I just have to say, everyone's responses have started to give me hope I might still have a place

I think this speaks to the real problem with getting members to stay active in their alumnae years: there's just such a diversity of members at the alumnae level, and our groups are primarily social organizations. The philanthropy, programming, and support for collegiate chapters is all wonderful, but I think most sorority women join for the friendship. But the alumnae groups typically bring together women of a wide age range, and from very different types of chapters, not to mention with different demands and interests (careers, family, etc.). Besides the shared ritual and history, there is sometimes not much else that really binds these women together.

Quite possible.

I've noted over the years, though, that our school tends to produce people who are go-getters, who do something important. If graduates find an alumnae group full of women from a handful of schools that are nothing like the one they went to, they see little in common except , as you say, ritual -- and even that varies a bit. Just as an example, I can't recall any time in my four years that a sister went to a varsity sporting event, but at most large schools, that kind of thing is a significant part of life - so significant that rush is an afterthought around it.

So they get involved in something else -- my chapter sisters are in university administration, politics, DAR, performing arts -- and take leadership roles. Those take over. I have to admit, though, that when we get together every couple of years, the conversations are fascinating because each has done some very impressive things!

You can also PM me! I am also from a smaller Canadian alumnae chapter - I would be happy to chat.
LiEP <3

How did this thread end up talking about alum experiences?

Like a good recruitment conversation. We followed the tangents ;)

Valuing the concept of lifelong membership and alumnae experiences are certainly closely tied together.

We don't know statistically whether it has become more common for women to transfer and want to join a different NPC or whether we are just more aware of it now. In my day, there was no communication between members of various NPC groups around the country and there was no way to ask such a question in a forum open to everybody. We simply don't know if this was common before. In fact, before our membership databases were on computer, it was probably not very easy to look up whether an individual had been a member of a different NPC. Now, any member can look someone up.

I think the reason a young woman joins a sorority determines whether she remains active. If she sees it from the start as a college thing- a way to meet people in college, a way to meet BOYS in college, a way to get to go to the cool parties- then she'll probably be done with it after college. She may still have long term relationships with her chapter sisters. I have a group of chapter sisters who value their connection but don't relate it to the national/international level and have never been involved, but have high praise for their collegiate sorority experience and the long term friendships formed there.

OPA has the same problem. Some sisters make the transition to alumnae easily and remain involved and engaged throughout life. But most file it away in their mental scrapbook of college memories. In my role with OPA, I work with interest groups who want to start alumnae chapters. My message to them is:

1. Actively seek out and embrace members from different chapters or different time periods. That breaks up the "cliquish" feeling that may result when a group of close friends from the same collegiate chapter starts a new alumnae group.

2. Get busy right away doing activities that make new fun memories. We have an emotional attachment to our collegiate chapter because of all the memories associated with it. If our alumnae experience is primarily planning meetings and ice-breakers (*yawn*), there's no way it will compete with the other demands for the alumna's time.

3. Cut them some slack and always ALWAYS make them feel welcome. After college, all of our lives have peaks and valleys of available time. Even the most engaged members hit a period when their career / family / finances / health demands all of their time and energy. Don't make them feel guilty about their hiatus. Instead, make sure they know that when they come up for air OPA is still happy to see them.

I agree! Even though it may seem that we are less connected on personal levels than we were in the past, the fact of the matter is that we can find out anything we'd like to about anyone.

Alumni/ae remaining connected to their organizations was a major topic of discussion this past weekend. My fiancé, who joined a fraternity in college, was very suprised by the number of AKA alumnae we saw on our vacation this weekend. He had no idea that so many women would be involved in their sorority as middle-aged women and senior citizens! He's close with a few of his chapter brothers, but he transferred to a school where his chapter wasn't active so he basically put it aside.