In 2001, I did just what you are contemplating doing. At the time, where I live, there was only a 10-year old AXD alum chapter and a DZ alum chapter that was a few years younger; plus the Gamma Phi group that I had started one year prior to
my efforts to get the APH started. There was a KD group at one time, but they had not been too active when I was getting things going and they still aren't all that active -- as a group -- even now and despite the fact that there are many of them in the area. Since we have become an official APH, there is now an official Chi O alum chapter and a new ZTA chapter...the Phi Mus also just started an alum chapter but I know that the APH probably only had a little to do with that -- their national Hqtrs is opening in here Peachtree City in a year or two. A Theta group is also getting started here as well.
I would be happy to chat via email with you about what I did if you want -- it really was pretty much a one-person show although the Gamma Phi alum chapter did help with support by bringing food etc to the first two events we had at my house. For the very first event, I sent out personal invites to every single Greek woman I knew or who happened to be on one of the alum chapters member lists - about 300! there were 50 women who showed up for that as well as the second -- I cooked and the Gamma Phis brought food -- anyone who attended did not have to do anything but show up -- you never know what might prevent someone from attending something --even something like bringing a dish or having to spend money can be a deterrent.
It was alot of work but well worth it, esp now!
Our membership is currently -- and for the foreseeable future --just for individual membership. We have 18 of the NPC groups represented I think. There just are not enough official alum chapters to have delegates. The vision in the future is to be somewhat more formal with alum chapter delegates etc once we have more than just a few alum groups going in the area.
We gave out our first scholarship last year to an area high school
girl who is now at George Washington University. And this year we have enough to give out two $500 scholarships. We have not come up with any specific or unique fundraiser event yet -- just doing outright donations from the members above and beyond the regular annual dues of $10 (they can donate extra to a Super Sister -- general fund; or specifically to scholarships).
We also do annual high school sorority info sessions and coordinate the writing of recs for area girls going to colleges around the country.
I would like to get a Foundation started - a la Houston TX APH -- but THAT is a lot of work and I am not a lawyer....one day though! Our APH supports two local philanthropies -- one is the Womens Success Network (WSN) where women getting back into the work force after being on welfare get new career wardrobes etc. The other is collecting and donating small new stuffed
animals to local police depts and, since we have practically overwhelmed all the nearby police forces with our donations, we are now looking for local hospitals etc....I am hoping we can eventually fund -- in additon to the high school scholarships -- a grant for one of the women (clients) thru WSN for career training that she might otherwise not be able to afford. We are also presently contemplating two other philanthropies involving infants and seniors (we are trying to cover the gamut of needs from cradle to grave!)
Feel free to email me if you want!
