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Originally Posted by tld221
To the first point: is that intentionally, or do you think that other chapters (and organizations) are going the same route (meetings going from business to social)?
and to the second: if NPC alumnae chapters' focus is on reclamation/retention vs AI, i think thats a way better response to the "i don't get AI" argument. from what i gather, there is a hard transition from collegiate to alumnae (between both councils but especially) for NPC women, so if energy is spent on getting your members to go from PNM --> active collegiate --> active alumnae without missing a beat, then AI isn't as important.
i just wonder if that deters new alums - the day-and-night factor of how sorority business runs. going from weekly meetings and a packed calendar to meeting, potentially, a few times a year on business and hanging out every so often for social.
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You've identified many of the challenges NPC alumnae orgs face as we evolve into our next era. Back in the days of hats and white gloves, NPC alumnae meetings were more business like. Today, much of the "business" in terms of operations management is managed at the National or International level by a network of both paid staffers and volunteers. Some volunteers may not be involved directly with an alumnae chapter at all! My sorority is offering training programs on line for advisors and other volunteers so that women who want to be involved, but are juggling family and career, or are geographically unable to travel often, can be involved from the convenience of their home or office.
So where does that leave traditional alumnae groups? For us, there's an increasing amount of flexibility to do what you want with the resources and interests of the individuals involved. Some groups do a lot of community service. Others focus on support for a nearby collegiate chapter, and some are just promoting sisterhood by getting together when you can. If a chapter has a candidate for AI, they can participate in those activities, but some alumnae chapters never participate in AI. It's never the focus of an alumnae groups' activities, in my experience.