Reactivating as an Alum...???

GinaBaroness · #1 09-19-2006, 10:06 PM

Hi ladies,

I have a question and I thought maybe someone here could answer it. Earlier in my college career I was a Phi Mu (fully initiated!) but I deactivated for financial reasons. I'm going to be graduating in May, and I was wondering if there was a way to reactivate as an alum. I'm going to be going to grad school at a school where there isn't a chapter, but I would LOVE to get the ball rolling on helping some girls colonize one, maybe!

I really miss the bond of sisterhood, and it saddens me that I had to give it up because of money...I'd love to hear that there's a way to get it back. Thanks!

PMSunshine77 · #2 09-20-2006, 05:57 PM

It is possible, but as far as I know, you have to contact your local alumnae chapter (try the Cleveland chapter--they're great!) to go about it. Another option would be to contact Executive Office or the Director of Member Services to find out exactly what reaffiliating would entail. If you go to the national website (www.phimu.org) and click on the "Alumnae" link, you should be able to find out more information on whom you should contact.

GinaBaroness · #3 09-20-2006, 08:11 PM

Thanks so much! I'm thrilled to hear that my decision didn't have to be a permanent one. I'll be in a MUCH better position to handle the financial commitment once I'm out of college.

PMSunshine77 · #4 09-20-2006, 09:37 PM

That's COMPLETELY understandable. I'm sure, more often than not, women who relinquish their membership during college do so because of finances. It really makes me wish there was some sort of financing plan or something available, because some women don't even want to go through Recruitment because of the money they would need to have.

Please be sure to keep us all informed of your progress.

DeltaBetaBaby · #5 10-08-2006, 02:10 AM

Your chances of reinstating are MUCH better if you do it while you are still an undergrad. There is a formal process for this, and you should contact the EO before you graduate.

Otherwise, you are pretty much saying that you don't want to be a member until you reach the point where you don't have to contribute any time or money.

GinaBaroness · #6 10-08-2006, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

Your chances of reinstating are MUCH better if you do it while you are still an undergrad. There is a formal process for this, and you should contact the EO before you graduate.

Otherwise, you are pretty much saying that you don't want to be a member until you reach the point where you don't have to contribute any time or money.

I talked to the chapter president at my school. Last year, I did have intentions of reactivating this fall (which is right now) and told the chapter I was planning on coming back. However, it's not financially possible for me to do it right now. I have $5,000 in credit card debt that I need to take care of before I can enjoy any "extras." She completely understood and told me that I could reactivate even after graduation if I wanted to do so--hence my reason for asking here how it could be done.

Also, I'm student teaching next semester, and I won't have time/energy to go to really contribute anything (when I was still active, the graduating seniors who student taught RARELY showed up to anything, even though they weren't really exempt just because of how demanding student teaching was). I'd just be dead weight, really...that's why I was thinking it would be better to wait until I graduated so that I'd a) have the money to pay for financial obligations, and b) I could get involved with things via an alumnae chapter. I'd love to donate to the foundation on a continuous basis once my debt is cleared and I'm settled into my career--and maybe even help colonize a chapter while I'm in grad school!

GinaBaroness · #7 09-16-2007, 03:19 PM

I'm bumping this again for another update--

I graduated in May and *finally* found a job in August. This past week I drafted a letter to the National Council explaining why I disaffiliated in the first place, and why I would like to be reinstated as an alum. I can finally afford to pay the balance I owed my chapter so I was planning on mailing a check for the full amount in with my letter.

However, I wanted to know if I could get some input on what I said in my letter and if I should change anything around so that it's the absolute best that it could possibly be before I send it off! If anyone is willing to read it over and critique it, that would be great. Just send me a PM and I'll PM you back with what I wrote.

Also, I live in the Cleveland area and I got in touch with Delta Omega chapter at Case and explained my situation--I am going to an event later this month so I can meet some alums and hopefully get more help with finding my way home.

DeltaBetaBaby · #8 09-16-2007, 04:21 PM

Gina, you are welcome to PM me, but I don't think you should have any trouble. We have a pretty clear policy that does indeed allow you to reaffiliate. I think there is a fee in addition to paying what you owe, but I don't know the amount off of the top of my head.

GinaBaroness · #9 09-16-2007, 05:31 PM

Thanks--

I will probably just drop my letter + check for the balance I owed my chapter in the mail tomorrow then. I don't want to wait any longer than I have to for things to get going on this.

I'll definitely keep bumping this thread as events unfold!

DML1983 · #10 12-10-2007, 12:15 AM

I am in the waiting stage of the reaffiliation process... have been since March of 2007. I had called Nationals in Oct to find out when I might know and they said by the end of the year. SO, I was just wondering if you had heard any news yet? I am so happy that I am not the only lost sister wandering my way home!

DML1983 · #11 02-01-2008, 11:21 AM

BUMP
Well, I don't know if anyone else has been being 'a squeaky wheel' but I have been getting anxious (as I have been waiting since March!). I called Nationals last week and was told that Council had met early in the year and that the minutes should be released any day now - so we should know soon!

BabyPiNK_FL · #12 02-01-2008, 01:13 PM

Good luck to you!

DML1983 · #13 02-05-2008, 12:49 AM

It is official for me, and I hope that the other ladies have recieved the same answer... They have accepted my request to reaffiliate! I've come back home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GinaBaroness · #14 12-30-2008, 11:45 AM

big bump.

I hate to say this, but I never wound up sending in my check and letter last year. A whole bunch of stuff happened around that time (I moved out of my parents' house, etc.) and I didn't have the money. Since then, I moved AGAIN to North Carolina, and now I'm *finally* recovering financially. I am hoping that sometime in the next couple months, I will finally be able to go through with this.

This really sucks. I really, really want to do this, but I need to send $200 in back dues from college to them along with my letter. A small price to pay for something so important! And I would love to be able to help out with local chapters around here!

BabyPiNK_FL · #15 12-30-2008, 12:28 PM

What are you waiting for? It's been two years!

Go for it, if it happens you will not regret it.

This is one of the many amazing things I love about Phi Mu. There is a chance to come back. Many organizations do not offer this and I feel that it is a shame (although I respect their rights to what they feel is best) because sometimes life really does get in the way and I have seen many a shining star have to leave for situations beyond their control. Knowing that they may be able to come back has always been a comfort to me.