A sober monitor is a designated member responsible for helping to monitor chapter social events with alcohol to contribute to a safe social environment. The sober monitor resource helps to set up an effective sober monitor system.
Expectations
- Alpha Gamma Delta Health and Safety Policies require sober monitors for all events with alcohol.
- Only initiated members of the Alpha Gamma Delta chapter. New members should not serve in this role.
- Sober means no alcohol consumption with a 0.00 percent BAC and no use of illegal substances before or during the event.
- Determine a way to identify who is serving as a sober monitor. The way to set apart from other attendees includes specialty clothing (i.e., bright-colored shirts, accessories) or name badges.
Recommendations
- One sober monitor for every twenty attendees.
- Have a minimum of one sober Executive Council officer.
- A co-sponsoring group for an event will have their sober monitors to ensure all guests’ safety and apply all applicable rules equally.
- Each organization’s sober monitors are responsible for their members and guests.
GCSU Recommendations
- One sober monitor for every thirty attendees.
Nu Delta Notes
- We utilize Alpha Gam recommendations since it is the one that gives us more Sober Monitors.
- If you are at a social with another organization as a sober monitor and notice the other organization’s member acting out, please after ensuring everyone is safe, inform the co-hosting group’s sober monitors.
Sober Monitor Stations
- A sober monitor at every exit/entrance to the venue.
- Have only one entrance to the event with a minimum of two sober monitors.
- A sober monitor near restricted areas of the venue.
- Sober monitors will walk around the event.
Responsibilities of Sober Monitor
- Sober monitors at the event entrance are responsible for checking ID cards and the guest list upon entry (unless there is a hired security vendor.) There should be a system for identifying members and guests over the legal drinking age.
- All sober monitors should fully understand the emergency protocol. If an emergency arises, the monitor should be able to call emergency services, if appropriate, and ask for assistance in ending the social function following guest transportation and sober driver guidelines.
- Sober monitors will limit an attendee’s access who is impaired by alcohol or misuse of a substance, even if the person is a member or on the guest list.
- Sober monitors should be prepared to ask members or guests to leave if they become too intoxicated or misbehave.
- Sober monitors will notify hired security if they see a situation requiring attention.
- Sober monitors should prevent guests from leaving with alcohol.
- Sober monitors should be prepared to find alternative transportation homes for impaired guests (e.g., Cab, Uber, Lyft, etc.). Impaired members should not be sent home from events alone and be sent home with another member.
Hired Security
Depending on the size and type of event, venue, etc., hiring licensed security is recommended. Off-duty police officers are preferred when possible. When hiring an outside security company, the Security Vendor Checklist will be helpful in that process. A recommendation is for one security person for every 100 guests.
Things to Consider for Your Chapter
- How will monitors for each event with alcohol be selected? Rotation, volunteer, etc.?
- Will you incentivize members who serve as sober monitors? Will there be extra incentives for individuals who do it more than once?
- How many monitors will you have for an event?
- What specialty clothing will sober monitors wear?
- Which officer is responsible for reviewing responsibilities with sober monitors before the event?
- What are the specific responsibilities of the sober monitors?
Review With Sober Monitor
Assigned sober monitors should meet with the Vice President–Chapter Wellness before an event begins to discuss the role/scope of responsibility and stations for the event.
- Review and agree with Alpha Gamma Delta Health and Safety Policies and this resource.
- Uphold the Alpha Gamma Delta Health and Safety Policies and encourage members to comply with the required guidelines.
- Will remain sober BEFORE, DURING, and AFTER the event.
- They can inform and attend if they need to change their actions or be sent home from the event if their actions are inappropriate.
- Will not purchase alcohol for attendees who are not of legal drinking age.
- Monitor attendees who do not receive drinks from the Third-Party Vendor/bar or the Service Distribution Center if they are overly intoxicated or a minor.
- Cooperate with the co-hosting organizations’ sober monitors or hire security throughout the event.
Health & Safety Policy
Read over the Alcohol and BYOB sections of the Health & Safety Policy.
Flare App: Check in/Out
This goes over how to use the Flare App to check people in and out of events.
- Click the 2 people icon at the bottom of the app.
2. Click on Alpha Gamma Delta GCSU in My Groups.
3. Find the Event, you may have to scroll down to find it.
4. On the page find the Orange button that says Scan Tickets.
5. Pick if you are scanning Check-In or Check-Out.
6. Use your camera to scan others tickets. You can check yourself in by clicking the “Check-In as Host” button.
There’s the flashlight app if the venue is dark and it’s difficult to scan other’s phones.
