Alumni Support
Tapping Your Alumni Support Potential
There are times when every chapter needs an extra pair of hands. But did you know your chapter might be sitting on a gold mine of potential support? Alumni, Phi Theta Kappa members who have graduated or who are no longer enrolled at two-year colleges, can be an invaluable resource in providing continuing support to their chapters. In fact, the purpose of Phi Theta Kappa alumni is to support the people, programs and priorities of the Phi Theta Kappa Society. Alumni support not only enhances the traditions and programs in your chapter, but also provides the alumni an opportunity to share their dedication to scholarship, leadership, service and fellowship with new generations of active members.
Pepe Zerda, International Alumni Association member, says, "Alumni can be used to make things happen, because they have connections throughout the community. Many alumni are available to give a talk, lead a tour or serve as motivators. Invite them to new member orientations to interact and share stories or have them present at induction ceremonies."
How do I find alumni in my area?
If you are ready to develop your chapter's alumni potential, visit
www.ptk.org/alumni/al_intro.htm for listings of Alumni
Associations in your state. Talk with your chapter advisor to find out
if he or she knows of alumni who want to be active in your area. You
can also contact recent members of your chapter to find out if they
want to get involved.
Zeta of New York alumni member Theresa Burns says the best time to engage alumni support is immediately after their active membership ends, because "members are still active and excited about what they are doing." Pepe Zerda also suggests having your advisor request a mailing list of recently graduated members from the admissions office or registrar, then "host a fellowship event that includes family members of active and alumni members as a college and community event."
How can alumni help my chapter?
Keep in mind that alumni are not considered active members;
therefore, they cannot vote or hold office. However, there are still
many ways alumni can participate in your chapter events!
- Serve as speakers at chapter meetings, inductions and events.
- Mentor current chapter members in college and career planning.
- Assist members with scholarship applications.
- Raise money for scholarships for members still at the two-year college level.
- Coordinate college fairs.
- Provide financial support.
- Assist with induction ceremonies, Project Graduation and other chapter events.
For more information on alumni participation in your chapter, contact Denise Halbach in the Development Department at alumni.office@ptk.org or 601.984.3540.
