Chapter Reunions

[phimu_za]

We have "Stag" at our college every year, the Saturday of Graduation weekend (Graduation is on Sunday). Each of the greek houses has an afternoon event and dinner for collegiates and alums (planned and hosted by the chapter members).

This past May was the first time I'd been back in several years (busy having babies for awhile), and it was the most fun I'd had at Stag. Why? It was structured, but casually so. The best part of the afternoon was when we sat in the living room and shared stories - our house had burned in the 60s, so alums who were there that night shared what they remembered. Some of us talked about how/why we chose Phi Mu (I was COB'd, for example, and my mom wasn't too keen on the idea of me spending the $ to be in a house, so one of my potential sisters spent an hour on the phone w/ my mom talking about all the benefits of being Greek and specifically of being Phi Mu). Others talked about memorable moments with their sisters. I think this turned out to be the best part because it gave us a sense of history and of connectedness - we all share similar experiences and that's what strengthens our bond as sisters.

And after that, we sang songs - an old-fashioned sing-along - with older alums teaching the new collegiates some of the old favorites, and the collegiates singing some new songs.

[slayerzbt]

My fraternity is actually having a reunion today! Unfortunately I couldn't go. One of our more active alumni's organized the whole thing. He reserved the club, scheduled dinner, etc. He also sent out invitations through "Evite" which I know was mentioned here. A lot of people responded but there were still a lot that didnt. I think an important thing is to plan it far enough in advance and send out reminders every once in a while.

There are about 42 people listed as coming(that includes guests) so the turnout I dont think will be that good. It probably has to do alot with the fact that he scheduled it on 4th of July weekend. The reunion, from what I understand, will basically be run like a formal. There will be dinner and everything and then people will go off and play beer pong the rest of the night.

One alumni did email me with a suggestion that I will pass on to you guys. I think it is a really good idea.

A lot of the older alumni have moved on since college. Their idea of a good time no longer consists of getting smashed with the actives, not to mention some cant drink like they used to. Instead, try having a "family friendly" reunion. You could charge admission, and have fundraisers like raffles as well. Women and children would be welcome, but the brothers could still catch up with each other and have a good time too. My idea would be hots and hamburgers and what not, stuff like that


Just my 2 cents.

[Little E]

The reunion I was planning when I posted before happened and went off great. We had young almnae so they all stayed at the same hotel and I think they went out Friday night after our cookout at the house. Saturday was good, we did a rededication service, then a brunch at the art museum on campus and did a all chapter photo. then we sent them to an almunae meeting where they started the process for an official support group. Formal was that night

For a gift, because it was our 5 year, we redid our founders composite. They had done it pretty low budget and the photos were coming undone from the mounting and whatnot. we had the photos all digitally touched up, we kept the same style with a dark green background( the rest since have been a cream) and then we got a new frame and uv glass to protect it. The original was given to the college archives so it will be stored in a temp controlled enviorment and it will be around down the road. They were thrilled. First because they didn't look jaundice anymore and second because a trinket is easy but there was some thought put to this, It is now hung in the living room w/the current composite, the old ones are in a back hall.

If you're looking for a gift, find one that will mean something to your founders and will last for a while, not necessarily the most expensive.

[BLUTANG]

Our TBSigma and KKPsi chapters have a joint founding date / anniversary. I helped plan our 30th celebration, and it was somewhat of a success. We charged a flat fee per person that included a t-shirt, 2 meals, and 3 "activities." There was a reduced price for spouses or children, as they would not be receiving a chapter t-shirt. Here was our schedule:

Friday (fun and fellowship): check in, "meet and greet" dinner, bowling tournament. All activities were for TBS, KKY, alumni as well as active (undergrad).

Saturday (history and activities): Separate meetings for TBS and KKPsi. This was a time for the chapters members and alumni to exchange ideas and share information specific to the Sorority or Fraternity. We then met back up for a joint luncheon (on campus) and "open mic" forum. That evening we all attended the basketball game on campus; we wore the anniversary shirts and sat together in a section. It was a really nice showing of unity to the rest of campus.

Sunday (reflection and rest): We attended service at a local church and had the official send off. The alumni secretaries for each chapter made sure the contact information was up-to-date, and they began piecing together information to locate our missing alumni (example: married names; I saw so-and-so in the wal-mart, here's her number; you know such-a-such is in grad school at XYZ state, here's his new email address).

Overall things went pretty well, but the planning committee was just 4 people. This year we're doing more to involve the actives during the initial planning phase; we're sending REAL invitations in addition to e-vites; and we're also looking into absorbing some costs so the undergrad members can participate without going broke. I think the format worked pretty well, so we're using to the EAT-play-communicate model again this year (with some modifications).

We'll probably continue the anniversary celebration on every 5th year after this one, as it stands it's every other year. I hope in the future we can incorporate a service activity and a formal (dinner or ball). We realize we're lucky to share the anniversary date with our Brothers, so we basically have double the resources in planning and executing the events.

[KSigkid]

My chapter has one every year, with the bigger anniversaries (10th, 15th, 20th, etc.) being bigger events. Our one for this year is coming up in a couple of weeks; the 15th, which was in 2002, was a formal dance and dinner, and I'm imagining the 20th will be much the same.

I live in the area, so it's easy for me to get to the events, but I do enjoy seeing the guys all together again for a weekend.

[Boodleboy322]

Here are some ideas that you can incorporate into your methodologies for stronger chapter reunions and alumni involvement.

1. Work with your national headquarters and get as many addresses and contact info. from brothers/sisters from your chapter. This may need to be channeled through an official alumni coordinator who can provide the resources.

2. Work with an Area Alumni Association or chapter if one is available to help coordinate and plan.

3. Establish a Forward Momentum contingency plan by working with actives and getting them in on the event. If the event is successful and becomes a standard order of business then you have created the genesis of a tradition. As soon as traditions get rolling they tend to be hard to break up.

4. Encourage actives and continually offer advice, networking, assistance, and support. The actives should be taken care of and nurtured just as pledges are when they first join the brother/sisterhood. The actives will be more prone to becoming active alumni if they have the confidence to keep the fire burning. Remember that actives are the future of a healthy alumni organization.

5. As an active getting ready to go alumni start a turnover tradition to keep a link back into the doorstep. This could be as simple as handing down your old beer keg that you used to use as the base of a poker table or your old Playboy collection that gave you the reputation and earned you your fraternity nickname. This will allow you to return back to events, with a common thread, to visit the chapter.

6. Don't procrastinate. Contact your chapter today and ask when their events are scheduled.

Regards,

Boodleboy322

[Optimist Prime]

Oh hell yeah this our fourth anniversy. I pledged in fall, and Have a special connection with this years pledgehs. Huuzzzaahhhh