How to teach the house...

[chideltjen]

Well I have learned many things on GC within the past year. I want to spread the knowledge to my fellow sisters. But I don't want to sound like an old alumna who is trying to come back and run the house. But there are things that I have noticed within my house as actions people here usually harp on. We are a local organization so we don't quite have all the rules and regs that are enforced in Panhellenic. But here were some things I noticed just at last night's recruitment event.

*the use of the word "pledge." As we saw in Sorority Life, this seems to be a word frequented. And the sad thing is that we don't even officially call our new members, "pledges." They are delphias. However, when explaining what a delphia was to the PNMs last night, we said that this is Chi Delta's Pledge Period.

*the use of the word "alumni" vs "alumna." I don't know if our girls know there is a difference. I try to stress the word when writing emails or on the website, but even the current alum call themselves alumni.

*How to make alumnae relations better. As the webmistress of the website, I often get obnoxious, often nasty, guestbook signings from an annonymous ALUMNI (see what I mean) asking that we put this elaborate alumnae section on the site, but when I do ask for updates, I don't get enough responses to keep a site like that going. Since we changed our dynamic a couple semesters ago, many older alum reject the current house. Therefore not many come around and aren't open to all the changes (for the better) the house made.

Strangely this is all I can think of right now. I guess I am tired. And I know there is more. Maybe I will add more later. But like I said, I don't want to sound like an old hag even though I just graduated. How can I make these suggestion to both sides of the house without stressing myself out or doing something pointless?

[Kevin]

As a recent alum I understand where you are right now.

My best advice is that you should lead by example. If you set the precedent for others to follow, then they will follow your lead. If you tell obstinate college kids what to do, forget it

Your role now is to step back and let the organization continue, contribute if they ask or if they need it. Don't offer unwanted advice.

Try to show people how the organization can be better, don't tell them.

I'm kind of in a similar situation. I'm hanging around waiting to hear back about jobs. In the mean time, I'm helping out with the chapter. Recently, I led the first two candidate class meetings (taught them how to run meetings, helped them elect officers, then turned it over to 'em). This was helpful because it let the active brothers attend their chapter meeting.

I used to always notice we never had pictures of anything. So I bought a digital camera and have been taking LOTS of pictures. Found a great website where I can get 'em developed cheap.

If you have an alumnae chapter/organization you do have the opportunity to hold a special place there. Often, alum organizations help mentor officers in the active chapter. There are really many roles that you can fill.

The key to being a contribuiting alum is having the patience, the tact and the discretion to know what to say and when to say it.

[Betarulz!]

Couple things...

I have never seen the word "pledge" as a problem....it's only a problem if you let people have a negative connotation of the word. Maybe this is just me so I don't hope to start any major discussion on this.


As for Alumna relations: here's a good idea that we're going to implement this year. Each graduating class of seniors elects one member to become an Alumni liason with the house. A catalog hopefully will be kept and that person will be the first person contacted by the Alumni Relations chair when planning major events. In turn the liason will contact members of their pledge class and get out the word about what is happening at the chapter. Also this person would be encouraged to plan events for that pledge class occasionally independent of the chapter.

I think it's an excellent way to keep your pledge class together as everyone disperses. You could set up a yahoo groups account and allow everyone to post to it and such to keep updated. Perhaps you could tell your alumni relations chairperson about this idea and offer to be the first for your pledge class.