Trying to get ALL Greek Alums together

[winneythepooh7]

So with the support of my organization, I've been planning some get-togethers to attract alums from all GLO's in NYC. I've planned about 3 events so far and no one from the other GLO's have come. I know there is also another group like this in NYC and i've emailed THEM and no one has gotten back to me from their group. Anyone have any advice on how to get people (both males and females) from other GLO's to come out for happy hours and networking events? I've also created a listserv in yahoogroups for this and send out evites. People say they're coming but then never show up.

[Senusret I]

I know you are focusing on alums, but perhaps if you went through the undergraduate chapters in NYC, they could direct you to their more active alums.

[winneythepooh7]

I guess but who has time for all of that? I've planned 3 Happy Hours so far (2 during the week, one on a Saturday) and no one has come that has said they would.

Oh well. On the flip side, our organization's AA is growing everyday so that is a positive

[PenguinTrax]

Have you worked with the NYC Alumnae Panhellenic? They would be the best place to help get support for an all-Greek event.

[ZTAMich]

Originally posted by PenguinTrax
Have you worked with the NYC Alumnae Panhellenic? They would be the best place to help get support for an all-Greek event.

I think this is a slight sore spot with winneythepooh7.

Allison, I don't know what to tell you. Pesonally, I'm so busy with the end of the school year and the beginning of my summer grad school semester that happy hour isn't on my top To Do right now. I go out but I'm more likely to go with people from work & school at this point. Plus, I know for me sometimes if I know I don't know anyone at an event, I'll be less enclined to treck into Manhattan from Jackson Heights. I've let some of the ZTAs here in the city know about things but it just hasn't worked out. Your org is doing great so snaps to you for that and for all your hard work.

Michelle

[SnowLady]

Have you ever thought of using evites for your gatherings? Helps those invited see who else has been invited, see who's coming and let's other invite to the evite. I've used it for our family's parties and for our local GLO events. It's fabulous.

www.evite.com

[Tom Earp]

I am sure, that all will agree, that it is hard to get a group of people together whether it be a certain Greek Group or your own.

It will never be easy not matter what you try.

The only word is "WORK" for it.

I am sure that with a lot of that, you will be able to do it.

If you have not had luck before, dont be down heartened.

I want to do a KANSAS CITY AREA GC Gathering, but timeing is tuff!

Now, you can see the problem, Timing!

Go Girl!

Be the lead!

[winneythepooh7]

hey. i do evites all the time. what a great invention LOL. as for the NYC Panhel group, honestly i haven't had a good response from them either. not necessarily from the e-board or whoever but random people seem so petty. that is a whole other conversation though that i will save for another thread, or maybe not, it is better to keep positiveness going instead of negativeness. anyways, you are all right about the difficulty in getting any group together. i know with our AA some people have shyed away from coming due to the fact that many people already know each other and feel awkward. oh well. i guess i will eventually plan another event.

[33girl]

Winney I feel your pain.

Don't know if you have contacted them but here is the link to our NYC alum chapter. They're fairly new but already seem very active.

http://www.geocities.com/bigapplealphas/index.html

[PhiPsiRuss]

My view is that there are way too many events being posted on that yahoo group, so there is never a sense of any event being special. Also, they start too early for a mid-week Manhattan event.

I would announce an event every other month, and start it at least at 7:00.

[sairose]

Winney, first of all, I think the alum idea is fantastic! Here's some tips.

--give it time! Usually NO organization is big and involved from the start. It just might take a while to get it going.

--Don't plan too many events. People lead very busy lives! Try an event once a month, or maybe even once every other month, and invite people far enough ahead of time that they can make time to attend.

--is everyone you invite well informed about the group and its purpose? Maybe some people are in the dark. Let them know your aim for the group.

--is your group only for alums of NPC/IFC groups? Or do you have a more broad focus? Because there is an SAI alum chapter there I know for sure. THere may also be alum chapters of other specialized groups. But, that's only if you want to include ALL Greeks. Obviously, if your aim is for alums of NPC sororities, then concentrate on them.

I hope this helps. Keep us updated on how things are going.

[Peaches-n-Cream]

We just had an event on Tuesday. it was great, but no one else came besides our DPhiE AA. It seems that the guys just aren't interested in doing things. The NYC Panhel Alumnae group list was cancelled which was just stupid in my honest opinion.

Allison, you're doing a great job. I think that you should try to get in touch with the first NYC Alumni group again. I posted a listing of events on GC. If you and I are free, we can attend their events together.

Here are the future events:
Friday, June 25th 5:30-8:00 pm
ALL-GREEK ROOFTOP PARTY AT THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF
ART

Free After-Work attire
Rooftop Garden of the Metropolitan Museum of Art,
1000 Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street

This is the ORIGINAL All-Greek Party!!
Invite your friends and coworkers, Greeks and
non-Greeks alike for this after-work cocktail party on
the rooftop of the Met overlooking Central Park.
Amazing! Meet all the sororities and fraternities of
NYC at this massive party.
It is free, but there is a SUGGESTED Donation to enter
the museum.
(This event is NOT associated with the Met-do not call
them).
IF THE ROOFTOP IS CLOSED DUE TO RAIN, WE WILL MEET AT:
Mustang Grill 1633 2nd Ave @85th St.

**************************************************
**************************


Thursday, July 22nd 6pm-?
ALL-GREEK SUMMER JAM At the THE BOAT BASIN.
W. 79th St.and Hudson River
This one always makes the record books!!!!
We will meet by the back bar near the upper dining
area...

[winneythepooh7]

Everyone has good points, but Russ, I really disagree. I believe it was a couple of your events planned for that time and only you and ONE of your alums showed. I think many people work the regular 8-4 or 9-5 schedule so 6-6:30 is a reasonable starting time especially for dinner. If you say 7, then people don't show up until 8-8:30 and if I have to work the next day, I don't want to be out much past 9PM. And all of the events I have planned people have told me they may be an hour late and STILL don't show when it is something as laid back as a happy hour. I think the bottom line is what everyone has been saying anyways is that it takes TIME to get people interested and I know it's hard doing stuff during the week sometimes, and even harder on the wknds. I also agree that females are more apt to come to these things then the boys. Anyone have any thoughts as to why? Noreen, I will check my schedule but I should be able to make some of those events with you. ~Allison

[daoine]

I'm curious -- how often are you having these events? The frequency may have a lot to do with how many people attend. If nothing else, my opinion may give you insight as to how others are thinking...

The Boston Panhel just had a Happy hour/ networking event about a month ago, it was quite well attended. I think it was the first event of its kind for quite a while (maybe ever), so people were really excited to get out and meet other people.

As great as it was, it was a serious effort for me to get there on time. I'm pretty sure I wasn't alone in that regard. I wouldn't attend more than 2-3 of these events in a given year. (I've got enough going on with my own alumnae group.) I think that the rest of the group felt the same way -- we'd all love to hang out with each other, but we're not going to do it on a regular basis.

So, knowing that I'm only going to attend 2-3 of these events yearly is actually quite important in scheduling.

I guess it sums up like this: if Panhel had a monthly event that I could rarely attend, I'd *never* go. I wouldn't know the regulars. I wouldn't be able to commit the time to get to know the regulars. I'd be an outsider -- and that's not worth skipping out of work early to get to wherever it's going to be. However, if they had 2 events a year, I'd make sure I'd get to one of them. There wouldn't be regulars -- everyone would be there just to meet people; and I will (and have) cut out of work just to be there on time in that kind of situation.

For what it's worth....

[Rudey]

Originally posted by ZTAMich
from Jackson Heights

You live in Jackson Heights? You must stick out like a sore thumb eh? Well Jackon Heights Diner is a great place but I'm sure you already know.

-Rudey