Suggestions on renewing alumni relations...
 

Our chapter had a major split about 5 or 6 years ago. In the split I think our relationship with our alumns was lost. What do you think would be the best way to renew a relationship with our alumni and at the same time get them more involved in the goings on of our chapter?

Well...you could start a listserv or mailing to keep them updated on chapter events. Or personally inviting them to events. Have an Alumni/Active social to start the year?

The above listed are great ideas!

Also, could you have an "Alumnae Weekend" during Homecoming or something of the sort? We do that and the year before this we had a huge turnout and it was great. I met so many cool alumnae that I'd never even heard of before, and those women stay in better touch with our chapter now.

Contact your HQs to get an address listing, if you don't have current addresses. Send out a newsletter to them, so they know you're around and want them to participate. Have an alumnae social just for them, AND invite them to activities. Also, set up a part of your website dedicated only to alumnae, so they can share news with each other.

We recently had an Alumnae BBQ and we met some of our founders... which was kind of a trip. They brought their kids and husbands if they had them as well as old photo albums and stuff. It was lots of fun.

My chapter was always kinda flakey on keep good contact with alum. To this day I get emails from founding sisters that aren't on our current alumnae list. It's something we are trying to improve upon.

The benefit of being a national is that I am sure your HQ can give you a list of girls that were initiated 5 or 6 years ago... maybe help ya find them.

Communication is the key! As others have said--listserves and newsletters are great ideas. Consider preparing an annual report with statistics on the chapter and greek life on your campus that you would send to your alumnae and parents. Sometimes, alumnae like seeing more than stories or pictures.

Another great way to mend relations is build a relationship with a few key alumnae and ask them to reach out to other alumnae. Sometimes we respond better if another alum is asking for our involvement.

Make sure your events are held when alumnae naturally return to campus--Homecoming, Winter Carnival, Fall Festivals etc. Sometimes people will only return to campus once a year, so attending your event should be convenient.

Overall, just keep communicating all the the things your chapter is doing....and don't just write whenever you need money!