How do people react when you mention you are involved as an alum
 

I was wondering if anyone here faces odd reactions from people when you mention that you are involved with your alum chapter. Mine is putting together goody bags for a women's shelter and I have asked several friends and family members for ideas/item donations (trial size items like you get in hotels), and they react like I am speaking another language.

I will be working on a few service projects with my alum chapter and I know that I am going to run into people or mention it, for example if they ask me what my plans are for a certain day.

I need to add that no one in my family and very few of my friends in my home state (where I moved back to) are Greek.

Interesting thought.

I am still very involved as many of My Chapter Alums are and we are proud to tell people about it.

I have many Alums come in my store and we talk Greek and most are still involved with both the GLO and School.

I am the only one in my whole family that have been in a GLO and they were proud of the fact.

Don't hang your head, be proud!:)

I have lived all over the US and remained (for the most part) active as an alum. I have worked in offices ranging from several 1000 co-workers to under 20-- each time I have worked with Greeks and they think it is hilarious and/or odd that I have chosen to stay involved as an alumna. I have only ever encountered one other co-worker who was active as an adviser of her sorority and involved with her AA.

Yes, my mother keeps asking me when I'm going to grow up and quit that sorority. **Honestly! :mad: ** I enjoy it, I like meeting and working with sisters from other chapters, and I've been an active alum WAY longer than I was a collegiate. So...what!
It all goes back to new member education (which I think is too short but that's another thread).

My mother was the same way until May 2005 (see "prayers for mr sageofages" thread)....My Phi Mu sisters were there for me in a BIG way (and you GC'ers as well). NOW, Mom "gets" it...she gets it enough that she is encouraging my neices to "consider that sorority thing like Aunt Sageofages" when you go to college.

My parents are very supportive of my continued involvement with my collegiate chapter - they know how much I miss being in the thick of things up there! My med school classmates, however, are largely puzzled by it. Why would you take weekend trips up to UF for things like sorority recruitment or initiation when you could be studying? :rolleyes:

I am actively involved with my Alumnae Association and have been advising a chapter since 2004. Strangely enough, I find that fraternity alumni are the most interested/respectful about the time that I put in! I find that those who think that it is strange or a waste of time are those who aren't involved with any type of activity or community service groups. I loved my collegiate experience, and I am getting more than I could have ever imagined out of my alumna experience.

It is of no surprise to people when I tell them because it's kind of like "you better be living your lifetime commitment." Yet people still smile and want to know what my alumnae chapter is doing.

For many organizations it is expected for us to be involved at the alum level. When I meet NPHCers, for example, I expect for them to not only be able to tell me their chapter and year of initiation but to often mention their alum/grad chapter affiliation or if they are financially a member-at-large. I've even had NPHCers come at me wrong if they assumed I graduated 7 years ago and haven't contributed to my organization since.

Of course this expectation is especially the case with my Sorors. Over the past 7 years I've been involved in making sure Sorors who aren't financial and active are reclaimed either as a member-at-large or through alumnae chapter affiliation.

I get more "aggravation" when I use the word Greek, as opposed to my sorority alumnae association. Most non-greeks don't seem to understand that terminology around here.

Maybe it is not what WE have missed but what THEY have missed!:D

They do not understand because they were never envolved in anything bigger than themselves.

There really is a lot bigger world out there or I would not have had the opportunity to meet so many neat people from all over and so many different walks of life!

Terrible assumption. You know that GLOs aren't the only organizations to belong to.

If it's a guy he usually asks me to hook him up with some hot sorority girls!

My boyfriend is aggravated by it, and when I mention doing things with my alumnae group, he's like "oh jeez" or "give it a rest, college is over." Funny thing is, he was (and I do mean, was) in a fraternity!

I haven't been out of college for very long, but this is my first year joining the alumnae group and I like it a lot so far. My family doesn't think it is odd, but I'm sure some of my sisters would think it is, while others would say, "oh good for you." There are a handful that are really involved with advising other chapters nearby, so we can relate.

I generally get "You do that as a volunteer? For free???" I guess "I oversee 24 of our chapters in the Northeast" sounds like a full time job.. and some weeks, it feels like one!

Generally, the people that I call "joiners" think it's neat, as do some moms of daughters who have gone Greek and have seen the benefits first hand. The people who are not "joiners" and just aren't into belonging to organizations at all think it's weird. Most do ask me if I get paid though.

Wow, thanks so much for these replies!

I should add that my (non-greek) husband thinks it's great. He loves it when I wear my letters and tells me he is proud of my commitment. And this is 10 years post-graduation.

As an aside, I was reading through some of my "old" new member material and some of what I read just really hit me. I am very proud to be part of GSS.

You all made me smile, and today I really needed it. I am glad I joined GC.

People are usually shocked because they think I'm a lot younger than I actually am. That works for me:p .

My group manager at work was amused that I still work with the band and I'm active within the Fraternity (Life member) after almost twenty years. He was even more amused when he saw my license plate/tag and Psi stick in my car.

Ironic, since he's a member of a D9 (NPHC) organization. He looks at it as being a "college thing --- been there, done that", which is very unusual given the thinking of (in my opinion) most D9ers...

Beyond ironic. It's sad that he feels that way. I'd rather hear someone say something akin to, "I'm very busy/going through some things/getting settled in Atlanta," than hear that it was a college thing. That means you are disregarding the "lifetime commitment" that you made to the organization and your fellow members.

I'm one of three Greeks in my family, and the other family members can appreciate that my alumnae involvement is a positive thing, which goes against what they read and hear about Greeks in the news. Other Greeks appreciate it, too, and once in a while, we get into the whole debate about being financial and supporting the national body. It's beautiful, especially when I get to see some of my sorors in their 80s still attending meetings and contributing to the sorority because Sigma always has been and will be important in their lives.

Never thought of any of this
 

I live across the street from my chapter. I still go to meetings and ceremonies. And tonight they called me and asked if I would help out with Relay for Life. Granted I have only been out of college for a year, but, I would never think twice of not attending an event. Most of the time I am working. But if I am around and available I am more than willing to spend my time with my sisters.

I wish I was able to be more involved.

I think its great you are still involved. After I graduated in 2004, I had the wonderful opportunity of going to work for my organization. I now serve as our Regional Governor. I oversee our groups in the New England area.

right right.....

It's funny/sad when people say that they never hear from the collegiate chapter..well..we've been in the same dorm since 1972 and have had the same post office box and how many times have you moved, changed email addresses, stayed in touch with anyone you knew in college much less the collegiates??

And btw, we may be moving in 2008 so you might see a whole different decorating scheme if you try to come by Boykin,.

Back to the 1st post...when I go into a Greek store to buy stuff, the question is "Oh, is your daughter an Alpha Gam?..I just thought of the perfect line....


No, but my 100,000 sisters are.;)

Hello, stranger. :D

Hey ChOAs.... <-- you know i had to do that for old time sake :D

Long time....

I always find it is fun when people come into my shop and I see a College tag on their car and ask oh, I see you went to ABC school.

Were you in a Fraternity/Sorority? They will say yes I was a so and so at ABC. How about you and I always say I am a LXA from ABC and am still active. I always found it amazing how much warmer people were after we talked a while about the Greek Days back when!:D

Just to name a few:

BTP
DDD
STG
KS
OSPhi
AKA
AKL
XO

While from different Organizations, there is still a common bond.:)

Anyone who is friends with me knows that I am involved as an alum. Most of the time I get no reaction, but most often people say I'm not the type....haha, if they only knew!!

My company hired a new saleswoman last year. While at lunch we had to tell her a little bit about ourselves. I gave her the basic information then my VP shared that I was also involved with my sorority and did a lot of volunteer work. Needless to say I was surprised (but perhaps I shouldn't be because she's a Junior League person and quite involved herself), but then the saleswoman asked my affiliation. It turns out she is an Alpha Xi Delta too! And a former chapter president as well!!! It's funny, because we instantaneously clicked!

Than again, a sister that I initiated with and advise with now got married in April. Her husband is becoming evermore resentful of her involvement as an alumnae. I cannot wrap my head around it because did he assume the minute they said the vows she would stop her involvement? Why can't he accept her involvement as something that she ENJOYS and that it gives her a sense of purpose and satisfaction of giving back to an org she loves? She certainly accepts his need to go to every UGA event and local basketball league games that he's in. Why should she give up her own interests? It's totally selfish! Sorry.....venting! :rolleyes:

It may sound bad and I apologize, but I feel sorry for you. Your statement makes me really sad. As alumni, we have so many opportunities to mentor young men and women during these formative years as they are becoming responsible (hopefully) adults. Although you, and many others, have not been involved for a long time, there are so many opportunities to educate members in the chapter....not on stuff relating to our orgs, but just life. The other benefit...the collegiates enrich your life as well!

That said, at least you keep in touch with the people you were in chapter with. We did join orgs to create lifelong friendships and that's exactly what you did.

Just a couple of questions:

1. is your chapter still there.
2. is your Fraternity still viable as a Orgnaization.

While it may seem hard, and I congratulate on keeping in touch, is there a chance of expansion that would be a building momento for others?

While I kind of laugh at your date, I have been involved since 1965.

I have become great friends with all of the younger Brothers and many from other chapters. We have a common bond and do help each other with jobs and inter working in later life.

Take a second look and see what you may be able to do if you so desire.

The power of Christ compels you!!!

*throwing Holy water*

I graduated this past May from my school, and I am now joining my sorority's housing board and I remain a "go-to" person for the active girls, offering advice, encouragement and counseling. When I left, 14 other girls left with me, so it has been a large majority of the younger girls running things, which is why I didn't want to fall out of the picture, in case they needed me.

My parents don't get it, my friends in my new town don't get it either. My dad tells me to grow up, especially because I still wear my charm necklace, he tells me to get over it. I tell him over and over again that this is something that matters to me, and he'll just have to respect that.

First off, congratulations on Graduation and still being involved with Your GLO!:)

Secondly, I can understand about parents! They thought I was nuts in starting a Local. I was the first in My family in going to College so everything was new to them.

But, when they would come down for H C and would meet my Brothers, they kind of became very close to them!:)

When they passed on, I had Brothers there as they respected them and cared about them for who they were!

Just keep up the good work and aide the Young Members! "YOU" doing good!:D

I think it sucks that you have to justify your involvement with your parents on something that means so much to you. My parents didn't quite get it either....but 10 years later they've gotten the hint and support it wholeheartedly. Hopefully your parents will do the same. Chin up!:D

Cute, I like that:cool:

I've been asked to "Hook a brotha' up" a couple of times :rolleyes: to which I responded " Ummmm, no."

In and Out of different Threads, but I a wear a LXA Sweat Shirt to the Store as is so friggen cold!

The owner of one of my main wholesalers calls on me.

Oh, You are a LXA?

Yep, I am a Sig Ep from Mo. Un!

So, if some do not like me as a Greek, then, it is their PROBLEM!:D

Heck yes, I will be more than happy to tell them and what I did in and out of College to do good!:cool:

I graduated a decade ago (has it really been that long? :eek: ), and I'm still involved with my sorority.

I think what some people (sisters included) have a hard time understanding is why I'm still involved when my own chapter closed a few years ago. My response is generally to explain that I didn't just join my chapter at MSU, I joined a national group of sisters. :)

I've been involved in various capacities off and on since graduation, and recently became Chapter Advisor for a chapter in my area.

Thanks blueangle!:D

Showing love and admiration for your GLO!:)

It's funny my parents (a Tri-Delt and a PKA) both hated that I was Greek in college because they thought it pulled me away from my studies. Which it didn't, I was just slack for a while by my own choice. ANYWAY, they love that I'm involved now as an alum. It's so funny too, but it's like the realize there's no studying that needs to be done and that I already have my job, so they're all about it.

My other friends up here are either in their own AA's or just haven't heard me talk about my own, but pretty much all my friends happen to be Greek (by chance), so I don't think any of them would care. :)

kappa delta chi continued involvment
 

It's funny because it depends on who is racting, if it's other greeks they understand, but people who have never been involved with a Greek organization think it's a terrible group to be a part of because of what they've heard on television or the like. I try to explain, but some people are going to block you out no matter what terrific things you try to explain.

On the other hand, my family, friends and folks think it's terrific and my dad will recognize another Kappa Delta Chi sister's bumper sticker or letter on the back of a vehicle driving in TX and it's the funniest thing. He'll tell me all about his experience seeing another "penguin".

I agree. It depends on who you are talking to.
One friend thought it was great (she is a GLO alum),
Another said all of the girls in her sorority are sluts so she wants nothing more to do with it any more,
my one cousin (same GLO) was very excited
another cousin (different GLO) couldn't understand it -- she was done with it when she graduated
aunt said, "whatever"
mother was ok with it
some friends laugh, but no one has ever critcized it (at least not to my face)