Disco Sundays

2012-10-15

For anyone who travels often, you become aware of how routine and boring, the flight attendant’s safety speech can be before the aircraft takes flight. I even came to completely tune out their messages. It wasn’t until I was on a flight back from Michigan last month that I started paying attention. As I boarded the plane, there was disco music playing. It was a late night, and everyone was considerably worn out from a long day of either travel, vacation, or work. But as we boarded, each person had a smile on their face as they walked into a medley of disco classics upon taking their seats. I enjoyed the change in pace, but what happened next completely surprised me.

The flight attendant said that he declared today Disco Sunday. And accordingly, to go along with Disco Sunday, he would have to present the safety information in a disco fashion. He dressed up in a big wig, silk shirt, and shiny shoes, and as the safety information began to play over the speakers he would switch glasses to hold everyone’s attention. No one could look away, everyone wanted to see what would happen next. I doubt that anyone on that flight would have paid half the attention if he had not put on the show. That, however, was the point. Once he had finished, he continued to say, “Well at least that got your attention. Safety is in fact, very important to me. Often times, the only way to get your attention is to fascinate you into listening to me.”

Each time I visit with student leaders we talk about what works and what does not work in their associations, chapters, or schools. A point that repeatedly comes up is, “people think it is boring.” As leaders, it is our job to liven things up, to put the life back into meetings, socials, and conferences! Think about something normal, average, one could even say boring. I challenge you to think of an innovative way to transform that activity into something that fascinates your members and attracts them into participating.

What can you learn from Disco Sunday, to make your chapter a hit this year!

Morgan Thompson, National President