What's going on?

[winneythepooh7]

I notice that often in our listserv in yahoogroups, we get new alumna's who join and post messages that they haven't come because "they don't know anyone". Well I sent out an Evite (Come to our New Member Social) and planned an event for the first week of October geared specifically to new members. I know the first week of October is still a few weeks away but NO ONE new has signed up yet. Anyone have any ideas on how to get these ladies involved? It's not like we don't have at least one or two other events each month either. I know we could call and personally invite people but outside of that, I don't know.......

[oncelurked]

Did these new AI women have sponsors or contact women during their PNAM "rush"? If they did, maybe use these women as people to be an assigned buddy for alumnae functions. Other options are sending real invites through snail mail, calling them, or having an alumna "stop by" to invite them. A lot of tactics used during the traditional collegiate new member period can work, though distances may be larger.
You might also ask some women who are involved with Junior League what their tactics for making new members comfortable with the group are.

ETA: if these are not AI women and are simply alumnae new to the area, assigning a buddy may help for them, too.

[Tom Earp]

Dont know anyone? Tell them to get off of the dead square one. Sounds better than asses and meet NEW PEOPLE.

My God, they are of the Same Greek Organization and had the same letters, Badge, Ritual.

I guess I am different, I love meeting My Brothers from all over the LXA Fraternal world.

I am about the oldest that theyb might meet, but, that is why I stay Young thinking.

Damn, people are stupid. Cats have more sense of being!

[PenguinTrax]

Find other alumnae that live close to the new members and have them call and offer to pick them up for the event. That way they can meet a 'regular' person in a quiet setting for a little while, then the 'old' member can introduce the new girl around to the other alumnae.

[epsilon99]

Is there also an alumni newsletter you could advertise in?

[winneythepooh7]

Hey, well, I know it is "summer" and all but still no luck with attracting new alums to our events really. It is kinda discouraging, especially when I've noticed they sign up to come to stuff and then it's no call/no show. We have been "advertising" in our National mag and on our website. I am personally thinking of just waiting until the fall again to start stuff up. Thoughts anyone? By the way, I've also sent out the emails to say that if they would like to meet up beforehand, I will do so. Nothing.

[TxGirl]

As much as I love email, unless you have a relationship with the person, it my not be personal enough to get these women out of their comfort zone. Actually calling them on the the phone and talking might give them a better sense of "knowing" someone.

You have to think of it like recruitment all over again - or in this case COB. You can't rely on the woman to come to the house for COB, you have to go get her to make sure she shows up.

I'm like Tom, I love to meet women from all our chapters and don't have any social anxiety about showing up where I know no one. Of course I also travel as a volunteer so I have done it many times over. But, I know that everyone isn't like this and some need more hand holding than others. Maybe a phone call will be enough to get them hooked.

[winneythepooh7]

We are still having trouble getting people to come out to stuff. With our regulars, I understand since many of them have personal stuff going on in their lives. But I just don't get it when I get so many emails that say"There are a ton of us from our chapter living in NYC, and we can't wait to come" then.........nothing. And now our AA has dwindled down to so few participants, having personal phone calls go out is a bit impractical, which is sad that there is that little participation. Our latest "plan" is to start having a get-together once per month, same day, same place, same time. We are planning to hold it at an Irish pub, because they serve inexpensive food, and if people can't get there say, right at 6PM, it is still comfortable enough to come later. Any other NYC alum groups, or alum groups in general struggling with these issues? I hate to say it, but as the months go by and the same stuff keeps happening, I am starting to feel as if I just don't want to do it anymore..............I just went to our listserv and we have 102 members on it. Even more than that I am sure get our emails forwarded to them. Would it be appropriate to send out a message to the group voicing the frustrations going on and requesting that people serious about participating and creating a strong alumnae group contact me? At this point I really am ready to throw the towel in..............I don't want to sound rude or bitchy, but I've planned events in the past where a whole bunch of people signed up that they were coming and then were no call/no show. I ended up sitting there by myself until someone showed up and then we waited only for no one else to come....... I think that is just downright rude. I am really looking forward to everyone's thoughts.

[Tom Earp]

It does get very frustrating to say the least.

But, the only thing you can do is keep trying!

Keep planning events and then give a follow up note to remind them.

Do you have a good email listing first off. If a so, keep building on it as much as possible to reach more people.


After events, then give a little note to highlight who was there and what went on. Try to keep it as positive as possible. If some think others are having fun and see names they know, they may opt to come the next time.

Good luck and hang in there!

[SmartBlondeGPhB]

The happy hour idea is a great way to get them to come. We did it for years and had a pretty good turn out.

The problem of "not knowing anyone" is a common one, we see it all the time.

We had a BBQ over the summer at an alum's house with spouses and children welcome and we weren't expecting many people (since it was summer) but we got 11 alumnae plus some husbands and kids so it turned out to be one of our best attended events. And about half of the attendees were new.

It takes patience and perservence, we've been at this for 6 years now and we are only just getting good at it.

What She and all of the above said.

Keep it positive and inexpensive. If many of the Sisters are in town working, what a better way for them to miss the crowd. "Happy Hour"!

We do a a Monthly Meeting and I cannot make them all, but is more Social, but does get into GLO or Chapters problems. So just tailor it as it were and let it run its course in the discussion.

Everyone will want to talk about problems in one form or another!

Just keep a positive spin on it and be smiliey Face about it!

[xo_kathy]

Originally posted by winneythepooh7
I just went to our listserv and we have 102 members on it. Even more than that I am sure get our emails forwarded to them. Would it be appropriate to send out a message to the group voicing the frustrations going on and requesting that people serious about participating and creating a strong alumnae group contact me? At this point I really am ready to throw the towel in....

As a VP of the NYC Chi O alumnae chapter, I feel your pain and I will say "NO WAY! DO NOT SEND OUT AN EMAIL LIKE THAT!!!!!" Sorry for the yelling, but I think this will really turn people off!

We've come to terms with the fact that NYC is a very transient place. When the women get here, they need to make some connections so they reach out to their alumnae chapter. Maybe they attend an event or two, then they start to meet other people at their job or place of worship, etc and the sorority isn't so necessary anymore. So they come to founders' day and that's about it. It happens, but you can't take it personally.

Also, especially in NYC, interest really wanes in the summer. We don't do anything really - except an occasional book club or happy hour. The fall is always the best turnout time for us - weather is still decent, people are in town and not on vacations, etc. I think your idea of same day/time/location is excellent. I also think follow-up emails when people do attend are great, but also if they don't. Send a quick note saying you were looking forward to meeting them - did they have trouble finding you, etc. Then ask them for ideas of things they would like to do. If they feel involved from the start they might be more interested in attending.

And, just know that some people might not be "into it" as much as you are. I'm sort of a Chi O nut, but most people aren't like that. So if only a handful of women attend and they all have a nice time, then you did something great for the sisterhood and you should be proud of that!

[Peaches-n-Cream]

I agree with Kathy. Please don't send that email especially since I am on that listserv.

I wish that I could attend more events, but my eyes are still a problem for me. When I get well, I will definitely return to my previous level of involvement. I think many members are going through their own personal situations right now which explains the lower level of involvement. I agree that having an event at the same place and same evening will give our group the consistency that we need.

When I attended some NYC Panhel meetings, alumnae of quite a few sororities complained of the same things that we're experiencing. I was told that having at least ten women attend an event means that it is a success. Most of our dinners have had about that many attendees.

Maybe more NYC or city alumnae/i can weigh in with some suggestions and advice.

[SmartBlondeGPhB]

Originally posted by Peaches-n-Cream
I was told that having at least ten women attend an event means that it is a success. Most of our dinners have had about that many attendees.

Yes, it is.

And it's not a NYC problem. The same thing happens everywhere. We deal with it constantly.

I recently went through and cleaned out our listserv and removed people who had never been to anything (and had been on the list for 3+ years). Then I added women who asked to be kept informaed of what's going on.

Even though you have 102 women on your list, they might not be the RIGHT 102 women. As has been said already, they may not be as interested as others.

[winneythepooh7]

Thanks guys. It makes me feel better to see that we are not the only one's going through this. I still have a theory that alumnae attendence is also a reflection of their experience in undergrad, especially new alumnae. I have been hearing that chapters in the NYC area, hell, in NYS in general (and probably elsewhere) are having issues so this may be the trickle down effect right there. Another issue is that many alums are only focused on their individual chapter. I have had alums from my own chapter who live in the area say they would only attend something directly related to our chapter. I have also had people tell me that they don't want to attend something that they are going to be expected to pay $$$$/work with headquarters/etc. Yeah, I agree it probably would not be the best thing to send out an email like that. We always get one or two in the pot though that no matter what we do, or when we do it, they never attend and then bitch about it. I can deal with that. I guess if it is that important to you, you will come check it out sooner or later. How do you guys deal with people who would probably be a wonderful asset, but think it is "juvenile" to attend a sorority event after graduation? Thanks for the input, I like discussions like this .

[SmartBlondeGPhB]

If that's what you've been hearing then tailor the events you have around what they want to do and don't even try for things that they say they don't want.

Have events that don't cost any money to attend.

BUT don't discount those who may have had bad experiences. Just go out of your way to show them that they can also have good experiences. It may take time, but they might come around.