Question about Alum status
 

Do any of ya'll know what criteria you have to meet to apply for "early alum" status? (or have ya'll even ever heard of this?) I'm asking here, b/c my Diamond isn't sure, and I don't want to open that can of worms w/ our Standards chair or the President. (not that it's bad, but I don't want to "20 questions" game played as to why I'm asking b/c word travels fast)

I don't care to talk a/b it, I just don't feel comfortable posting it to the world. If you wanna know my reason for asking PM me... :)

As always, thanks in advance!!

You may go alum for the following reasons--

1) You are graduating that semester/quarter
2) You are leaving school completely
3) You are transferring and there is no ADPi chapter at your new school
4) You are transferring and there is an ADPi chapter, but you do not want to affiliate with that chapter
5) Chapter by-laws often have provisions (in my chapter, if you got engaged, we would let our members go early alum so they could plan their wedding and not have the added stress of collegiate sorority requirements. Other chapters allow members who have gotten married/engaged or who are expecting a child to go alum right away so they may focus on these responsiblities)

Other than that, there are no other criteria by which a woman may go alum.

There is an optional alumnae ritual you may participate in as you graduate called the Jewel Degree. You may receive Jewel Degree ANY time after your college days have ended-- even if it is 30 years later!

If your sister doesn't meet these criteria, she still has options--
1) She may apply for financial inactivitiy (she is still considered a member, but she is not financially responsible for the remainder of that school year) which means that she does not participate in chapter life, hold offices, vote, attend social/date functions, sisterhood events, etc. She needs to write and sign a letter to exec board. Financial inactivity is only granted in cases where there has been an unexpected financial hardship, medical problem or family emergency.
2) Request a payment plan. The chapter treasurer can assist with this.
3) Request voluntary membership cancellation. This would mean she is no longer a member of Alpha Delta Pi.

I thought you could go alum after completing 4 years as an active member? (If it takes longer for you to graduate)

T*P, you are right. In fact, if you want to stay active your 5th year, you have to apply- it's not automatic. Way to think on your toes! :)

Yay! I get a gold star! http://mysmilies.ipbfree.com/s/ups/DeNiro/star.gif

Yes, thanks for catching that sister!

Another point-- if you joined as sophomore, and you are taking the 5 year plan, you do not need to petition for 5th year status, as it would be your 4th year in ADPi.

Not that this relates to the question posed by Adelphean, but it has to do with Alumnae status.

How does it work if a sister gets married or pregnant? Must she automatically go alum or can she stay active, if she chooses to do so? I ask because we have a sister who is married yet active on this forum. But I know of a sister that we she got married went alum. Does it depend on the chapter and their specific rules?

Just thought I would ask. I had kind of always wondered this.

The alpha handbook mentions that women that marry are not automatically alums. This does not relieve them of their obligation to the chapter. I am assuming it would be the same for pregnancy. However, most chapters encourage this so the women can better focus on what their new life entails. If a sister wished to remain, she could. Her alum status would not be automatic. I dont' believe a chapter bylaws can over throw GC on any topic, this one included.

Please correct me if I'm wrong. I always love to learn.

This is crazy - I just KNOW that I posted something!

Back when I was an active, when dinosaurs roamed the earth, married ADPis were automatically granted alumna status. We were not permitted to give a married PNM a bid, and pregnancy was not even discussed!

Now, it would depend on the chapter by-laws, to my knowledge (I called back in the fall).

We have a sister in our chapter who is pregnant. (She's due April 11!!!) She had to apply to go alum, however she wasn't completely paid up so she is currently inactive until she turns her money in, then she will be considered alum.

Adelphean,

Red Flag! I don't want this women to owe money needlessly-- The only way she could be considered financially inactive is if she was paid up at the time inactivity is granted. Right now, she is technically on the chapter books as an active member who owes the chapter money.

Late fees accrue to her account while she goes unpaid. The chapter treasurer can get her on a payment plan so she can catch it up.

Do talk to her, please, and urge her to meet with the chapter treasurer ASAP!!! Once she is paid up, she can be granted inactivity through the rest of the school year and go through spring Jewel Degree with your seniors. Otherwise, they could revoke membership and, in a worst-case scenario, send her to collections (we tend not to send to collections, but it has been done).

yes yes yes please have her contact the treasurer. There are many plans availible that should fit her needs.

This is a special deal that was worked out between her, the President, and the treasurer. We have a provision in our by-laws that allows for special circumstances involving inactivity and being paid up. (Well, this By-law is active until June)

Honey,
I guess we were actives about the same time!
Yes, used to be that "married women" were FORCED (by our by-laws) to go alum and chapters were not allowed to bid a "married woman'! Heavens!! :rolleyes:
As far as pregnancy.... I can't even imagine... Lord help me when that happens to me (as an Advisor to collegiate chapter)!

I think I'm younger than y'all, and it was still a big No no at our chapter.