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I'm still in the middle of my collegiate years, BUT I would really encourage you to take a look at this article. It is an entry off of a blog written by Jane H. Sutton, the current NPC chairman. If you want to talk about someone who exemplifies all the possibilities before you as an alum then I think that she is tops.
http://alphaxideltanpc.blogspot.com/...tgradlife.html

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Originally Posted by TweedleDee199 (Post 2209713)

So very true. Great article to bring up!

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Originally Posted by CircleofLife (Post 2209660)

My university is going through the colonization process. I had looked into sorotrities before, but hadn't found one I thought was a good fit for me and didn't honestly have the time. But this organization came to campus and I did my research and really thought it was a good fit for me.

Now, I'm a senior graduating in May. I chose to join the sorority. I have loved it, but the more I think about it, the more I'm questioning if it's the right choice for me.

Dues are $325. This cost is manageable, but I have a lot of costs coming up with grad school and the like and to pay the $325 is going to be rough. My grad school of choice requires a $400 deposit (much more than the $200-$250 I was expecting). I'm only going to be a fully initiated member for maybe a week before I turn around and become an alumnae member.

I'll never get to have a little, or be a big. I won't get to help set up a lot of traditions in just one semester. I won't get to participate in recruitment or bids. None of that. I was told I wasn't allowed to hold an officer position, so that's disheartening as well. I feel like I'm very invested, but I'm not sure if all of it is worth it when I'm more sad about leaving so soon instead of being excited to be a part of this.

We're about half-way through out new member process. It's going fine, but I feel disconnected to know that I'm leaving in just 2 months. I only have 3 months to make these strong bonds with my sisters and my organization, before I go off and graduation. And none of my potential grad schools have chapters there either.

So I guess...I'm debating if I should continue. Am I really contributing anything (besides money) to our first semester on campus? I can't be an officer. I'm leaving in May. I was really excited at first. I wanted to be a part of the founding class and start something amazing on campus. And so far, we've already done great things. But it makes me more sad now than anything. I still love the organization and the women, but I feel like to only do it for 3 months may not have been my wisest choice.

I'm just a bit lost, since I know most seniors don't join their last semester. I was just hoping for a bit of advice/guidance. I'd really appreciate it.

Didn't you know pretty much ALL of this prior to pledging your chapter?? You knew you were leaving at the end of the semester. You should have realized without even being told that you did not have time to have a little, be an officer, start traditions in your chapter, etc.

Being a founding member of a GLO chapter is a special honor given to few. I would hate to see you throw it away. You CAN be an active alum later and that time of sorority life can be just as important.

Think about moving to a new city where you know NO ONE... but you already have sisters there who will reach out to support you.

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Originally Posted by thetalady (Post 2209729)

Think about moving to a new city where you know NO ONE... but you already have sisters there who will reach out to support you.

This.

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Originally Posted by KDCat (Post 2209703)

You will be one of the first alums from your chapter and they need you. They need you to help with CAB/House Corp. They need you to be there for recruitment. They need you to act as a mentor and advisor for younger ladies. The colonization team picked you because they thought you would make good contributions to the chapter.

This, this, a ZILLION times this. Plus, those sisters will be a welcome shoulder to lean on when grad school is kicking your butt.

It would be one thing if this was 1937 and the only way you could keep in touch was by letter - but that's what skype and texting and facebook and all that good technological stuff is for.

The most active, enthusiastic member of our alumnae chapter joined her collegiate chapter when it colonized, and she was a senior at the time.

Definitely stick with it!

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Originally Posted by chi-o_cat (Post 2209829)

The most active, enthusiastic member of our alumnae chapter joined her collegiate chapter when it colonized, and she was a senior at the time.

Definitely stick with it!

It could even be possible that OP was recruited specifically because they thought she'd make a great leader as an alumna.

You've gotten some fantastic advice. I was initiated into my sorority over 25 years ago. The 3 years that I had in college were great, but they were only the tip of the iceberg in my sorority experience.

Our alumnae group is active in assisting the local collegiate chapter and we have great activities together at least monthly and usually more. For me the philanthropic activities that we do give me an incredible amount of joy. While we are not as active as a collegiate group, we come close. :)

When those on here tell you that your sorority is a lifelong experience, believe it. Look at your decision against the backdrop of the next 50 years, not just the next 3 months and see if that puts things in a different perspective. Stick it out...you will not regret it.

Far too many replies to quote each of them, but I'll do my best to respond.

I was, originally, told during recruitment that I would be allowed to hold an officer position. That was a big sticking point for me, because I wanted to be highly involved this semester. That was then changed and I was told I wasn't allowed to hold a position. So, no. I didn't know this before I joined.

I can't talk to any of our officers, because we don't have any yet. I also don't know our EC very well, because we just recently got a new one, so I'm not comfortable talking to her yet.

Either way. I do really appreciate all the advice. It's still something I need to think over. Because I also had the wonderful experience of finding out I'll be needing to shell out $300+ in the coming months for some dental work. So. Hopefully my insurance can cover it.

You've all been wonderful though.

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Originally Posted by CircleofLife (Post 2209904)

Whoever told you that you could run for an office probably wasn't thinking that you weren't staying past this semester. ALL sororities have officers hold their positions for the calendar year and would expect you to hold office through the fall. It would be detrimental to the chapter for you to hold office now and leave at the end of the semester. You really should try to look at that issue from that perspective, because it is more about what the chapter needs than about what you want. Sorry you are running into so many expenses, but honestly, your dental work and grad school fees would be there whether or not you got to hold an office. Is that really going to make that big of a difference? It seems like money is the sticking factor here. Of course you may not know the adviser well, but you're a grown up and only a few months away from graduating from college. You know her better than you know any of us. GO. ASK. HER. You won't know if there are options to decrease your dues until you ask. You also may be too late to get out of paying your fees if you've signed a promissory note, so I'd hustle on down and talk to someone who can give you some actual answers to your questions about money.

Exactly.^

Would you pay your dues and agree to initiate if you WERE allowed to hold an office? Despite your upcoming grad school and dental work? Is holding an office the ONLY reason you wanted to join this sorority? If your answers are yes, yes, and no, then please reconsider. Your group chose you as a senior for a reason!