SOBER MONITOR

TRAINING

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

@fiusfl@fiusororityfraternitylife

Sober Monitor Certification

Must be Sober Monitor Certified (good for 4 semesters)

Initial Training

Foundational Knowledge Overview

Sober Monitor Responsibility Overview

Event Management Procedures

Recertification

Basic Refresher & Intervention Training

Learning Outcomes Participants will understand the:

basic role of the Sober Monitor

general event management guidelines for all social events that

involve alcohol

specific event management guidelines for SFL events

specific event management guidelines for BYOB events

FOUNDATIONS

Harm Reduction Approach

100% policy compliance is ideal but not always realistic

100% non-compliance is not acceptable nor safe for members

and guests

Harm reduction is moving toward compliance

Risk Management Education is based on policy

NOTE: While harm reduction is the educational approach

judicially, organizations are still held accountable to policy

Bystander Intervention

Bystander Intervention

What constitutes a chapter

social function?

Is event listed/advertised on chapter website or social media?

Is the event listed on chapter calendar (on/off line)?

Will event be announced at a chapter meeting?

Will any chapter officers be present?

Do online invitations/guest lists refer to your chapter?

Would a reasonable observer say it was your event?

3 Types of Events

Without Alcohol

BYOB

3rd party Vendor

Events with Alcohol

BYOB

Guest bring their own

beverages

Check at the “bar” area

1beverage at a time

3rd Party Vendor

Contract with 3rd party to

provide beverage service

21/+ purchase individual drinks

No alcohol guarantees in

contract

Allowed Alcohol Typical 4-5 hour function

Six, 12-oz cans of beer

Four, 12-oz wine coolers, alcopops, or flavored malt beverages

One, 25 oz box of wine (no glass bottles)

No glass bottles

No kegs, cases, 12-packs, or other alcohol containers larger than 6

No outside shaker bottles, water bottles, pitchers, tumblers, flasks or other

containers

No alcohol for common use in member’s rooms

No shots, drinking games, beer bongs, etc.

Standard Drink

One standard drink takes approx. 1 hour to leave your system

BAC Chart

Signs of Alcohol Poisoning

What to Do

What NOT to do

SOBER MONITOR Guidelines

Why do we have Sober

Monitors?

Guidelines for Sober Monitors1. Should not have consumed alcohol for a reasonable amount

of time prior to and during the social event.

2. One monitor per every 10 people on the guest list

3. One sober executive board member is HIGHLY

recommended

4. If co-sponsored between organizations of opposite gender,

both men and women monitors should be used to ensure safety of all guests

a. Rules apply equally to men and women

Guidelines for Sober Monitors5. Monitors should be initiated members of all sponsoring

organizations.

a. New Members should not be serving in these roles

6. The President, Risk Management Chair, and Social Chair

should limit their use of alcohol during social events so they

can ensure that a safe social environment is maintained.

7. Ideally, specialty clothing should be worn by the monitors and sober officer to set them apart from the rest of the attendees

(ex highly visible t-shirts or jackets).

SOBER MONITOR 101:Know Your Role

Types of Sober Monitors

Guest Check-Ins (can be under 21)

Monitors (can be under 21)

Servers (MUST be 21 and over)

Pre-Event Meeting

Monitors should meet with the Risk Manager/Social

Chairman before the event begins to discuss role/scope of

responsibility and stations for the event.

Sober Monitor Stations

1. Every exit/entrance to the building

a. Only 1 entrance to venue

i. 2 sober monitors minimum at entrances

b. There can be more than 1 exit (per fire code)

i. 1 sober monitor minimum at each exit

2. Any part of the venue that is restricted to members

3. Walking around the event

4. At the “Bar” area

Responsibilities of Sober Monitors

1. Responsible for checking ID cards and guest list upon entry to the event.

a. There should be system for identifying members and guests who are over the legal drinking age (i.e. 21/+ years old).

b. At the entrance have a piece of paper with the date of the party and the year that 21 year old guests would be born in (ex. Born on or before 3/6/1995)

2. Fully understand emergency protocol.

a. If an emergency situation arises, call 911 if appropriate and ask for assistance in ending the social function and have guests leave the party.

Responsibilities of Sober Monitors(continued)

3. Be prepared to exercise right to deny access to the event to

anyone who they think is already impaired by alcohol or

other drugs or wearing offensive costumes, even if the person

is on the invitation list.

4. Be prepared to ask members/guests to leave if they become

too intoxicated and behave inappropriately.

a. If they are uncooperative, call the police.

5. Respond to any disruptions that take place at the event.

Responsibilities of Sober Monitors(continued)

1. Be prepared to notify hired security (if applicable) if they see

a situation that requires attention.

2. Prevent guests from leaving with alcohol.

3. Be prepared to find alternate transportation home for

impaired guests.

a. Other brother or sister that has not been drinking

b. Their DD

c. Uber or car service

EVENT MANAGEMENT 101:What you need to know & do

Hired Police|Security1. Depending on type of event, size of event, venue, etc., hiring

licensed security is required|recommended.

a. On campus houses hired security is REQUIRED

b. Open alcohol related parties REQUIRE security

2. Off-duty police officers are preferred when and where possible.

a. Include these expenses as part of your social planning budget

b. PD is preferred but independent security companies are also allowed

3. One security person for each 100 guests is recommended.

The Entrance1. One, well light entrance, controlled and monitored by Sober

Monitors.

2. Check to see if individual is a member or is on the guest list

3. Indicates time the guest checks in

1. Several exits must be available due to fire codes and laws.

2. Sober Monitor ensure can not be used as entrances.

3. Indicate time the guest leaves & collect wrist bands

The Exit

Guest List1. Required for all events with alcohol, but strongly encouraged for alcohol free

events.

2. All guest lists should include the following people with their current membership status

1. All active/inactive members, pledges/new members, alumni/ae, guests

3. Guest list maximum should be determined by:

1. Facility capacity: Fire code of the venue

2. BYOB: 3 guests per member (or 4 x chapter size)

3. Determined by any INHQ policies

4. Chapter Rosters, University Directories, etc. are not acceptable guest lists.

5. Guest list used at entrance should be kept on file for at least 3 years

6. Guest list should be finalized 24 hours prior to the event to avoid add-ons

EVENT MANAGEMENT 101:

BYOB Events

The Entrance-BYOB Check photo ID with birth date against the date on the guest

list

Sober Monitor escorts attendee and alcohol (if they brought any) to Service Distribution Center

Only those who bring their own beverage are allowed to drink

The Exit-BYOB Ensure no alcohol leaves with Guest

Wristband should be removed upon departure

Assist with finding a ride if service is provided

Wrist Bands - BYOB Supplied by your chapter, if registered event with alcohol and

guest list locked 24 hours in advance

Given to attendees at check in

Removed at check out

Corresponding number of wrist bands for those guests who are 21/+ and for those under 21.

At check-in, Sober Monitor should write name, type & amount of alcohol checked on wrist band

The number of drinks they bring in should be identified at check in

Determined by beer, wine coolers, or wine.

Attendees with no wrist band should not consume alcohol

Wrist Bands-BYOB

Service Distribution Center-aka “The Bar” BYOB1. There is only ONE distribution center “bar” at the venue

2. No other location, especially members rooms, can be used

3. Holding Tank (a cooling area for the alcohol brought by members &

guests) can be as simple as a large, CLEAN, rubber trash can filled

with ice

4. Do not serve anyone who is intoxicated, even if they have tabs left.

5. Left-over alcohol can be picked up the following day. If not it is

discarded.

Service Distribution Center-

aka “The Bar” BYOB (continued)

6. To get alcohol a person brought, they must

a. Show appropriate wristband (and number of drinks remaining)

b. Return empty can/cup (unless first drink)

7. Only one alcoholic beverage at a time

8. A drink number should be removed in front of the server each time a drink is distributed to that individual.

a. The wristband itself serves as the 6th tab. Once the 6th drink is served, the wristband is removed.

b. No sharing of wristbands. If all drinks are not consumed, the wristband must be removed in front of Sober Monitor

EVENT MANAGEMENT 201:

3rd Party Vendor (3PV) Closed & Open Events

Closed 3PV Events Guidelines for Entrances & Exits is the same as other events for

closed events

Sober Monitor Role is the same as other events

3PV Responsibilities:

Checks IDS, distribution of wristbands/ stamps for those over the legal drinking age

Handles all distribution and handling of alcohol

Establishes method to identify those of legal age

Alcohol allowed depends on contract between the organization and the 3PV and liquor license of 3PV

Open 3PV Events

Fundraiser Parties

3PV responsible for checking and verifying ID’s and distribution of

wristbands/stamps for those of legal drinking age

Distribution and sale of alcohol is handled by 3PV

No contracts benefitting the organization from alcohol sales

Fundraising revenue should come from door admissions

Security must be provided by 3PV

If security is not provided by the venue, police or security is required to

be hired if an open party

Questions?

If in doubt always call:

911

Your Chapter Advisor

Your Sorority & Fraternity Life Advisor