The Actives/Alumni balancing act

I’ve been involved with Greek life at Bloomsburg (in one form or another) since pledging in the Fall, 1982. Held various offices in and around Delta Pi, including Sage (president) of both our active chapter, and our Alumni Association.

After graduation, a Delta Pi Alumni Association started…and failed. Then another…and failed. Both failed because the relationship between the Active Brothers and Alumni became contentious over time. The Alumni wanting certain behaviors in exchange for their contributions. The Active brother, more wanting to do their own thing…and then maybe “embellish” how those things were reported to the Alumni. This always lead to a dishonest relationship that grew resentful, and ultimately: not fun and not productive to anyone.

Third time is the charm

In the Third incantation of our Delta Pi Alumni Association endeavored to learn. We decided that a line need be drawn that stipulated the following:

The Alumni Association WILL NOT DIRECT the Active Chapter. Instead, the Alumni will SUGGEST solutions, based on past experiences and practices. The Actives are free to adopt those suggestions, or reject them. This does not mean there are no ramifications for making bad decisions. If the Actives insist on making poor choices: the suggestions…and likely future funding…. will stop, or at least be reduced.

This “Prime Directive” has worked for us so far. The third Alumni Association has been around for nearly 20 years now. They have funded three scholarships and are working on a forth. We have reunions and we have plenty of productive and fun interactions with our Active Chapter. We finally have a recipe for success, after a few failed attempts.