[SthrnZeta]

ztaberry, as much as I'm sure you've thought about this and as much as I want to support your decision as your sister, I am really saddened that you are dropping rather than going alum. Many women later in life regret this very decision and it is much harder to try and get reinstated than it is to just merely get involved in a local alumnae chapter after having been inactive for a while. I urge you to reconsider this decision - being considered alum does not mean you have to continue to give up much of your time as your chapter dictates in undergrad. The saying that you get what you put in applies even more to women who are alumnae. Of course no one will be upset if you go alum and are not able to give to ZTA what you have been so far - you have a lot on your plate, but that's not to say that in the future you won't be able to or want to participate and contribute to ZTA. True, sorority life may not "interest you" right now, but you don't know how you'll feel in 10 years. Before you go through with de-badging, think hard about what brought you to ZTA. I'm not saying that the women you call sisters now won't still love and support you as such when you leave, but being an alumna, you will continue to meet other sisters who will love and support you also and I for one could never imagine giving that up, at least not for good. I think FSUZeta had a good point: "i am so glad you brought that up. going early alum. just grants you alumna status ;you are still a zeta! you just don't have the obligations of attending weekly chapter meetings, socials, sisterhoods or paying dues-which will be a blessing because babies cost a lot-diapers, stroller, diaper bag, clothes, crib-it goes on and on..." Don't forget - Zeta is forever!

ZLAM,
Melissa