Forgotten Alums

aephi alum · #1 04-03-2004, 02:57 PM

One of my chapter's alums has put together a nice little website for actives and alums from my chapter. She recently put together a family tree that shows everyone ever initiated into the chapter and how they're "descended" from the founders... a very nice idea.

Just one problem. She's missing a founder - me!

There are a few other errata. I've left a note on the website with the corrections.

I'm sure it's just an oversight, but it's still a bit hurtful. I did so much for that chapter.

Any other alums been in this situation, where you visit your chapter and get "WHO are you again?"

James · #2 04-03-2004, 03:03 PM

Well they have to learn my name for the chapter entrance exam so . . . not so much . . .

But I have defiitely seen alums lose credit for stuff they did or other alums get more credit for stuff they didn't .. . as well as forgotten alums. ..

Quote:

Originally posted by aephi alum
One of my chapter's alums has put together a nice little website for actives and alums from my chapter. She recently put together a family tree that shows everyone ever initiated into the chapter and how they're "descended" from the founders... a very nice idea.

Just one problem. She's missing a founder - me! There are a few other errata. I've left a note on the website with the corrections.

I'm sure it's just an oversight, but it's still a bit hurtful. I did so much for that chapter.

Any other alums been in this situation, where you visit your chapter and get "WHO are you again?"

Kevin · #3 04-03-2004, 04:08 PM

Everyone knows me. As far as remembering what I did for the chapter as far as helping to get the charter... They understand that I had something to do with it. Most likely no one knows exactly what I did

I found it funny when they took a history quiz and a lot of them wrote me in as the national director of expansion that got our colony off the ground

TSteven · #4 04-03-2004, 04:08 PM

Forgetting a founder is a big no-no.

Frankly, many alumns who should be remembered - perhaps even honored - are often not. Members who were active but maybe didn't hold office or get any special recognition.

They are the ones that were always at meetings and all the events. They are the ones who drove their brothers home from a night out when the others could not. The ones who helped their brothers pass that exam. The ones who made sure that everyone was having a good time and were friends with everyone. The ones that are there when a brother needs them.

Tom Earp · #5 04-03-2004, 04:43 PM

This is so tue! They know me as # 1, but for those who have done so much over the years who keep the Chapter going, it seems to be a slght. Young minds do sometimes forget those that came before them and who did so much for The Chapter!

While they all know me, what about all of the Other Brothers that were there when we were were Founded as a Local who are forgotten?

Some as they graduated never came back and are lost, that is the sad part. I have especially tried to find Our Founder who were the thing that the Chapter has been built on for almost 40 years! They are lost to us maybe forever, that is what is sad as they did so much to start a young group that grew!

So, an advice to Actives, do try to keep The Alums in the loop, down the road they can do a whole for you and the Chapter!

A real grinner, we had a Founder Back for the first time in 35 years. He asked me what his # was.

I told him Albert, (Crazy Al), how do I know, Mine is easy! Da. Well, He is # 7! I told him dumb ass, how do you forget a single digit #!

Sorry Guys and Gals, it does happen both ways!

honeychile · #6 04-03-2004, 11:00 PM

Two of our chapter sisters from when I was in school passed away when they were young, and those of us who knew them ponied up to create a Scholarship Award and Spirit Award in their memories. I just lose it when I visit the chapter and see that they didn't bother to vote for either Award in a given year!!

It's not like it costs them a penny - two different alumnae's names & phone numbers are on the back who will pay for the engraving - there is NO excuse for Denise & Cindy to be forgotten like this!!!!

AGDee · #7 04-04-2004, 09:46 AM

I don't let them forget me. I stayed involved as an advisor and now I am their Province Director. When I'm at the house, I make it a point to find the composites that I'm in on the wall! I've seen them at their lowest points and highest points. I celebrate their successes and push them to overcome their obstacles, but mostly, I love them dearly!

Dee

aephi alum · #8 04-04-2004, 12:14 PM

I heard back from the sister who maintains the website, and she added me in.

I'm thinking of putting together an article for that website, detailing my chapter's early history as a local sorority and as a colony of AEPhi.

My chapter is too young for that sort of information to be lost...

TSteven · #9 04-04-2004, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by aephi alum
I'm thinking of putting together an article for that website, detailing my chapter's early history as a local sorority and as a colony of AEPhi.

My chapter is too young for that sort of information to be lost...

Excellent idea.

If a chapter's history isn't documented, then the history may be lost. Especially when those who know it - the alums - are gone.

If your chapter does not have a Chapter Historian, then I would suggest creating one.

One additional piece of advice. Be sure to write the names - first, last, nicknames if applicable, class year, and what was the event/situation - on the back of photos. This way you can put a name with the face and the event.

Tom Earp · #10 04-04-2004, 04:23 PM

History Can Be So Fleeting

But, what is Lost, Is Lost and will never be once again retreived!

Roots are what made each and everyone of you, so dont take it lightly!

My Chapter LOST some Great Photos in The Original Scrap Book! It was not important untill some of the Alums Came Down looking for it--OOPS!

Please Protect Your History! As Someone Said, Buy Dirt, They Dont Make it anymore! "Will Rogers"

Same thing goes about Each Chapter, They Dont Make It Any More!

GeekyPenguin · #11 04-04-2004, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by aephi alum
Any other alums been in this situation, where you visit your chapter and get "WHO are you again?"

This happened to me last weekend and actually really hurt my feelings - I've only been gone for a year, and I'm still on the composite above the fireplace. A girl in my chapter and I had run to the store and left my date at the house for a few minutes - we came back and this girl was telling him she had no clue who I was, when I had just played a very prominent role in her initation a few months ago. It was definitely a little random.

OtterXO · #12 04-04-2004, 08:25 PM

Okay, not that I think any of us wonderful alums should be forgotten (so don't get upset about the following comment!) BUT...I remember being a pledge in my chapter and it was hard to figure out who were the actives in the chapter AND learn about the national history AND get to know pledge sisters, etc. etc. If I didn't see an older active at chapter meetings/events I wouldn't have even known she was a sister! So my point is that unless you are an advisor who attends meetings/events the younger girls just don't know who you are. I don't think it is meant as an offensive, intentional insult-it is just college girls/guys with more on their minds than the chapter history (sad, I know, we are the history of the chapter!!!) So I agree that the website deletion is annoying and not voting for an award who's namesake is a deceased sister would really piss me off

, but other than those situations don't take offense-I'm sure a lot of us did it when we were actives too!

shadokat · #13 04-05-2004, 04:57 PM

We never forgot a founder's name, that's for sure!! But I think it's good of you aephi alum to offer your assistance in helping to compile the history and make it into a piece for the website. Honestly, collegiates forget people, and that's a sad fact, but the more you keep in touch, the less likely they are to forget. I know that this one alum, she never came back to events, but she always sent us holiday cards, at all holidays, not just THE holidays, and she always threw in a check for $50. It wasn't much, but it was really nice, and I always remember her name, to this day! Megan, thanks

phamason2003 · #14 04-05-2004, 10:26 PM

I LOVE my Epsilon Theta chapter of PHI KAPPA TAU, although I don't recieve to many calls from brother's except for the one's I am very close to. I do when I visit them get alot of respect from the new bro's and it is because all the brother's from my era tell them how hard I worked while I was an active; even the brother's I always use to bump heads with. That's LOVE and I will always have a special place in my heart for my chapter. S#$t, now I got tears running down my face.

I LOVE Epsilon Theta (San Francisco State U.) HOORAH!

-Heath
*F&AM, PHA-Cedars #64.
*PHI KAPPA TAU 1906-Epsilon Theta 1991-Alpha Gamma Class spring 2001.

AchtungBaby80 · #15 04-06-2004, 12:04 AM

I'm sorry, aephi alum and GeekyPenguin. I can sympathize...I've only been gone a year but I'm already really out of touch with the chapter and I never hear of any activities involving alums til it's already over with. I guess we should all get on the phone and start asking people...