Second wind? No.

Breaking wind? Definately.

Because negativity stinks.

I "definately" don't understand what that means.

What you call negativity is what some of us call honesty.

One of the main arguments for the con side here seems to be that AI shouldn't be sought, that discussion about AI should only be prompted by the sorority itself.

I have to ask: if that's true then why do some sororities initiate women who made the first contact about AI? If the organization truly feels that AI is only for women who are approached first by the organization, they have it within their power to swiftly and permanently turn down any and every woman who contacts them first. However, according to threads in this forum, there have been plenty of women who have AI sorority shopped and been initated just fine. If you feel that AI should never be sought is a different issue from what the sorority feels on the subject. If the organization truly agreed with you, wouldn't this be a non-issue?

I'm not in a sorority, but I think the answer to your question is simple.

That's sorority business!! If some organizations decide to initiate AI's who "shopped" around, then that's their right to....but in no way should that be looked up as an "in." It doesn't happen often, and those were few lucky ladies. I'm assuming its the part of the role of "membership selection" which is PRIVATE (if i'm wrong, please let me know!! :D )

I tend to agree with everyone else...I don't think that AI should be publicized on a forum. I think it would be too easy for someone to just randomly come upon GC and find these other AI threads which make AI sound so easy.

It should be something that is offered...not something that is chosen.

I understand that the specifics of membership selection are private; that is not the issue. Nearly all of these "con" people are saying that AI should not be sought, but all of the sororities who are AIing women who seek them clearly are not opposed to the practice. If they were, then they wouldn't be initiating these women.
Bottom line is that these members who say that AI shouldn't be sought aren't the ones who make that decision, the leaders of the organization make that decision and these women shouldn't be trying to change their groups' existing policies.

That's right...they may not have a way to change their organizations policy...but they at least have a right to want to change GREEKCHAT'S policy on allowing an Alumnae Initiation forum.

...
But their reason for wanting to change Greekchat's policy is their idea that AI should never be sought. About which (most of) their organizations obviously disagree with them.

I wouldn't be so quick to assume that.

While our organizations do have leaders, much of our policies are debated and decided on by collegiate/alumnae voting members of the Fraternity.

I've heard of business meetings at Conventions (both my org and other orgs) where the debates have gotten so heated because some of the topics are so sensitive -- membership's usually a sensitive issue to many people. I know of several GCers here who sat through recent Conventions when the AI issue was brought up for discussion.

So, while the current policy regarding AI stands, if members strongly feel that it needs to be amended, they can can initiate a push to bring this up to the Fraternity for review.

Touche.
But then shouldn't they wait for these changes to go through officially before going around and preaching them? Isn't that the way this would work with any other policy change?

I don't see why they should wait.

Again, if they feel strongly about it then they should be allowed to voice their concerns all they want and possibly gain more support at the same time.

I've only been in my organization for a few short years, but in my conversations with longtime members of the Fraternity, membership policies (that I obviously won't go into here) have evolved over time, and not all things are set in stone.

If members feel the need for change (and this is not limited to AI), it certainly isn't impossible.

GDIfly - Not every single NPC sorority has the same policy on AI. Some sororities will let sorority shoppers know that AI does not work for them unless they are the one to approach the woman. Some won't let them know and just won't return the calls.

Some sororities don't mind that women call on them. Sometimes it depends on the alum. chapter. Once again, all of their own information on why they may or may not initiate a person is theirs and theirs alone.

The stories on GC are not representative of the rest of the other however-many million women there are in the US. Just because you have 20 (or whatever the number is) women here who became initated via AI, does not mean it's a common thing.

Many feel that GC has created a marketplace for AI. And that is not how the programs were intended.

Don't forget to add that some meet women on the internet and get help/sponsored that way so they can shop, but it will end up looking like the PNAM was sought after by a member.

GDIfly.... just because we are members of organizations, it doesn't mean we don't have our own opinions. Maybe some of these orgs are ok with "shopping", and the members don't like it. There are business meetings at conventions for a reason.

To be honest, I am quite upset about those who sorority shop, especially those who wind up receiving invitations somewhere after pledging love for A, then B, then C, then D and finally E. As for the comparisons to rush, it is utterly ridiculous. They are two different animals and should be treated as such.

However, I am very supportive of AI in general. We have terrific sisters who are honor initiates, and we are a better organization having them in the sisterhood. I do not know how they came to be sisters, so I cannot really make any judgments on the being invited versus being invited after seeking out debate. I am just thankful for these terrific sisters.

As for this AI forum, the word trainwreck comes to mind. I like the NPHC way of dealing with it and think it is a good resolution. If they cannot find out the information for themselves or are not invited independently, I cannot see how they have the requisite maturity to become a sister anyway.

Maybe I am just being naive to this, as I am new on this board, but this is how I see it at this particular point in time.

I haven't seen one person who was/is completely against AI. I don't think there's anyone who seriously thinks that AI should never be used. But, you are right in that a lot don't think that people should sorority shop. I would say that you are wrong about the headquarters disagreeing. I think the fact that AI information is very scarce now on most sites is evidence that they are wanting to stop the sorority shoppers.