Any Surfing Sisters here?

[WhiteDaisy128]

Hey ladies, sorry to crash, but I'd love to pick the brain of a DZ Surfing Sister. DG is in the process of developing a virtual alumnae group and I've been approached about being on it's executive board. I have some really general question on how the Surfing Sisters group works (I've heard it's very successful)...and I'd love if DG's new group could find success like that too!

These are some of the questions I have:

1. How many members does Surfing Sisters have?
2. Are there international members (like sisters who live overseas?)
3. Can you pay alumnae group dues online? If so, what platform is used? Can you also mail a check to someone?
4. How do Philanthropy projects work? Could you give me an example of something you do for a philanthropy project?
5. What kinds of sisterhood events do you have for the group?

I guess that's about it unless you can think of anything else that would help us get off the ground. I'm sure I'll come up with more if anyone is willing to answer these questions!

Thanks ladies!

[BetaIotaDZ]

I am new to Greek Chat but have been a member of Surfing Sisters for some time. I will try to answer your questions:
1. How many members? I do not know but I do know the chapter is in the "large alumnae chapter" category for recognition/awards. Also, sisters may freely visit the Forum (our newest format) if they are a DZ member in good standing - they do not have to be a member of the Surfing Sister alumnae chapter.
2. Do we have International members? Yes we do. At least one is currently serving as an officer of Surfing Sisters. Another shared her travel log with us when she was working in the Far East.
3. Dues payment? Dues may be paid on line via PayPal. The chapter includes the PayPal fee in the dues amount if a member chooses PayPal. Alternately, a check may be mailed to the treasurer.
4. Virtual philanthropy? The chapter's previous philanthropy chair received national recognition for her ideas and the success of her programs. Basically it is raising funds and dues paying members deciding to which charity to issue a check to. The chapter has issued "Turtle Soup" & "Turtle Soup II" cookbooks (borrowing the Campbell's can design for the book cover); football pools with participants paying $1 per team loss (prize for winner); magazine sales and sales from several other cooperating companies; t-shirt design contests and sales; I won a prize for a fund raiser and I cannot remember what it was (I remember the prize, a collection of flamingos which had to do with a running gag in our chapter).
5. Events? The group is over ten years old. It started (and continues) on Yahoo groups. The group has expanded to a new platform, a little like this platform because there are threads and we can post pictures. A Yahoo group is pretty straight forward to set up and the newer platform types should probably be a project for a technical member. Members get to know each other and renew friendships and enjoy "meeting up" with college chapter sisters who have spread to various parts of the world. Virtual candle passes, chapter meetings, officer elections, and dinner parties are possible. The chapter has adopted college chapters (matching alumnae members to a collegian one to one). The chapter has secret buddy type events with seasonal or sorority naming conventions (exchanges via US Postal service until the reveal). The chapter has "for real" gatherings with a sister sponsoring setting them up in her host city. There are subgroups for moms, book lovers, exercise programs, good cooks and wanna bes....

Hope this helps. My daughter is a Delta Gamma and I will follow up with her whether she learns of your group. If she does, I will encourage her to join!