Page 19 - To Dragma September 1924

TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 227

ALUMNAE CHAPTER FINANCES

What is an alumnae chapter for? Should it be purely a social
organization with no definite purpose? Should it function only
to give occasional aid to the nearest active chapter? Or, should
it have just as real a purpose, just as definite an object, as an
active chapter?

Can we carry on a definite program with as much enthusiasm
as in college days and bring it to a successful completion? We
are older now and many interests and duties hold our attention.
But where the officers are ready to lead the way, where the
"girls" have the true fraternity spirit, I know it can be done.
Experience has proved it to be true. I t is the alumnae chapter
which outlines definite things and then adheres to them, meeting
regularly at the appointed time, and mixing this greater object
with the purely social one, which grows and prospers. Its meet-
ings are more interesting and better attended. Its future is
assured.

I n looking over old T o D R A G M A S , I find every successful chap-
ter has done philanthropic work of some kind which is in accord
with the principles of our fraternity. Several years ago our
officers thought it time f o r us to consider National W o r k , and
Katherine March Thomas sent out questionnaires. From the an-
swers received came the by-law which was presented at the last
convention. The plan had two features, an annual Graduate Fel-
lowship and a Fund for Handicapped Children. I t was voted
upon favorably by every chapter.

This idea of National W o r k is not intended to hinder local
philanthropic work, but rather to supplement it. Much of the
local work is of such a nature that it might be carried on with
national help.

During the past year each alumnae chapter ( f o r it is essentially
the alumnae chapters which must bear the expense of this w o r k ) ,
was questioned as to local activities and conditions. I t was
found that alumnae chapters near active chapters felt their first
duty was toward that active chapter, which is as it should be.
Though desiring to help financially in the National W o r k , they
could not see the way clear to do both. A l l over the country
has come the cry f r o m the active chapters f o r help in the building