TME workshop for new deltas

[kateshort]

I think a key point is balance--

How to be able to ask your alumnae for help, without expecting them to do everything for you.

How to be able to ask your alumnae for help BEFORE you get in so much trouble that they cannot do everything.

How to be able to ask your alumnae for assistance that doesn't solely focus on money. ;P

The amount of time that alumnae need to be able to plan for things such as initiation, formal, spring weekend, jewel degree, or founders day-- the fact that they need to ask alumnae for phone, email, and address, check/update it once or twice a year, and mail out invites AT LEAST a full month in advance!!!

How to let alumnae know what's going on with the chapter (new alphas, initiated deltas, special events, philanthropy fundraisers, redecorating the chapter room/wing/house/etc.), and which items are appropriate for email, web postings, etc.

The difference between asking chapter alumnae for input/help/etc. and asking local alumnae organizations for input/help/etc. -- how the two groups are similar and how they're different, and what you might expect each to be willing to do for/with a chapter.

How to gracefully ask for input/suggestions/help.

How to *acknowledge* the i/s/h you've received, like sending a thank-you card to the individual or organization!

How to tactfully decline the assistance of the occasional alumna who for some reason isn't able to offer assistance in the desired fashion (because there are occasionally sisters in any organization whose assistance leans towards iron control and taking over, towards gifts with strings attaches, or the desire to do everything followed by the inability to delegate or follow through; and you still want to respect these women and keep them involved without pissing them off!)

How to plan fun events with alumnae and when they might be appropriate. (Summer stuff would be awesome, but it's harder to plan when half of your deltas live in other states, while school year stuff needs to be planned around tests and classes; alumnae can't always make events that are on campus starting at 9 p.m. on a given Wednesday!)

What kind of events (fun, philanthropical, recruitment-oriented) alumnae will be interested in attending. (I think there's often an ADPi Day at Six Flags, for example, that would attract collegians, alumnae, and their families or significant others.)