Question for Collegiates AND Alumnae

[alphaxikt]

Hi, Ladies. I'm a recent alumna of Nu Chapter (University of Washington) and my lil' sis and I are trying to think of something that we can do to benefit our chapter. Obviously, since we are both recent alumnae, we don't have tons and tons of money to invest.

So here are my questions:

Collegiates - do you have any wishes that you think alumnae could help make come true? is there something really fab that the alumnae of your chapter do to help out?

Alumnae - how do you give back to your chapter (beyond just volunteering as an advisor or attending alumnae events)?

I would love to hear any/all ideas - thank you so much!!!

[amanda6035]

My chapter really benefits from donations for recruitment and CORs - stuff that's not REAL expensive, but stuff nontheless that our small chapter cant always afford - m&ms, bottled water, plastic cups and plates, napkins, decorations, king shize bed sheet to paint for our backdrop for a skit, etc.

[erincredible85]

well our local alumnae association (western nc) actually joined together and they are building a small stage beside the student union that will be the Alpha Xi Delta stage and be decorated with a plaque of our letters on the front and then pink rose bushes on the side. they worked in conjunction with our alumni and development office at unca..and basically they presented the idea and once all the money is raised they will do it. its kind of a neat idea and will make us look GREAT on campus!!!


we love our WNC alumnae!!!!

[AXiDTrish]

My chapter (Zeta Omega) is having an academic dinner the weekend before recruitment as a positive way to start the year. They made great strides in grades spring semester. So one of my donations was a small financial one to put towards the steaks, etc (steaks and hotdogs dinner) or whatever they need to buy for the dinner.

Also, in January the alumnae/advisors are starting an academic raffle. We will collect gift certificates for restaurants, manicures, pedicures, gas cards, Target, Mary Kay, whatever..... the collegiates will draw to see who wins the prizes. They number of times their in the drawing depends on their grades that semester.

[NYCJami]

I would suggest providing things that are inexpensive for an alumna to purchase but helps keep the chapters' budgets intact for their programming. For example, keep an eye out for inexpensive candleabras or other supplies that could be used to replace outdated or broken ceremony items. Maybe you provide New Member notebooks, mailing labels, or other supplies that the chapter has to spend money on. What about providing roses for ceremonies? These are little costs that all add up for the chapter. What about providing gifts for the new initiates/new members in their goody baskets/bid baskets. We all know what an expenses on a collegiate this can be so maybe you go in with other alums to create custom printed cups, magnets, etc that can alleviate the initiated members.

I would also suggest offering to help them maintain their alumnae database. My chapter has a datbase of over 1600 alumnae and it's not realistic for a collegiate alum relations chair to keep all those addresses/emails,etc up to date with annual turnover. We have alumnae upkeep that information as well as maintain our alumnae website where we post special announcements (births, promotions, weddings), which is something that a collegiate may not be as excited to do. I think time spent keeping your fellow alumnae excited and interested in the chapter is time well spent down the line.

We want our women spending money and time on recruitment, Public Relations efforts, developing sisterhood, and other initiatives that will perpetuate membership, promote retention, keep alumnae invested, and keep the chapter flourishing on a longterm basis.

Sorry this is so long, I'm still getting used to this particular board.

[TxGirl]

If you live in the area - go by just to say hi, attend chapter meeting etc. This will give the new members the idea that there is more to the chapter than just their collegiate years. If you don't live in the area, sent notes of support during important times - recruitment, greek week etc.

Try and get a group to go help out during a recruitment workshop. All chapters need to practice recruiting and alumnae are perfect to play the PNM in role playing scenarios. Ask the chapter what they want/need the most.

If alumnae start a "campaign" to do something (replace furniture, make a major repair/renovation, get alumnae to help with recruitment or workshop) it really helps too. The chapter is going so many way doing so many things, this kind of helping hand can be wonderful and sometimes gets a better response.