Why are you NOT involved in an Alumni/ae Association?

[EE-BO]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Yeah so does this topic boil down to the difference between NPHC and NPC/NIC?

It will be kinda funny if it does.

I have zero personal experience with NPHC alumni/alumnae chapters, but after reading about them here over the years I agree answers to the OP's question will depend entirely on NPHC vs NPC/NIC. Reading the thread so far, I have not determined which is the subject of the research- and someone please advise if there is an answer I missed in the posts.

With regards to NPC- 33girl is quite correct when it comes to Texas. Alumnae who are just in it for the prestige and not willing to work are sniffed out pretty quickly, so the ladies do work hard. But there is no doubt a lot of prestige can be conferred. In certain cities for certain sororities, specific annual fundraising events can provide opportunities that are socially very important.

On the NIC side- I have not ever observed the level of organization one would see with NPHC or NPC. The closest you get is the Housing Corporation which tends to be a catchall for fundraising, managing the house and working with the chapter to put on alumni events. Chapter advisors representing national fraternity's interests are also often folded into this collective group of active alumni.

Getting NIC alumni interested poses challenges I know all too well- anyone who gets involved and has half a brain knows that much work and a whole lot of donating lies ahead.

My time as a housing corporation officer and chapter advisor has been great- and I would not trade it for anything. But I was single, worked from home allowing me to do a lot of work for the chapter plus be available on short notice- plus able to spend the money at the time. The financial donations were substantial. At a big southern school when you have guys living in 7 figure properties with alumni who expect a good time at alumni events, even funding a small gesture can be jawdropping. And they all expect it- especially the ones who would never give away a nickel.

This is what NIC alumni face when asked to get involved. It ends up being a lot more money and time than is promised- and not out of any preconceived plan. It is just how it works. And the more money and organization a few put out there- figure 5x that in alumni are going to partake of the fun and parties along with the undergrads at your expense.

I loved doing it- and I would do it again. But as I said, I was in the very rare position of being able to do a good job of it for a time. With the new economic realities out there and me back in an office working for someone else, I could never do now what I did then.