[Zetagymnast]

Thanks for you advice. it was very helpful. I come on her to get advice and to find out more about greek life. Sometimes I feel like certain people (not you) are "know it all". They think they are better than more or have all the answers because they have been greek longer than I have. I am so open to suggestions that's why I started the thread but I don't want to feel like I can't ask for help when people misinterpret my posts.

Originally posted by AOIIalum
Zetagymnast, please remember that we are posting our suggestions based upon our own personal experiences, just as you are posting based upon yours. My personal experiences indicate that it is very, very difficult to organize an sorority event requiring people to travel long distances to attend. Of course, it can be done (see state, regional and national conventions for many GLOs as well as annual homecoming and Founders Day activities.) Congrats to your brother fraternity for doing so on a regular basis. I also believe that is key, to schedule events the same time every year. That way, all of your alumnae know that there's a Homecoming Tea every year on the day of the game, a Founders Day dinner dance the Friday night closest to your Founders Day every year, and so on. Tradition is good!

Again, I believe that outreach and communication are keys. Get the word out, plan fun and "non-businessy" events, and go forth from there. Quite honestly, as 33girl and DGMarie stated, it is not the task or duty of a collegiate chapter to start an alumnae chapter (I'm sure you stay busy enough with your school work, sorority functions, campus and community involvement, jobs, families and non-school social lives!) Let them make the choice and do the work. Once you are an alumna, you'll be ready to help and stay involved. I wish more sorority and fraternity members remembered that their membership is for a lifetime and not just a few college years.



From your original post, it appeared that you were asking about starting an alumnae chapter so it would be active by the time you were an alumna. I don't believe any of us misinterpreted your post, and I'm sorry if my suggestions have not been helpful to your sorority's needs. I've helped to organize/reorganize a few alumnae chapters in the 15 years that I've been an alumna. It may be as simple as my experiences in various alumnae chapters may not be at all what you and your sisters want, so these suggestions are not appropriate for you.

You have been offered some wonderful thoughts on this thread, maybe not my own but from other posters. I sincerely hope that some of them may be helpful to your group down the road. The very best of luck to you and your sisters on your effort to organize your alumnae!

Fraternally,
Christin