GreekChat.com Forums - Tight Lipped Alum Initiates

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Quote:

Originally posted by FAB*SpiceySpice
Ok I know that this is off topic but I couldn't figure out where else to ask this question and I didn't want to start an entire thread for just one question. But anyway. I was wondering can guys become AI's as well? I've only heard stories on here of girls/women AI'ing and I was just curious if fraternities allowed this process as well. Thanks guys! :)

Some do, some don't.

In Alpha Sigma Phi there are but just two classes of membership -- undergraduate and alumni. There is no honorary member or special member status except that of 'Member-at-Large', usually abbreviated M-A-L.

An M-A-L is generally one initiated as the exemplar candidate during the ritual exemplification. He is usually not affiliated with a specific chapter.

Alumni initiation by chapters is usually done only on faculty advisors who are not already members of a GLO. It's extremely rare for it to happen but on occasion the father or close male blood relative may be initiated, but final approval rests on both the chapter and the Grand Council of Alpha Sigma Phi.

Even rarer was the initiation of a former Alpha Sig pledge -- took him over 25 years - and a family - to finally return to college and be welcomed into the Mystic Circle.

Quote:

Originally posted by GPhiBLtColonel
This is the same way in Gamma Phi Beta. Approvals are done anytime the alum chapter does the form on the woman -- the woman's backgraound is essentuially listed on the form and the alum sponsoir has to write why this person would be a good Gamma Phi. In our alum chapter, the candidate need s to meet the members at one or two events. The alum chapter decides whetehr to move on and begin the paperwork based on their own criteria -- will she fit in, does she really want to be a member etc...Some of our alum chapters may be more or less open to AI than others because they have been burned -- eg. getting someone AI'd and then they rarely participate. In our chapter, potential AI candidates are NEVER brought to the chapter's attention (or to an event) unless we know we are going to do the paperwork. I do not want to say we are snobby, but we ARE selective. Even my two "GC lil sisters" -- Houstonchica and Cluey --came to meet members of our alum chapter before things got rolling! We all knew they would be wonderful Gamma Phis!! Two down, one to go! Anyways, after the alum chapter does the form and includes the candidates background etc, the form is sent on to the collegiate chapter that is doing the initiation -- whenever their initiation is -- and the president signs the form -- and they WILL sign it basically no matter what as long as the alum chapter has "vetted" the candidate. Then the form goes to our intenational Hqtrs and is approved. Then the "pledge" training materials are sent and training is conducted -- I like to do it in a long session -- it takes several hours -- and then there is a test (open book!) and then the badge orders are filled out and everything is sent in to be processed prior to initiation. The badge is not sent to the AI until after she is initiated.

Ditto for my Alumnae Chapter...........

Quote:

Originally posted by Eirene_DGP
I think people don't list their potential orgs. because they do not want to "claim the new car before they get it".

That is exactly why. Several PNAI's have contacted me and sought my advice, as I am an AI myself. I feel very honored that they would do so and I keep their quests private, particularly if they are approaching a group independently and have not yet secured a sponsor (I find that if you already have a sponsor, it is a much easier process). I usually advocate that women be discreet. If a PNAI wants to divulge one-on-one, via PM, that's their business, but I don't advocate posting prematurely on a public board. And why? Well, my thinking is "you never know who could potentially read this".

The unfortunate reality is that some NPC alumnae women (any group) out there do "pooh pooh" the idea of AI, and well, it would be a shame for a pooh-pooh'er to read a thread, a PNAI to be misunderstood and perceived to be presumptuous to be getting an invitation to membership, and thwarted in their attempt, you know what I mean? That's why I usually advise ladies to play their cards close to their chests.

I believe in the ol' adage of "It ain't over till the fat lady sings".
So, if want to blame someone for advising that AI's be discreet, that would be me, as they're just following the suggestion that I gave them. I assure you that it was with the best of intentions! :)

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Quote:

Part 2 - Male AI's
And...so as not to leave out the men, I do know of one
male prospective alumni initiate and that's AggieDoc / aTmAggie whose story is here:
Alum Initiation for Fraternities?
Note, above is a super old thread