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Originally posted by 12dn94dst
Honestly Tracy, your response of "albeit not (now) in an alumna capacity" indicates that being an alumna member is somehow different from being a collegiate member...like you're in a different organization of some sort and not subject to the same rules.
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Hi Kelli!
In my organization (as in all NPC orgs), alumnae chapters and collegiate chapters are two separate entities. One cannot be a member of both at one time. Rather, one is a collegian until they graduate and then they are given alumna status. It is up to the individual if she wants to join an alumna chapter or not but, if not, she is still considered to be a member. An alumna's duties are different those of a collegian. We are still subject to the same rules as far as conduct and keeping financially current, of course, but in my view, being an alumna is a two pronged commitment.
First is the alumnae chapter. Alumnae chapters (I am an officer in mine) which are set up similarly to the collegiate chapters in that we have dues, exec board, meetings, activities, etc. However, we make allowances that our members have job and family commitments outside of the sorority and so we have fewer mandatory activities than the collegiate chapters. That is one aspect of being an alumna.
The other aspect is that we are there to offer guidance to the collegians. Whether as chapter advisors, regional advisors, in a National capacity or even as one of the recent graduates who travels from chapter to chapter for a year. Or even making nametags for rush; whatever! We are expected to share our experiences and wisdom with the collegians and they in turn are expected to pass it on to the next generation. This keeps our organization strong and it instills a sense of history in its members.
I too have heard people say I WAS an XYZ in college and in my opinion that's sad. Because to me being a collegiate member was just the beginning of a fun and satisfying association that I expect to keep for the rest of my life.
