Pi Rentention

[Adelphean1851]

Ok, Adpiucf started this. Nobody really ever dissaffilates after college but lets not forget we alum, as some of us have expirenced keeping new alumna interested and involved after college can be an even bigger challenge. so what are some ways of getting and keeping alumna interested in their sorority after college. maybe some of the NPHC girls could shed some light.

[honeychile]

[smart aleck alert]

Everytime I see the word retention, I think of retaining water, which really, really scares me!!

[/alert]

[kateshort]

Originally posted by Adelphean1851
Ok, Adpiucf started this. Nobody really ever dissaffilates after college but lets not forget we alum, as some of us have expirenced keeping new alumna interested and involved after college can be an even bigger challenge. so what are some ways of getting and keeping alumna interested in their sorority after college. maybe some of the NPHC girls could shed some light.

I think the key ways to keep alumnae involved is to

a) have alumnae groups that are nearby;
b) have alumnae groups that have a variety of activities that can appeal to 20-something as well as to 50-something women and to the partiers as well as the philanthropists;
c) have members of nearby alumnae groups visit the chapter in the spring and educate seniors (and everyone, really!) about what an alumnae association can do for them.

It also helps for the alumnae groups to be really good at marketing-- often, just getting a sister to contact an alumnae association is a huge step! Getting the word out that there is a local alumnae association and describing their neat and cool activities will hopefully have the non-member alumnae banging down their doors.

On that note, I'm co-hosting the Naperville wine and cheese party this Tuesday-- which means that I get to answer the door, fetch coats, and bring dessert! -- so go find out where your nearest associations are and/or what your local group is doing!

[adpiucf]

Keep alum involved with their chapter of initation by sending newsletters to both chapter alum and alum living in the area near the chapter. Even though an alum is technically no longer part of her chapter of initiation, she'll be more likely to want to be part of alum life if, on some level, she's able to be kept up to date with the collegians at her school.

I also think having age-appropriate activities helps retention. Start an interest group, like a pride, within the assoc for the younger alum, the middle aged, the older ladies who like to play bridge, etc. I also think events where you can bring non members, spouses, friends and children are nice to have, as they fit in better with your lifestyle.

[polarpi]

Originally posted by adpiucf
Keep alum involved with their chapter of initation by sending newsletters to both chapter alum and alum living in the area near the chapter. Even though an alum is technically no longer part of her chapter of initiation, she'll be more likely to want to be part of alum life if, on some level, she's able to be kept up to date with the collegians at her school.

This is an excellent idea that GC's own lovely kateshort instituted with the Eta Psi chapter. She created a yahoogroup for members of the Eta Psi chapter to keep in contact with one another, both alumnae and collegians. It's been a wonderful resource that's allowed us to communicate with one another as alumnae and find out what's going on in the collegiate chapter at the same time. I highly recommend other chapters look into doing something similar!

[honeychile]

I'd like to cosign on most of the remarks made thus far. My personal theory is that most women (especially those who have a family) work, cook, clean, have religious activities, exercise, balance checkbook/pay bills, and have time for ONE extra activity afterwards. The Alumnae Association must appeal to that one bit of time, or it will not attract enough members to be viable.

I do think that it's the Chapter of Initiation AND the closest chapter's responsibility to keep local alumnae in the loop. And, at the risk of sounding really mean, the chapters have GOT to remember that Jewel Degree must be planned as a joint effort between the Chapter and the local Alumnae. I love Jewel Degree, but when the date is changed several times, and I've run out of ways to change my plans, I lose out. I can't begin to tell you how many times this has happened, and I really hope it's a local thing!

[adpiucf]

Originally posted by honeychile


I do think that it's the Chapter of Initiation AND the closest chapter's responsibility to keep local alumnae in the loop. And, at the risk of sounding really mean, the chapters have GOT to remember that Jewel Degree must be planned as a joint effort between the Chapter and the local Alumnae. I love Jewel Degree, but when the date is changed several times, and I've run out of ways to change my plans, I lose out. I can't begin to tell you how many times this has happened, and I really hope it's a local thing!

That sounds like a local problem. I've had no trouble between 3 chapters with the date.

And, I agree that the chapter needs to want to communicate, but let's face it. These are 16-22 year old women who are learning responsibilty and maturity. They don't "get" the concept of alum relations, and many don't get the concept of team working or delegation. Thus, communication with anyone outside the chapter easily falls through the cracks, and often, communication within the chapter falls through the cracks.

I think each alum assoc should appoint a chapter liasion who interfaces with the chatper and reports back to the association. In a chapter, there is a great deal of officer turnover-- every year. Alum offices typically last 2 years, ensuring greater consistency and efficiency in communication.

[HBADPi]

I can definitely vouch for delta member's lack of motivation and intiative to keep local alumn involved. For awhile our Alumni Relations chair was a joke and people started to think about it more when our ADPi's 150th and our chapter's 20th anniversary were coming up a year after each other. With that said I think if chapters do not have an alumni relations chair, one should be established.