Here are the Sorority Facts…

We asked hundreds of sorority members throughout the country about their opinions of the alumni experience, and here is what they said:

What do you want out of your experience as an alumnae of the sorority? (Select up to 3)

Here are the Fraternity Facts

We asked thousands of fraternity members throughout the country about their opinions of the alumni experience, and here is what they said:

What do you want out of your experience as an alumnus of the fraternity? (Select up to 3)

One Brother’s Relationship with His Fraternity

Let’s call him Brother Smith

• Brother Smith pledged in 1982 and graduated in 1985
• He married his college sweetheart and they have 2 kids
  
• He works as an editor for an online magazine
  
• He reads the fraternity newsletter—he finally started getting it in the mail again after moving to a new house 4 years ago
  
• He occasionally looks at old photos on the website—usually when he gets an email and recognizes a name or face
  
• Since graduating, he’s made three gifts to the alumni association: two for $50 in response to appeal letters in the fall, and a third for $100 last year, because he heard the house needed to have a sprinkler system installed
  
• He attended the annual golf outing once, 5 years ago, because his old roommate invited him to play on his foursome, and it was a good excuse to bring his wife and kids to visit campus for a weekend (he’s hoping at least one of his kids will attend his alma mater)
  
• He had a great time, and planned to sign up the following year, but either lost or missed the invitation, and no one called to remind him
  
• He’s never attended Homecoming or other alumni events at the fraternity because he isn’t sure if he’ll know anyone else, and he assumes travel and accommodations are a hassle on big university weekends
  
• Plus, he’s not sure if he should attend solo or if it’s the appropriate setting for his wife—she won’t be impressed by some chips and a keg on the floor
  
• Every year, without exception, he takes a fishing or camping trip with 4 brothers he still considers his closest friends 5 of 12

Share the Work, the Fun, the Glory

Have you ever experienced that "lonely at the top" feeling? Like if you quit, your entire organization would collapse? Has your family complained that you spend too much time doing your volunteer work?

There's no secret to avoiding burnout as a group leader, just one simple word – delegate. That's the familiar term, but in a volunteer organization it would be better to say, "share the work, the fun and the glory". Leaders of winning organizations have mastered the art of delegation. Although it's not difficult to learn, it does take some thought and planning.

Simple Tips to Respect and Entertain Your Readers...and Increase Donations

1. Write in Small Chunks

Focus on only one idea per story. Break up longer articles into bite-sized chunks -- as separate stories, or use subheads within the longer story.

2. Let the Readers Write It

Face it, readers will devour a news update sent in by an old friend, yet bypass your finely-crafted article. Create ways to let the readers write the newsletter themselves. Purge the institutional voice and let the humans speak to each other.

Proven Practices for Increasing ROI on Direct Mail Solicitation for Non-profit Annual Funds and Membership Organizations The average person receives more than 250 pieces of direct mail each year. Of all that direct mail, nearly half—44%—is thrown away unopened. But, when done effectively, direct mail appeal letters can make a powerful impact on your fundraising results. In this paper, we’ll identify specific practices that take direct mail appeal letters to a higher level, increasing response rates, total dollars raised, average gift and overall return on your investment.