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

[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!

[DSTCHAOS]

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]

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

[blackngoldengrl]

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]

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]

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.

[PrettyBoy]

People are usually shocked because they think I'm a lot younger than I actually am. That works for me .

[blkwebman1919]

My group manager at work was amused that I still work with the band and I'm active within the Fraternity (Life member) after almost twenty years. He was even more amused when he saw my license plate/tag and Psi stick in my car.

Ironic, since he's a member of a D9 (NPHC) organization. He looks at it as being a "college thing --- been there, done that", which is very unusual given the thinking of (in my opinion) most D9ers...

[Tom Earp]

I always find it is fun when people come into my shop and I see a College tag on their car and ask oh, I see you went to ABC school.

Were you in a Fraternity/Sorority? They will say yes I was a so and so at ABC. How about you and I always say I am a LXA from ABC and am still active. I always found it amazing how much warmer people were after we talked a while about the Greek Days back when!

Just to name a few:

BTP
DDD
STG
KS
OSPhi
AKA
AKL
XO

While from different Organizations, there is still a common bond.

[AXiDTrish]

Anyone who is friends with me knows that I am involved as an alum. Most of the time I get no reaction, but most often people say I'm not the type....haha, if they only knew!!

My company hired a new saleswoman last year. While at lunch we had to tell her a little bit about ourselves. I gave her the basic information then my VP shared that I was also involved with my sorority and did a lot of volunteer work. Needless to say I was surprised (but perhaps I shouldn't be because she's a Junior League person and quite involved herself), but then the saleswoman asked my affiliation. It turns out she is an Alpha Xi Delta too! And a former chapter president as well!!! It's funny, because we instantaneously clicked!

Than again, a sister that I initiated with and advise with now got married in April. Her husband is becoming evermore resentful of her involvement as an alumnae. I cannot wrap my head around it because did he assume the minute they said the vows she would stop her involvement? Why can't he accept her involvement as something that she ENJOYS and that it gives her a sense of purpose and satisfaction of giving back to an org she loves? She certainly accepts his need to go to every UGA event and local basketball league games that he's in. Why should she give up her own interests? It's totally selfish! Sorry.....venting!

[AXiDTrish]

Originally Posted by apd76

It is an odd topic for me. We are all inducted and told that we are members for life. My fraternity experience was different than most of the people on this board. I was inducted in 1976 into a small national fraternity on a large impersonal urban commuter-college campus. So my fraternity brothers were also the only close friends I had on campus, which is probably why I'm still in touch with some of them.

I don't know if I really consider myself a member of my fraternity so many years later. I'd say the best thing is to slowly break contact with your undergrad chapter but keep in touch with fellow alumni if only via email as I do now.

It may sound bad and I apologize, but I feel sorry for you. Your statement makes me really sad. As alumni, we have so many opportunities to mentor young men and women during these formative years as they are becoming responsible (hopefully) adults. Although you, and many others, have not been involved for a long time, there are so many opportunities to educate members in the chapter....not on stuff relating to our orgs, but just life. The other benefit...the collegiates enrich your life as well!

That said, at least you keep in touch with the people you were in chapter with. We did join orgs to create lifelong friendships and that's exactly what you did.

[Tom Earp]

Originally Posted by apd76

I've never really mentioned my alum involvement at work because it's hard to explain to people who were not in a fraternity or sorority. I was in touch with my undergrad chapter for a few years after graduation but that was +25 years ago.

As the years go on I'm much less active in that I don't see alumni or attend alumni association meetings anymore. I am still in touch via email with a few brothers, some of whom I've know for 30 years.

It is an odd topic for me. We are all inducted and told that we are members for life. My fraternity experience was different than most of the people on this board. I was inducted in 1976 into a small national fraternity on a large impersonal urban commuter-college campus. So my fraternity brothers were also the only close friends I had on campus, which is probably why I'm still in touch with some of them.

I don't know if I really consider myself a member of my fraternity so many years later. I'd say the best thing is to slowly break contact with your undergrad chapter but keep in touch with fellow alumni if only via email as I do now.

Just a couple of questions:

1. is your chapter still there.
2. is your Fraternity still viable as a Orgnaization.

While it may seem hard, and I congratulate on keeping in touch, is there a chance of expansion that would be a building momento for others?

While I kind of laugh at your date, I have been involved since 1965.

I have become great friends with all of the younger Brothers and many from other chapters. We have a common bond and do help each other with jobs and inter working in later life.

Take a second look and see what you may be able to do if you so desire.

[kdxut]

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".

[Benzgirl]

I agree. It depends on who you are talking to.
One friend thought it was great (she is a GLO alum),
Another said all of the girls in her sorority are sluts so she wants nothing more to do with it any more,
my one cousin (same GLO) was very excited
another cousin (different GLO) couldn't understand it -- she was done with it when she graduated
aunt said, "whatever"
mother was ok with it
some friends laugh, but no one has ever critcized it (at least not to my face)