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OK.
Here's my take on this, from "the other side of the fence" - fraternities.
It seems to me that many of the "honorary" initiates (which would be our term for alumni, or other categories other than "standard" initiation) have been extremely involved AND influential.
I've seen one honorary start not one, but two, colonies, one has been chartered for a while, and the second is months away from chartering.
I've seen another honorary take a very high leadership position not only in our fraternity, but in the interfraternity world as well, drawing upon his legal expertise.
I've seen other honoraries stay involved (statistically speaking, MUCH more involved than brothers who go alumni by graduation) with their respective chapters.
Never, EVER, have I heard a word of criticism of HOW they got into the brotherhood. Once a brother, always a brother, regardless of the circumstances of how one became involved. Sure, I have heard lot's of criticism about how they might approach a problem with a solution, but, then again, that is what makes them even MORE valuable to the organization - they are able to bring in an outside perspective that brothers "raised" on the traditions and history of a particular chapter might not otherwise have. It's always a good thing to have a "devil's advocate" to someone with the tired argument of "but that's how it's always been done here." Tradition does not mean the "right" way all the time.
A fresh pair of eyes, a different perspective, or just the voice of experience can sometimes make all the difference in the membership and future of a chapter.
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