Who's getting Alumnae Development Right?

[gwen1982]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I kind of look at this differently. From what I understand, NPHC groups have undergraduate and graduate chapters where the meeting structure is pretty much the same for both categories - and as we all know, they have a LOT more active alumnae than NPC groups do. Maybe the key to making NPC alumnae appreciate their membership more is by asking more from them. I feel like sometimes we make it TOO easy for alum chapters to start/maintain themselves.

If all they are willing to do is send in a report once a year, maybe it's time to create a different kind of alumnae chapter, an "Insert Your Jewel Here Circle" or something.

I'm not saying that structure isn't important. Perhaps the different classifications would be helpful. A group of alums that meets twice a year is different than the alum group that may only meet 3 times a year but has a couple of events a month. Does the proximity of a chapter make a difference in the activeness level of an alumnae group? What if the chapter closes? Will the group support a new chapter?

This is what I view as one of the most difficult areas to deal with by far. Alumnae range from 20 something to those thinking of what they'll be doing to their 90th birthday party. Having achievement standards for alumnae groups is great, but not all groups will want to be the same. And a group may not be the same from year to year. I really think there is no easy solution to alumnae development, nor is there any one way to do it.

I do think that keeping alumnae engaged in some way, shape, or form is the ultimate goal for all of us. I've been on a panel of a non-Greek fraternal organization to discuss retention and member interest levels. Their active members range in age from 19 to 105 (bless him!). Their issues are similar and the goals seem to be what ours are - engage members, educate members, be member-only friendly yet family friendly, offer member recognition, and especially contribute to the overall health of the organization both locally and nationally. It's a struggle to reach the goals, though not for lack of trying.