|
young Alumns
What does your alumni association do? Mine holds events about once or twice a month, but most are targeted at the older members, and although I would love to get to know them, the 40 year old moms haven't been too interested in getting to know me.
Do any of your alumni associations target recent graduates? What kinds of activities do you do? -Michelle |
Re: young Alumns
Quote:
Possibly even a family day. We don't really have to reach out to too many people as we have less than 20 alums at this point -- keeps the newsletter mailing costs low :D |
Our AA president has great parties at her house. They are really fun, but the whole "family day" thing only attract the most die hard young alumna in the area. I'm looking for Alum chapters that have had good success in recruiting the younger alums and keeping them interested in their orgs.
|
I don't know if we target recent graduates, per say, but we do have a lot of young alumnae. I graduated in May 2002...and we have a girl who graduated more recently than that.
I think what helps us out is that we offer an activity that a variety of people could enjoy. For example, in March our event was a wine tasting. We've also gone to baseball games. That one even had some young children at it, but us younger girls didn't mind. I know one of the other alum. associations in the area (Kappas I think) did a manicure/pedicure day. That's definitely one for all ages. Who doesn't want to be pampered? :D |
I'm organizing an alumni club that is regional (not local to one chapter) and someone suggested happy hour. I think that might attract a younger crowd...golf definitely will not.
-Rudey |
LOL at Rudey's golf.
Yes happy hour is a great suggestion. This is what we do: we meet the first Tuesday of every month. Usually the "meeting" (and I use that term loosely 'cause really, not much formal business is conducted) is held around 7 pm. The location alternates one month on the north side and the next month on the South side (Charlotte is so spread out...we have many alums who wouldn't want to constantly drive an hour to the North side and vice versa). Usually the meeting will be at a restaurant with a bar...have to have that bar! and we'll all just order whatever. Every once in a while we'll have a set menu and a set price. It's nice, because the girls who don't want to eat don't have to, they can just sit and have an appetizer or whatever. It's more socializing, really. Sometimes we'll have the meeting in someone's house and they'll have appetizers and everyone will bring a snack, and usually a bottle of wine or something. I think the key to attract young alumnae is to let them know that 1-not everyone there is going to be their grandma's age, and 2-it's not a formal thing like in college - remember, some of these girls might be burnt out and are just looking for a way to socialize and meet people. |
My alumnae chapter is the exact opposite, tons of young alums and no adults with kids or older. Unfortunately, we've had a lot of events that have to do with alcohol. Besides the happy hours, we had a wine tasting and we did a tour of a local winery. I'm also hosting a pampered chef party, because those young alums need to have a kitchen full of neat gadgets!
Do you have collegiate chapters nearby? I think that makes a big difference. We have four, so we go to them, let them know we are here, try to hold events with them, etc. |
Our club has folks of all ages, but we do have a lot of young people too (by young I mean less than 6 years out of school). We do 7 events each year one of which is always founders day with our local chapters. The other events we did this year were: a brunch, wine and cheese party, dinner and a movie, jewelry making party, bowling night and one party with alums and spouses/children. I agree that it helps if you have a local active chapter close by you seem to have more young women interested in alum groups. But if you can get them interested initially and they meet people around their age that they like, they will come back and hopefully bring some friends!
|
This is why I'm thankful that AGD has official, recognized chapters for alumnae 35 and younger, called JUNIOR CIRCLES.
A few times a month we'll get together for happy hours, dinner nights, or movie nights. Most of us were in the chapter at the same time, so we've known each other for years. We also have members from other chapters who have moved to Hawai`i who are part of our Junior Circle. It's been a while since we did this, but we once did a sleepover that was just so much fun! During the busy seasons like Recruitment and Initiation Week, Junior Circle members get together to help the collegians. It's a good way to show the graduating seniors that sisterhood doesn't stop with graduation! |
That Junior Circle idea is a good one! I like being able to meet some of the older women, but only a handful of things could attract new alumna.
I like happy hours. I think I might suggest that! -Michelle |
The core of our alumnae association is fairly small (there are 22 dues-paying members and only 10-14 or so come to events) but ages range from 22-82+. We only get together 4-5 times a year but try to do a variety of things that everyone can enjoy. Past events have included: a wine tasting, Founder's Day dinner, Christmas Tea/brunch, breadmaking, paint-your-own pottery, a Monmouth duo dinner with the Pi Phis and a garden party. But what everyone seems to like the most is just getting together, having a glass of wine or two and socializing!
There are about 4-5 of us who are all under 30 and married (or soon-to-be) who try and get together a few times a year for dinner, drinks, a movie or just hanging out. We call it "Night Owls" and I know other alumnae associations in other cities have similar groups as a good friend of mine is active in the group in Minneapolis. I think once you get the word out and try a few activities to see what works best with the group of younger women you have, more people will be interested and come to events. The hardest thing is just taking that first step and really, all it comes down to is someone taking the initiative to plan something. Good luck! :) |
Quote:
Also, we use a Yahoo group for messages, and to automatically notify everyone when the next happy hour is. We have it set to automatically kick out an e-mail on the Sunday before, and at noon of the Tuesday of each happy hour. We've been doing this for about a year, and attendance has slowly been growing. |
Quote:
-Rudey |
I forgot about the paint-your-own pottery...we did that a few months ago. The girl who owned the store painted a plate for us, and we all put our thumbprints on the back. We gave the plate to the local chapter we support. It was a lot of fun!
|
The paint-your-own pottery is a great idea... I might actually suggest that to our active chapter as a rush event. :)
My chapter has gone through a lot of ups and downs (it closed for about two years due to complete lack of interest/membership plus internal issues), and the alumni association completely fell apart. Most of the "older" alumni (alumni from pre-implosion) no longer really have an interest in participating with the chapter. Some of the "new" alumni (post implosion) do, and so I'm hoping we can start fresh and get a strong alumni association together, inviting the older alumni to participate if they wish... but also focusing on moving forward with the newer ones that wish to participate. One of the things I've discovered as one of the "old" alumni is how interested many of the actives are to hear stories about when I was in the chapter. They literally have a cut-off history in the late 1990's, and it's as if many of them started a brand-new chapter. So one of the biggest alumni activites right now is making a record of memories of our days in the chapter so they can see where the chapter *has* been. ~ Mel. |
I belong to the AA in my area, and we have a Young Alum Group headed up by one of my pledge sisters:) She plans about 1 event a month, usually to a cute restaurant or bar in the area...or just dinner and a movie and uses Evite to send out invitations to everyone. I think we consider people under 30 as 'Young Alums' in general. There are over 120 people on the list...usually 10-20 at events, and it's not always the same people...so that's good. Even if people don't come to events, it's a great way for them to know that they can still hang out with DGs after graduation. Although I'm still in the area where I went to college and know some of the older alums in the area who were advisors to my chapter, it's great to meet girls from other places who have moved to St. Louis. In general, most of us 'younger' folk don't do the other Alum events (even though we're encouraged to)--but I know people get really bummed when they can't make a young alum event.
The 'leader' of our Young Alum Group is on the regular Alum Board and she is our liason to the older members (and their liason to us). The YAG is a great way for a lot of us (who probably wouldn't have gotten involved otherwise) to feel less inhibited by the Older alums. I suggest to try forming a YAG within your Alumnae Group. Get contact info. for those under 30 (email is a great way to send info.!) and try just meeting up and hanging out. The more informal the better! Good luck! |
I think our problem is that a lot of younger alums move too far away to be involved with our alum chapter, so it's usually mostly older ladies who are doing the activities. I'm going to join my alum chapter this fall when I go back to grad school, so hopefully I can convince a few of my newly-graduated sisters to do it, too.
|
A lot will depend on what size city you are in.
Some areas do a city wide AA for Chapters from all over the country. KC had a city wide AA that did not work out so we started our own Chapter AA! Well, we have from me, 62 to the youngest of 26. Age is irrelivent when we get together. Rudey, in answer to your question, have a set time of the month, say the 1-2-3 rd day of the week once a month and have a social gathering at a Pub or bar and grill. Make it at the same place and same time. You will build a following, some will be there everytime and some not. But as others find out about it, it will grow. Get email addresses for a listing to keep them updated, and do not over email. While each Brother may not know each other, you have one thing in common, Your Fraternity!:cool: |
The alumnae chapter that I belong to consists primarily of "younger" alumnae. I think the oldest woman involved is in her early 30s (32 or 33 I think). We haven't been very successful at recruiting the alumnae in the area that didn't go to my school. We can get them to come out for things like Founders' Day, but that's really about it.
Our events range from dinner at a local restaurant to Bunco/game night to wine and cheese parties to family bbqs. But we are fairly small (21 paid members) and looking to expand since there are hundreds of G Phi's in the area. |
Does your International have a data base that pin points Alums in your area with email addresses?
If so, why not just send out emails informing them of what you are doing. Maybe it will pick up a few who in turn if they show up will let others know. It may be a slow process but all takes time for the pay off. Ergo, if you get some of the old Fartettes, you may get more! :) A seed is planted, watered, and watch it grow!:cool: |
Our AA spans between recent graduates to women in their mid to late 30's. We also have some older women on the books but they usually only attend founders day and things like that. The most active women are the youger ones 23-30 though. I'm actually taking over programming this year and I'm planning one event a month plus founders day and mother daughter brunch. Most of the events i've been to this year have centered around food and alchohol
We usually meet at a resturaunt and socialize for a few hours, We also have a business meeting once a month at the Ronald Mcdoanld House. In the works this year are wine tasting, tapas and drinks, possibly a casino cruise and I'd really like to do a semiformal christmas party and give us alums an excuse to dress up. well see how this flies though. I guess the close local chapter helps with having younger alum but i'm from Vegas and we also have a couple of girls from FSU and our pres. is from USF so we do get girls form all over that just want to be involved. I suppose our central, FL location helps too. |
We have a young alumnae subgroup of our alumnae chapter. It started out as women who had take alumnae status in the last 5-6 years, but it's now comprised of women in their 20s and early 30s. We meet once a month and do our own philanthropy projects. We usually have dinners or lunches, go shopping, paint pottery, etc. We are planning a camping trip for the fall and a summer cookout. You don't have to pay additional dues to participate and a lot of the women only participate in the young alum activities. It would be great if everyone attended both, but at least they are active in some way! It's been a great way to recruit more recent alumnae.
|
DZHBrown-
Yeah, I was thinking of doing something like that. The problem is I have all these other things to do (like apply to Med School, work my 2 jobs...)! Do you get alumna from the local chapters, or do you get to recruit recent alumna from other chapters? -M |
XOMichelle - We contact all recent/young alumnae in the area, regardless of what chapter they are from. We only have one chapter in the immediate area, so most are from that one. We usually hold a senior tea or senior dinner for the ones who are graduating from that chapter to invite them to the group.
|
we have both a younger alumnae group (ivy connection) and our traditional alumnae group. our younger alumnae group is composed of women 10 years out of college and younger (mostly 20's-early 30's), but occassionally women from the traditional group (all ages, but mostly mid-30's+) attend activities marketed as ivy connection gatherings.
we have a happy hour once a month on the second wednesday (wild wednesday happy hour) and we rotate the location around the city to serve all of our members. we try to pick locations that are pretty trendy -- we've had more success with restaurants that people area eager to attend. during the summer months we add an additional monthly activity also during happy hour - martinis & manicures at an eclectic local bar - on the fourth thursday of every summer month. at all events we identify ourselves with a red umbrella of some sort placed on or near our table, which makes it much easier for newcomers to find us. we plan a few events a year with our traditional alumnae group like a founders day dinner and an ultimate party (pampered chef, southern living at home, stampin' up, mary kay, etc all at one party, usually around the holiday time for holiday shopping). we also try to plan a joint summer event that we can invite recent graduates, legacies and collegians taking summer school to - this year it's a beach party and bbq. something else that's been incredibley useful is our yahoo group and website. our website is a joint website for both alumnae groups and includes calendars, photos from events, a members only section, and numerous other things. since the launching of our website, membership has increased dramatically in the younger alumnae group, and we have experienced improved alumnae relations with our local collegiate chapter. we've had great turnout at all of our events and membership keeps growing by leaps and bounds! |
Re: young Alumns
Michelle,
This is a great question. I have found that the key to maintaining a strong alumni association and keeping the recruiting numbers up for younger members is to keep good ties with the area chapters. Make an appearance at a meeting or hang with the bros/sisters at one of their events. It breaks down like this. 1. You need to create a cycle. If you yourself are new to the alum status, as am I, go back to your chapter. The odds are that you still know a lot of the people there and they can relate with you. If you can convince a few to join you and show them that the Alumni Association is awesome then others will follow you. Sooner or later you'll develop a continuum or domino effect and you'll see your numbers increase. Before you know it, the alumni association will expand and the older people will actually get pretty excited to see the involvement. 2. This works best when you still live within a commuting distance from your active chapter and school. If you don't I would suggest paying a visit to the nearest chapter and try socializing a little with the older bros/sisters getting ready to graduate. Maybe take the graduating president out to lunch or a happy hour with the guys/girls after work. Best Wishes, Boodleboy322 Do any of your alumni associations target recent graduates? What kinds of activities do you do? -Michelle |
Another way to target a variety of groups is to sponsor (not run!) special interest groups.
Cooking Club Happy Hour Moms and Tots Lunch Bunch If you have the resources to target several age and life stages you can help them connect. They might go to every moms and tots gathering but only one or two of the monthly meetings - but that's ok, because you are filling a need for them. And they feel connected. I think you've got to be open to what your membership needs. |
Quote:
|
i belong to the NYC alum group but haven't been active in the last 2 years due to my schedule and the fact that it is too far for me to travel to most events during the week.
they do lots of great activities both as a chapter and with other greek alums. the website is www.nycaxoalum.com if you want to check it out. they post their activities. |
Quote:
Thankfully, a couple years later a group of women restarted the chapter... which is why I have any alumni status to speak of. ~ Mel. |
Alpha Phi has Ivy Connections, which are alumnae associations for alumnae who have been out of school for 10 years or less. I believe we're going to try and start a local one this Fall and I am super excited about it.
|
I guess this is a young alumna's question to the older and wiser ;)
What if you move to an area where Greek life is completely different than your own? I'm interested in being an active alumna, but I am in the process of moving to Georgia, where I believe that Greek life is more competitive (I went to school in WV, where if you rushed, you'd pretty much get in somewhere, and total was around 55). However, I don't know if I'll be accepted by the alumnae- I've had issues with other collegiate chapters because I don't look like a stereotypical sorority girl. Has anyone else dealt with this? |
bethmousey, what makes you think you are any different than any of the rest of us?:)
Heck, I would guess, if an Alum from another Chapter or out of state said Hi, I am a Sister from so and so, would be welcomed to be of help. If you look at greekchatters pix, there are some of us who aint models or pin ups, but there is one thing between us, We Love Our Greek Organizations.!:cool: What is Sterotypical looking anyway? Talk about young Alums, why? Granted they are still full of the piss and vinegar of haveing just been graduated and wanting to keep things going, but, I have been doing this for 40 years. There are many Alums/AI Members who are doing and keeping the light of the Organization going. Just check out Jill and navane for two.:cool: |
*bump*
I organize one young alumni event per month--typically happy hour and dinner. This month I'm trying something new--organizing a carpool to the alumnae chapter meeting. I've wondered if one of the reasons that young alums didn't attend the alumnae chapter events was because they were afraid to walk into the home of a sister they don't know by themselves. We'll see how this works! |
Quote:
But then, a lot of our members hate going to anything called "meeting" so we don't have them. |
We have the problem that even young alums who attend our happy hours, don't attend the alumnae chapter meetings, so I'm hoping this might help them decide to join us.
We are also working on changing our meeting choices by having two younger members on the alumnae exec board--one who is the vp in charge of programming! BTW, I love your decision to not call them meetings! :) P.S. Smart Blonde - Did you go to WashU? |
SmartBlondeGPhB
Love anomoly!:D No way do We have meetings! It is a Gathering of Members who just sit BS and usually get into the meat of things as it always does.;) So, the thing you may not have in common is age, But, there is the thing that You do have in Common, Letters and GLO! Heck fire, We have Brothers from Mid late 20s to Me and I am by far the eldest!:( But, the thread is the most Commom! We as a GLO!:cool: "Learn from everyone, You may die tomarrow!" |
Quote:
We have the same trouble mentioned in your first paragraph. You will always have women who only want to come to social things and they don't think meetings are social. We have the same thing and those women won't even come to Founders Day. If you check out our website (the link in my sig) you'll see pictures from the events we've had. |
We have a "Brunch Bunch" that meets on the last Sunday of each month at a local restaurant. It's for alumnae under 40, but usually the age group that attends ranges from 23-34. I don't know of any "older" thirty-somethings that go.
|
DZRose-
I like the brunch idea. I've written before about my monthly young alum happy hours--happy hour and/or the young alum thing in general seem to have a limited appeal so this year I'm trying a couple new things. Right now we're planning to see a collegiate hockey game (more popular than football!) -Angie |
| All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:08 AM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions Inc.