|
I know one of the problems that I have seen is that some collegians resent having to give respect (standing, etc) for someone who shows up once a year for the sole purpose of being waited on (i.e. homecoming luncheon or something like that), or for the sole purpose of reigning over them. I remember my chapter had a local alum who was a complete hag about it--she would MAKE us stand for her everywhere we went-even in her classroom, and she would glare at us if we forgot. Made me dislike her very much...she was a tyrant.
On the other hand, this same chapter 10 years later LOVES their alumnae. We have to tell them to stop standing for us (and I have to tell them to stop calling me Mrs. Howard). The reason for this is that the chapter has really worked hard to instill in them the fact that DZ is not just the best 4 years of your life. They have done this by having alumnae physically there for the important things--recruitment, homecoming, philanthropies, etc. This has to be a joint effort though-there has to be at least one alum who is willing to bust her butt to motivate her other alum sisters to show they care, and this can be done in many ways--not just by giving $, but by sending random cards during the year saying "I, as an alumnae, am so proud of you all, and look forward to meeting you," etc.
I don't feel like I have earned anyone's respect just because I graduated. I have to show my love for the sorority & my sisters everytime I come into contact with them. It starts during pledgeship--even if there are no alum's physically around, you have to find a way to show them that out of sight doesn't have to mean out of mind...plant those seeds then, and the bond between collegian & alum will grow, and in the end we will see greater retention/activity after graduation.
|