[Drolefille]

Ok, if the current members suggested you "reach out" to the local alum chapter, I suggest you send an email or make a phone call to whatever contact information is there and let them know about the discussion you had with your friends and that they suggested you contact them.

The chapter will let you know if a) you've crossed any inappropriate membership boundaries b) there's something else you need to do instead of contacting them such as showing up at their public events or c) arrange a meeting with them to talk about it.

Ask in innocence and you probably won't get a rude reply no matter what the content is. They can tell you how you should approach membership if at all.

I seriously don't know why we discourage people from just plain asking questions to the local chapters. They're big girls and can tell someone no.