Involved sorority collegiate turns invisible alumna

[violetpretty]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

One of the problems with being an officer of a struggling chapter is that it often gets to the point where it feels like chapter vs. HQ. After years of being on the chapter side, it is hard to turn around and flip sides, in a way. I'm sure there are others around who know what I mean.

I see what you're getting at, but alumnae chapters =/= HQ. Alumnae are just...alumnae.

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

There is also some reluctancy to get involved if you move somewhere after graduation with which you aren't familiar.

I was going to say that's all the better reason to join, unless you end up in a city where most of the alumnae are from the same chapter, and the culture is totally different.

Originally Posted by 33girl

I know that one of our most active alum chapters is Nova (Northern Virginia) and most people have said that's because pretty much everyone in it is a transplant to the area - they were looking for a way to connect with other people because they knew no one and ASA was it.

Yeah, our DC chapter (of which I am an officer) is like that. We have members from SO many chapters/cities, no one feels singled out because it is such a mix. Most of our members are single, young professionals, often recent transplants. I'd imagine our NYC, Boston, Chicago, and LA chapters are like that too, since large cities usually=lots of transplants.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by violetpretty

I see what you're getting at, but alumnae chapters =/= HQ. Alumnae are just...alumnae.

I was going to say that's all the better reason to join, unless you end up in a city where most of the alumnae are from the same chapter, and the culture is totally different.

Yeah, our DC chapter (of which I am an officer) is like that. We have members from SO many chapters/cities, no one feels singled out because it is such a mix. Most of our members are single, young professionals, often recent transplants. I'd imagine our NYC, Boston, Chicago, and LA chapters are like that too, since large cities usually=lots of transplants.

If i actually end up moving out here we're going to have to meet

[33girl]

Originally Posted by LouisaMay

Many of them believed that being involved in an alumnae chapter would be as time-consuming and business-oriented as operating a collegiate chapter (paperwork, deadlines, etc.).

One of the recently graduated girls from Gannon went to alum Panhel with me (I was an APH member at large before there was an ASA alum chapter here) and she was like "do we recite the Panhellenic creed?" I had to tell her many of the current APH members probably didn't remember it. She had the same fears though - that it would be too much to do and take up too much time to get involved as an alum.

Originally Posted by violetpretty

How would you suggest changing that for the better? Each NPHC group has stereotypes, good or bad, that are pretty consistently agreed upon. I don't think there are 26 unique niches to be filled, nor would I want my sorority to have a national stereotype.

I think one of the best ways to increase the chances of alumnae involvement is for collegians to attend Convention/regional conferences/other events with other chapters. I know this sounds cheesy and idealistic, but the beauty of the NPC is that each group has a variety of chapters and they all take on different personalities, but you all took the same Initiation vows, and that is what binds you. Once you meet women from tons of different chapters, you realize that despite your different experiences, you probably do have a lot in common. I was astonished at how many women I click with from so many chapters of my sorority.

That's what I would suggest too. Unfortunately, there's usually only a few collegians that get to do that, and as far as the rest, they really can't process it. It would be nice if there were just purely social events that whole chapters could attend to get to know each other.

Quite frankly, there are times when XYZ at State U is the "cool" chapter on campus and wants nothing to do with XYZ at Cuckoo Colllege who is the "nerdy" chapter on their campus if they come to visit. You can talk to them about vows and bonds till you're blue in the face, but it doesn't always work that way. I wish it did.