DPhiEAngel, it looks like we'll be going through a similar experience as we're ready to reorganize the AOII Columbus Alumnae chapter here. Check your PM box, because I'll be sending you one ASAP!
Barbara, would you please e-mail me a copy of your postcard
template--trickbabe@yahoo.com. I'd love a way to save money on the big mailings and it sounds like postcards are a great idea. Thanks for the tip about physically
asking what the potential members want in an alumnae chapter. It's so logical but can be easily overlooked in the excitement of the planning.
As for Kinkos, if you have their store's version of a "rewards" card, sometimes they mail out coupons for free black and white copies. When I did the annual mailing for our local chapter's
Corporation Board we were able to get 250 B&W copies for free! When you're mailing hundreds of letters, things like that can really help the budget. Postage is such a huge expense these days, anywhere else you can save $$$ is a big help.
You may want to check into Evite
http://www.evite.com/ if you do a mailing to those sisters with email addresses. I also did an evite for the annual Corporation Meeting and heard from about 10 sisters we hadn't heard back from previously.
Final suggestion, consider setting up an email just for your alumnae association at yahoo, hotmail or wherever
That way your personal inbox won't be clogged (and hopefully stay spam-free!) and it's easier to monitor alumnae mail. My former alumnae chapter has set up an email listserv and there are other alumnae chapters who have private yahoo groups for their members. The easier it is to find you, the more participation you can hopefully get!
Good luck DPhiEAngel! Here's hoping that we both have great success in getting our area alumnae active and involved.
Fraternally,
Christin