Can alumnae attend formals?
 

Every year we hold our Forget-Me-Not Formal in the spring and I've always been told it's sisters only... no alumnae. I'm just wondering if this is a national rule or a local rule from us (since no one really seems to know or I get conflicting answers)? I'm just curious because I've been to other Greek formals and having the alumni there is a great opportunity to get to know your alumni better as well as a chance to catch up with those that you do know. It's been mentioned that it's a liability issue, so I just wanted to see if it was a national rule, or if it was an old local rule that we must have instilled several years ago.

How Wierd!
 

That seems so wierd!!! At my chapter we each bring a date and our parents. It is an honor to have alum at our formal. I don't see why it would be a liabilty issue! So, no that is not a national rule. And, that seems pretty rediculous! It is interesting how each chapter does things differently. :)

First, alums are your sisters -- once a sister in Alpha Phi, always a sister in Alpha Phi (unless, of course you resign!). :D

Second, I don't know the answer to your question off hand, but I bet Lauradav or Aphigal might! I've never heard of any rule barring alumnae from attendance at formals. Come to think of it, some local alums always attend Alpha Phi Presentation at Texas Tech. Presentation is very much like a formal, only with a little more ceremony. I can't imagine why a rule like that might exist. Lauradav and Aphigal: Can you give us the "straight stuff"?

I briefly scanned the Chapter Operations Manual, CCOM and the Program Development Manual and did not find the answer to your question. Nothing I read seemed to address alumnae attendance at collegiate events, though I might have missed it.

I believe alumnae were allowed to come to formal, but they were not covered by the chapter's insurance. As long as that was acceptable to the alum, it was ok. I don't think there is an International rule. It could be a rule in your chapter bylaws for Risk Management purposes, but I'm not sure.

Hey ladies, it looks like Lauradav is offline so how about some scoop from a Chapter Adviser until Laura can elaborate.

Alumnae/collegiate combined functions are best left to sisterhood activities where alcohol and other influences are not a factor. Think big picutre here. You're 100% right on about insurance coverage and overall risk management being the primary factor. You're also right in that a lot of these risk management issues are not spelled out verbatim in the CCOM or other manuals which is why you always want to partner with your adviser for the most up-to-date guidance on the subject. (Here's also where regional conferences are so valuable!)

And just to put it out there, it is NOT okay to get an alumna to "waive coverage" because bottom line is this--if something happens, anything happens, the chapter WILL be liable. And besides, how exactly are you going to discipline an out of control alumnae?

Keep the formals as a reward for your active dues paying members. We alumnae would really rather share other events with you anyway like a fundraiser or a teddy bear tea.:D

CAinCA: Thanks so much for the info -- I had no idea! What are the rules regarding alums and events like Preference?

Thanks again for setting the record straight! :)

You betcha!

Now if you're talking about pref night during formal rush, that you'll have to look up in your campus panhellenic's rush rules. Every PHC seems to put down different rules. Where I advise, up to 5 alumnae are allowed to be present and visible each night of rush. Some campuses don't allow any, some allow many more. That's a local panhellenic call.

CAinCA: Ok, I feel like a major idiot! I mis-typed. I meant to ask: What about Presentation -- it is okay for alumnae to attend that?

Thank you for your information! :-)

I don't know if this will help any, but I have been in contact with the National Headquarters and I quote that I was told "Please note one thing: no alumnae member or Alumna Initiate may participate in collegiate events & activities." I don't know what this means nor if it answers the question because I am not part of Alpha Phi yet and I am not familiar with any rules or guidlines. Just trying to help out.


Stephanie

Tech, that's a hard one to answer because I don't know what presents are like at your campus. I'll tell you though, where I advise it's a no-alum thing as it is a third-party controlled alcoholic function with a closed invitation list. There are other campuses though which do presents "showcase" style on campus as a dry event with parents, faculty, etc in attendance. I'm guessing that's not the case where you're at though.

At Texas Tech it is an event that includes parents/families, as well as dates. The advisors usually attend as do local alums: Is that wrong? Thanks again for all the info!

Hi Tech...is alcohol involved??

There's alcohol at formals? :confused:

(Please note that I just turned 21, so if there is alcohol, that must mean that my chapter follows the rules well. :D )

Not sure about that. I actually have never been, but I do know that local alums are usually invited to attend and our advisors do go -- not me, though, because I don't live in Lubbock. The parents and family members are there as well.