Kappa Membership Case Study: Alumnae

A:Having a Kappa experience as a collegiate is one of the best values we can provide our women. It’s also true, though, that our alumna experience is decades longer than the four years we were collegians. The majority of our Kappa membership is as alumnae. If we truly believe that a Kappa experience lasts a lifetime, it begs the question, can a woman join Kappa at any point in her lifetime? In the same way that we go through seasons of Kappa — being more or less engaged depending on life circumstances — other women may just be coming into their first Kappa season later in life. Just because a woman’s experience of Kappa may be different or may have started later in life, it doesn’t negate the quality of her experience. A: A lot of Kappas didn’t …show more content…
With these types of experiences from our current members, it leads me to think that we could still have fantastic members, even if they start as alumnae. Q: If a member couldn't afford the Kappa experience in college, why should she be afforded the opportunity to join as an alumna? A: Although our collegiate chapters do have significant financial costs, membership in Kappa is not nor should be predicated on financial or economic status. There are many outstanding college alumnae who did not have the financial resources to be members of our organization while in college. Alumna Initiation affords them the opportunity to be contributing members of Kappa while strengthening our network of friendship and support. Q: There is the expectation that these women would be helping to fill a leadership void in our alumnae associations. What is the removal process if this person does not work out? A: From the research we've completed, we know that alumna initiates have a higher likelihood of participating in our associations and taking on leadership …show more content…
Q: So do we legally have to admit everyone? A: Kappa is a private membership organization, and as such, we are able to select only those women who meet our membership criteria. Much like the collegiate recruitment process, the alumna process will provide multiple opportunities for us to determine if the applicant shares Kappa's values and will be a member of the highest character. Q: How will Kappa assist alumna initiates in meeting other women to share experiences, and develop bonds and a sense of belonging? A: The application process prompts applicants to meet members of the local association and other Kappas in the area. They will virtually meet two of their district volunteers, and they will later be added to an alumna initiate group comprised of all the alumna initiates from that fiscal year. In addition to being connected with Kappas who share the same geographic location or are going through the same process, alumna initiates will also be introduced to Kappa's other resources, connections, and community-building opportunties. Q: Will there be a new member program required for these women before their