Graduate chapters
 

Do we need graduate chapters instead of ALumni Associations?
What does everyone think?

I think both work the same. Grad chapter, Alumni Association...I really don't see much of a difference.

Alumni Associations vs. Graduate chapters
 

There is definately a difference. The concept of Graduate chapters as far as I know only exists in the Noble Nine and those groups aspiring to join them in the NPHC. There are two *large* rights given to graduate chapters that are not given to ALpha Phi Omega alumni associations.

1) To make new brothers (sisters). In all of the NPHC, Graduate chapters have equal ability to make new brothers with, I believe, the only difference being that to become part of a graduate chapter, you need to already have a degree from a 4-year institution.

2) To vote at the National Convention. At the very least, for Alpha Kappa Alpha and Kappa Alpha Psi (I think), the graduate chapters have more votes in convention than do the undergraduate chapters. It is only in the last 10 years that the fraternity has allowed an alumni vote for each region and at the most significant re-write of Alpha Phi Omega's organization (1967 con-con) alumni were not even allowed any vote (including the national president!)

Some groups do try. The fraternity has had to take action against alumni associations who have tried to make new brothers. Right now it is *much* easier to make an alumni association than to make a chapter, I don't know how many alumni associations would be willing to put themselves through the types of requirements that new chapters have to. As far as I know all graduate chapters are based entirely on location, so all of the groups based on being alumni of the same chapter would have to go.


I'll be happy to share more opinions on the relationship, but I think this is enough for now. :)

Randolph Finder

I prefer Alumni Associations. It is one more thing that sets us apart from "General" Fraternities. With APO, you get one shot to pledge. . .our college days. Sure, it is a lifetime committment. . .but one that must start in college.

I totally agree

Re: Graduate chapters
 

It was stated to me by the national office that your chapter is allowed to create members, but those members will only be members of the Alumni Association and not members of the National Organization. Which really isn't much of anything. Because you still would not be able to where any letters.

I would actually love to have an alumni type of membership started. As president of an Alumni chapter, I run into many people who would like to be apart of what we are doing. Some have never been in school and some has degrees. It should be possible for a personto join Alpha Phi Omega when in so many cases they have failed while they were in college, because of:

1.) The chapter didn't send in their pledge fees.

2.) There wasn't an active chapter nearby where they could have joined during the now....

3.)...defunct extension membership program. where an individual didn't have to be in the same college where the chapter existed.

4.) There are circumstances where a interest group failed, and not by the the fault of one individual. But because there is no other way to join, he would have to go back to school where there already exist chapter or go back to school just to try it again.

5.) And there is always the chance where the individuals in a chapter doesn't reflect the influence what cause you to become interested in the first place. Your interest may be in the organization rather that being apart of the individuals in a chapter. Right now you are subjected to the uniqueness of the chapter.

6.) And if a group gets suspended right when a pledge group is going on, if their paper work is delayed for any reason, and that is there last semester in school, there is no way to correct the situation. Accept for that interested individual to go back to school, after the suspension is over.

7.) When a individual has to relocate before he can pledge.

8.) Some curriculums are so difficult it requires an individuals complete time.

9.) Some individual just have to many responsiblities to pledge during college. They have classes, children and work.

If they had an alumni membership I can see more members. And maybe even more dedicated members. I don't care about other organizations and trying not to be like them. I think we have a growth area here that we are not letting ourselves take advantage of.

Honorary Membership
 

I enjoy the freedom that alumni associations have to create a program that suits their needs.

We have honorary membership for individuals who weren't initiated in college. . .same ritual and everything. Once they are initiated through a chapter, then they can affiliate with an alumni association.

I think leaving the power to confer membership in the hands of the chapters is important. . .I can't really explain it. I like the fact that as an alum, I am a servant to the fraternity, and therefore a servant to the students. Conferring membership is an honor that i'd rather leave in their hands.

Graduate Chapters
 

Do you think more brothers would be involved with a graduate chapter vs. and alumni association. I don't know, "graduate chapter" seems to denote a closer association with the fraternity.

If I May Comment...
 

Well, in Gamma Sig it is somewhat similar. When you join an alumnae chapter, most likely you would have pledged at a collegiate (we don't call them "undergrad" anymore, changed at the last Convention) chapter. Each alumnae chapter can only pick up 2 members that didn't pledge collegiate, per chapter. They are called "associate" members.

I really don't like that, because I think it hinders the growth of the chapter. Think of how many great members out there in the community you are passing by because you cannot take in new members on the graduate level. As brother Jaybee said, there are a lot of people out there that are interested in our organizations but we have to tell them, "Sorry, you can't join because..." I don't think we should do that. I don't see anything wrong with having people made on the graduate as well as collegiate level. Having a strong alum chapter in the midst of collegiates-that's always helpful and I think it encourages collegiate members to continue their service to the organization after graduation.

Hopefully at the next GSS Convention (Jersey '03), that will change for us. Or, at least give it some discussion.

Just my $.52...

I've been rethinking this issue. . .I hope that anyone with suggestions on how to strengthen alumni involvement actually joins an alumni association and submits ideas and suggestions to our Alumni and Internal Volunteer Coordinator, Keith Roots.

There is a lot of room for growth in this area and i think we can all make this happen.

Lets discuss the structure...you thinks its ok the way it is or should it be changed. Basically as far as i see it its anything goes.

Structure
 

Yeah, it does seem like anything goes to a certain extent.

Here are some definitions to get us started. There were all taken from the "How to Start an Alumni Association" document on the website.

"An 'officially recognized local alumni association' is a group of. . .alumni organized for the purpose of furthering the aims and goals of the fraternity and the Mission of the National Alumni Association. The mission and purpose of the alumni program shall be to encourage support of the. . .Fraternity; to service, inform, and involve alumni of the Fraternity so as to foster interaction and friendship among Alpha Phi Omega members of all ages; and to promote civic and professional service by Alpha Phi Omega Alumni."

****

I agree with the above definition. However, there are a few points I'd like to bring up.

If we follow this definition, it is possible that APO on the alumni level could rival existing service and civic organizations, like the Jaycees, Kiwanis, Lions, Rotary, and some graduate and alumni/ae chapters of general fraternities. NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT! The question is, why aren't we there now?

There is a misconception that social fraternities and sororities are just for the undergraduate years, but the longer I am on GC, the more I realize that they have active alumni chapters as well. What is the secret to their success? Those individuals have made the transition from college to the real world.

At one point, before I got involved with extension, I was attempting to create a DC Alumni Association. The National Office was very helpful, supplying me with a list of registered life members in the DC area. I used the Secton 84 email list to find alumni in the area. . .with their help, we now have a list serv of about 55 alumni in this area.

Where did we go wrong?

1. It seemed as though the alumni most interested in an association were already busy volunteering on section staff!

2. Other interested alumni had various contraints on their time: kids, jobs, and graduate school.

3. No seed money to throw that first event to bring everyone together and to send out a mailing to those life members whose mailing addresses we did have.

The conclusion to this story. . .it seems as though the DC Alumni Association WILL become a reality, partially because we do have that list serv set up. We have a new section chair who is working to make this a reality this coming year. And we actually have an alum who is active in service and is planning events. The only element that is currently missing is the fellowship and networking opportunities I think associations should have.

Sorry this is so long! I guess I hope by telling my story, you all can provide some advice and learn from what we did.

TO answer your question, lol, I think it's fine the way it is, but I think Alumni Associations should be one of the prioroties of section staff if at all possible. That way, our alumni are in tunes with the needs of the fraternity, and the fraternity is in tune with the needs of the alumni.

Re: Structure
 

Huh. As someone working to get another Alumni Assocition off the ground, I've seen the same thing. In our area, we have lots of alumni, and I've been in contact with several. But try to get those people out to a simple meeting with others is like pulling teeth. As you say, too many see fraternities as something for their college days, and now they've moved on. Its difficult to get these people to become Life Members, as well.