alumnae retention

OUlioness01 · #1 11-18-2003, 11:12 PM

I was recently elected VP Membership of my Alumnae chapter and i'm having a lot of problem with recruiting alumnae to become involved. Half the alum in our area are older members (by that i mean that they have been out of college for at least 10 years) and the other half are still in college (our chapter closed last year due to falling numbers). HOw can i get both groups of people to stay involved and interested without alienating the other group?

PsiU_EN · #2 11-18-2003, 11:21 PM

My GF is a phi mu and that happend to her chapter too. I know they still have alumni meetings and do crafts with each other and stuff. I think she also does potlucks and stuff like that. Sorry that im not much help but i know how hard it is on bridging the generation gap. We have guys from the 40's and 50's that come to the house and say how it used to be when they were in and how alot has changed (they get kinda mad), but they also say the core ideals are still intact and thats what binds us togther, so u can prob work that angle or something. Sorry this is kinda random my brain is fried from writting a paper.

Janerz222 · #3 11-19-2003, 12:20 AM

A few ideas:

-if your budget allows, include a short survey in your dues mailer- what kinds of things people would attend, what times/days are best, etc.

-don't be afraid to plan a few events that will try to attract all the age groups (like Founders Day, for instance) and then a few that would attract mostly one "type" of member. For instance, try a happy hour after work hours in a business district for younger, working types. And the next month a daytime event for older members.

-really find out who your members (and potential members are). Do you get info from your HQ each year about who's in your area?

-phone calls can often work wonders. Call a few members to personally invite them to a function.

-if the older generation (the ones who have already been officers) complains, ask them to volunteer. They'll either put up or shut up, to put it bluntly. Often, the older members feel a combination of relief that the younger members have taken the offices over and disenfranchisement that the events aren't what they used to be.

-try to get a mix of ages/working-nonworking/etc. on your board of officers.

-don't be afraid to ask people why they don't attend things - done gently, this can give you useful info.

I may post more later. . .
Jane

DGMarie · #4 11-19-2003, 02:18 AM

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FSUZeta · #5 11-19-2003, 10:32 AM

oulioness01, i laughed when i read your post stating that "older members" were those who had been out of college 10 years or more. i consider our older members those 65 or older, but old is relative isn't it?(i am middle aged!) anyway, i am sure that you get a strip list from phi mu hq. utilize the dickens out of that. and keep hq updated to each woman's status as that becomes known to you,i.e. when your mail is returned to you and unfortunatley when you are notified that a sister is deceased. that helps clean up your strip list. a good rule of thumb to remember is that out of the invitations you mail , approx. 10% will come to an event. that has held true for us. during the summer the exec. officers meet to set the calendar for the year and plan events and philanthropic activities. a month before the first meeting a mass mailing is done, which includes last years dues paying members, any former dues paying members that didn't pay dues last year, people new to the list, and then a target group(maybe they indicated they would like to participate in the future, or some other criteria), usually between 100 to 200
newsletters total-if we have email addresses we also utilize that resource. we always have a membership/dues form included in that mailing. we do one more mass mailing after that then contact only dues payers, until january when we do another mass mailing and include another membership/dues form for those that didn't pay their dues in the fall. we have a strong core group of about 8-10(assorted ages) who usually are at every event(we meet once a month) with another 5-6 who may come to one or more events. this is out of a possible 200-300, in the metro area. our goal is to increase membership by 10% each year, which is a national alumna goal. so far we have been able to do it, because our numbers are so low. we have done surveys and listed a plethora of possible events and given people the opportunity to rank which day of the week and a.m. or p.m. they prefer and the same core members were the ones that responded. we meet usually on a saturday but have tried meetings on week nites to accomodate those that indicated a week nite would be better for them(they did not come). so i look for the small accomplishments-with our small numbers we have provided toiletries to the local women's shelter, donated food to the local food bank, adopted children from the salvation army angel tree and distributed our breast exam shower cards. we have increased our numbers and most importantly, those of us who participate have made wonderful friends from all over the country! it can be discouraging, but it is worth it. lisa

WCUgirl · #6 11-19-2003, 10:45 AM

DGMarie posted exactly what I was thinking re: the website and the newsletter. Alumnae get pissed when you only want them around for their $$$. I know this isn't the case in your situation, but I think it just proves the point that information is going to be the best way to get everyone involved.

I actually am working on a committee with my area Alum. Association to recruit new members, so I'm kind of looking into the same things you are. We are about to start a website ourselves...it's just a slow process.

One thing to look into is posting a newspaper advertisement. We have an area paper that comes out weekly...can't remember what it's called at the moment but it's like a "Weekly Planet" or one of those types of publications that lists the upcoming entertainment. Most publications of that sort will let you run your ad for free if it's for a non-profit organization.

Also, in addition to using a phone call or an e-mail message to contact the members who you want to join, why not, at the beginning of the year (since it is coming up soon), make a really pretty paper invitation inviting everyone to a brain-storming meeting (make it fun too!) to let them voice their opinions about what types of activities they'd like to see or participate in. A written invitation can go a long way...I know I'd rather receive that than a phone call. Of course, follow up the invite with a phone call so that you can verify they received it, and it shows that you really are sincere about their involvement.

DGMarie · #7 11-19-2003, 01:45 PM

Good point about the newspaper. We have a Pioneer Press chain of papers which serves a dozen communities. It isn't a throw away "Penny Saver" type of thing; you have to subscribe to get it. They post our meeting notices for FREE (and they post them for Tri Delt, DZ, KKG and Theta I've noticed).

Marie

AchtungBaby80 · #8 11-19-2003, 03:47 PM

Yes, let alums know you want them! Even though I'm on an alumnae e-mail list for my chapter, I still don't find out about half the stuff going on until it's already happened. Sometimes it feels like no one's really making an effort to stay in touch with alums who aren't still in town, but who are close enough to drive there (like me). *sniff* I feel left out.

Tom Earp · #9 11-19-2003, 10:31 PM

As you can see via the signature, I have been an Alum since 1967!

I and many other of my Brothers are still Active.

But, you are right, what to do to keep some being involved! Yours is a tougher situation than most.

But just a thought, it is a strong Alumni group who is isintial in in getting a Chapter Re-Established.

That is what you hook your hat on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Let Us As Alums of --- get together to see what "WE CAN DO" to get the ball rolling!

Throw a line out and see what happens!

OUlioness01 · #10 11-21-2003, 12:27 PM

sorry FSUZeta, I made the division there because that's really where the age divide is between the alum still in college and alum in that age range.

i have been planning on calling everyone about two weeks before the next meeting in january. however, i do not feel comfortable doing that unless i have an exact time and place that i can tell them. my alum chapter president is not really on the ball about stuff like that. last time she told us exactly two days before the meeting and i feel like i cannot resonably call someone and ask them to be a meeting in two days when they are raising a family and so on. we've tried mailings, especially at the begininng when we were founding out alum chatper but no one responded. we were just recieved our charter in september (we signed the petition for it in august) so ther esint' anything going on with us yet. that is a huge problem when trying to make a newsletter, because there isn't relaly anything to reposrt as of yet.

ok i have another questions. i know some of you all have dealt with chapter closings at one time or another. i think part of hte reason "older" alums are being scared off from joining the alum chapter is that the "younger" members have not gotten the idea that they are collegiate members out of their heads. they are at the age that they would normally be in a collegiate chapter, and someitmes i feel like i'm the only one that realizes the truth of the situation.

33girl · #11 11-21-2003, 12:35 PM

Don't you guys have chapter associations? Perhaps it would be better for the college-age alums to participate in that rather than the regular regional alum chapter. They are not happy about the collegiate chapter closing I'm sure, and the last thing they want to do is go to meetings where everyone is talking about their babies and houses and such when they are 19-22.

#12 11-21-2003, 01:04 PM

As an alumnae who feels "shut out" of her collegiate and alumnae chapters, here is the advice I'll give:

1) Give us notice. I'd love to come to your Rush/Founders Day/Banquet/etc., but I need advance notice. If I don't know at MINIMUM one to two weeks ahead of time, there's no way I can make it. And my schedule is pretty light compared to most of my sisters.

2) Return my phone calls. Nothing makes a worse impression than repeatedly leaving messages offering to help, and not getting a response.

3) Keep me in touch with what's going on in the chapter. I haven't received a newsletter since I left school almost 3 years ago. (This goes along with #2... I've told the Alum chair several times, but she's never called me back!) I'd love to hear that you won Homecoming, or got a record NM class.

4) Be nice to me when you do see me. A simple hello when you see me wearing letters goes a long way.

EEKappa · #13 11-21-2003, 01:28 PM

You didn't say how large the group is, but if there are enough younger members you may want to try to form an interest group. Many of Kappa's Alumnae Associations have what they call "Night Owls" groups which are ususally members under 30. Typically they'll meet to go see local bands, or other evening events.

Programming is key for uniting the two groups. It's difficult to find common interests, so focus on the things that brought us together in the first place: sisterhood and philanthropy. Ritual workshops are always interesting for any age, and some alumnae groups enjoy doing sort of an initiation reenactment for those who haven't participated in the ceremony in a while. Kind of like renewing your vows if you've been married for umpteen years!

The best tip I learned was from one of our Alumnae Association presidents. Make this message clear: just because you join the association and pay dues doesn't mean that we're going to make you do anything! This is the best way to attract new members who once they get their feet wet become involved. No one wants to jump in feet first and do everything, but members do take on more responsibility gradually if the group means something to them.

Good luck!!!

FSUZeta · #14 11-21-2003, 03:04 PM

eekappa, makes some excellent points. zeta also is encouraging our "fresh out of college, or fairly fresh" to join an existing alumnae chapter and then have get togethers amongst themselves as well. in the larger cities, this approach seems to be working. the groups have a catchy name, which escapes me, but kappa's night owls is really cute! and to echo eekappa, programming is key to blending both groups. i can't imagine having a chapter where the older alums. feel out of place-there always seems to be an abundance of "us" participating, and not many new graduates! how nice to have the reverse! have you tried activities such as pottery painting, attending a play , movie or sporting event as a group, a spa therapy evening or yoga class? those might interest a broad range of ages. lisa

Janerz222 · #15 11-21-2003, 03:12 PM

OULioness, it sounds like you're in a tough position. It's going to be very hard to recruit/retain members without some events in place. I've found you have to plan at least a few key events (don't have to be elaborate or burdensome, just something) to start from. You're absolutely right, advance notice of details is key to getting alumnae to attend.