Joining an Alum Group Question

SthrnZeta · #1 10-02-2007, 05:03 PM

Ok, I need some advice. I graduated in 2004 up in VA and now live in Augusta, GA. I went to a couple planning meetings for state day that the Augusta Alum chapter was planning back in 2005 I think when I first moved here and attended state day and paid my dues for that year. I have not attended an event since or paid dues but I'm still on the e-mail list so I still hear about events that are happening, etc. I didn't feel all that comfortable with the ladies - most of them were older than me and had families and careers and I was a new alum and was single so I felt we had little in common. At the time, I also worked evenings so it was hard for me to stay involved. I really miss being involved in ZTA but my question is should I try again with these ladies and hope that maybe there are some newer girls closer to my age that may have come from the collegiate chapter here or should I try another chapter close-by (there's one in Aiken, SC, about 30 minutes away from me, that I hear has several younger members and may be more my speed)?

I appreciate any advice y'all can give me!

ZL,
Melissa

Cane94G8r97 · #2 10-02-2007, 05:09 PM

Georgia is a very strong ZTA state. The make up of the chapter might have changed over the last couple of years. It might not hurt to give it another try. Perhaps you can attend a function at each of the chapters before you commit to one. Either way, even if the ladies are older you never know who you will learn something from and you all have ZTA in common. One of my very best friends is a ZTA who is 24 years older than I am. You might think that we have nothing in common, but I very much enjoy her conversation and very sage advice that she can offer. Now is a good time to jump back in as I am sure both alumnae groups that you are near will probably have funciotns for Founder's Day and Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Good luck, and please keep us posted!

ZL.

SthrnZeta · #3 10-02-2007, 05:21 PM

I guess I'm also worried what the Augusta Alum chapter may think of me and may doubt my commitment, seeing as how I went MIA after state day two years ago

Getting involved on GC again recently has renewed my enthusiasm for ZTA and I honestly really miss it but I don't want to join an alum chapter I'm not comfortable at and then lose that enthusiasm again, if that makes sense.

skylark · #4 10-02-2007, 05:26 PM

SthrnZeta: (sorry for crashing, but...) Have you thought about advising as an outlet of your enthusiasm? It can be very rewarding and (at least in my GLO) the advisors tend to be a younger crowd than the alum chapters. I look forward to the advisory board meetings so much because we take care of business, but then usually spend hours just socializing or catching up. I'm not sure if you are within driving distance of an active chapter, but it is something to look into if it sounds interesting.

Cane94G8r97 · #5 10-02-2007, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SthrnZeta

I guess I'm also worried what the Augusta Alum chapter may think of me and may doubt my commitment, seeing as how I went MIA after state day two years ago

Getting involved on GC again recently has renewed my enthusiasm for ZTA and I honestly really miss it but I don't want to join an alum chapter I'm not comfortable at and then lose that enthusiasm again, if that makes sense.

DOn't worry about this at all. I am sure that they will understand that you had other things going on and time just got away from you. Trust me, they will be happy to see you back!

Cane94G8r97 · #6 10-02-2007, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skylark

SthrnZeta: (sorry for crashing, but...) Have you thought about advising as an outlet of your enthusiasm? It can be very rewarding and (at least in my GLO) the advisors tend to be a younger crowd than the alum chapters. I look forward to the advisory board meetings so much because we take care of business, but then usually spend hours just socializing or catching up. I'm not sure if you are within driving distance of an active chapter, but it is something to look into if it sounds interesting.

Skylark has a very good point. I love love love the time I spend as an advisor.

SthrnZeta · #7 10-02-2007, 06:11 PM

I would love to be an advisor but I thought you had to be in the alum chapter for a while and not just jump into the advisor role. Honestly, that would be a lot of fun and there is a collegiate chapter at Augusta State which is right down the road, not to mention the newer chapter at USC-Aiken. How does that work then...? And thaks, Cane - I'm sure they won't mind either but it's still a concern, ya know?

Cane94G8r97 · #8 10-02-2007, 07:38 PM

If there is a need for Advisors, they won't care if you have been a member for 5 minutes or 5 years. However, the rule is that you have to be a member of an Alumnae Chapter to be an advisor. There really is no minimum amount of time. I lived in Orlando in the late 1990s, and I joined the Alumnae Chapter and about a minute later I was judicial advisor for Eta Kappa. I think you should go for it!

PenguinTrax · #9 10-02-2007, 10:04 PM

You could join both alumnae groups. I know a few Atlanta alumnae that belong to more than one of the Atlanta area groups.

SthrnZeta · #10 10-03-2007, 09:16 AM

I never thought of joining both but I'm sure USC-Aiken could use some advisors since they're a newer chapter... Definitely something to think about

Thanks!

ZTAmillz · #11 10-03-2007, 02:56 PM

I was going to suggest joining both as well. You can see which one fits better for you. Also you can get involved with recruitment and try to get more young members. I recently have done that with our chapter and we are getting such an amazing group of women--both young and old.

We have used Meetup.com to breath some new air into an "older" chapter. So far it is working great. (last year we had 12 dues members--now we are over 30!!!!)

I also am an advisor and just LOVE it. Let me know if you have any questions.

Good Luck and let us know.

ZL,

SthrnZeta · #12 10-03-2007, 03:01 PM

I've e-mailed both chapters (Augusta and Aiken) and hopefully I'll hear something soon. And according to the USC-Aiken website, the VPIII advisor slot is open. I was never VPIII in my collegiate chapter but it would definitely be fun to work with recruitment! I didn't know it was possible to join both chapters but it may end up that I feel more comfortable at one over the other so I'm glad you all suggested I inquire into both and see how it goes. Thanks! ZL!

ZTAmillz · #13 10-03-2007, 03:01 PM

Melissa- Are you a Theta Chi? Our PC advisor was--and I think you are about the same age....? PM me!

SthrnZeta · #14 10-03-2007, 04:49 PM

What a small Zeta world

Love it!

SthrnZeta · #15 10-04-2007, 02:41 PM

So I've spoken with both chapters via e-mail and they're both having a golf tournament this month (Crown Classic, of course!) but I can't attend either one due to work and school (I'm taking a real estate course to get my license). BUT, the Aiken chapter is having dinner next week so I'll attend that and meet the GA for the USCA collegiate chapter which should be cool. I'm also going to sell some raffle tickets for Augusta's golf tournament so at least I can help raise some money for it even if I can't go to the actual event. From what I hear, the Aiken alum chapter is younger and smaller but still active and the collegiate chapter there is the strongest on campus and the Augusta chapter is larger but slightly older since the collegiate chapter itself is older as well (Eta Mu vs Kappa Pi, LOL). I'm really looking forward to the dinner! Maybe I'll ask that girl in my old apt complex to join me - she was from Susquehana (sp?) University and it sounded like she was new to the area, as well as having just graduated in May!