I'm excited for you
 

I am very excited for you. I have been corresponding via e-mail with the Regional Contact for the local sorority that I should have been a part of at college. She kept asking me if the local Alum president had contacted me and I said no, and then when I asked if they were out for the summer, she said that they were. I am hoping to hear something by the end of the summer.

Does anyone know if they do a separate initiation or do they initiate AI members with the new initiates from the fall rush with the college students.

Wouldn't that be cute?

It really depends...

I know someone who had her initiation ceremony conducted by all alumnae just for her.

I went through my ceremony the same evening as 12 collegiates. I think it was more fun that way because they were so excited that it made it more exciting for me! Some of them were really nervous!

We also took pictures of each other before the initiation even though I had never met them before that evening. They were all so welcoming and made me feel a part of their pledge class.

ecupidelta, and other Potential Alumnae Initiates: please realize that, to many NPC groups, this is a new concept. There had been women initiated (such as housemothers) based on service to the GLO, but for the most part, a lot of Alumnae Associations don't truly know how to conduct the part of inviting or declining someone who is a PNAM. Some GLOs do not invite a PNAM to a function unless she's already been vetted by several members; others will invite someone based on a call from their Headquarters.

In other words, there are so many variables that no one can really give you an answer as to if there's been any sort of decision made. Just hang in there, and I'm sure someone will say something. Good luck!

Thanks Honeychille!

I guess I just wanted to seek out some feedback on this just to see what some other people experiences had been. I don't want to keep contacting a group if they don't want me! But if they do and there are just things going on and they just haven't had a chance to get back to you, then you could seem like a psycho. And then if you back off on your communication, you could seem uninterested. It's such a fine line between any of those scenarios I just wanted to see what others had to say (so I can attempt to avoid any of those above listed scenarios!) :)

Hey ecipidelta! You could always drop a "feeler." LOL. I know that sounds terrible! If you have their email address, just send them a polite email saying something like, I hope you had a safe and happy July 4th. That way they might go oh yea and think you are polite for thinking about them. If not,they might go huh, ok and delete. Either way, it doesn't make you sound like a stalker in my lil opinion and you may get a response. :) Keep your head up and think positive...;)

Again, to reiterate, it's the summer. Many AA's take a break for the summer, many times officers change over the summer, etc.

And like honeychile said, AA is NOT a common thing. Many AA groups would have no idea how to deal with it. They have no idea what the procedures are. And quite frankly, if they don't know much about it, they may even think it's really weird that someone keeps contacting them about it.

It gets frustrating to read various AI threads (not singling out this thread- i've seen this in pretty much all of the threads) of the PNAM being constantly impatient about the AI process. AI is a very rare privilege. It is not a guarantee, it is not a right. As has been said by so many people, it's a process that, if successful, can take a very long time, sometimes years. I have seen so many threads this summer that talk about "why aren't they getting back to me?", etc. This still continues even after it's been explained why they may not be getting back to a PNAM right now. I know it can be hard to be patient, but you (collective "you") knew up front getting into this process that it can take a long time and that AI is NOT a common thing at all. The group may not be getting back to you because they don't know if they should, or maybe they don't think you're a good candidate and are trying to be polite. We don't know.

There are a lot of national/international officers that read these boards, and it really would not take them long to figure out who you are if you are trying to AI into their group. Just as we caution PNMs to be careful with what they say in their rush threads, AI's should be just as, if not more, careful. You're even easier to identify.

/rant about this summer's crop of PNAI's

More specific advice to the OP:
It seems that your life is sorta in transition right now. I personally would advise waiting until you know what you're going to do (i.e. law school, etc.) before you really pursue the AI process. You don't know where you're going to be, etc. It would be a shame for you to pursue AI and then move to a place where there wasn't an Alumnae Association for that group. If your life is in transition and there's a good possibility you would be changing locations, don't waste an AA's time if chances are you're not going to be there. Wait until you have some more stability in your life.

With all of this going on in your life- why now?

If you do get into and decide to attend law school, trust me, that will be more than enough to keep you busy!

Yes, Kddani, you're very right regarding AI being rare. And as you correctly pointed out... many people in many organizations aren't quite sure what the procedures are. This can cause delays, miscommunications, dropped balls, etc.

And here-in lies the problem. In my case, had I not continued to ask questions, I would still be waiting. I fell through the cracks through no fault of anyone-- just that, AI is so rare, it turned out that some of the people trying to get my situation moved ahead didn't fill out the correct paperwork, and things dropped to a complete stand still.

Looking back at my e-mails, nearly an entire year elapsed at one point with no contact from anyone in the organization. (the whole process took three years-- and I wasn't even seeking AI! I didn't know there was such a thing. It was suggested to me by our district president.) What was I to think when so much time elapsed with no contact? It turns out that it WASN'T because they didn't want me.. but rather that everyone involved thought everything was taken care of. I later found out, everything WASN'T taken care of. Again, through no fault of their own. They just didn't know.

A kind soul on Greek Chat made some inquiries on my behalf, and was able to find out where the ball had been dropped to get things moving for me again.

Prior to that, there were so many times that I didn't know if I should continue to contact the organization, or if I should throw in the towel. Not being psychic, it's so hard to know if a GLO has decided not to admit you in, or if someone just forgot to fill out a piece of paperwork. Are you being assertive by keeping contact, are you being a pain? It's so hard to know when you're crossing the line.

I can't blame the PNAMs for being frustrated. It's far kinder to receive a "sorry, you're not for us" than being left to dangle in the wind.

Since this whole AI concept is so rare and relatively new to most organizations, there generally isn't any one specific person appointed to handle that. Maybe there should be... and maybe that will come in the future.

(edited to add that Kddani is correct that the summer is often very slow. People are on vacation, alumnae chapters generally stop until fall, and many groups are busy with convention. My opinion: I wouldn't advise any followup contact until September or October.)

If you are that frustrated with us (collective us) then why read the threads? What we need is support and some questions answered, not someone to rant at us like we are kids. Yes, we know it is rare. Yes, we know it is a very special honor. Can that still mean we are impatient? Sure why not? Weren't you (collective you to everyone who rushed in college) impatient or nervous for your final bid to come? Why can't we be impatient for that final vote to come down (in my case) or waiting for that first contact back? I wouldn't even call it impatient; I would put it down as anxious. Sorry, I normally bite my tongue in times like this, but I just get sick of people ranting about this and that when all the person needs is support, especially when it includes me since I am part of this summer's "crop." The same exact thing happened on one of my threads, in the aspect of someone feeling the need to rant, but we are all allowed our opinions. Ecupidelta, whatever you think is right at this point in your life, go for it. Follow your heart (I know it sounds mushy, but it is so true).
P.S. Hmmm...crop..I so claim corn. Ecupidelta..do you want to be soybeans?:D Maybe someone else could be wheat, pumpkins, oats, hay...

Hang in there, ladies. I certainly did not wait for the "ideal" time in my life to AI.

That being said, it is always important to evaluation all factors when making a major decision about anything.

I would suggest using this advice from BlueAngel.....

"A kind soul on Greek Chat made some inquiries on my behalf, and was able to find out where the ball had been dropped to get things moving for me again."

Find someone willing to assist.

And yes, summer is a VERY slow time for alumnae groups as they prepare for the upcoming year, most of them won't have events until Aug/Sept. It can also be very busy at the headquarters level. I know ours is incredibly busy since we just finished convention and our financial year ends July 31.

But I will agree with kddani, going on and on about the waiting isn't a way to cause people to want to help you........

Ok.... this thread is about a heartbeat away from being a train wreck! All I wanted was some feedback on how long others have waited AFTER they have MET with a group (which FYI I did meet with once the summer began). I never expected the rants that have shown up about my question! :eek: I never thought asking a question would be construed as complaining about how long it takes!!!! I doubt this will stop anybody but I respectfully ask that the rants find there way somewhere else. I asked the questions that I have because I want feedback and another viewpoint. I don't per se want the "sunshine blown up my butt" but I don't want to feel like I've been beaten over the head either. I don't ask that everything be sugar-coated but I do ask that it at least be fairly nice!!!!! All I wanted was the take of other PNAM's! I know every experience is NOT the same, but I still wanted to know what some of them had to say.

Oh and as to why now.... b/c I feel that this is the right time in my life. I took into account that I MIGHT be going to school. Notice the word MIGHT. I have not applied to any school and even if I apply it clearly does not guarantee that any of them will take me. And if by some chance they do... well that's a bridge to cross when I get there, not before.

And thank you to those of you who sent some warm words my way!

As for my crop..... strawberries.... :D I love them!!!

For my crop, I'll take a nice vintage of grapes.

I'm waiting till this extremely busy month at work is over to contact a local person that I was given the name and email of for one of the organizations. I'll also re-contact the person that first wrote me about it if I don't hear back from her again.

And I'm focusing on two organizations for now, rather than spreading myself thin. These two have philanthropies that are really meaningful to me- and for not so obvious reasons.

To answer your question before all the rants started, I think the waiting period really depends on how each sorority approaches AI. We don't know which sorority it is b/c everyone reveals at the end of their AI journey for preserve disclosure. For some it takes a few months and other a couple of years. I think a gauge of PNAM's waiting period really does not give you any insight b/c there are too many variables involved. Treat your experience as your own and whatever time it takes, it takes. That goes with anything that requires a waiting period in life. Take it as it comes, distract yourself in other things and if you believe too much time b/w communication/exchanges (more like 4 months) then call to see what's going on, many times it could be you were lost in the shuffle for whatever reason.

I know very little about AI, but I do know if they did not want you, they will tell you so in a nice and respectful way.

I have made myself more familar with the AI process, with my own sorority, and with a friend who is persuing her options, and I feel I just need to say this: In SOME NPC sororities, AI is rare or unheard of or not done. In others, this is simply not true. Some sororities have really developed their AI program as an active part of their AA. Each group is different, and while in XYZ, you may have to have been in a local that was absorbed, or in CDE you may have to be an advisor for a zillion years or a nobel peace prize winner to qualify...in other groups it may have started to become a common process. Let's stop saying ALL ALUMNA INITIATION IS RARE AND A WONDERFUL PRESTIGIOUS HONOR, because you don't know what other groups do about it, unless you look into it. These ladies are working hard to make their dreams come true and deserve some support. I applaud these ladies whether they spend years and jump through 200 hoops to get there, or whether they sign a check and are initiated 3 days later. It is up to each NPC to decide, and up to each lady which and how many groups they choose to persue.

All I can really say to your post is huh? Since when? I think i've talked with people from the great majority of NPC groups about AI over the past 2 years or so, and you're the first person I have ever heard say this.

I know that SK's AI process is about as straight forward as our recruitment process, or perhaps our COB/CR process today. That doesn't mean everyone is familiar with it, or that it happens every day of course, but it's in the handbook as it were.

It IS an honor, but just because it's the Purple Heart (hee SK) doesn't make it the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Capice?

Oh sweet grapes!!!!!!! Are you making your own wine? :D After all of this I could use a bottle or two! :)

I think that's a broad brush and really I think AI is rare b/c not many have heard of this process. From what I have gathered, it's very rare and not accepting at the rate that you would see at recruitment or else why would it take so long for someone to become an AI.

Seriously, I think the ranting should stop and go to another post b/c it's really overshadowing ecupidelta's journey and experience which is not fair to her. I think we should respect that there is differing views about AI and focus on her journey. She asked a question and hopefully she got an answer so move on and do it in another thread.

Ecupidelta- I only have made wine in microbiology class. I still love wine. And grape juice. Hence I picked grapes as my crop.

You did just take A-frog's message completely out of context however.. she agrees with you.

I know there have got to be some other PNAM's out there reading this thread.... join in the fun and pick a crop. So far we have corn strawberries and wine. (That way it keeps things going until I have anything to report! and also it takes what could have been a very negative thing and turns and spins it into something very funny! :)

Oh but I do have a phone interview on Monday for a job!
Thanks Duchovnysfan!!

Goes out to water the crops... detassel the corn, and weed the strawberries and make sure the grapevines are climbing...

I can also walk soybeans! :)

Just my form of encouragement!

Hahaha..ya'll crack me up
p.s. thanks for the detasseling...:p

No problem, I'm a Midwestern girl!

See..I'm in Ohio and I never quite know where we are..are we Midwest? I know we are North..but other then that..we are oddball I know a tiny bit about farms. 4H was founded in my hometown, so I was in that a few years. I teach though, at a school where corn is painted on the roads, and there is a statue "whittled" if you may out of an old tree stump, made into the shape of an ear of corn. No joke. It is even painted. Ok now I won't talk about farms any longer on your thread ecupidelta..sorry :o Back to your AI story..lol...

Damn, I'm jealous. All I got to make in my microbiology class was uneatable yogurt with E. coli in it.

ETA: MJo19, you're in the midwest. Everything west of Philadelphia is considered midwest. :p

I always loved how Those States were in the Northwest of us and actually in the (?) (Land) and of us in Ks, Mo. Ne. Ar. Ok, Ia. N nas S Dakota and others were no where?;) They actually are N E of Us.

History moves slowly!:p

Eh..geography was never really my strongest subject..that is why I teach reading!:p

I don't know what Ohio would really be classified as. I was saying you're in the Midwest because everyone I know that's from Ohio or Pittsburgh gets very, very upset when anyone says those areas are part of the midwest.

What do they get mad about? What do they think we are classified as?

Man, I was gonna pick grapes, living in the weingau area of Germany... but, since my second home in Europe is Spain, I'll choose olives. :) I love olives. Hey, if we can get somebody to tend some cows, we could have a killer wine and cheese party. :D

*Herds the cows* *Milks the cows* *Makes cheese*

WTF do you do to olives? Um... *waters olives*

Everyone good?

Ok

/not a farmer, but a Midwestern girl

This cracks me up!!
When I was little and we were out visiting grandparents or someone, Dad would let us know that it was time to go by saying, "it's time to feed the chickens!"

The closest thing we had to a farm was a couple of tomato plants:p

This is awesome!!!!!! Thanks for the encouragement! And thanks to everyone who made this fun!!! The AI process can be stressful so I am grateful for this fun distraction ;) And as for what each state is classified as... all I know is that I live in the south and no one here in NC has any arguments with that!!! Now I grew up in Delaware...... I never thought of that as a northern state but when I tell people that down here.... whew, they love to tell me that I grew up a Yankee!

Oh and some AI related news..... while this thread was heading for derailment I had said that any group that i had not already heard from prior to the start of summer I didn't expect to. Guess what? I did hear from one!!!!! My 2nd group (Manolo) got in touch with me. I have heard from someone here locally and we are trying to set up a time to meet!!! Yeah!!!! :) Some good news after all!!

Yay!!
 

That's terrific, ecupidelta! I couldn't be happier for you (especially since I LOVE Manolos)! I guess this process is a lot like tending to crops... the seed's been planted, your "watering" and "weeding", now it's time to sit back and watch the fruits of your labor grow... maybe you'll find "roots" soon enough!:D Oh, Lord, help me. I really know how to just beat a metaphor to death!!! But congrats on the news, anyway. :)

You know scbelle, I had never thought of it like that.... we really are "tending our crops". That's actually a beautiful metaphor!

This is a funny random thought but when we first went onto the crop tangent and Scandia brought up grapes all I could think of was the episode of "I Love Lucy" where Lucy and Ethel were stomping on the grapes. I thought maybe we could all get together, make some wine, and wait to hear back from our respective groups! :D

Well, I'm glad you liked the way overdone metaphor. :) And, yeah, I thought of Lucy and Ethel, too! How funny! I'll make the wine, as long as I get to drink it, too. After all of this, I could definitely use it! Although, I'm on a little high all my own today... I know this doesn't have anything to do with anything, but my hubby got to call me from Iraq today. I'm absolutely blissful right now. :p

That's awesome scbelle!!!!! I can only imagine how good that must feel!!

I'm very happy right now- but for reasons unrelated to AI. I don't know how much I should talk about it, but I am very pleased with what I found. And it will not interfere with AI in any way.

ecupidelta...Hooray for contacts!! Let us know when you make some concrete plans.

scbelle...I'm so glad that you got to talk to your honey. I cannot imagine being away from my husband!

Scandia...Whatever's making you smile, I'm glad:)