How do people react when you mention you are involved as an alum

[adpiucf]

I have lived all over the US and remained (for the most part) active as an alum. I have worked in offices ranging from several 1000 co-workers to under 20-- each time I have worked with Greeks and they think it is hilarious and/or odd that I have chosen to stay involved as an alumna. I have only ever encountered one other co-worker who was active as an adviser of her sorority and involved with her AA.

[AnchorAlumna]

Yes, my mother keeps asking me when I'm going to grow up and quit that sorority. **Honestly! ** I enjoy it, I like meeting and working with sisters from other chapters, and I've been an active alum WAY longer than I was a collegiate. So...what!
It all goes back to new member education (which I think is too short but that's another thread).

[sageofages]

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

Yes, my mother keeps asking me when I'm going to grow up and quit that sorority. **Honestly! ** I enjoy it, I like meeting and working with sisters from other chapters, and I've been an active alum WAY longer than I was a collegiate. So...what!
It all goes back to new member education (which I think is too short but that's another thread).

My mother was the same way until May 2005 (see "prayers for mr sageofages" thread)....My Phi Mu sisters were there for me in a BIG way (and you GC'ers as well). NOW, Mom "gets" it...she gets it enough that she is encouraging my neices to "consider that sorority thing like Aunt Sageofages" when you go to college.

[SigKapSweetie]

My parents are very supportive of my continued involvement with my collegiate chapter - they know how much I miss being in the thick of things up there! My med school classmates, however, are largely puzzled by it. Why would you take weekend trips up to UF for things like sorority recruitment or initiation when you could be studying?

[azureblue]

I am actively involved with my Alumnae Association and have been advising a chapter since 2004. Strangely enough, I find that fraternity alumni are the most interested/respectful about the time that I put in! I find that those who think that it is strange or a waste of time are those who aren't involved with any type of activity or community service groups. I loved my collegiate experience, and I am getting more than I could have ever imagined out of my alumna experience.

[DSTCHAOS]

It is of no surprise to people when I tell them because it's kind of like "you better be living your lifetime commitment." Yet people still smile and want to know what my alumnae chapter is doing.

For many organizations it is expected for us to be involved at the alum level. When I meet NPHCers, for example, I expect for them to not only be able to tell me their chapter and year of initiation but to often mention their alum/grad chapter affiliation or if they are financially a member-at-large. I've even had NPHCers come at me wrong if they assumed I graduated 7 years ago and haven't contributed to my organization since.

Of course this expectation is especially the case with my Sorors. Over the past 7 years I've been involved in making sure Sorors who aren't financial and active are reclaimed either as a member-at-large or through alumnae chapter affiliation.

[honeychile]

I get more "aggravation" when I use the word Greek, as opposed to my sorority alumnae association. Most non-greeks don't seem to understand that terminology around here.

[Tom Earp]

Maybe it is not what WE have missed but what THEY have missed!

They do not understand because they were never envolved in anything bigger than themselves.

There really is a lot bigger world out there or I would not have had the opportunity to meet so many neat people from all over and so many different walks of life!

[RhoPsiDST]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

It is of no surprise to people when I tell them because it's kind of like "you better be living your lifetime commitment." Yet people still smile and want to know what my alumnae chapter is doing.

For many organizations it is expected for us to be involved at the alum level. When I meet NPHCers, for example, I expect for them to not only be able to tell me their chapter and year of initiation but to often mention their alum/grad chapter affiliation or if they are financially a member-at-large. I've even had NPHCers come at me wrong if they assumed I graduated 7 years ago and haven't contributed to my organization since.

Of course this expectation is especially the case with my Sorors. Over the past 7 years I've been involved in making sure Sorors who aren't financial and active are reclaimed either as a member-at-large or through alumnae chapter affiliation.

right right.....

[AGDLynn]

It's funny/sad when people say that they never hear from the collegiate chapter..well..we've been in the same dorm since 1972 and have had the same post office box and how many times have you moved, changed email addresses, stayed in touch with anyone you knew in college much less the collegiates??

And btw, we may be moving in 2008 so you might see a whole different decorating scheme if you try to come by Boykin,.

Back to the 1st post...when I go into a Greek store to buy stuff, the question is "Oh, is your daughter an Alpha Gam?..I just thought of the perfect line....


No, but my 100,000 sisters are.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by RhoPsiDST

right right.....

Hello, stranger.