Alumna Initiation with Alpha Phi!
 

Hello to my Alpha Phi (and future APhi... valkyrie!) sisters! Per TechAPhi's request, I am starting a thread on my initiation experience. I actually wrote about the initiation on the "Alumni Initiation" thread, under Alumni Involvement.

Prior to initiation, my sponsor and two other alums took me out to dinner at an Asian Bistro restaurant. The food was excellent! After we finished eating, my sponsor presented me with a Phi bear. She said the tradition at her collegiate chapter was for the big sister to give their little sis a Phi bear. My sponsor then said that if I didn't mind, she'd like to refer to herself as my big sis. So sweet! She's been, and still is, an awesome big sister!

We then drove to the collegiate chapter house, where I was to be initiated. By this time I was extremely nervous! I saw the new member class, but I was to be initiated two hours before them. I think the initiated members hoped to use my initiation as practice.

I obviously can't give every detail, but I was led to a room that seemed to exude sacredness. It was that special! I didn't know what I was supposed to say or do, but it turns out the rituals guide the new initiates. What probably surprised me the most was discovering the meaning behind the letters of Alpha Phi. I realized the letters were picked for a reason; they're not random! But with all my nervousness, I can't seem to recall every hidden meaning and ritual within Alpha Phi.

When it was all over, I couldn't believe it. I was now a full-fledged sister of Alpha Phi! Two other alums were also at my initiation, and they gave me big hugs afterwards. I thought it was so nice of them to come by and watch me get initiated.

I know the initiation was just the beginning. I have alot more to learn about Alpha Phi. I need to start learning the songs, too! Other alumnae have told me that I should attend an initiation from time to time, because it's good to be reminded what Alpha Phi is about. I totally agree!

bearal,

Congratulations on your initiation!!

I'm surprised that during your new member education, you weren't told that Alpha Phi's letters actually stand for something. Sorority letters always have a meaning... sad that you weren't told this, but it's great that you have crossed and are SO happy!

Were you given much NM education, or was it mainly about meeting other sisters and alums? Not too familiar with the alum initiation process.

"peachy!"

Congratulations!!!!!!
 

Welcome to our sisterhood! I am so happy for you! Reading about your initiation experience made me remember my initiation day and how excited I was! I was in tears throughout the ceremony. Now you know why Alpha Phi is so special to all of us!

AOE,
Jessica

Peachy-

Thank you! I thought I could've used a New Member education. The alums educated me after my initiation! Oh well! I did receive the Ivy Leaf book from IHQ, which was very informative. Reading through the book just made me more proud and blessed to join such a wonderful organization. I hope to contribute much more to Alpha Phi this year!

ladyj39-

Thank you as well! It's wonderful to meet many Alpha Phis on greekchat. I'd like to attend convention this summer to meet more sisters, but I've been discouraged by the costs.:( How am I going to come up with $1000 plus by March?

Congrats Bearal! I rarely check the alumni forum--but I think I need to start. :)

I am so happy that you had such a positive experience. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. Welcome to our sisterhood. :)

Jen

AWESOME story! Congratulations bearal!

Bearal,

Congratulations and welcome to our wonderful sisterhood! :)

Hooray, Hooray, Hooray!
 

Congratulations to you Valkyrie on your initiation (and to us for getting such a great new sister!). I am so happy to have you among us. I hope your day was beautiful! :)

Congrats again!

Welcome to the sisterhood!
 

Congratulations, valkyrie! I'm so happy for you, and for Alpha Phi! I know you'll contribute much to the organization. Best of all, I'm proud to call you my sister!

Please PM of your initiation experience. Congrats again!

aoe,
bearal:)

Valkyrie,

Congrats on your initiation! Were you initiated at regional conference? How exciting!

aoe,

Laura

Sounds exciting! Congratulations again!

aoe,

Laura

Tracy,

Congratulations on your initiation! I do not know you, but from what others have said, I am glad to say that we are sisters.

I am sponsoring my aunt for alumni initiation that will take place March 15. It is exciting because this is my last initiation before I become an alumni....is there anything I can do to make it even more special for her? She will initiate with about 8 new collegiate members.

Congrats to both you and your aunt. For your aunt, you can give her a few A-Phi hand-made gifts to make the initiation a little more special.

update! (it took me forever to find this old thread)
 

Yes my aunt did initiate on March 15. It was great. During senior talks I ended up going last (out of maybe 10-15 seniors). I ended up making everyone cry! I didnt mean too, but I basically said that through my life my aunt has been the person I have looked up to most, and today I will be able to call her my sister as well. There was more to it, but I cant remember. She wears her pin all the time! Its great. The only problem is the only Colorado alumni chapter is in Denver which is 3 hours north of where she lives. Any advice on helping her get involved? She cant drive up there all the time because her daughter (my maid of honor!) just had a pretty serious back surgery.

I hate waiting to hear what is what with my AI. This is worse the the SATS. :D
Laura

You better let us know as soon as you hear! We'll keep our fingers crossed for you!

Laura

Yes, definitely!!! :)

cutiepatootie, did you get my PM?

Laura and Saxaphi,

I will lewt you know once i hear something. I took the advice of another Alpha Phi( Valkyrie) and emailed headquarters to see if everythingis in order. She said she did and it wouldnt hurt to see where i stand cince the coll chapter initiates monday night. So i hope to hear something today.

SaxAphi...
Yes i did receive your PM, i am sorry i hadnt replied since now. I have been packing for a weekend trip i am chaperoning this weekend as well as haunting my mail box or email to hear something. The reason why i choose Alpha Phi is because from what i saw on here and what i read on the website i knew this is one the place i would feel like i would fit in. I love how Alpha Phi emphasis and cultivates friendship, and encourages the bond in so many ways. I also loved the idea of the a watchgroup for woman and fosters the idea of promoting their health in the range of cardiac care and so many other womans needs.
There is so much i wanted to find in a group that the others would not or could not fullfill. I started my search a long time ago when i left college ( 1995) and the idea of Alumnae Initiations were really unheard of then. The other reason i choose Alpha Phi is not because they offer AI like a lot of others groups do now, but because everything i ever believed in and wanted to belong was offered ten times over in Alpha Phi. In college and through rush you have to make a decisionthat will impact yoru life for life and you only have a few days to make that choice. However i had a lot of time to really perform research and decide where i wanted to go and belong and i feel this decision is the best decision i have made in such a long time.
I don't believe in the concept you buy your sisters. I believe you choose who your sisters are. and by doing that your making a choice to belong with the very best. Alpha Phi has soooo much to offer in sisterhood, choices, philantropy. The question begs to be answered how could i not join such a awesome group with awesome sisters such as Alpha Phi.


Laura

PS if this msg nicks my luck with AI i am going to be sooo sad because i believe is this supersition stuff when i want something so bad. :D :):) hehehe

PS....
 

I can really spell and proof my writing. looking at this last post after i sent it i am ashamed to say i went to college with all my typos and some mispelled words. So you teachers out there be nice :D


laura

cutiepatootie,

I hope everything works out for you. You would be a wonderful addition to our sisterhood. Best wishes!

Hey cutie!

I am very excited for you. Just so you know don't stress if you don't hear from the office *right* away. Our international convention starts next Wed (well Tuesday if you count Chapter Advisor Academy). But someone will get back to you!

Stacey

Update time.....
 

Well i got a reply back from Hq and they never recieved my application and check and letter. So i emailed the preisdent of the alum chptr and she said thats ok we will inititate with the october fall pledge class at the univiersity. So i keep saying to myself october is not that far away! :)

laura

YAY!!!!!!
 

CONGRATS!!! I am so happy for you. I cannot wait to call you my sister. ;)

Ronnie :D

Initiation
 

Welcome bearal and Valkyrie! How exciting for you...

My mother was recently initiated and went through all the same feelings and emotions that you conveyed. It was special to see her be initiated by my collegiate chapter...

I was part of a colony so we were inititated and installed at the same time...Why my mom didn't do it with me then, I don't know as she was such a big part of my chapter's beginning. But she's an Alpha Phi now!!!

So welcome to you both! Glad you are with us and a heartfelt AOE to you!!!

~Maharet:)

Thanks, Maharet! Alpha Phi is awesome!

I've just been slated for a position in the lcoal alum group. I'm excited, and I look forward to giving back to the organization, as well as representing Alpha Phi whereever I go.

Cutiepatootie---
Ugh! I know that feeling of waiting! Just be patient, and you'll be rewarded. It sounds like HQ has already approved your application, so that's a plus. In the meantime, continue to attend your local alum group's events. The ladies will be happy to see you get involved!

aoe,
bearal

Congratulations to ivysis on your aunt getting alumna initiated and to Maharet on your Mom getting alumna initiated!
And to cutiepatootie...I hope that your Alpha Phi dreams come true!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE hearing about women getting alumnae initiated!

Sisterly,
CutiePie2000
A Delta Gamma Alumna Initiate :D
--------------------------------------------
Hi Ladies,

A bit of "shameless self-promotion" here.....:o but since there is so much information out there for collegiate rushees, but nothing for aspiring alumnae initiates, I just wanted to let you know about a post that I put up entitled My Advice to Prospective Alumnae Initiates

If you scroll to the very end, you can see all the NPC groups and any links that they may have to alumnae initiation!

GOOD LUCK!

count down......
 

It is August 25th and i still have months to go until initiation in November. ;) I am a paitent person so i am happy to wait and go to alum events with my sisters. I have sent in my badge and certificate form a few months ago so i will have my badge in time for initiation ( WOO HOO) :D

Y'all need to keep me pumped up because i lied... i HATE waiting! heheheh :)

Hope everyone's summer is going good. i am so ready for the fall/winter. I can't stand heat and hummidity either!

hope to hear from you all later .
Bye for now
Laura

Laura, I'm so excited for you!! You probably already told me, but are you being initiated with a collegiate chapter?

sorry it has taken me long...
 

I am sooo sorry it has taken me long to get back to your question tracy.....I will be initiatating with tthe ladies over at Cal State univ at San Bernadino(Eta Beta Chpt) in November. I received my badge in the mail last week and i keep taking it out of the envelope it came in and can't stop looking at it. I am sooooo HAPPPPPPPPPPPY! :)

Laura

Hooray!
 

I am sooo sorry it has taken me long to get back to your question tracy.....I will be initiatating with tthe ladies over at Cal State univ at San Bernadino(Eta Beta Chpt) in November. I received my badge in the mail last week and i keep taking it out of the envelope it came in and can't stop looking at it. I am sooooo HAPPPPPPPPPPPY!

Laura



That's awesome, Laura! Bet you can't wait to put it on, huh?;)
I so want to be there for your initiation, so hopefully I'll be able to make it. It's almost here; 2 more months!

bearal

[B][COLOR=orangered]

latest update
 

Ok Bearel( allyl) i have lost yoru email and iw as thinking i owe you one! so please email me again. Another thing you better show up to my initiation :):):) hehehehe

Second of all i received my members certificate and little gray card yesterday inthe mail....can we all say YIPPPPPPPPEEEEEE! hehehe

Now i have my badge, my certificate, and my card now the only thing i need is my WHITE DRESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! URRRGGGGHHHH i cannot find on anywhere. i tried valkyrie's idea of Boston proper, i even tried the GAP for the white sheath dress. I am either going to find it somewhere or going to make a sheath dress( with help from my mom of course...because i cannot sew to save my life). if all else fails i can always wear this thick stretchy cotton white sleeveless sundress i have from lane bryant. Urg! heheheh:)

I have two more questions for you all...... Since i have a members number now.... can i sign onto the private side or do i have to wait til after initiation? and 2. can i buy letters and wear them or do i again have to wait til after initiation?????

So many questions and only 2 more months to go! WOOO HOOO

Laura

Laura, you can email headquarters to ask about logging onto the private part of the website. They'll let you know if you can do it (I would think you can but I'm not certain) and how.

As far as wearing letters -- if I'm remembering correctly, I think I read in "The Ivy Leaf" that Alpha Phi considers it hazing to not allow new members to wear letters. So I would assume that you can wear letters, because really I think you are basically a "new member" just not in the "traditional" sense of the word. Anyone please correct me if I'm wrong! :)

OK Cutiepatootie...

You can wear letters NOW... :) Just do it girl!

Look for a skirt and top in white...Try Penny's or the equivalent of Macy's - Eddie Bauer also. Catalogs such as Land's End and Chadwick's may have someting too...You can always make something like you said! I tried to look on the web and when I entered white dresses I got so many sites for Mormon special white underwear!!! LOL!

Congrats...

And having the badge is one of the highlights...I too didn't stop looking at it or wearing it when it came. It was similar to when I got my engagement ring...

Best wishes!

Maharet
:)

Here is a cute white dress, but it's on clearance so I'm not sure if they have many in stock and what sizes they have:

http://jcrew.com/catalog/product.jht...catId=cat43830

I was thinking about ordering one myself. :)

valkyrie...

Hi - This is a very pretty dress, but it runs very small through the chest and length through the waist. I have tried it on at a JCrew store (most of their clothes are smaller - junior cut and while I am quite fit, I am not a junior!!!...)...Granted I am tall, but the chest is very fitted...

Good luck anyways!;)

Maharet

Maharet, thanks for the info!! I certainly don't need anything that runs small through the chest. I always have that problem with dresses -- they're too small on top and too big on the bottom. Oh well, I'll just have to keep shopping -- never a problem!

Hi Ladies,

I have been a GC silent lurker for a very long but wanted to let you know that in December,I too will become an alumna initiate.
I am so tremdously excited about this.The KC area alum chapter is a fabulous group of women.An hour after meeting them I felt like I had known them for years.How crazy is that?Hopefully if all goes well,I will get a whole bunch of sisters for Christmas.

Congratulations! I hope you choose to stick around and chat with us throughout the process and afterward as well. :)

Congratulations!! I'm so thrilled for you.