Ideas for Recruiting Alumni Advisors

[imsohappythatiama]

Many NPC orgs have reported having trouble recruiting Alumnae Advisors, and we all know that that--on a National level--the chapters that stay the strongest are those with strong and continued alumnae advisor support.

So my questions are--

(1) If your chapter or org has trouble recruiting and retaining dedicated alumnae/alumni advisors, what do you think they should try--programs, incentives, etc.--to recruit them?

or...

(2) If your chapter or org DOESN'T have trouble recruiting and retaining dedicated alumnae/alumni advisors, what is the secret of your success? What are your best practices?

[Kevin]

We're lucky to have a wealth of dedicated alums in the area. When our colony first started, we didn't contact them... They contacted us!

We've always been lucky in this area to have a GREAT group of alums who always seem to know the right thing to do.

[imsohappythatiama]

ktsnake--

Thanks for the post--but can you reflect/elaborate on how Sigma Nu structures its alumni advisor program (which must be a part of why your chapter's alumni support is successful--beyond just a simple "well, they keep showing up")?

Sounds like (at least in your chapter's experience), Sigma Nu is doing some things right in getting alumni to dedicate their time, efforts, (and sometimes money) to serving as alumni advisors--do you know how they go about doing this?

[CrimsonTide4]

Might I suggest, writing each of the alumni members of your chapter (really do not know how NPC works) and letting them know that you value an undergrad/alumni relationship FIRST. Thank them for their part as a member of your chpater, etc.

Then maybe if some are still in the area of your school and ARE INVOLVED with an alumni chapter, ask them if your undergrad chapter and their alumni chapter could get together for a service project or two (I assume that the alumni has the same programmatic thrusts as undergrad), have a tea or social that is intimate and from that broach the idea of them providing an advisor for your chapter or maybe a team of advisors. Sometimes being the sole advisor can be a bit overwhelming.

Good luck.

[shadokat]

imsohappy--

We have a great volunteer structure that allows women to participate in every level of the alumnae experience, and that, in and of itself, is great incentive to alumnae women to volunteer. I actually know a KKG that is working with our colony in Indiana in an advisory role, because nobody from KKG contacted her regarding volunteering. I would say that getting out the word is most important. Do a big piece in the Key with first hand accounts from active and "retired" volunteers on how volunteering is rewarding and fun and what not. By pushing the alumnae experience, you can sell the volunteer side as well.

Hope this helps a little