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

DSTCHAOS · #1 11-15-2006, 01:34 PM

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 · #2 11-15-2006, 01:40 PM

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 · #3 11-15-2006, 05:37 PM

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!

DSTCHAOS · #4 11-15-2006, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Earp

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

Terrible assumption. You know that GLOs aren't the only organizations to belong to.

SoCalGirl · #5 11-15-2006, 07:05 PM

If it's a guy he usually asks me to hook him up with some hot sorority girls!

blackngoldengrl · #6 11-15-2006, 10:24 PM

My boyfriend is aggravated by it, and when I mention doing things with my alumnae group, he's like "oh jeez" or "give it a rest, college is over." Funny thing is, he was (and I do mean, was) in a fraternity!

I haven't been out of college for very long, but this is my first year joining the alumnae group and I like it a lot so far. My family doesn't think it is odd, but I'm sure some of my sisters would think it is, while others would say, "oh good for you." There are a handful that are really involved with advising other chapters nearby, so we can relate.

AGDee · #7 11-15-2006, 11:16 PM

I generally get "You do that as a volunteer? For free???" I guess "I oversee 24 of our chapters in the Northeast" sounds like a full time job.. and some weeks, it feels like one!

Generally, the people that I call "joiners" think it's neat, as do some moms of daughters who have gone Greek and have seen the benefits first hand. The people who are not "joiners" and just aren't into belonging to organizations at all think it's weird. Most do ask me if I get paid though.

REE1993 · #8 11-16-2006, 01:27 PM

Wow, thanks so much for these replies!

I should add that my (non-greek) husband thinks it's great. He loves it when I wear my letters and tells me he is proud of my commitment. And this is 10 years post-graduation.

As an aside, I was reading through some of my "old" new member material and some of what I read just really hit me. I am very proud to be part of GSS.

You all made me smile, and today I really needed it. I am glad I joined GC.

kdxut · #9 10-31-2007, 04:50 PM

It's funny because it depends on who is racting, if it's other greeks they understand, but people who have never been involved with a Greek organization think it's a terrible group to be a part of because of what they've heard on television or the like. I try to explain, but some people are going to block you out no matter what terrific things you try to explain.

On the other hand, my family, friends and folks think it's terrific and my dad will recognize another Kappa Delta Chi sister's bumper sticker or letter on the back of a vehicle driving in TX and it's the funniest thing. He'll tell me all about his experience seeing another "penguin".

RhoPsiDST · #10 12-20-2006, 02:48 PM

Quote:

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 · #11 12-22-2006, 10:27 PM

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.

NinjaPoodle · #12 02-12-2007, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AGDLynn

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.

Cute, I like that

I've been asked to "Hook a brotha' up" a couple of times

to which I responded " Ummmm, no."

Tom Earp · #13 02-12-2007, 05:39 PM

In and Out of different Threads, but I a wear a LXA Sweat Shirt to the Store as is so friggen cold!

The owner of one of my main wholesalers calls on me.

Oh, You are a LXA?

Yep, I am a Sig Ep from Mo. Un!

So, if some do not like me as a Greek, then, it is their PROBLEM!

Heck yes, I will be more than happy to tell them and what I did in and out of College to do good!

susan314 · #14 02-24-2007, 12:04 PM

I graduated a decade ago (has it really been that long?

), and I'm still involved with my sorority.

I think what some people (sisters included) have a hard time understanding is why I'm still involved when my own chapter closed a few years ago. My response is generally to explain that I didn't just join my chapter at MSU, I joined a national group of sisters.

I've been involved in various capacities off and on since graduation, and recently became Chapter Advisor for a chapter in my area.

DSTCHAOS · #15 12-23-2006, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RhoPsiDST

right right.....

Hello, stranger.