The Alumni Advisor is a key role that helps to create a successful undergraduate chapter. The Alumni Advisor is one of the first people the chapter members can turn to when they need advice, support and knowledge. The Alumni Advisor is also a facilitator of communication between the chapter and the National Office; ensuring issues get addressed effectively and in a timely manner. Their experience and guidance are beneficial to the development of a collegiate Chapter on issues such as group dynamics, the Fraternity and campus as a partnership, and explaining the resources that are available to officers and members through the Fraternity.

Alumni Advisors attend select chapter meetings and events, demonstrate support and share their knowledge and experience with the chapter. The time commitment does not need to be excessive to have a positive impact... even a few hours can make a difference. Their efforts bring stability to the chapter, enhancing the overall fraternity experience.

Maybe your chapter doesn't have an Alumni Advisor or has had mixed reactions to the position in the past. So what then do you have to gain from one? For one thing, advice is almost always free and up to you to determine what you do with it. You are just one suggestion away from being an even stronger chapter. When you need someone to talk to, or could use some advice on making the right decision, they are just a phone call or cup of coffee away. Knowing what you want your Alumni Advisor's role to be in the chapter is the start to choosing the best person to fill the position. Clearly communicating with them what the chapter needs and expects can ensure that there is a beneficial relationship.

Some alternative ideas on who to choose to be your Alumni Advisor:

• Your Alumni Advisor does not need to be from your chapter. You might have Alumni from other chapters living nearby, or even working on your campus that could be great potential advisors.
  
  
• Use your active and knowledgeable Alumni even if they do not live nearby. While they can't come to meetings regularly, having a great resource that you know you can get in touch with the moment you need them, may be more important.
  
  
• In searching for an Alumni Advisor, don't just limit yourself to Alumni that are recent graduates. Often older Alumni can give key insight on many different topics because of work experience and professional connections.
  
  
• When interviewing for an Alumni Advisor, it is important to remember that your chapter is a constantly evolving and growing, entity. An Alumni Advisor who pays heed to tradition, while encouraging growth and development of the chapter and its Brothers, has the right mind set for the position.
  
  
• Is it important that your Alumni Advisor be able to separate any personal relationships he/she may still have with Brothers of the chapter. Sometimes Alumni Advisors are called on to give advice in tough situations, so being an impartial support person who puts the best interests of the chapter first is key.
  
  
• Instead of having just one Alumni Advisor, consider an Alumni Advisory Board. Alumni Advisory Boards are a great way to get several Alumni involved in aiding the development of your chapter and let you have Alumni who fit any of the criteria mentioned above.
  
  

If you would like help locating an Alumni Advisor, please contact the National Headquarters at pspoffice@phisigmapi.org.