Page 59 - 1908 November - To Dragma

54 TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI

However, after a year or two, this condition changes, for the
novelty of the new work has worn off. Then it is that the
girl thinks of her friends and the good times they had; of the hard
rushing they have accomplished; of their triumph when they have
been rewarded at the end of the season by acquiring their chosen
freshmen. Where are all the old friends?

I t is just at this period that the alumnae chapter is all in all to
our graduates from college. The girls who have worked and planned
together in university life and lived thus closely, have laid a founda-
tion for life-long friendship. The alumnae chapter builds on this
foundation, and, as the girls' interests broaden and expand, the
friendship and love deepen. The alumnae chapter, then, is the
means by which the girls are brought together to cement, as it were,
their former vows and friendship into an unbroken bond for life.

Of course the raison d'etre of the alumnae chapter is not entirely
selfish. A lively interest and sympathy is ever present for the active
chapter. The alumnae stand ready to help all they can; in rushing,
if possible, and are always willing to advise i f hard problems arise.

The alumnae of Sigma are therefore glad to feel that they are
organized, and the bond established both among themselves and be-
tween them and the active chapter.

We meet every sixth week at the A O TI house on Hillegass Ave-
nue in Berkeley. By meeting at the sorority house, the graduates of
years gone by and the active girls are able to become really acquainted
and the leaven of the A O I I spirit begins to work.

Active chapters of A O IT, make up your minds right now, that
you will have an alumnae chapter to work with you as long as pos-
sible; that you yourselves will be such good active members, that
there will be no doubt but that you will make interested alumnae
workers. That is the only way to succeed, for it takes the true spirit
of A O IT, and a memory of its object and pledge to make an
alumnae chapter the vital, working thing it should be.

I f it is impossible to form an alumnae chapter at present in your
own vicinity, we of Sigma can offer you a suggestion. Keep up the
interest of your graduates in the active chapter. To do this, we had
what we called a "Round Robin" letter. The letter was started by
the corresponding secretary of the active chapter, telling chapter
news of the new members, of social doings, etc. The Robin then
started on his rounds, and flew to each alumna in turn, each one of
whom added her mite of a letter before he returned to the home nest.
On the second trip, each one took out and destroyed her old letter,
replacing it with a new one. Only those, who have tried some such
plan, can imagine how our interest in each other and in sorority mat-
ters has been kept green.

What the San Francisco Alumnae Chapter hopes to do, and the