What kind of alum assoc?

lonestaradpi · #1 08-09-2004, 08:17 PM

Hi Ladies, This is for the Alumnae out there. I went with a sister from our AA yesterday to help get a new AA started elsewhere in the state. So our AA is BIG into helping collegiate chapters. During the fall, we have members that travel to almost every chapter in the state to tally, take food for actives, or help in any other way needed. The AA also puts on jewel degree for at least 3 (maybe more) chapters. Most of our members feel that our function of an AA is to support our collegiate chapters, our future membership. We want the deltas to know that there is adpi life after college and what better way to demonstrate that than helping them? We have had deltas from neighboring states that have heard of us and our work. At the last grand convention the group got recoginzed for all their work with collegiate chapters. So this AA is the only one I've belonged to so I was shocked yesterday to know that the AA that is going to be established does not want to do that much to support the chapter that is in their town. I had no idea that AAs are purely social. I know that they do philanthropic things and support RMH, but it just shocked me to know that the potential members really didn't want to help the local chapter a whole lot.

So what I want to know is, what is you AA like? Do you feel that way my AA does, and you should be helping the collegiate chapters (we don't have a local chapter so have to travel anywhere from 1-5 hrs to get to any chapters)? Or is you group more a social organization? What does your AA do?

I am not trying to pass judgement on any AAs. I'm just curious to know what other AAs do. We are extremely social too! We just make sure to support chapters in addition to social things.

Thanks in advanced and sorry for the long post!

ADPiAkron · #2 08-09-2004, 11:30 PM

The Akron (Ohio) Area Alumnae Association is all over the collegiate members! We practically smother them with pi love and a helping hand!

We do social and philanthropy activities also...sometimes with the chapter, sometimes without!

So keep up the good work! I believe your group has the RIGHT idea!

texas*princess · #3 08-10-2004, 12:48 AM

I became an alum member of Delta Sigma Pi after I transferred and I have been involved with the alum association in the area. Our AA is a little more social but we do also help out the local chapters. We meet after work to hang out sometimes... plan a movie night for all Deltasigs to attend... sometimes have "grown up" stuff like wine & cheese "parties" hehehe.. fun stuff like that.

We do help out our local chapters if they need help doing things like finding professional speakers, putting on professional events and things like that. We don't normally help with recruitment, as recruitment for our co-ed business fraternity is way different that NPC FR!

When a local chapter wants to do an event with us, we are more than glad to co-host the event, or just have a social gathering of both collegiates and alumni. One fun event we did was co-host a kickball tournament with the other (hehehe

) business fraternity on the campus of one of our local chapters. It was fun! We had both AA and collegiate chapters of their org, and of ours and just had a good time.

And like in any other org, we are more than excited to help celebrate special events (like chapter anniversaries and things like that) with the local collegiates.

When I become an alumna of ADPi I would hope that the AA I join is about the same thing. I think there should always be a healthy balance of "work" and "play"

kateshort · #4 08-10-2004, 04:59 PM

The Naperville ADPi AA is primarily social, with meetings about once a month during the "school year" (Sept through May) with a pool party in July. There is usually a welcome back party, a cookie exchange, a margarita party, a small group going to set up lunch at a RHMC, a founder's day event, and the pool party. Other evenings have included making goodie bags for RHMC around halloween, a pot-painting party, a wine and cheese party, a book exchange (one old, one new to donate to the kids' wing of a local hospital), floral arranging, etc.

Apparently meeting for movies didn't turn out that well the few times they tried to arrange it. I'd love to run for Communications next spring and try to set up a monthly movie night or something...

Our members tend to be around 35-50... lots of moms... but we also have a bunch in the mid-20s. It's a nice mix, too, since it's not too stodgy and not too "lets-go-clubbing!" in nature. Most events are held at a member's house.

We don't have a close-by chapter, but we tend to send money to each of the (five?) Illinois chapters as a way to support them. I'd love to be more involved personally, but I know that I don't have time to go help out with recruitment most times!

Lindz928 · #5 08-10-2004, 08:48 PM

Lonestar, You're not too far from me! I'm in Austin and STILL trying to get in touch with the AA here cause I really want to get involved in it. Do you happen to know anyone who is a part of it? I have e-mailed a couple different people, and even posted the question on Pride Online. Any more ideas?

winneythepooh7 · #6 08-10-2004, 09:08 PM

We've tried to coordinate things with undergrads, community service, etc. in our AA and it is difficult. I think the biggest reason is because alumnae have other committments once they get out of undergrad and sorority is not the top priority anymore. I also think that most alums just don't have the time to devote once they get out of undergrad. It's hard too because once you take on a responsibility like that as your purpose you pretty much have to remain devoted to it if you know what I am saying. A lot of the members of my AA often get stuck at work, or have something unexpected come up so it is even hard for them to make it out to social events. I am also generalizing and not speaking for myself or any chapter in particular but when it comes to helping out the undergrads, I've heard alums say that they would be more willing to get involved with the undergrads if they showed a bit more interest in them beyond sending an email once a year asking for $$$$$. I know it is a two way street though where active-alum interactions are concerned but I am sure you get where I am coming from. Overall though, it is difficult and a long process to get an AA organized and running with a clear purpose. I've had alums from other orgs tell our AA sisters that we are extremely organized for being able to manage one social event per month and have people show. I guess bottom line, it comes down to the alumnae who are part of your org and their dedication to the purpose of the org you are working to form. Good luck and keep us posted! I think all of us, regardless of our Greek affiliation can always benefit from learning how we get our individual AA's to grow

lonestaradpi · #7 08-10-2004, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lindz928
Lonestar, You're not too far from me! I'm in Austin and STILL trying to get in touch with the AA here cause I really want to get involved in it. Do you happen to know anyone who is a part of it? I have e-mailed a couple different people, and even posted the question on Pride Online. Any more ideas?

Hey Lindz928, I know that you probably have already done this, but have you contacted Megan Abram? She is listed on PO and is probably the new president. I know that the list is updated b/c it has our newest president listed. I will ask some of the alums who have been around awhile about the Austin and see if they have any contacts there. I do know of a few sisters from Delta and they lived in Austin after college so I can try to ask them too.

#8 08-10-2004, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lonestaradpi
Hey Lindz928, I know that you probably have already done this, but have you contacted Megan Abram? She is listed on PO and is probably the new president. I know that the list is updated b/c it has our newest president listed. I will ask some of the alums who have been around awhile about the Austin and see if they have any contacts there. I do know of a few sisters from Delta and they lived in Austin after college so I can try to ask them too.

OMG!!! If that is the same Megan Abram, she pledged a year after me at EE!!! I kinda got lost in the hustle and bustle after graduation and lost touch with quite a few sisters.

sorry to hijack

Lindz928 · #9 08-11-2004, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lonestaradpi
Hey Lindz928, I know that you probably have already done this, but have you contacted Megan Abram? She is listed on PO and is probably the new president. I know that the list is updated b/c it has our newest president listed. I will ask some of the alums who have been around awhile about the Austin and see if they have any contacts there. I do know of a few sisters from Delta and they lived in Austin after college so I can try to ask them too.

I'm not sure if she is one of the people I have contacted or not. I will check PO again. And if you hear anything else, definately let me know! I miss having sisters around.

Thanks so much!!

Adelphean1851 · #10 08-12-2004, 01:18 AM

Greater Orlando AA I would say is fairly balanced, we have social events usually once a month unless, our chapter/philantropy schedule is too full. We do lots of stuff for ZW since they are so close and we also have two RHM's in the area so needless to say we have plenty of things to do. Our demographic is prolly mid 20's-30's me being the youngest at 23 and 1/2 (I went early alum). We do alot of meeting at resturaunts for socials but that seems to be the way everyone likes it and it seems to appeal across the age groups.