Getting Alums Involved

[justaflaneur]

At the GHZ meeting in June we received extensive reports on work being done in the areas of advisor training and alumni involvement. Although the schedule is very full, I believe time will be set aside to discuss this with those in attendance at the Leadership Seminar as well. In any event, most members of the GHZ will be there.

Bill and Lifesaver - the exchange between the GHZ and the other alums in February in Orlando was extraordinarily productive on both sides. I hope we get a chance to do it again this time around. I look forward to seeing you in College Park.

In ZAX,
Lynn Chipperfield

[boz130]

Lynn, Andy, John & anybody else going to College Park: I heard today that we'll have another opportunity for an open forum w/GHZ members @ some point during the proceedings. Bring your ideas, alums!

In ZAX,
BF

[lifesaver]

I'll be bringing the 'junior alumni association' idea.

I am very glad to hear that the GHZ and staff are willing and interested to hear what 'we in the trenches' have to say. I'm like most people and primarily want to be heard. I also think I have some good ideas that might make a difference.

At any rate, I look forward to LS and the opportunity to meet with GHZ and other alumni. It should be a good time.

[lenoxxx]

I told Bill Foltz this the other day so Lynn and Andy, feel free to take it along with Bill.

I propose having an annual international "Summer House Clean Up Day" for all chapters with halls or houses they have summer access to. Lists of simple ideas for safety and cleanliness could be sent out, and perhaps a contest for biggest results based on before and after photos? Also alumni from chapter "A" that lived near chapter "B" could go participate somewhere even if their chatper was a few states away.

Sort of like an internal NAFD for chapter house cleanliness and safety. We just had our 7th annual alumni house work weekend this last weekend so I thought it might be neat.

Could someone bring this up to the GHZ for an alumni idea?

Jason Lenox

[boz130]

Hey, guys: I'm still working aspects of this particular thread through my brainpan. Some other points to ponder:

*Is there a possibility that the "involved alums" Brother Lifesaver learned about through speaking w/our former GHA were all officers? I'd hate to think that the only alums that choose to maintain ties w/their particular chapter's AA or HC were those that held offices during their UG time.

*Does it seem that the vast majority of our alums were "only in it for the beer"? Once again, perhaps I'm naive. On the other hand, the number of alumni peers (a.k.a. 50 years & up) that have attended events such as Homecoming or Founders Day @ my alma mater has dwindled down to...me.

*A couple of years ago, one of our Founding Fathers (circa Beta-Omicron 20-something vs. my 130) asked me to look into getting a "reunion" together for the guys under B-O 200. He said that he had nothing in common w/the current board or alums because they were old enough to be his kids.

*The Alumni Rx doesn't seem to be getting much play from the chapters I've spoken with. Sadly, one reason is financial: if you have 5 guys graduating, how many chapters have a spare $200 to pony up for those pyramids? One chapter I know has taken to giving their new members a beer can koozy w/the letters & chapter designation on both sides. Yeah, they're more affordable, and it just keeps on promoting the wrong reasons for coming back to the house. Why do any of the heavy lifting when we can party???

Perplexedly in ZAX,
BF

[john1082]

Alot of the alumni were in it for the beer. I had a chat with my big brother over the weekend and he still resents the change to fraternity education; so do the rest of the folks in his class. The changes of the seventies are still resented by some alumni and I don't think that we'll ever be able to change their hearts.


Alumni programming has to to be alumni focused. What is in it for them? Asking them to come by to watch officer installation followed by being hit up for $$$ turns a great many folks off.

[Tom Earp]

Originally posted by john1082
Alot of the alumni were in it for the beer. I had a chat with my big brother over the weekend and he still resents the change to fraternity education; so do the rest of the folks in his class. The changes of the seventies are still resented by some alumni and I don't think that we'll ever be able to change their hearts.


Alumni programming has to to be alumni focused. What is in it for them? Asking them to come by to watch officer installation followed by being hit up for $$$ turns a great many folks off.

John, I am sorry for this Brother that thought it was all about beer.

There is so much more to LXA than this.

I am a firm beleiver in Alums who still beleive what LXA is really about, the good times and the bad.

Do as We Alums still go back for Founders Day and HomeComing and partying a bit. Yes We do. But not in excese! We are to damn old!

We go back to see Our Brothers who We have not seen in a long time and then go have a few beers and cominserate about the good old days.

Founders Day, We Initiate a New Associate so The Alums can see the Ritual wich is Important to us all. The Blood does flow doesnt it!

I will be the New Mentor for for the Rho as You all know how strongly I fee about Alum Relationships.

As Lynn Said, the Alums are only Asked for Money and there is so much more involved in LXA. I have pushed as You know about giving more Strength to the office of High Rho.

We are the back bone of The Fraternity.Not only the few on here, but all over.

I dont feel like it takes to much from IHQ to place an emphasis on the Position of RHO!

It should be placed 3rd or 4 th in the line up of Officerships of The High Zeta.

It is not just hitting up Brothers for Money, But Brothers getting back together again.

[boz130]

Brothers: Greetings from St. Louis, site of DTD's Northern Plains/Western Plains Leadership Conference. Next weekend I'll be hanging w/Delta Chis @ Purdue, and I've also attended seminars put on by ATO & SigEp in the last few weeks...'tis the season.

The reason I bring up these other organizations is that I've been able to observe how they're running their workshops. Whether it's called a conference, seminar, workshop or academy, they've all got one motive: to train the leaders of the organization (current & future).

Today I was privileged to hear a lunchtime speech by DTD's International VP, Rock Clinton. Two ideas he discussed are readily adapted by any GLO. In no particular order, they are:

*It's time to stop talking & take action
*Get off the porch and do something

We need to offer ourselves as alumni volunteers on the chapter level...assist by doing workshops @ GA...help to make a difference.

Okay, I'll get off the soapbox--

In ZAX,
BF

[Tom Earp]

As all here well know, LX Z has been going through a very tough transition period in our 40 Years. It has been a tough situation getting Brothers back after left out in the cold for so long.

But, with this rebuilding with The Big Help with IHQ, it has been very eye opening.

Even with a New House which generated excitment, it was not really enough. Remember, we were down to one (1) Active Member.

But now, the Local Alums from the Pittsburg Area have come back and are running a New Alum. Advisory Board. Of course, there is still the stong workings of the KC Metro Area Alums who have been carrying the flag for many years.

Lenoxx, I would have thought the same thing would have happened at Shipps!

How long this will last with the New Excitement I cant really say. But to saver the moment is good for now.

Granted, there has to be a variety of things to keep the interest of Alums of all ages and time.

We have one thing in common which is LXA. How do We Keep that interest of Alums that have been out for a few years to those like Me who have been around it seems for ever?

Maybe liken it to Being in GA and find an Alum of LX Z who is the High Pi at UNLV. Why? Because He still loves LXA and wants to give back what He received. Or, when Rambo tells Alums and New People alike, if it wasnt for LXA, He would not be the Man He is today!

I know I am rambling, but trying to put thoughts into words as I type.

LXA is Our Common Thread if nothing else. We need to promote that above all else. If not for that, I would never have met many of The Brothers on the GC Boards and become good friends with them.

LXAAlum has refied My Duplex 2 times. Jono and I have become fast friends for many years now, Andy and I talk when We can, GammaZeta and I have talked about getting Gamma Zeta restarted again.

Why? Because of LXA and waht We all love and have in common.

If not for that, I would know none of You and gotten done which has been done with My Brothers.

Sorry, way to long!

In ZAX,