I've been reflecting a lot this summer on my college experiences and my various avenues to greek membership. I thought it may be an appropriate time to update my story.

Before I do that, since the whole premise of my story was that it has a different ending, I find it most appropriate that I preface the update with a disclaimer. My collegiate experiences as a greek (though different from NPC) were through SAI and PhiSP. Membership in those organizations provided me with friendships, rituals, leadership experience, bigs/lils, formals, service projects, etc. Pretty much anything an NPC chapter would do. Membership in these organizations should not be discounted and the time I shared with them does not dim because of my newly acquired association.

Any PNM who finds themselves in a situation similar to mine or in an NPC group they didn't love during recruitment should remember: What you put into something is what you get out of it. While re-reading my story, I noticed that I posted not feeling a close connection with my SAI sisters. By the time I graduated, I'd become a vital member of the chapter and very close with a girl from my pledge class. Two years after my initiation, I was awarded the Sword of Honor which is given to members who have demonstrated exemplary service to the chapter and university community. SAIs are some of my cherished friends to this day. I'm a very active SAI alumna and was recently interviewed and quoted in an article about alumnae development for our national magazine.

Whatever situation you find yourself in, stick it out or push through it. You'll find it or it will find you. Being rejected from an NPC sorority did not end me and it won't end you. Life will go on and you'll find whatever it is you're meant to be a part of, that I can promise you. And, when acceptance does meet your doorstep, you'll hold it's privileges dearer than anyone it came to easily.

I didn't realize how long that post got. I'll post the update....soon.:rolleyes:

I'm dying to know where AGD fits into all of this :)

Post #7 might give you a clue :)

Hmmm... she's a legacy through her sister, whose chapter she got really close with. Other than AI, I really have no idea. AlwaysSAI, don't leave me hanging! Your story is so awesome, I wanna hear the update :)

My collegiate years were a blur after finding a place in two great organizations on campus.

The senior re-dedication for both my organizations was on the SAME DAY. Phi Sig came and went and I was unexpectedly unemotional. It was strange. The SAI ceremony was a different story. I started bawling while we were standing in the hallway in line to clasp in. It was harder than I thought it would be to leave behind a chapter I had watched grow and flourish.

I graduated (just tenths of a point away from "with honors") and accepted a job in this teeny-tiny country town. The job market for teachers was terrible when I graduated, so I took the first job that I was offered and moved two hours away.

I dove into alumnae activities with SAI. I found out there was a group of women working to re-charter the alumnae chapter in my area. Within weeks of joining, I was asked to take on a leadership role within the group and have taken the lead on our efforts to recruit alumnae. Sadly, Phi Sig doesn't have a large alumni presence.

I started my job the following fall and my sister started her graduate studies at her alma mater.

Shortly before classes and chapter activities resumed in the fall, my sister asked me for a list of my college activities with SAI and Phi Sig. After about a week, my sister and I had the following conversation. (There's not really a reason for including this, I just thought it was funny.)

Twin: "AlwaysSAI, you haven't sent me that list yet! I need it."
Me: "I'm done with 07-08 and I'm working on 08-09."
Twin: "Wait, you're separating it by year?"
Me: "Yeah. And organization."
Twin: "Did you really do that much.....?
Me: I started listing what I did....
She interrupted me and said: "Wow. OK. Just finish it and send it to me."

About a week or so later, I completed the list and emailed it to her. It was at this point, that she told me that she was presenting a recommendation to her collegiate chapter that I be initiated as an alumnae member. I questioned her on this. I wasn't sure this should be happening. What she said to me, I'll never forget. "AlwaysSAI, you are meant to be an Alpha Gam. You have lived up to Alpha Gam's most sacred teachings through your service to SAI and Phi Sig." She later told me, "You have done more work for your organizations than I've seen many members of greek row do. The chapters on your campus may not have seen you fit for membership, but the AGDs on my campus love you. And AGD deserves a member like you."

Later that night, she told me that the vote was affirmative and that the recommendation now had to be voted on by another group.

Now, here I was sure it wouldn't go any further. The AGDs on my sister's campus had known me for years. Of course, they voted for me. Every time I visited, they lobbied me to transfer. But, another group? There was no way it would pass.

In early November, I opened my mailbox upon returning home from work. In it was an envelope addressed to me from Alpha Gamma Delta HQ. I immediately called my sister before I even stepped away from the mailbox. "Um, sis,..." I said hesitantly, "I got a letter from Alpha Gam today." She squealed with excitement, "OPEN IT!"

And, the letter read (in part):
The alumnae members of Alpha Gamma Delta have recommended you for alumnae membership in our Fraternity. International Council is happy to extend this invitation to you.

It was official. I was going to become a member of Alpha Gamma Delta. I had 500 questions for my sister. Do I need to attend a pledging ceremony? Do I get a membership manual? Will you help me learn the history? When do I take the membership exam?

To my disappointment, none of those things were required for alumnae initiates. But, I was determined to learn them anyway. I was being honored as an alumnae initiate--this is something that should not be taken lightly.

What a beautiful ending to your story, I'm so happy that you shared this :)

I love your story, as I am also one who NPC Recruitment didn't work out, but I found my home in SAI. I'm so proud to be your sister. :)

And, I am honored to call you a sister as well. (B.C.H.Y.W.) I am quite honored to call myself an SAI. Did you get the last Pan Pipes? I am the big quote on the center of pg. 16 and pictures of my alumnae group are scattered throughout.

Dude, I'm not done yet. :)

I did not immediately accept the invitation from International Council. No matter what my sister's opinion, I felt that being honored as an alumnae initiate deserved serious thought. I wasn't going to just join AGD so I could call myself an NPC member--for me to do it, it had to be more than just because I was a legacy.

I reflected on my time with the girls of AGD. I remembered attending the Red & Buff formal in the winter of 2006. How the sisters shifted their actual dates around, so one of them could officially escort me. I remembered how, when my car broke down on my way for a visit, a group of them came to pick me up and when they arrived, they cradled me as I cried over my car. And, the formal of 2007, the sisters gathered to take a chapter picture but wouldn't let anyone snap, until I was in place. Any time I came to visit, the sisters of the chapter treated me as their own. Most of all, I remembered how the sisters rallied around me as I searched for acceptance at my university and celebrated with me upon my two initiations.

I wasn't privy to the inner meanings of Alpha Gamma Delta--but I knew her heart. If these women were at all indicative of her entire membership I knew I was honored to have been invited. I decided I had to accept. It was the only way I could give back to the fraternity that had given so much of it's own heart to me.

In early December, I was initiated as a sister of Alpha Gamma Delta. Many of the alumnae that knew me heard word of my initiation and came back to the chapter to witness it. Two different sisters had even saved me a set of sisterhood ribbons from the week's previous activities. The chapter had even assigned me a sister-mom that I'd been close with during my collegiate days (that was not my bio sister). Upon leaving the ceremony, I was bombarded by sisters who had known me for years. They couldn't stop talking about how long they had been waiting for me to become their sister. I was inundated with letter shirts, car stickers, cups, jars---it was amazing. Then, it dawned on me-these girls had not just become my sisters--they had been my sisters all along.

Upon returning home, I affiliated with the alumnae chapter in my area. During my first full year, I served as Ritual Coordinator. My second year begins in September and I am serving the chapter as Vice President. I attend any and all Alpha Gam events I am able to. And, my sister-mom has become one of my best friends. The following semester at the Feast of Roses, I received the "It Took You Long Enough" Award.

My journey to Alpha Gamma Delta was a long one, but it was one well worth it.

That's really just a beautiful story!

i love it!! thank you for finishing your story for us.

I sincerely teared up a little. Thanks for telling your story!

thank you for sharing your story. AGD is lucky to be able to claim you!