Alumnae Information

Region 4 Alumnae Specialist - Susan Lupo email: smlutz @ hotmail.com 517.333.3710 (home) Eastern Time Zone

Contact and Questions

Please feel free to contact Susan for any alumnae-related question or concern that you may have. She serves as the region's specialist for the following: collegiate/alumnae relations; alumnae group growth and development; alumnae chapter policies (bylaws, standing rules, etc.); alumnae chapter officer transitions; leadership within alumnae groups; alumnae initiate program; alumnae awards for individual members; increasing alumnae dues payers; Form #27 (Alumnae Chapter President's Report)-analyzing regional trends; Founders Day; assisting with recruitment references; assisting with alumnae extension; and establishing communications with alumnae groups throughout the region.

Susan sends out regular alumnae correspondences and communications to the leadership of the alumnae groups in our Region. These correspondences include a quarterly Alumnae Newsletter, monthly Alumnae Connect and other email correspondences as necessary.

Below you will find a few important pieces of information that every alumnae chapter should follow in order to be successful! If you need any other resources for your chapter, please be sure to contact Susan or your Regional Coordinator.

Circle of Excellence Requirements

To Achieve Chapter Circle of Excellence Seven (7) Criteria must be met

1. Payment of alumnae international dues, postmarked by December 1
2. At least 12 members need to pay alumnae international due through the alumnae chapter by July 31
3. Payment of the Technology, Publication & Forms Fee, postmarked by December 1
4. Form #25, Chapter Officer List due to IH, postmarked by May 15
5. Form #27, Alumnae Chapter President’s Report due to IH, postmarked by May 15
6. Alumnae chapter must hold four (4) gatherings, events or meetings
7. Participate in the Gamma Phi Beta Connection program (assisting/connecting with a collegiate chapter during the school year) If you need assistance, or have questions please contact your Regional Coordinator

Helpful Hints for Collecting Alumnae Dues

• Notify members & collect dues at your very first meeting of the year.
• Provide an incentive to those who pay early (or at a specific time you set).
• Include a "tear off" slip in your newsletter so that members can mail dues to the Financial Vice President.
• Set optional levels of dues above the standard level (Example: $5 additional to be a "Super Sister", $10 additional to be a "Newsletter Supporter").
• Acknowledge sisters who have paid their dues by mentioning them in your newsletter, pink carnation stickers on their nametags at meetings, personal note sent by postcard
• Provide a "break" for senior aged sisters or those just out of college.
• Founders Day is a great time to collect dues from members who have not yet paid - a table set up at the entrance where sisters are greeted as they arrive & can also stop to see interesting displays.
• Gentle reminders can be slipped in a written note along with information about an upcoming event.
• Member education - sometimes members don't realize where the dues go & what they are meant to support. Our dues help support the work of our Sorority and they are our obligation to Gamma Phi Beta!

Programming Ideas for Meetings/Events

• Attend a class at a local cooking school
• Get connected…Stay involved Alumnae Chapter membership recruitment kickoff
• Plan a family cookout event
• Gamma Phi Beta Website tour
• Welcome back collegiate chapter members – notes, treats, etc.
• Founder’s Day – plan ahead
• Plan a Syracuse Triad meeting (include members from Alpha Phi and Alpha Gamma Delta (Syracuse Triad is the name given to the three women's sororities founded at Syracuse University.)
• Plan a paint-your-own pottery outing
• Plan a career night with a collegiate chapter and utilize SisterLink material
• Hold a Pampered Chef party
• Gamma Phi’s go to the Zoo Day
• High Tea at a tea house
• Stamp party (like Pampered Chef but with crafts)
• Trip to an IKEA store
• Monthly Saturday morning coffee shop hour, drop-in and visit time
• Have a bookstore provide a book review session
• Scrap booking (Creative Memories)
• Travel Night
• Plan yearly meetings around a theme: Literacy, Love, Labor, Learning and Loyalty
• Speaker on Family Care/Alzheimer Assoc., etc.
• Use members’ talents and expertise for meeting topic
• Social issues speaker
• Attend a sporting event with or without family/spouses
• Financial planning program
• Games night (bridge, bunko, etc.)
• Garden Party – is there a Master Gardener in your group?
• Chapter birthday party (month when your alumnae chapter was installed)