GLOs a 4-year commitment? - Page 4

angelic1 · #46 02-09-2004, 11:36 PM

I can see where it is a problem.. and I think its great that various organizations are changing to fit the needs of its members. I was around for the beginning stages of Pi Phi's new program and was happy to see something that would start to recognize that when you are a senior you start to have different needs than when you were a freshman.

I can say that from my pledge class of 28 I believe.. two deactivated.. one for "actual" reasons.. and then one other stayed active but really wasnt as involved. I think for the most part though my pledge class stayed very active.. and we were all very close even now. Just this past weekend 15 of us who still live close to each other got together for the night and many of us get together at least once a month or so.

deadbear80 · #47 02-10-2004, 01:36 AM

My original pledge class on Bid Day in Spring '99 had 22 girls. 3 dropped out making it 19. All initiated. One of the girls who depledged ended up repledging the next fall and initiating so we'll count her and make it 20 again. Two girls left my school, one ended up affiliating with the chapter at UVA, the other didn't affiliate at her school. So we're back down to 18. 4 girls graduated in the Spring of 2001 (1 graduated early to get married, the other 3 were sophomores when we pledged). So that makes 14. Of that 14, 1 was super not-active our senior year, one was semi-not-active and the other 12 were fairly (or super) active. There was a COB class that got initiated after mine that had 8 girls--only one was a frosh and she graduated with us--and we always thought of her as part of our 'pledge class'--so we ended up graduating 18 from 22--19 if you count the COB girl. Not too shabby.
There were a bunch of sophomores who pledged in the Fall of '99 or Spring of '00--so there were at least 25 of us who graduated my senior year.
However, there were only 14 total seniors my frosh year--so we doubled the graduating rate by the time the class of '02 came around.
I know it's hard to stick with a chapter; especially since it's ever-evolving. Most of what my chapter turned into I enjoyed, but I went through a period where I thought I'd deaffiliate. But I did stick with it for 4 years, and I'm still doing alum stuff. So in my opinion, if you do last your four years, you don't regret it. The seniors who graduated my year send out a 'where are they now?' email every 6 months so we can catch up with each other. It's fun to know how people are doing even if we're not so close anymore.

DGMarie · #48 02-10-2004, 01:43 AM

For those of you who are seniors or who have graduated recently, do you feel that you knew where to go or who to contact regarding alumnae chapters after graduation? I spoke this evening with an alumna who said she knew nothing about alumnae chapters and had to find out on her own. I wonder if this lack of communication is partially responsible for people not continuing after 4 years.

If you did know about the existance of alum chapters, did you ever go? What did you think of them?

Curious

princessnerdy · #49 02-10-2004, 01:49 AM

I think most members of ADPi know how to find an alum association if they want to--they are very accessible through our national website.

As for my chapter, many area alumnae associations provide assistance for rush, founders day, homecoming, etc. and so members know where they are from and how to keep in touch with them to get involved. So I think it is pretty available for us.

I have been in contact with some alum associations because I will graduate in may. Some of the alum associaitons are even more active than collegians--for example the san antonio alum assoc has a "Recruitment mobile" that goes around to encourage different chapters around TX during rush time. I think everyone in ADPi knows that it is forever, and our alum associations do their part to keep it going.

Tippiechick · #50 02-10-2004, 02:41 AM

I contacted the website to see what options I had as far as the locations of alum chapters. I have three to choose from in my area, making it extremely accessible.

I believe that there are those who see Greek Life as just a part of their college years. It is those members that choose to make it a part of their lives AFTER college that are the backbone of the GLO.

I think that every attempt should be made to retain ALL members. But, there is going to be some natural attrition. I think that is a part of any organization.

And, as it has been said before in this thread, some leave college, some marry, some decide it isn't for them. GLOs are fairly secretive. No one told me anything about GLOs other than that they were a great way to make new friends. So, I went into rush not knowing what I was getting myself into. I think many PNMs do the same thing only to find out that they do not want to be a part of that organization.

nyrdrms · #51 02-10-2004, 04:03 AM

Our local alumnae chapter comes to at least one collegiate meeting a semester to get to know the collegiate members and inform them (or remind those who are about to graduate) about the alumnae chapter. They also hold about two events a month and invite collegiate members to participate in some of them (such as dinners, game nights, etc)...so I have actually gotten to know the alumnae chapter fairly well starting in my sophomore year. They also come to help out during recruitment and attend formal. But more importantly, they are present at senior celebration to welcome the graduating sisters into the alumnae chapter and give them the necessary information regarding the transition between the collegaite chapter and the alumnae chapter (should they choose to join).

AOTTAdvisor · #52 02-10-2004, 10:23 AM

My pledge class was 42 girls. Of those 42, 41 got intiated. But our pledge class had a LOT of sophomores(probaley 15 or so). Of the 26 that were left and had all four years of being an AOTT, I would say there were 14 of us left at graduation. We probaley had 12 that either transferred, de sistered, or something else. But I will say that those 14 that graduated with me I am still super close with and I kind of liked it being smaller in the end. By that time, we were still the ones that LOVED AOTT and treasured every moment! And whats funny is most of are now advisors for chapters!

33girl · #53 02-10-2004, 11:20 AM

Quote:

For those of you who are seniors or who have graduated recently, do you feel that you knew where to go or who to contact regarding alumnae chapters after graduation? I spoke this evening with an alumna who said she knew nothing about alumnae chapters and had to find out on her own. I wonder if this lack of communication is partially responsible for people not continuing after 4 years?

I think part of the problem (at least in my sorority) is that very few of the collegiate chapters are in towns where there are alum chapters and they don't have regular contact with them. We got the "get involved as an alum" spiel our last semester senior year - worst time for it IMO. Your mind is on so many other things, like finding a job and place to live and maybe making plans with your significant other. I think if GLOs did something a few months after graduation - i.e. after the newness of the "real world" has worn off somewhat - it would sink in deeper.

WCUgirl · #54 02-10-2004, 11:37 AM

Alpha Xi has a booklet for seniors, similar to our new member booklet, that describes the concept of the alumnae association. This booklet is given to all graduating seniors at the senior ceremony.

I was a bit apprehensive about joining my local association because I was concerned there wouldn't be any women my age there! I was afraid it was going to be a bunch of stuffy old women sitting around knitting or something. It's easy to find an association in your area due to the listings on the website.

I think a lot of college graduates are apprehensive to join because they got burned out before graduation. They may not necessarily know that in an alumnae association you don't pay monthly dues (Alpha Xi has annual dues, usually like $30 or something, but only if you join an association - I think other orgs do this differently), you don't HAVE to go to meetings (and if you do go to meetings, they're monthly or bi-monthly, not every week like in college), and they may not realize there is a LOT LESS DRAMA!!!!

ISUKappa · #55 02-10-2004, 11:53 AM

In both the chapter of which I was a member and the chapter I now advise, we have fairly active Alumnae Associations in the area that do a special "senior dinner." It's usually held at an Alumnae's house, there is good food and socializing and small gifts or awards are given out to the graduating seniors. There is also a short program on the Alumnae experience and a booklet and folder with information on how to get in touch with an association post graduation. We also have an online feature where you can submit your information and HQ will give you the contact info of the nearest Alumnae Association. We really try and make it as easy as possible to get in touch with people and stay active.

I think the level of involvement depends on the person; I knew I wanted to stay active, so I took the iniative to get information on the association in the city I was moving to. Some people may want to wait a few years after graduating to get settled before deciding to get involved and some will never get involved.

I have met some of the most interesting, energetic, hilarious, fabulous older ladies through my Alumnae Association.

#56 02-10-2004, 12:16 PM

This was a big problem for our chapter.

Pledge class of 9, all were initiated.

1 dropped out of school (me)
1 disaffiliated to rush NPC (and didn't get a bid... ouch)
1 transferred
2 got married and went inactive
4 stayed active until they graduated

nauadpi · #57 02-10-2004, 02:53 PM

Actually the most helpful thing for ADPi's is an form you can fill out online just before or after you graduate. It asks you about volunteering and if you want to be involved in an alum association... Within a week or so of myself filling it out I got a response. It told me if there was a local alum association for where I would be living and that the providence director would contact me about my interest in helping out a chapter.

Quote:

Originally posted by princessnerdy
I think most members of ADPi know how to find an alum association if they want to--they are very accessible through our national website.

As for my chapter, many area alumnae associations provide assistance for rush, founders day, homecoming, etc. and so members know where they are from and how to keep in touch with them to get involved. So I think it is pretty available for us.

I have been in contact with some alum associations because I will graduate in may. Some of the alum associaitons are even more active than collegians--for example the san antonio alum assoc has a "Recruitment mobile" that goes around to encourage different chapters around TX during rush time. I think everyone in ADPi knows that it is forever, and our alum associations do their part to keep it going.

ADPiAkron · #58 02-10-2004, 02:59 PM

Also, ADPi has started a new mandatory workshop that discusses the information about how to become an active alumna/member of the Alumnae Association after becoming a Pi (Alumna) member. I just attended one the other day (also attended last years)...it is so great to share stories about being an alumnae with collegiate members. It really seems to motivate the seniors to get involved after they become a Pi member!!!

polarpi · #59 02-10-2004, 03:07 PM

I was one of 11 Alphas that were initiated in the Spring of 2000 at my university. Of those 11:
1 canceled her membership
1 transfered to a school that did not have an ADPi chapter
1 transfered and didn't affiliate with the ADPi chapter at her new school, then came back and graduated with the chapter
8 stayed with the chapter and graduated

I've made sure to let my international headquarters know that I'm interested in keeping involved with ADPi for my lifetime. I've joined the local alumnae association (and am planning on attending an event next weekend), I try and send support to chapters when recruitment is coming up (or fly back and help with a certain chapter that's close to my heart

), and generally make sure that all around me know that I am proud that I AM an ADPi, and will be one for my entire life!

TSteven · #60 02-10-2004, 04:05 PM

I think the issue behind Carnation's original question, four year commitment, is the issue of members remaining active for all their possible years.

If a member pledged as a sophomore, and was active all three years, then the commitment was there. The GLO got 3 out of 3 possible years. (100%) The same may be said for the member who graduates in three years and was active all three. Again, 3 out of 3 for 100%. You might even say that a member who transfers gave 2 out of 2 possible years for again 100% commitment. And if a transfered member is able to, and does, affiliate with the chapter at their new school, are they not keeping their four year commitment to the GLO?

The issue seems to really be, "Why isn't there better senior, or upperclassmen, retention"?

And if there is a significant number of pledges who either end up de-pledging or being expelled due to standard issues, then perhaps the GLO needs to address their recruitment process.