Are you supportive?

MightyQuinn · #1 05-17-2005, 11:52 AM

Initially I was going to pose this question to Sorors made in undergrad chapters but currently in a Grad chapter but on second thought I would like to hear all feedback.

Question: Do you feel you have any responsibility to your undergrad chapter once you've already graduated- why or why not?

I ask this question because I was talking to my line sister about the state of my undergrad chapter and I felt sad for reasons I rather not discuss over the internet. We were thinking back to when we first crossed and all the support we had from our Prophytes and how much they taught us while online and after we crossed. This support really made a difference in how we carried ourselves and how we handled Delta business.

treblk · #2 05-17-2005, 12:19 PM

I have to agree with you on the amount of support prophtyes gave after our initiation. I learned a lot about the business aspect of Delta because of their teachings and mentoring.

I think all members want to assist their undergrad chapters in maintaining that level of success that we had when we were there, however, we also need to know that we should let new members have the experience of running the chapter, even if that way is not to our liking. Things can't always stay the same, and if they need your help, they will ask.

ladygreek · #3 05-17-2005, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by treblk
I have to agree with you on the amount of support prophtyes gave after our initiation. I learned a lot about the business aspect of Delta because of their teachings and mentoring.

I think all members want to assist their undergrad chapters in maintaining that level of success that we had when we were there, however, we also need to know that we should let new members have the experience of running the chapter, even if that way is not to our liking. Things can't always stay the same, and if they need your help, they will ask.

Ditto. Especially since it is that "support" from alumnae that can get the chapter in trouble.

MightyQuinn · #4 05-17-2005, 04:37 PM

I think we all can agree that Sorors who offer "help" should be doing just that, "helping". I have my own personal thoughts about pledging but in order for undergrad chapters to be successful I think they need a certain level of support from graduating Sorors- we just need to be mindful of the type of "support" we are offering. I was made at a small chapter so when my line crossed we were the only Sorors left on campus and I couldn't imagine what we would have done if our Prophytes would have left us without any guidance.

ladygreek · #5 05-17-2005, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MightyQuinn
I think we all can agree that Sorors who offer "help" should be doing just that, "helping". I have my own personal thoughts about pledging but in order for undergrad chapters to be successful I think they need a certain level of support from graduating Sorors- we just need to be mindful of the type of "support" we are offering. I was made at a small chapter so when my line crossed we were the only Sorors left on campus and I couldn't imagine what we would have done if our Prophytes would have left us without any guidance.

But that is the purpose of the advisors--to provide that guidance and continuity, not the graduated members who should be immersed in their own learning process in an alumnae chapter.

treblk · #6 05-18-2005, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ladygreek
But that is the purpose of the advisors--to provide that guidance and continuity, not the graduated members who should be immersed in their own learning process in an alumnae chapter.

Soror ladygreek, if I may, I do believe that MightyQuinn is referring to getting help from graduating sorors on how to deal with school admin, or how the chapter dealt with certain issues and other orgs; not to be a walking Delta billboard

and so on. For the purpose of intake, then yes, the advisor(s) would be the perfect person to assist with that.

The Truth · #7 05-18-2005, 09:15 AM

In my chapter, traditions are very important. So it is necessary for graduated Sorors to still be in contact with the chapter.

I love the fact that I know my special connections from more than 10 years back. This would not have been possible if they would have decided to disconnect themselves from the chapter, as they made the transition to their respective alumnae chapters.

MightyQuinn · #8 05-18-2005, 09:22 AM

Soror Treblk that's exactly what I meant. Soror Ladygreek I am well aware of the responsibilities of the Graduate Advisors but the knowledge I obtained from Sorors that graduated from my chapter was a blessing when I was a Neo trying to handle Delta affairs. I am currently very active in my Graduate chapter but best believe I will not hesitate to lend assistance to my birth chapter if called upon. I truly believe that the "right kind" of assistance is what keeps undergraduate chapters growing and helps strengthen the bond. As stated earlier I am very involved in my Graduate chapter but when I go home I love to hear about all the great things my undergraduate chapter is involved in and I love it when they look to me, one of their Prophytes, for knowledge.

MightyQuinn · #9 05-18-2005, 09:29 AM

@Soror The Truth

I feel the same way as you. I was made Spring 95' but I still have a special bond with all the Sorors at my undergrad chapter. We still have chapter get togethers, Soror nights out and when I'm home I still attend chapter events as do other alumnae Sorors. None of this would have been possible if I would have just walked away once I graduated. The Sorors left on the campus still conduct business but I know it makes them feel loved when Sorors, such as myself, lend a helping hand. My birth chapter is tight and thorough and I still have a strong connection to it even though I'm thousands of miles away.

The Truth · #10 05-18-2005, 09:51 AM

There is so much more that I want to say, but of course I can't.

But......................

This subject just hit really close because I couldn't imagine not having older Sorors around. I was given the gift of Delta more than a year ago and I still am trying to contact those who came before me.

I feel like having a older Soror decide not to associate with the chapter, is like having a grandma not come to family functions. So much valuable information will be lost.

Youth is exactly that, youth. Sometimes wisdom is needed and someone who is only a year older than you in Delta cannot always provide it.

I just love my special people so much. Fifteen

years from now, I want to offer myself to someone so they can feel the same way about me.

Shout out to the 15's before Spring 2004, my S.F, Shh's, and D's.

treblk · #11 05-18-2005, 09:51 AM

How ironic this topic came up now, because tomorrow, I'm going back to my undergrad chapter for our 25th Anniversary Reunion. I'm so excited, because there are older sorors that I have not met yet and there are new additions to our chapter that I have not met yet, but want to meet me. I can't wait! Just wanted to share!

MightyQuinn · #12 05-18-2005, 10:07 AM

Congratulations Soror Treblk! I hope you have a wonderful time.

@The Truth

This topic is very special to me as well and I understand what you mean when you say you can't discuss certain things. As stated earlier I have been a Delta for 10 years but I can still remember being an "Owt" Neo! I remember my Prophytes teaching me "lessons" that instilled chapter pride in me and my LS's which I didn't receive from our Grad Advisors. Don't get me wrong, we had wonderful and knowledgeable Advisors but I'm talking about getting knowledge that exceeded paperwork and deadlines. I was made in New Jersey but am currently in Texas now but I still reach out to my undergrad chapter when I can because I care so much about it's survival. When they are doing well I'm doing well, when they are in need I am here to give- that is how I was made and that is a lesson I will never forget.

ladygreek · #13 05-18-2005, 12:23 PM

If the advisor can only provide assistance during MI, then she isn't doing her job. The whole purpose of an advisor is to provide the continuity you all are discussion--how to deal with the school administration, etc.

I am not disparaging graduated sorors from providing support, i.e. financial, family trees, chapter traditions, etc., but I just caution you all to be careful. The DAR is full of well-meaning sorors who thought they were just passing on chapter traditions.

MightyQuinn · #14 05-18-2005, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ladygreek

I am not disparaging graduated sorors from providing support, i.e. financial, family trees, chapter traditions, etc., but what you all are talking about is the job of the advisor(s).

What I am talking about is mainly the quoted portion above.

I mentioned chapter gatherings and someone else mentioned chapter anniversaries/reunion, all of which graduated Sorors attend. I understand the line that many graduated Sorors tend to cross (ie. hazing, unauthorized activities) but no one has made any remarks that would encourage or suggest that these are the types of behaviors we're talking about. Nevertheless, I see where you are coming from.

DSTinguished1 · #15 09-06-2005, 11:10 PM

ttt

Wow this thread is very helpful to me in my current situation. I recently graduated from Indiana University this past spring and decided to return there for graduate school. I was very active in my undergrad chapter and love helping and working with our Neos. Now that I am returning to the campus I am now working with the Grad Chapter.

However, I still want to help out with the undergrad especially with programming and other things. I don't want them to feel like I've abandoned them but I don't want to hinder them from doing their own things. I guess from reading this post that this is a concern for others too.

Maybe some undergrads can respond to what type of support do they want and need from the Alum Chapters. How much interference is too much interference? Any comments would be nice.