Legacy Policy

[PinkSkyAtNight]

Originally Posted by azureblue

I came across this article about Tri Delta's Legacy Policy and found it very interesting. All groups have different qualifications on what is considered a legacy, and different policies in membership selection. The way that they describe legacies as "a special joy and a special problem" is true.

I think that it is also interesting that the legacy situation is up to each chapter's discretion, and that there is no national rule of thumb.

Thoughts?

http://www.tridelta.org/trident/stor...aslegacypolicy

Fascinating, well written piece. It is probably the best explanation of a national organization's position that I've read on the subject. And it is honest, which is great. I actually agree with all the statements in the article.

It is disappointing that approximately 4% of their alumnae pay alumnae dues, which are often very little. However, I've heard that most orgs have similar participation rates. I would wonder if you would see a spike in alumnae due particpation if a legacy were only truly considered a legacy if say her legacy relative had paid dues within the last five consecutive years? Just a thought

Not all legacies and all alumnae are considered equal in my mind. If a PNM's mom, sister or grandma has been loyal to the organization, contributed to building campaigns (even if just a small amount), and participated in her alumnae organization, I would give that a lot of weight. It shows a family commitment to the organization, and I would believe that she would be far more likely to stick with her membership for 4 years, than say the woman whose relative hasn't done anything since she graduated 25 years ago.

But I'm not a collegian, and I think it is the role of advisers to explain why not all legacies are necessarily considered equal. I think education and research about the legacy is very important. Above all, every PNM and legacy should be treated with respect when going through recruitment. Unfortunately some people assume that respect means and automatic invite, and it shouldn't.

[FloridaTish]

Originally Posted by PinkSkyAtNight

It is disappointing that approximately 4% of their alumnae pay alumnae dues, which are often very little. However, I've heard that most orgs have similar participation rates. I would wonder if you would see a spike in alumnae due particpation if a legacy were only truly considered a legacy if say her legacy relative had paid dues within the last five consecutive years? Just a thought

Now THAT is a great idea!!! Seriously.

[ColdInCanada11]

Originally Posted by FloridaTish

Now THAT is a great idea!!! Seriously.

Definitely! If you only come out of the woodwork because your daughter is entering university, there is nothing to indicate that she is actually going to be active longterm, either

[chi-o_cat]

Originally Posted by PinkSkyAtNight

Not all legacies and all alumnae are considered equal in my mind. If a PNM's mom, sister or grandma has been loyal to the organization, contributed to building campaigns (even if just a small amount), and participated in her alumnae organization, I would give that a lot of weight. It shows a family commitment to the organization, and I would believe that she would be far more likely to stick with her membership for 4 years, than say the woman whose relative hasn't done anything since she graduated 25 years ago.

It seems like that would lead to a lot of time spent “ranking” legacy PNMs based on factors beyond their control. Legacy A‘s older sister, a much-loved chapter president, graduated the previous spring and moved to an area of the country that doesn’t have an alumnae chapter, and hasn’t been able make financial contributions. Legacy B’s mother just got involved with a very small alumnae chapter last year, made a sizable donation to the national foundation, and was elected secretary of her alumnae chapter 6 months later. Legacy C’s mother lives in a big city where she’s been a member for years of a large alumnae chapter but never held an office, and has made small but consistent donations to the national foundation for the last 20 years. Legacy D's mother has pretty much been MIA since graduating, but has an aunt and grandmother who have been extremely involved at various levels. Which Legacy would receive priority?

And not all organizations have alumnae dues. Chi Omega does not.

[PinkSkyAtNight]

Originally Posted by chi-o_cat

It seems like that would lead to a lot of time spent “ranking” legacy PNMs based on factors beyond their control. Legacy A‘s older sister, a much-loved chapter president, graduated the previous spring and moved to an area of the country that doesn’t have an alumnae chapter, and hasn’t been able make financial contributions. Legacy B’s mother just got involved with a very small alumnae chapter last year, made a sizable donation to the national foundation, and was elected secretary of her alumnae chapter 6 months later. Legacy C’s mother lives in a big city where she’s been a member for years of a large alumnae chapter but never held an office, and has made small but consistent donations to the national foundation for the last 20 years. Legacy D's mother has pretty much been MIA since graduating, but has an aunt and grandmother who have been extremely involved at various levels. Which Legacy would receive priority?

And not all organizations have alumnae dues. Chi Omega does not.

Agreed, it could definitely lead to ranking of legacies, but don't we already do that anyway with non-legacy PNMs?

If I were having a say in the process, I would try to consider that it isn't necessarily the amount that a person contributes, but rather they have contributed what they can. Also, there are ways to be involved in your organization remotely. Or, you can start an alumnae association or at minimum, continue to volunteer with your sorority's philanthropy and wear your letters while doing so. There are lots of ways to be a supportive, active alum even if you don't have a lot of money or time to give. And while it might be beyond the control of a legacy PNM about how her relative has been engaged with the organization, simply just being a legacy and knowing about the greek system is often advantage that those from non-greek families don't.

I guess I'm just speaking because it really irritates me when alums come out of the woodwork and presume that their legacy will be automatically invited, yet she when her daughter isn't invited back she starts running her mouth on the national Facebook page yet she isn't even part of the local alum Facebook group, despite repeated invites. Sometimes, I think these types could benefit from someone asking them, what have you done for your sorority that should entitle your relative to an advantage over a woman who has more to offer?