What can alumnae be expected to do for/with the actives?

[fantASTic]

What do you all, as alumnae, feel that you can be expected or welcomed to do with or for an undergrad chapter? The types of thing I mean are:

-helping with workshops in recruitment, etc
-going to meeting
-financial help


I do not say formal or homecoming because those are obvious to me [at least at my chapter, alumnae always attend].

I ask because we're really trying to get our local alumnae more involved. Right now, they don't really feel very comfortable with the actives because they don't know us very well. I'd like to change that; however, I'm not ENTIRELY sure what kinds of things alumnae want to be invited to and what kinds of things you all aren't interested in.

Thanks!

[VandalSquirrel]

Initiation

Founders' Day

Anniversaries

I think those events alumnae need to be invited to, as those are not specific to collegiate, alumnae, or those who joined at that particular chapter.

[SWTXBelle]

You might also give them a special invitation to an event during recruitment work week - show them your skits, slide shows, etc., and encourage them to come to , for example, pref night.

[fantASTic]

We do have several alumnae that help with recruitment each year; it never hurts to have extra hands!

If anyone has more suggestions, keep 'em coming!

[Benzgirl]

I recently saw the sweetest thing. I attended an initiation for a local chapter with which I am becoming involved. Next to me was a Founder of the chapter from 1940 (you do the math). Every pledge class, she takes on a "chum".

During the pledge period, she sends emails (yes, she is sharp) and cards to her chum always supporting them. At initiation, she had a gift and had her picture taken with all of her chums that were present.

I think this is a great idea for an alumni chapter as a project. It helps develop ties between generations and I think it would help the pledge to realize they are part of a bigger thing

At the end of each school year, she also has a dinner for all of the graduating seniors.

Originally Posted by Benzgirl

I recently saw the sweetest thing. I attended an initiation for a local chapter with which I am becoming involved. Next to me was a Founder of the chapter from 1940 (you do the math). Every pledge class, she takes on a "chum".

During the pledge period, she sends emails (yes, she is sharp) and cards to her chum always supporting them. At initiation, she had a gift and had her picture taken with all of her chums that were present.

I think this is a great idea for an alumni chapter as a project. It helps develop ties between generations and I think it would help the pledge to realize they are part of a bigger thing

At the end of each school year, she also has a dinner for all of the graduating seniors.

My chapter has alum chums as well. I received mine at Presents, a few days after I got my sister-mom at the Pledge Ceremony. I was showered with gifts from my sister-mom and that was great...but spending time with my alum chum was great! It reminded me that sisterhood was for life.

I took on a chum of my own right after I became an alum. She's a younger girl from my HS and now, years later, one of my best friends!

[KSUViolet06]

*Assisting with collegiate chapter fundraising efforts. This means more than just contributing financially. If the collegians are selling gift cards or something, alumnae should help out by seeing if their co-workers, family members, etc want to buy something.

*Offering assistance with renovation projects. If the chapter house is in need of a paint job, it's nice if a couple alumnae offer to come down for a few hours and help or bring their guy friends of husbands to help.

*Donating things that you know the chapter needs. If the chapter needs a lawnmower, and you're planning on getting rid of yours soon- try donating it to them instead of tossing it.

*Using their contacts/connections to help the chapter out. For example, if you know a place where the girls can get tee shirts made for a great price, it's nice if you email the VP-Recruitment and let her know. Or if you work at a banquet hall and can get the chapter a discount rate for formal, call/email the Formal chair!

[AOII Angel]

I'm new to the Alum supporting a collegiate chapter thing. I'm interacting with two collegiate chapters...I've done very different things with both. For the one I am an advisor for, the alumnae have brought the girls pizza and on Monday, we will be bringing them "goody bags" for finals with items donated by sisters from the alum chapter. At the other chapter (I am a member of the alum chapter that supports them but not a member of their advisory board) I was asked to write letters to give our new initiates on initiation day. I attended initiation and gave the letters to the girls in person. Basically the letters discussed AOII for a lifetime, advice for getting involved and staying involved and ways to stay active after graduating from college. Other than that and the other things people have mentioned, there shouldn't be too much intermingling...it's the collegiate members' chapter not the alumnae's!

[Just interested]

I still remember my "alum chum". She was awesome. I don't think that is done much anymore at least in the larger chapters. I think from what I have seen in recent years, alumna are a little reluctant to intrude on the chapters but if the chapters do the inviting they are all too willing to do whatever. Chapters need to reach out a bit more to their alumnae

[AGDee]

Our alumnae club puts together gift bags for bid day, donating all the stuff in them, decorating them, etc. We also do our Senior Rededication ceremony, which is a ritual that is designed to rededicate yourself to the Fraternity for your continued involvement as an alumna.

[Tom Earp]

As for me,
I am President of the Alumni Associaiton and send out our Alumbdagram for updates. I pay for the web site. Keep and find email addresses of Alumni and notify others.

Another Alumni has a cook out every year @ the 4 th of July.

Alumni put on a cook out at each home foot ball game. It has become the larges tailgate of any GLO.

We have set up a mentoring program where each officer has an active who they can contact for any advice and help.

[Janerz222]

A couple of key things to think about when looking/asking for alumnae involvement:

-advance notice is KEY to success. While alumnae often want to help, a week or 2 often isn't enough notice for their schedules. A simple "save the date" email or postcard at least a month ahead will help if you don't have all the exact details that far ahead.

-alumnae like to help, but also like to be contacted every once in awhile just for fun events (where their money and/or work is not expected).

Contact the president of the local alumnae group (if there is one) and ask her what kinds of things the group wants to do with your chapter.

Thanks for asking, and good luck!

[skylark]

Instead of providing money for a recruitment planning day, retreat or leadership training day (or some other day when the actives have to be working all day), bring a potluck meal for the actives... that way you can mingle with them and they get the benefit of having a free meal (that doesn't hurt their budget) while they are working for the chapter.

[SmartBlondeGPhB]

While people's suggestions are great if you are always inviting the alumnae to an event where you are asking them to do something other than just attend and enjoy themselves (i.e., anything with "help" or "assist" in the same sentence as "can you come") they aren't going to want to come very often.

Try inviting them to something and not asking them to do (or give) anything except the time that they are giving up to attend.

And my biggest pet peeve as an alumna: ALWAYS give advance notice to the event. And that doesn't mean an email the week before......

Originally Posted by SmartBlondeGPhB

And my biggest pet peeve as an alumna: ALWAYS give advance notice to the event. And that doesn't mean an email the week before......

So very important!

To collegians: 3 days' notice = NOT ADVANCE ENOUGH.