But, somehow, I am making the time and it is completely worth it. Thanks to my involvement with Phi Mu, I am re-establishing old friendships and making new ones. After graduating from college, I came up with many reasons not to stay involved with Phi Mu. I told myself I’m too busy; the alumnae chapter is too far away; and I don’t know the women who are involved anymore. The list went on and they were all valid reasons, but then someone, actually my Phi Mu little sister, gave me the opportunity to re-involve myself as an Alumnae Area Director in 2009.

With my new position, I am fortunate to be able to attend the 2010 National Convention.  When I was the president of my collegiate chapter, convention fell during the years before and after my term, so I am looking forward to experiencing that missed opportunity.   I’m also hoping to learn more about my new position, so I can be most effective at helping other Phi Mu alumnae become involved.  Another bonus is that I’ll get to spend time with Ashley Hebert McDaniel, Collegiate Extension Director and my little sister, since she’ll also be there and we’re rooming together.   We had an awesome relationship during our collegiate years and have kept in touch throughout the years.  Of course, the level of intensity is not there, but through weddings, babies, family times – good and bad, she is a true sister, one I can depend on to be with me through the chaos of life.

It is exciting and motivating to attend any Phi Mu function, whether it’s an informal gathering at Christmas for a cookie swap, a formal function like Founders Day’ or the upcoming convention. Recently, I attended a Founders’ Day celebration which included both collegiate and alumnae members.  The feeling of being in that room with 75 women of a wide variety of ages and personalities, all of with whom I shared a sacred bond, was beyond words.  I left the function ready to put my jersey back on and start college again, just so I could experience that feeling more often.  Of course, reality set in on my way home, when my phone started ringing and I had to plan the rest of my week. 

Now, I make time for Phi Mu when I can. That’s the beauty of being an alumna.  The levels of involvement range from something as small as donating a few bags of candy for recruitment to holding a national office. Your local alumnae chapter is an excellent way for you to become involved.  Phi Mu does not have to end with your collegiate days and the best part is that you get to choose the depth of your involvement.  So, I’d like to take this opportunity to recruit you as an active alumna.

Below are several ways to get involved, one to fit every type of lifestyle.

• Bloom: The easiest way to stay connected is to sign up and log onto Bloom, Phi Mus Member’s Only Site at bloom.phimu.org. Through Bloom, you can reconnect and network with sisters, access current Phi Mu news, and view alumnae resources.
•  Alumnae Chapter or Chapter Association: With over 155 alumnae chapters and 75 chapter associations around the country, joining is an easy way to stay involved.  Alumnae chapters are made up of Phi Mu alumnae who live in one city/area and are from a variety of collegiate chapters. Alumnae chapters usually meet about once a month for social gatherings, philanthropy events, and to volunteer their time to help nearby collegiate chapters. Chapter associations are made up of alumnae from one specific collegiate chapter who live throughout the country.
• Chapter Advisory Committee: All collegiate chapters have an advisory council that is composed of volunteers who work to serve the collegiate chapter in many capacities.  Members of the advisory council assist the chapter, and executive committee officers, in chapter operations, scholarship, new member development, membership recruitment, finance, sisterhood development and panhellenic matters.
• Area Officers: Active alumnae can also apply to hold positions as area officers. Appointed by National Council, area officers supervise and give guidance in the functioning of collegiate and alumnae chapters.

Please contact me or Kelly Kimbrough, the Alumnae Relations Coordinator at Headquarters at kkimbrough@phimu.org  to find out what would be right for you!