictures and video each year and put together a video to share so people can see what they've missed out on and then next year people will get to see the video what Relay is about.
This year, with the new Fight Back Ceremony, we are hoping not to lose people in the morning before closing and that people who slept away during the night will come back. I think as long as people come back ready to Relay and not impaired, it's a good thing.
February 22, 2008 - 8:48am login or register to post comments
Fleurent21
Posts: 1
Joined: 2008-01-14
well, this certainly does
well, this certainly does sound like an issue. It's hard to force people into doing something they don't want to do, but if these greek organizations wanted to keep their organizations you'd think they'd show a little more interest.
But anyway, My suggestion is to have an hourly sign-in. I'm not even sure how well this would work, but it's a thought. Every team is supposed to have someone on the track every hour, so why not have them sign in to show their team was represented. Maybe you can turn it into some type of competition for the Greek organizations. I haven't the slightest clue, but I'm sure there could be some type of incentive for the team who is best represented.
February 21, 2008 - 11:23am login or register to post comments
relaydivajuli
Posts: 152
Joined: 2006-11-06
Greek
It's unfortunate that groups may be there who are not committed to being there. Is it the university's rule that they be there? Or did the local greek association make this decision? It would be nice if the greek council could encourage their members to take this on as a cause they support and encourage from within instead of making it just a rule being administered from above.
I like Fluerent's idea of making it a competition. The more positive a reward rather than a punishment it can be, the more they'll want to participate and talk it up for next year. Since it's a College Relay, can you have lots of fun things going on all night? Line dance instruction, Karaoke, games, fun laps, maybe poker laps or scrabble laps, best PJ lap, worst bedhead hair, best rooster call in the morning, things that continue on between hours to keep up the interest.
And if you can get the Greeks to participate in coming up with ideas for what goes on during those overnight hours, it might solicit more buy-in. The challenge is to make them want to be there. Maybe some local college hotspots can sponsor food, swag, stickers as giveaways during those hours. Midnight pizza. Maybe some sort of Guinness World Record challenge - most people in a Pop-Up tent, most people in a latrine (w/o it spilling)...
OOO-OOOO! what about a trophy?! You could give out points for participation in each activity and the group that has the most points at closing would get the trophy. Check out kpojeta's post on Team of the Relay. She has included some pictures of tools they used to sign up and track points. This might be a great way to keep people interested so that they want to stay. http://www.relayforlife.org/relay/node/2897
February 21, 2008 - 11:22pm login or register to post comments
Nick.Kissel
Posts: 8
Joined: 2007-06-09
Dilemma
I have 2 thoughts. First, keep the sign-in sheet with an Event CHair or staff advisor or someone. THen they have to come to you to sign-in and they wouldn't be able to. I would say let them in since one of the keys to Relay is Diversity, and that isn't always racial or ethnical diversity. Maybe for your Relay it is recognizing their limitations and working around it? THat is a diversity stretch but it could work.
2nd idea.. have a once they leave policy they can't come back in. I am sure the university would agree with this.
Hope that helps!
Nick Kissel, Chair
RFL of Midtown Omaha
High Plains Division
February 21, 2008 - 10:44pm login or register to post comments
Joined: 2006-10-17