Session Goals

• Expand the audience's horizon on what the change to "alumni" includes.
• Explain effect of the alumni transition as viewed by chapter (active and alumni) and the National Org.
• Explain how the National Organization recognizes this transition

You've just graduated...

• What do I do now?
• Where do I go now?

  (Do you have further goals providing direction for your life? If so, does Triangle play a part in them?)

• What has been achieved?
  • Degree (certification by a accredited university program)
  • Job (proof that someone believes you can be an asset)
  • Knowledge that goals can be achieved and confidence in one's abilities

What is going to happen to your life?
Trade-offs are about to occur...

• The pace will change (if you want it to)
• Responsibilities (and rewards) will grow (if you want it to)
• Opportunities are widespread (if you want to take them)

Old problems are gone, new ones have appeared...

• Financial:
  • More money available from professional income
  • A lot of things will draw upon this income
  • Student Loans
  • Car (transportation)
  • Family (taxes, insurance, health care, raising children)
  • Housing
  • Investment for the future (retirement, child's education, etc.)
• Career:
  • Fluctuating job market (one company, many companies, own company)
  • A different social environment to interact with

Define "Alumni"
A short side-bar into why "alumni" is a much broader demographic than "active".
How easily is it to define what is "of value" to an alumnus (alumni "investing" resources in the chapter)

The Effect of "Alumni-hood" on the Fraternity

• The scattering of members into many towns and livelihoods
• There is now intensive competition for the time/money/resources that an alumnus has.

  Major Issues:

  • Finding out what the chapter wants from the alumni
  • Finding out what the alumni want/value from the chapter
  • What does Triangle supply to its members?)

"Niagara Falls"

Involvement drastically falls off upon graduation. What does this indicate?

• scattering of resources
• competition for alumni resources
• poor communications
• poor training/education
• Fraternity changes in value? (what do actives value Triangle for? What do alumni value it for?)

Recognition

• Graduation Ceremony
• New Alumnus Package (forthcoming)
• Revised Alumni Relations Manual
• Recognition within the chapter (local awards)

Opportunities

• Chapter Alumni Organizations
• Chapter Social/Professional/Educational programs
• Alumni Associations (with varying levels of involvement offered)
• National Organization volunteer positions
• Alumni groups supporting colonization efforts
• Doing what you can to meet other Triangle alumni on an informal basis

Conclusions

• Develop/have goals for what you wish to accomplish in the years after graduation.
• Decide what you value and what you will trade to get it.
• Apply your skills and mind using honest effort to achieve these goals and earn the deserved rewards.
• Work out where Triangle fits into the equation. If it doesn't fit tell us so, and why.

From a presentation by Kurt Over at Triangle Fraternity's Herbert F. Scobie Leadership School, August 1998