[pinkyphimu]

ok, this is taken strictly from my personal experience with my friends in fraternities....

the guys stay in touch with one another, meet up for homecoming, etc., but they do not participate in any other way. a few may donate money. i would hazard to say that most of them would say that although they love their brothers and their group, they have "grown up."

i wonder if collegiates were able to see the benefits of remaining active as an alumni throughout their college years if they would be more likely to stay active. every group says, this is a lifetime committment, but can the collegiates PERSONALLY witness this? probably not...i know i didn't. perhaps if we invited them to some type of event...not a founder's day...to let them experience what we do.

i think the other issue is that we are always saying we should "give back" to our fraternities, so we highlight the ways we can help out....volunteer as a national officer, mentor collegiates, etc. this is great, but i don't think we focus as much on the ways that we personally benefit from being active. let's face it...most people are "me" people. if they can't see in the first few minutes what they get...then are not likely to participate.

i apologize if i am confusing...i am completely doped up on cold medicine....and am sitting at the computer with vicks vapo rub on my chest and neck...with a towel in my shirt. lovely sight, i know.