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Originally Posted by nittanyalum
Thanks for bumping this thread. Has anyone had any experience getting alumnae re-involved in a chapter that's been shut down or reorganized? Is there a way to avoid/get over their feeling that "their" chapter doesn't exist anymore and get them re-engaged?
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Yes. Get a printout from your HQ of all of the alumnae in your area (ours does it by zipcode, so you may want to figure that out first), and throw a "Recolonization Party".
Remind them that their vows were not to XZ chapter of ABC, but to ABC! Also, they are going to living a lot in "we used to do it this way". Have the chapter listen to this phrase politely, and later discuss whether or not it would work now. It's one of the hardest parts for both an alumna and a collegiate, to bridge that "way to do it"! Neither way is inheritently wrong or right, but one way will work better for the current chapter.
You may have to court them at first - let the chapter hold a tea or a tailgate party for them - something fun. Once they remember the fun aspects, the ones who are true to their sorority will come around.
Just one thing to remember: in this day & age, most women have to pick one or two activities over and above work and family. You must make being an active alumna attractive enough to be one of those two activities!
Good luck!