I stood there by the island in Gail's kitchen, and looked at the women who were still there. The brunch had "ended" an hour ago, and here we were, old and new, from a variety of different schools, young and "more experienced" alumnae.

I couldn't help but notice and be proud. In a time when Tri Delta is struggling to connect recent graduates with alumnae chapters, we had several recent grads at the brunch. Some from Butler, some not; that's part of what makes it "work." One of the new attendees sought out an alumnae chapter in her new home -- she's from far away -- and that says a lot. That says this woman wants to be a part of things. Hurrah for her for making the effort!

I really like these sisters. We've got our "more experienced" alumnae... sit down and chat with Helene sometime. She's a hoot, and she must've been quite a gal back in her days at Butler a few years ago! I like to chat with these ladies because they are far enough away from where I am right now (little kids, shuttling them to school and everywhere...) that they can smile and say, "You will get through it," but yet they're sympathetic and supportive when I really want to bang my head in the wall.

Our middle-years alumnae (I think of myself as one of these as I approach my 15th college graduation reunion next year, but these middle years ladies come from a pretty broad time frame) are pretty great, too. We've got younger and older, from Indiana schools and other states, tall, short, career women, stay-home moms, blonde, brunette, stylish, not so much... I like the variety we have.

Those young alumnae really are impressive, though. There are so many like them who graduated from school, moved to a new town, and have never changed their address information with Executive Office, never contacted an alumnae chapter, never accepted an invitation...

How do we get new people to join? How do we get young people fresh from college to want to be active in Tri Delta in a new way?

Thoughts?