GreekChat.com Forums - AIs: "First meeting, now what?"

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(shakes head) Alumnae world is so COMPLETELY different from collegiate world in SO many ways. They really cannot compare. Different age groups, different experiences and on and on. It is almost a different organization.

We have over 800 alumnae in our area. 30 pay dues to the group. What does that tell you? I'll tell you: A very few people feel the lifelong commitment it seems. When a woman who is well qualified, interested, personable, outgoing and financially committed to supporting the glo I think she is MORE of an asset to her GLO than a 4 year collegian who faded away long ago....

Now, back to my hypothetical two children under age four, full time job and husband AND role as officer in my Alumnae group!

Marie

I wasn't going to post, but if she thinks the AI process is "easy" in the NPC, then I'd hate to see how she react to the process for the NPHC groups.:D :p

now back to our regualrly scheduled thread

KillarneyRose gets two snaps and a figure eight. http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmili.../xyxthumbs.gif I haven't laughed this hard in a while. http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/rofl.gif

Thanks to all who have shown us AIs such great support! http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmili...y/luxhello.gif

Quote:

Originally posted by KillarneyRose
I am sure they have more time than I do. My mother did.
Then your mother obviously sat on her a** all day eating Doritos.

#1: I am not going to have a family simply because the job I will get will not be suitable for a family. I am joining the CIA after I graduate from graduate school.
That's well and good, but I know from personal experience that candidates for Central Intelligence Agency training must complete an extensive battery of psychological testing in order to be considered. Perhaps you should work on dislodging that chip on your shoulder before you apply?

#2: As for the mortgage, most people that have one have jobs that pay much more than mine does and they work the same amount of hours as I do but don't have to go to school.
If you can't afford a mortgage, you shouldn't take one on. It's called being "house poor".

#3: As much as school was very much of a choice for me as it was a necessity, it is a CHOICE to have a family. People do NOT have to get married and/or have kids.
Many people feel as strongly about marriage and a family as you do about school.

#4: No, shockingly, I will not be joining an alumnae group BECAUSE OF MY JOB for heaven's sake.
One does not preclude the other. It sounds like you are insinuating that women who doin alumnae chapters don't work outside the home. That's terribly insulting as well as untrue. The reason I no longer work is not because I can't find the time to hold down a job because of my sorority commitments. It is because my husband makes a lot of money and I can afford the things I need and want without working. Sorry if that sounds bitchy, but you pulled the bitch card way before I did.

#5: Most people don't have as many things going on in their lives as much as a college student does. They have a family and maybe a job. WOO HOO! Wish I only had 2 things that stressed me out on a daily basis. The other things that stress people out are self-imposed.
Sweetie, take a reality pill PLEASE! In a few years when you are out there in ADULTLAND, you're going to look back at the statement you made and you're going to be embarassed at what an all-knowing, self-important little twit it makes you sound like! If you are this stressed out handling class, work, volunteer work and your sorority, maybe you belong behind the counter at Burger King 40 hours a week; not in college.

#6: I have to have a job (to pay for school stuff), I have to go to school because it surprisingly enough isn't the 1950s anymore where the woman is severely opressed by her man, and yes, I chose the sorority stuff because I wanted to have a life outside the work and school realms.
Then quit yipping about everything you "have" to do!

#7: My parents pay for tuition so loans from my college will not be seeking payments for that. I have to pay for everything else (i.e. car insurance and gas, textbooks, sorority bills, apartment, etc.).
You know hunny, a lot of people would say that you're a pampered little lamb because mummy and daddy pay your tuition. Ooooooh, you pay for your car insurance! Ooooh, you pay for gas, Oooooh, you pay for textbooks, blah, blah, blah!!! You think those things make you independant???? Pleeeze! :rolleyes: Sure, it's nice that you chip in, but you're not paying the brunt of it. You're still dependant on your parents.

Also, if you want to discuss this further, you can PM me but this is getting ridiculous because all I did was state my opinion and everyone got their panties in a wad.
If anything, I'm embarassed for you. You can't express yourself in any meaningful, eloquent way, you come off as a whiny, sniveling little snot, and it is very clear that you have little or no idea what you're talking about.

Just to note, you're not the only person who handled class, job, sorority and volunteerism. I did that, in addition to holding an editorial staff position on my college newspaper. And I paid the tuition my scholarship didn't cover. And I did a public relations internship. And I graduated early. And I snagged a plum job that was creatively and financially rewarding (though demanding; 60+ hours a week). And I still remained active in an alumnae chapter because being a Delta Zeta does not end when college does. And I paid back my student loans all by myself. And I'm sure I'm not the only woman who has ever done that. So do get over yourself.

But, I'm sure you're, um, a nice person. Afterall, you DID manage to get in a sorority the second time around! Oh, and please don't post explaining how you didn't get a bid the first time because you missed Prefs due to the fact that there was an international crisis and you had to brief the President on the state state of US/Saudi relations or something equally ridiculous and self-serving. 'Cause no one could possibly be as important as you seem to think YOU are :)

MYMYMY...I guess I shouldn't post anything directed to anyone, since it seems that the witch has already taken off on her broomstick.

I do think that y'all are correct in assuming a lack of maturity on Ms. Thing's part. At one point in college I was working THREE jobs, paying EVERYTHING on my own, and have a stack of student loans to prove it! If she would really like to compare stressors, then lets compare...I'm sure I can beat you. My husband (whom I CHOSE to marry) will be deploying to the middle east sometime this week. Last week, I found out I was pregnant, and he will probably NOT be here (in Germany, where NONE of my family is) when I deliver our first child...which I also chose to have. At the same time this is going on, I'm finishing my Master's in Education...also something that I am paying for and chose to do. Should I continue or would you like to hear how hard it is to walk out your door everyday in a country where people hate you? How about the estimated date when my student loans will be paid off?

The most ironic part is that when I was in college, I thought things could not nearly be as tough as they are right now. Boy was I wrong. The reason that people get jobs and have families is because they see it as a normal HEALTHY part of life...much like your choice to focus on your career and nothing else, will make you quite a target for other belittling. I'm sure that you, your job,and your twenty cats will be quite happy in retirement in the backwoods of Montana. Do not degrade others for the choices that we make, as they are our choices and we are not bitching about making them. When you are truly on your own, then you let us know what's it's like.

If you chose to respond, the only acceptable response is a thank you to my husband for fighting for your right to spew incoherent, uneducated, crap from your mouth.

For the PNAM's and AI's...I did not know that this was possible when I first came to GC. Therefore, I EDUCATED myself on it before stating my opinion and looking like a fool. It is very naive of you to assume that bonds of sisterhood only exist amongst your collegiately linked sisters. I have started a group for women involved as military members, military spouses, or other government agencies as a support group. Not a single one of our members is from my chapter, but I feel closer to them than some of the girls I went to school with! And, most of us have never met face to face! If ANY women decided that she wanted to be a part of the sisterhood that DG shares, I would be HONORED to share that with them...regardless of the who's and why's of they didn't pledge as a collegian. You mentioned money, but as far as I'm concerned the time and effort these women devote to an organization is far more valuable then the money that I spent in college. Because, I guarantee that these women know how to appreciate it!

Okay...I'll stop...it's not good for the baby! LOL!

Adrienne

p.s. KilarneyRose...you crack me up!

I must also agree with Adrienne (ajuhdg). My husband is also serving our country in the Army and I live in Germany which has anti-war protests but as you can clearly tell "does not have a dog in this fight" so to speak. Well, it sorta makes my blood boil. So if you think your life is stressful well at least you an American living in America! As for the AIs, I think its a great idea! They sometimes have pics of them in our magazine and they always look so happy to have joined DG. And I'm glad they are happy. I would be lost in this country without my sisters. They have been a huge help to me getting adjusted! So I believe in the alumnae experience! I also believe that the women in the 1950s weren't surpressed and as you may have noticed back then people actually parented their children and the divorce rate was lower! :)

Quote:

Originally posted by scpiano211

#2: As for the mortgage, most people that have one have jobs that pay much more than mine does and they work the same amount of hours as I do but don't have to go to school.

#4: No, shockingly, I will not be joining an alumnae group BECAUSE OF MY JOB for heaven's sake.

#7: My parents pay for tuition so loans from my college will not be seeking payments for that. I have to pay for everything else (i.e. car insurance and gas, textbooks, sorority bills, apartment, etc.).

#2 Really, a lot of people that have first and second mortgages do not have the money - which is why they have a mortgage. My father is the only one in my family with a steady job and even that hasnt been steady. It is not all a "cake walk" in the real world sweetie.

#4 I am a 22 year old undergrad who happens to be alumna. I am very active with my chapter AND in the alumna world. Why would you NOT want to stay involved with your org if it "means so much to you" as you say?

#7 Try having to pay for everything yourself, and I mean EVERYTHING.

Thank you very much.

Sorority - its not just 4 years its 4 life.

Quote:

Originally posted by scpiano211

#1: I am not going to have a family simply because the job I will get will not be suitable for a family. I am joining the CIA after I graduate from graduate school.

The CIA sounds like an excellent goal, and would be an exciting career.

However, don't be too narrow in your expectations for anything. Stay open to possibilities. Life will offer you lots of interesting opportunities and choices (good and bad, expected and unexpected). You are strong enough to stand up for what you believe in, want, and need... that's great! But also try to be flexible enough to deal with what life hands you.

College is apparently a challenging time for you, but it is just 4 (or so) years of your life. DECADES lie ahead after that, and who knows what they could bring? Be ready for them by knowing what you want AND by being receptive to the new... you may be surprised at how far you go!

It is my sincere hope that decades from now when you look back at the path you've walked, there will be very few regrets (we all have them) and LOTS of satisfaction.

peachy

Quote:

Originally posted by sugar and spice
First of all, if you think that getting initiated as an alumna is easier than going through rush, that shows how little you know about the process. Go through and read some of the threads about women who have initiated as alumnae. During my collegiate rush experience, all I had to do was go to some parties, make small talk and then I got a bid. These potential alumnae initiates must go through a process which is far more involved, far longer, and most of the time more difficult than collegiate rush. It is not "the easy way out." Were you subjected to a full background check before recruitment? Probably not. Did you have to spend months waiting to see if a group was going to invite you back? No. Were you only supposed to approach one group (or at the most, maybe two) at a time? No.

Not to mention that a family is a full-time job, 24 hours seven days a week, especially if you have young kids. And those who also have a job outside of the home will be working 40-60 hours a week. Personally, I think that's a little more stressful than college, and this is coming from someone who goes to school just as much as you do, balances homework, volunteer work, a boyfriend, and sorority, and has worked a job while at school in the past (although I don't currently). I think you are going to be disappointed if you expect "the real world" to be less stressful than college.

Sugar and spice, You have summed up what i have been thinking all through out this thread. thank you :D

I was not going to get involved in this mud slinging fight with the misinformed "CIA "spy barbie" wanna be" thinks or blurts out there to cause chaos among us, but i will say i find her remarks down right insulting!

I had so many barriers against me in college to pledge and i never got to exp the bonding in college. But i will tell you my Alpha Phi sisters don't see AI written all over me they see Laura who is also an A Phi just like them. If that isn't bonding then i don't know what is! I am a PROUD AI and i am very active in my Alumnae chapter as VP of Membership and am looking to get more involved when time lets up to get involved hopefully with a coll chapter.

AI is the hardest thing to do. Don't get me wrong i was very blessed to approach my initation the way i did. It took me 6 months total. and i love every moment of being a A Phi! But i will tell you the road leading from college graduation in 95 to June of last yr was hard. I searched out a few GLOs who had the possiblity o f AI and all three either ended in heart break or nothing becoming of it.

I have heard in many replies that during formal rush, "sit pretty , make small talk and get a bid"...if AI was that easy life would be a happy place. AI you put yourself out there for display and got to prove why you want to become aprt of the sisterhood. Ladies.....that is hard! You really want to want it to make it thru some processes of AI that i have heard about. There is no easy way in.

some of my sisters on here will tell you how much anxiety i went thru waiting and wondering if i was in or not. Satx*aphi will tell you as she calmed me down a few times. formal rush is 3 to 4 days...AI is a lot longer ....try months! I would do it all over again knowing i would be a Alpha Phi !:D:):D

with wanting to be an AI as much as we all wanted to and what we went thru not to mention shouldering work, family, school and other outside commitments i think AIs are a great breed of sisters because we worked hard to get where we are at and show our love and pride of being a member of a GLO. i say WE ROCK THE HOUSE!:D

PROUD PROUD member of ALPHA PHI dang it!
ALUM INITATE 2002!
Laura:D

Quote:

Originally posted by scpiano211
This year alone I applied to be on exec, Rho Gamma (Chi), and Peer Mentor and was rejected all three times. What is wrong? I asked why I wasn't chosen and everytime they tell me that it wasn't me as a person and they had a lot of very qualified people applying. I mean obviously there is something wrong with me to be rejected 3 times in a row. Will I never be good enough for these people? I mean I am graduating in December so it's not like I wouldn't be here to do it. I have the time to do it and am very qualified

Poor little thing, bless her heart, seems to be in need of "People Skills 101" I can just imagine her interviews. :eek:

Q: It says on your resume that you're taking 36 credits this semester, working 60 hours a week, singlehandedly building a new home for an underprivleged family of 12 and are an outside consultant to the United Nations to boot. How do you expect to find the time to serve in this position?

A: Um, excuse me , but you forgot to mention how I'm working diligently to save the Purple Panamanian Fruitfly from extinction and developing cure for athletes foot while simultaneously paying for the insurance on the car my parents bought me

Q: Next!

A: Did you know that I'm the one that invented "The Clapper"?

Q: Please leave.

A: Clap on {clap, clap}, Clap off {clap, clap}, Clap on, clap off....

Q: Security!!!!!

some of you GCers definately have a future in comedy writing!

LMAO

killarneyrose,

you are really funny! :D

Quote:

Originally posted by scpiano211
thank you. I just didn't want to drag MY specific letters in it. Even if I weren't in my particular sorority I would probably see it the same way because I know lots of people not join because they didn't join in college. I didn't even really know it existed until we initiated a lady as an alumnae and I didn't agree with initiating those out of school. To me, people can see it as an "easy in" if they don't join while in college and they'll in turn pay much cheaper dues. Also, I just don't see it as fair to people like myself that had to go through Recruitment 2 times to get into a sorority. I mean I have to work a job, maintain 15 to 17 hours worth of school, volunteer, and do things with my sorority. Whereas someone that's an alumnae, they will just deal with a possible career and a possible family.

My mother, a PNAM, couldn't AFFORD to be in a sorority in college because she was putting herself through a private school. "Easy in?" I doubt it. Sororities are not about dues, they are about sisterhood. I highly doubt women say "I won't join in college, I'll do it afterwards and not pay dues!" I don't think any PNAM with that as her motivation would make it far withmost groups. Women who are alums have careers and families (everybody has a family...), and they too volunteer, belong to churches, and do things with their sororities. I think you have a very exclusive attitude going on. What if a woman was a triple-threat legacy to ZTA but went to a college that didn't have a chapter? Rather than join a group there, she waited until graduation because there was nothing but ZTA for her. You think she wouldn't be a good member because she didn't pay nm fees? That's ridiculous.

Quote:

Originally posted by tnxbutterfly
I wasn't going to post, but if she thinks the AI process is "easy" in the NPC, then I'd hate to see how she react to the process for the NPHC groups.:D :p

now back to our regualrly scheduled thread

She probably doesn't think they're real, becuase they don't have Formal Recruitment. :p

I just have to say that I heart KillarneyRose! :D

All of you are just cracking me up with your responses to this chick. Too bad nothing seems to be getting through to her.

One last thing:

ROCK ON, ALUMNAE INITIATES! You guys are the ones who join for all the right reasons from the start, which is more than I can say for many who joined as collegiates (myself included). I thought I knew what being in a sorority was all about while I was in college, but being an alumna has taught me so much more. AI's have it the best because you get to jump right to the best part!

killarney rose- i just about peed my pants! you are wonderful!!!