Changes within your GLO - Implications and Relations with Actives
 

There have been a few changes that have taken place in my fraternity over the last 3 years and it seems that Alumni brothers today feel that our Alumni Associations are focusing too much on Collegiate members and not thinking about other Alumni Brothers. I think that both are equally important. Has anyone else ever gone through anything like this? It could be as easy as a small change to your chapter traditions from 10 years ago to what is being done today.

Fraternally,

Boodleboy322

Sorry have just picked up on this post BoodleBoy!

As the New and actually first Alumni President of my Chapter I can understand where you are coming from.

As Alumni, we try to help the Chapter where we are from.

Many times, the chapter is in need and who better to help but the Alumni Chapter.

When it as Alumni get big enough, they can do both.

But isnt the commen thread for each of us the Chapter and National Greek Organization we each belong to?

Alumni do many things that come first before the Alumni Organization:

1. Keeping the chapter in good status.

2. Keeping the National working for the members.

3. Having fun with Alum Brothers.

Doesnt # 3 encompass all of these?

Do you mean you think there isn't enough alumni programming, or

do you mean you think there are too many changes being made to the way things are being run with the collegiate chapters and the alums aren't being consulted about it?

Relations
 

33girl - There are definately changes that alums don't feel that they're being consulted with.

I know this is a pat answer, but if that's the case, get more involved on a national level. Sometimes there becomes an old boy (or old girl for that matter) network among the higher ups who run things on a national level, not necessarily because it was planned that way, but because no one else stepped up to the plate.

It really isn't a pat answer, but it is more true than most think.

Many of our Alums have complained and we are finally being heard.

More emphasis is being placed on Alums as We are the ones who donate $$$$$!

We as Alums get DAMN tired of only hearing from IHQ when it is donaiton time.

We as Alums also spend our money in going to the chapter and working with them through three main committees:

1. House Corp. where needed.

2. Alumni Advisory Board, working with the local chapter.

3. Alumni Association.

But, unless the chapter is not willing to work with us, then it is a lose.

IHQ has finely come to the same conclusion as many of us have been telling them for years!:D

Relations
 

We've definately stepped to the plate. During a cross-fire of email chains being delivered on our Alum List Serv I began copying other List Servs around the country. We must have had some type of impact. The director of Alumni Affairs himself is flying down from Nationals to attend our Alum meeting and to help clear some air. I'll post back some more info. as it comes.

Nationals can be of help!:)

But the important part is that the Chapter shows that they are concerned.

When Nationals see this, they are more willing to work with you and the chapter.

I have been working with a member of another Fraternity and he has gotten excited and is working with His Chapter, which in turn has given new hope top His IHQ!

Nationals will be more than happy to work with those who want to work with them!:D


Please keep us updated on the goings on!

Our Director of Alumni Affairs at Nationals is flying down in November to attend and talk with our Alumni Association. This is great news!!! !

Hey, that is great. Have a true meeting of the Minds, Alums and Actives.

Explain the problems and see what HQ person says and suggests.

Remember, there are 3 parts of a Chapter:

1. Actives.
2. Alums.
3. Hq.

It helps if all work together for one goal.


The very best of Luck to You and your Chapter!!!!!:)

My organization (and our sister organization, Tau Beta Sigma) are currently going through some internal changes regarding our NAA and alumni chapters.

Without getting too specific: A lot of the contention and discussion revolves around the role of alumni members with regards to the National Fraternity and Sorority. In my opinion, it's a result of the growth of both orgs in the past ten (10) years.

Of course, things will sort themselves out in the long run, but the resulting controversy is forcing the alumni organizations to reevaluate the current ways in which their business is being conducted and make changes/adapt where necessary in order to continue playing their invaluable role(s) in the Fraternity and Sorority at-large.

Boodleboy, any news from your meeting?

I know that many of LXA Alum were getting upset with what little towards us was not being done with in IHQ.

With time and money we spend with and on our chapters, we feel that there should be more done for us besides just asking for money.

I know a new wind is blowing from IHQ and it is getting more of us as Alums envolved.

Now, I hope it happens for each of us.

Tom - Absolutely; Without Getting into too much detail the main issue was that National Dues for Alumni Associations were being reduced. At first glance, the local chapter had a collective opinion on this. A good percentage of the membership felt that this is wrong and that any additional dollar amount pickup could be used to help facilitate the Fraternity on a National level if not local. The idea was that more money never hurts. Basically, the reason that dues were reduced was to make a national effort of recruiting more alumni participation across the US so that Alumni Association volume would increase. It was cited that the appropriate offices at National HQ, such as the Educational Foundation, could still be utilized to channel monetary contributions as desired. At the end of the day the National office proved that the same integrity is still in place as always and simply are dealing with symantics.

What type of new winds is LXA have up their sleeve if appropriate to discuss?

Boodle -- your national HQ requires dues from alums? That's really interesting.

My alumni chapter (our charter is only 4 years old) is just this moment having a little bit of controversy as to what we set our association dues at. Some of the same arguments were raised -- back to the 'ol "quality versus quantity" argument.

My personal view is that the alumni chapter in order to be relevant must be able to exercise some influence over the chapter. I can think of no method (other than the active chapter voluntarily giving up rights [good luck with that!]) to have a positive influence than by being able to offer up 'carrots' for good behavior. So, perhaps your alumni chapter wants to help fund rush, academic activities, set up a scholarship foundation, set up a foundation for tax-deductible house improvements, pay for certain rush activities, fund alumni get-togethers, fund formal, etc. Your first step should be figuring that out.

Next, you prioritize things. Finally, figure out what maximum number you can charge (back to quantity vs quality) and still accomplish your most important and immediate goals.

The concept of national alumni dues seems interesting if not foreign. Our IHQ does do quite a bit of fundraising, but as far as I can tell, they're very well funded without having to resort to dues. It would seem to me that the idea of alumni dues would be easier to sell to brothers to support their own alumni chapter which in turn supports positive actions by the undergrad chapter as well as creating an organization for alumni oversight and support.

BoodleBoy, there is no Alum dues within LXA IHQ.

On a local level though, we solicit dues as many do in our Chapters.

We use this money to work with the local chapters, give money for scholarships, and send more than the required Rep. to IHQ meetings.

Our IHQ requests donations only to the Educational Funding for some of the above.

Now, if the two bills, one in the House and one in the Senate would allow us as Alums to donate to each chapter with tax deductions, it would certainly help all of us.:)