After receiving several emails from people asking about "How to join an Alumnae Chapter," I figured I would create a "Part II" blog on some helpful tips.
First off, CONGRATS for graduating from college. This is an important milestone in anyone's life, and you should be proud of yourself.
So you have your diploma hanging on your wall, just accepted that "dream job" and everything would be perfect (in your eyes) if you could only join that special organization that you couldn't join in college. What are the first steps you need to take to complete this goal?
1. If you are moving to a new city or state due to a new job, after getting settled, I would suggest that you research major organizations in the area. This varies from the National Urban League, Local chapter of the NAACP, Book Club, etc...Most of the organizations have people who are members of various BGLO. (Black Greek Letter Organizations). This is an excellent way to meet your future sorors/fraternity brothers, (If you are chosen of course).
2. TALKING..... Members of Greek Organizations are EVERYWHERE!!! Church, Your Job, Involved in other organizations, etc., which is why it is important that you become involved in other organizations. If you find someone at your job that is in the org of you choice, invite him/her out to lunch. Find out more about them, and tell them about yourself. Ask them if they have any events and projects coming up that you can be a part of.
3. Google can be your BEST FRIEND!!!! I would suggest using Google to search for local chapters in your areas, AS WELL AS, NPHC in your local area as well. Most large cities have an NPHC chapter. Hopefully, they will also have a website with an event section.
4. Ask around.....Now I know some of you are like,, wait, discretion is the key right???? Well yes, BUT if you have a relative that is a member of the organization that you want to be a part of, then ask him or her if they can research and find out if they have a chapter in your area. Although we are living in the technology age, there are some chapters out there that do not have a website up and running or updated regularly.
5. Attend various events around town.....Not only is this very entertaining, but you never know.....that girl that is your cube mate, just might be a member of the organization you are dying to join. You just never knew it because she doesn't wear pari to work, or doesn't have anything on her desk which displays her organization. Events that come to mind for me are step shows, (There are tons of people that are in alumnae/alumni chapters that will be in attendance), Jazz or Blues Fest, Spoken Word, etc.
These are just a few tips I wanted to share on how to find at least out where the alumnae chapters are. I will update this blog regularly when I think of more tips, so you might want to bookmark it, and check back from time to time....
Ciao for Now!
What do you do if you live far away from any of your prospective organizations Alumnae/Alumni chapter? How can you find out which one is the one you would pursue?
ReplyDeleteThe Best way to find out which chapter is best for you is by going to the Sorority/Fraternity's National Website and searching for chapters within the area. Google is also a great way to find out the nearest chapter as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for these tips! I've been attending events for the chapter of my org of interest and after seeing and having long conversations with one of the women in the chapter several times, I finally expressed my interest in the organization! She even gave me her email address! I am so humbled and I am just going to keep doing what I am doing-going to grad school, studying hard, helping out around my community, going to church, and attending public chapter events. I hope that this will someday lead me to becoming a member :) Thank you so much for this blog and please keep the "Alumnae Membership Tips" coming! I think they are truly helpful and much appreciated!
ReplyDeleteFirst let me thank you for all of your tips! I really appreciate you being kind and polite about all of the advice that you have given us. I just graduated college and I am actively looking to join an alumnae chapter. My only question is how do you know the difference between being too pushy at an organization's event and genuinely expressing interest?
ReplyDeleteI'm 49 and all my adult life wanted to be a Delta. Over the years I've known women that aspired to be Deltas but never pursured it. I want to know what are the requirements for joining at my age? Please help me to achieve this goal. Any advise will help. Thanks
ReplyDeleteYou can become a member at any age; all applicants must meet (or exceeed) the same requirements for qualifying.
DeleteBefore I ask this question I just want to say thank you for creating such a helpful blog! For prospects like myself I cannot tell you how insightful this is. Truly! God is gonna bless ya :) lol. Anyway, my question to you is there ever a time that someone is to old to join on the undergraduate platform. I've heard people say that its never too late to join, but as an older student I dont want to make the chapter look bad or make a fool of myself. Its not my interest to stroll or step, but rather the organization as a whole and the impact it has made in the community. I'm only 26 but I'll be 27 by the time this chapter is back on campus. I started school later than most however joining this organization has ALWAYS been a dream of mine. Any feedback would be appreciated! Ty God bless
ReplyDeleteThank You so much,
ReplyDeleteI hope you are still doing things with this blog.
I'm a single mom returned back to college and will be graduating May God's will. I'm very much interested and becoming a Delta. the only problem I'm 46. I have found a new me through th eye's of my 18 year old daughter who has inspired to pusre my goalsas if i was 18 again. If this is possible can you inform me on what I can do to become a proud member. Thank you so much in advanced.
ReplyDeleteTo all of the posters expressing concerns about their age, I became a member of my illustrious organization - Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc at the age of 41 via an alumnae chapter (Spring 2008). I've always known that I wanted to be a Delta and 18 years later, God blessed me with one of the greatest desires of my heart!
ReplyDeleteSo, I say all of this to say that if Delta or the BGLO of your choice is in your heart and no matter your age, please continue to be active in your community, church, etc and don't give up on your dream!
Best Regards,
PGCAC Spring 2008, #18
What is the difference between Grad Chapters and Alumni Chapters? Is is just that to do Graduate Chapter you still have to be in school?
ReplyDeleteFrom my understanding they are both the same thing. Though the politically correct term is Alumnae Chapter.
ReplyDeleteYes they are indeed the same thing. Some sororites and fraternities say Grad Chapter and some say Alumni/Alumnae. In order to qualify you must at LEAST have graduated from college with a Bachelors Degree.
ReplyDeleteMember of a BGLO Organization!
Is it true that those who pledged during undergrad think differently of people who join alumnae chapters? I've heard that it has to do with the difference in pledge process. Has anyone else heard this or something of the same nature?? These tips are so helpful!
ReplyDeleteThis blog as a whole has helped me a lot in furthering my quest to becoming greek one day if I am gracious. I recently graduated from college from a predominately white college.
ReplyDeleteIs it ok to send an email asking about events opened to public if a particular chapter doesn't have a website?
ReplyDeleteAs I stated in other posts, I'm so happy to have found this blog. It has helped me in my pursuit of joining a local grade chapter. I emailed the chapter in December 2012 and received a response almost immediately. Since then I have attended several chapter events and gotten to know other members and interests. I even attended their end of the year cook-out a few weeks ago. Whenever I'm around these sisters, I feel a great since of love and sisterhood. Now, I'm just waiting (impatiently) on the next step :-)
ReplyDeleteI will be attending my first informal meeting next week and i'm super nervous and excited (i know not to jump the gun but i'm still excited! lol) but I will just continue to put my best foot forward, thanks for the info and support!
ReplyDeleteHow did it go? I attended an informational session last week as well. I wasn't as nervous as I thought I would be. I've been around the ladies a few times so I've gotten to know them.
DeleteI'm currently a Junior working toward my bachelors degree. Although I am in my late thirties, I am thinking about attempting to pledge undergrad. Am I too old to be thinking about pledging undergrad? Should I just wait til I graduate and pledge an Alumnae Chapter.
ReplyDeleteThere is never an age limit when it comes to a sorority if so, I would definitely not be involved. I am 44 yrs old an I am still interested in joining!
DeleteHello, but I was told new members were not accepted for Birmingham, AL until 2016,
ReplyDeleteNot happy
Barbie
Oh yeah, just received my Master's and so ready to be a member
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for posting this blog!!. I live in the Birmingham area and attend UAB. I already have a degree and working towards my nursing degree. I was unsure about whether I would be able to pledge undergrad, being that I have a degree already? I'm definitely interested in a grad chapter but I'm not sure where to start or look. Should I email the Alumnae chapter to get more information about event open to the public or where do I start. I'm hesitate about openly asking people because I want to be discrete, but I'm not sure about how to ask. If someone could give me some helpful advice that would be wonderful. Thank you so much.
ReplyDeleteI have my Bachelors degree. Do I have to be enrolled as a graduate student to go Alum.?
ReplyDeleteOnce you get your Bachelor's, you can apply to become a member of an alumnae chapter (you must meet additional requirements). See website for details.
DeleteI am an ungrad student at the moment due to financial circumstances and hard school schedule I was unable to pledge. I am a honor student and a very active member in my community and other organizations. I will be graduating in the summer and I will start pharmacy school fall 2016 (hopefully). I was interested in joining a grad chapter but multiple questions come to mind 1) How do i go about it if I am to be discrete 2) is it true about grad chapters not receiving respect because they did not go through an undergrad process. I have started looking up different chapter websites for the BGLO I want to join but its not really detailed on future events and community service What do i do?
ReplyDeleteHas anyone heard of any interest meeting for Delta chapters in the DMV area (grad chapter?
ReplyDeleteNo. No interest meetings for now. I am waiting for that as well!
DeleteIf you all find out please write back on this post. I am also interested.
DeleteHopefully soon!
DeleteThere are many counties in MD & VA that have individual alumnae chapters, check each chapter's website for info. For Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., you must live in the area where their alumnae chapter provides their services. DC alumnae chapters:no intake in 2017. Attend their events, get to know current members. They may give you a heads up when something will happen.
DeleteDoes anyone know if any Delta grad chapters in the DMV will be having a interest meeting soon?
ReplyDeleteI've been waiting for that as well I believe the suspension held a lot of things up...hoping things change soon though
DeleteThe alumnae chapter that I like in DC has not had intake since 2008. Still waiting. Uggghh. I am dying to have a chance.
DeleteIt is time to look at alumnae chapter websites for Rush announcements soon. Rush tends to happen in January!
DeleteMe too! Hopefully soon!
ReplyDeleteShould I join an alumnae chapter in my hometown or in the town where I plan on attending grad school? I anticipate moving back to my hometown after grad school
ReplyDeleteI do not know about sororities in general, but with Delta, you need to reside in the community that is serviced by the Sorority. Check the website for the sorority you are interested in for more details.
DeleteCan you join an Alumnae chapter with an 2.45 GPA and if not what should someone do if they have been out of school for some time now but would love to fulfill this dream
ReplyDeleteAccording to the website,you have to have a 2.75 in order to be considered for Delta. Attend and support Alumnae Chapter events in your area, and get to know the ladies. Community service is a must with Delta.
DeleteWhat do you suggest for someone that has two alumnae chapters of an organization in their city? Both chapters appear to be pretty active. I'm attending one event for one of the chapters this weekend, and another event for the other chapter at the end of the month. Should I go for whoever has a line first?
ReplyDeleteIn regards to joining an Alumni Chapter, do you have to live in the same city to join that chapter?
ReplyDeleteDepends on which sorority you are interested in....with Delta (alumnae chapter), you must live in the same area that the chapter serves.
DeleteI am a current graduate student. I know if I am accepted into this certain sorority then I will do so through an alumnae chapter. My question is do I go through the one closest to my school or through the one where my permanent residence is? I am about 2.5 hours away from home and in another state for school.
ReplyDeleteFor Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the alumnae chapters want you to reside in the area that they serve.
DeleteDo you have to be enrolled in a certain school to join a graduate or alumni chapter? I live in North Jersey and am interested.
ReplyDeleteYou have to have a Bachelor's degree to join an alumnae/graduate chapter. Visit www.NorthJerseyDeltas.org
DeleteI have been out of college for 28 years. I am interested in joining the local graduate chapter for Delta in my area. My GPA is a 2.6. Do you still have to meet the GPA requirements after being our of college for over 20 years?
ReplyDeleteI have been out of college for 28 years. I am interested in joining the local graduate chapter for Delta in my area. My GPA is a 2.6. Do you still have to meet the GPA requirements after being our of college for over 20 years?
ReplyDeletei am 30 looking to fulfill this dream of mine. I will finish undergrad spring 2018 but how can i find out the community service requirements for graduate chapters? Its summer so the events are not as frequent. I am patiently waiting though. Good luck to all of those inquiring about DST.
ReplyDeleteThat is the million dollar question. I looked for this info on their website. Nothing lol
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThanks, i needed this info!
ReplyDeleteDo you have to live in the service area of the graduate chapter to be eligible for membership with aka? I know it is required for delta and its on their website but aka doesnt list this requirement on their website.
ReplyDelete