Has the tradition of Legacies outgrown its usefulness?

[violetpretty]

I truly believe that if an alumna wants to be active, she can, in some way. She can:
-donate to the foundation
-advise a collegiate chapter
-help out with a collegiate chapter's recruitment
-be a member of an alumnae chapter
-be involved with the local Alumnae Panhellenic
-volunteering on/donating to a collegiate chapter's corporation board

I think distinguishing between alumnae who are involved in at least one of these areas would create plenty of separation between legacies of active alumnae and legacies of alumnae who haven't done a thing since graduation. How can you say it's so important for your daughter/sister/granddaughter to be in your sorority if you've done nothing since graduation?

Not having an alumnae/collegiate chapter or Alumnae Panhellenic nearby certainly does not prevent an alumna from donating to the foundation, nor should it prevent an alumna from advising a collegiate chapter if she wants to. I know an alumna who lives in Texas who advises a chapter in rural Pennsylvania because they have a need for advisors.

I don't think the amount donated to the foundation should matter, just that the alumna donates regularly. People have different financial situations. I'd rather an alumna donate what she can consistently over the years rather than "Helga von Heli" try to buy her daughter's way in right before recrtuitment after years of nothing. Everyone can afford to donate something.

Being a busy mom doesn't prevent involvement in one of those areas, particularly, donating to the foundation. If her nearby alumnae chapter doesn't have a "mommy" niche, she should advocate for that. Plus, helping with recruitment once a year isn't a terribly huge time commitment, but still shows you care.

If there is a sorority alumna who lives more than 2 hours away from a collegiate chapter, an alumnae chapter, and an alumnae Panhellenic, and is in dire financial straits, working 2 jobs and caring for her kids, seriously ill etc. that can be noted on the RIF. But I think alumnae who truly have no time, no money, and live far away from any chapter are in the minority. For the most part, if an alumna wants to be involved, she can.