I know that the experiences between Graduate Chapters and Alumnae Chapters are generally different, in terms of their purpose/function. However I'm willing to bet that my alum chapter comes close to what grad. chapters goals are. My Alumnae Group (almost to Chapterhood!) is having a lot of social events this summer, in an effort to get alum in a metro-area (4 hours from the active chapter) to coalesce. Also, a few women in the alum chapter are Expansion Representatives for a new Interest Group in the area. The most active alumnae are also trying their hand at fundraising...all in all, it's really cool, and I'm proud of those ladies.
(Hats off especially to my sister Artimis, she bounces all over the place and has the same zeal and energy she had the day we were initiated!)
OK, I just realized I didn't at all answer the question, I got carried away by my own enthusiasm. Here's another try:
I think inherently it makes more sense for grad/alum chapters to have a narrower focus than undergrad/active chapters, just because we're focusing on so much more than ourselves and our own goals, once we're out in the "real world." Family, work, spirituality take on new ipmortance. Having said that, if there are grads/alums who want to go all out and put actives to shame, go for it!
It's just important to set goals and have a focus, at any level of membership.
Service (to the sisterhood, community) is something would be cool to focus on. Also social/professional connections. I think those two things could be the key to keep people active and close-knit.
For example, I'd like to see my sisters and I tutoring young girls in math and sciences, perhaps even creating programs in local schools to mentor young girls who show aptitude or interest in the sciencs. I think we'd also be in a good position to expose older girls to exactly what it is that engineers/scientists really *do*, and dispell the myth that science and maths is "for nerds." (I know a lot of women scientists and engineers who are beautiful people, and they're not just my sisters either!)
I think social functions with family, with the active chapter, with other organizations (professional or social, or "little sister"), or just sisters-only could be great for keeping things lively.
My $0.02 worth!
[This message has been edited by equeen (edited June 07, 2000).]