by Brandon E. Weghorst, Associate Executive Director of Communications

Much like resurrecting a chapter that’s been sitting dormant, it’s possible to breathe new life into an alumni association. The members of the Detroit Area Alumni Association have achieved exactly that in a few short years.

The association is one of Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s larger ones, a group whose history stems back to November 13, 1897. However, the 150 or so current members stand in stark contrast to the low numbers seen just a decade ago, largely as a result of changing the way the group operates.

“The biggest factor that has helped to increase our membership is the modernization of the association,” says Jay Russ (Oakland ’02), who is serving his second term as president. “We have a board committed to making our group better, and we’re allowing everybody who wants to get involved to do so.”

Many of the changes that helped to revolutionize the association are technological. While newsletters and Founders Day banquets are commonplace with alumni associations, the leaders in Detroit knew they had to rethink traditional operations and find ways to engage a younger membership.

Oneil Franso (Oakland ’08) has been one of the most instrumental members to help make that goal a reality. He revamped the group’s website, allowing members to read news online, post messages to other members, send out electronic invitations and add dates to their personal schedules based on a master calendar. Plus, the association utilizes the LinkedIn social-networking site, which allows people to connect via online profiles. “I’d say some of our dramatic change has happened with regard to social networking,” says Franso. “Many of our alumni were already using [LinkedIn and Facebook].”

But in addition to new ideas, the association’s leaders are rethinking long-existing programs. Their newsletter has moved to a digital format, which saves printing and postage costs. They also have continued to offer a business directory where, for $25 a year, any member can post his business card, and members can browse categories based his profession. Such a directory continues to give brothers a chance to support the business of a brother.

Another key ingredient to the association is financial. So that they would not have to raise dues, the association’s leadership says they have taken on more responsibility to shop for competitive prices, especially in light of the economic downturn.

Rich White (Michigan ’69) has been involved in the Detroit Area Alumni Association since the early 1970s. He’s watched the group transition through the decades and still enjoys his membership. “People are working so hard and have so many family interests that it’s hard to give up additional time,” he says. Nonetheless, White says he’s still impressed with how many alumni of all ages continue to turn out to events and outings.

The association, like many others, conducts a few staple events every year — ones that members look forward to attending to reconnect and visit with familiar friends. Those events include a Founders Day banquet, a Christmas gathering and a golf outing each summer. All of the activities are well-attended — but that hasn’t always been the case. Just a few years ago, the Founders Day event drew about two dozen people. This year, nearly 100 people turned out for the event. Each year, the association calls on the talent of prominent alumni, and past guests of honor include Ernie Harwell and Bo Schembechler.

“The biggest thing I’ve gotten out of my membership in the association is the ability to network and meet other people,” says Russ.

And while maintaining a strong alumni association keeps alumni engaged, part of Detroit’s success deals with its ability to think ahead. To encourage participation by undergraduates, the association reaches out to chapters in Michigan. They invite them to events, offering discounted prices. Furthermore, they help the undergraduates understand the power behind networking with other brothers, a service many chapters mention during recruitment but never provide.

“One of the things that SAE sold me on was the networking, but nothing panned out for me,” says Franso. “My internship ended, but I didn’t have a job. I committed to helping undergrads and recent grads find jobs if I could.” The Detroit Area Alumni Association reaffirms its commitment to younger members and undergraduates by sponsoring Leadership School scholarships, made possible through the generosity of dues-paying members.

Still, the association maintains some rich, important tradition. Chuck Dawson (Michigan ’55) and Mel Bernai (Michigan ’55) are the mainstays for a weekly event that happens without much fanfare or publicity. Yet, each Wednesday when these two gentlemen meet, they always find themselves with additional lunch partners. In fact, some alumni remember going to the lunch when they were undergraduates. And many of them are certain this tradition, in addition to the new ones being created right now, will be passed along to future generations.

To learn more about the Detroit Area Alumni Association or to join the group if you are living in the Detroit metro area, visit www.detroitsae.net.