Im 30 and want to go Greek
 

I apologize if I am in the wrong "room" but wanted to touch the 80's crowd.

I just checked with my sorority and special initiations are available.

I am not talking about one sorority; I am totally there for anyone going Greek - so if my group declares special initiation- do others? Let us list them so all know!!

Greek love! Sue



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"It is not something you just become;
it is something you've always been."

Hello Fellow GreekChatter's

SueXO wrote:
"I just checked with my sorority and special initiations are available."

Thank you Sue for bringing this topic up. Prior to a few days ago, I didn't know this option was available for my GLO. (I had heard as a pledge a long time ago that this option was only available for Alum members of locals that had become affiliated with Chi Omega. Of course times and policies change over two decades.) I think it is wonderful that women who didn't have the chance to be initiated into a sorority while in college still have the option to share in the Greek bonds.

If possible, could GLO members also post on the proper or recommended procedures for special initiations. For example, does the potential new member need to contact the national HQ for an introduction or can this be handled by a local alum group? I am sure this will help answer a few questions for potential new members.

Thanks again Sue-

Happyowl

[This message has been edited by happyowl (edited August 12, 2001).]

When an alumna wishes to be initiated into Alpha Gamma Delta, she is supposed to contact the nearest alumnae chapter or club.

The chapter/club is then responsible for petitioning an invitation from IHQ. IHQ can then extend or deny her an invitation. Alumnae initiation is certainly a gigantic honor as only a few women are initiated each year. These women are usually family members of AGDs and women who have given exceptional service to our campus and community.

As far as fraternity education goes, I have no idea how an alumnae initiate would go about doing that. It's possible that education is similar to our collegiate fraternity education with more emphasis on alumnae responsibilities.

Depending on when the invitation is extended, alumnae initiation usually takes place with the collegians.

I hope this helps.

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A single seed...becomes a Rose of incredible beauty.

A single grain of sand...becomes a Pearl of great worth.

A single great idea...becomes a Century of success.

Go Alpha Gam!

[This message has been edited by OohTeenyWahine (edited August 12, 2001).]

I know that for AOII you also should contact your local alumnae chapter or if you don't know where one is, IHQ can give you the president's name and contact information. Technically the collegiate chapter that you will be initiating into has to vote on whether your paperwork continues throught the channels of approval (really not very difficult, just people signing off on the application).

I am personally very glad that this is an option because I did initiate as an alumna and am loving every minute of it! =)

Sarah
AOII-Beta Gamma
Chapter Adviser

AEPhi doesn't do alumna initiation, unfortunately. When my local sorority went national, we had one recent alumna (the group had only existed for about 2 years), and she was initiated with us, but that was an exceedingly rare exception.

IMO, AEPhi is missing out on a huge opportunity by not doing alum initiation.

Why is that so many Sororities do Alum Initiation but I havent heard of Mens Fraternities that do. At least I know mine doesnt. I'm just curious.

-Kevin
Beta Theta Pi Alumnus
Epsilon Mu
George Mason

[This message has been edited by Miami1839 (edited August 13, 2001).]

My husband's fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi, does it. Both his brother and his father were alumni initiates

This is a really good thread about "Alumnae Initiates" or "Non-Collegiate Initiates".... http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/...ML/000015.html

Here's all the 26 NPC orgs, and I will fill in what I know
(either:
"Yes, they will under certain circumstances initiate non-collegiate woemen" or
"No, they do not do this practice"):


Okay, here they are:
Alpha Chi Omega - yes
Alpha Delta Pi - Yes
Alpha Epsilon Phi - no
Alpha Gamma Delta - Yes
Alpha Omicron Pi - Yes
Alpha Phi - Yes
Alpha Sigma Alpha - yes
Alpha Sigma Tau - yes
Alpha Xi Delta - Yes
Chi Omega - Yes (but EXTREMELY rare)
Delta Delta Delta - Yes
Delta Gamma - Yes
Delta Phi Epsilon - yes
Delta Zeta - Yes
Gamma Phi Beta - Yes
Kappa Alpha Theta - Yes
Kappa Delta - Yes (but rare)
Kappa Kappa Gamma - No
Phi Mu - don't know (probably yes, though)
Phi Sigma Sigma - don't know
Pi Beta Phi - Yes
Sigma Delta Tau - don't know
Sigma Kappa - Yes
Sigma Sigma Sigma - yes
Theta Phi Alpha - don't know (probably yes, though)
Zeta Tau Alpha - Yes

Hope that this helps. Each NPC org has slightly different ways of approaching Alumnae Initiates. I will post that information in a subsequent post! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

Here are some responses from various NPC orgs that I have acquired when I was doing my research on Alumnae Initiates.

You can see that they all have slightly varied approaches for Prospective Alumnae Initiates (i.e. some NPCs like a Prospective Alumna Initiate to have a college degree, others it is not mandatory, and "some" college is just fine).
------------------------
Alpha Delta Pi:
does consider, in special instances, women for its Alumnae Initiate program. According to ADPi’s policy, potential members must be recommended by an Alpha Delta Pi collegiate chapter, an alumnae association, or three individual Alpha Delta Pi alumnae members in good standing.

Delta Gamma:
has an alumnae initiate program where sometimes women are initiated depending on the individual situation. A prospective initiate does need to be sponsored by a Delta Gamma. They would need to contact Delta Gamma and request the application for Prospective Initiates, then we would look it over and go from there.

Pi Beta Phi:
Pi Phi does have a procedure for alum initiates. However, there are several steps for the process. The initiate would have to have attended a four year, accredited university or college. She would be sponsored by an alumnae club and a Pi Phi chapter. And she would be voted on by Grand Council. If a Prospective Alumna Initiate did attend an accredited, four year university, you would qualify. And, if that individual has a Pi Phi friend, she could begin the process for you.

Gamma Phi Beta:
Alumnae Initiates are women who become members of Gamma Phi Beta as alumnae. They may be women who never attended college, who attended a school that did not have a Gamma Phi Beta chapter or who did not join a National Panhellenic Conference sorority while in college. The process of becoming an alumnae initiate usually begins with a local alumnae chapter. If you do not already know any Gamma Phi Beta's, I would suggest that you contact the President of the closest Gamma Phi alumnae chapter to you. I would be more than happy to give you that information. The President would then most likely invite you to one of her chapter's events, so that you may become more familiar with what it means to be an alumna member of Gamma Phi Beta. After you have decided that you are indeed interested, an application is submitted on your behalf from a member who will be your sponsor. She will take you through the education part of the program and eventually see you through the initiation which will be held at a local collegiate chapter.

Kappa Delta:
I am the National Vice President - Alumnae for Kappa Delta Sorority and your request for information regarding alumnae initiation was forwarded to me for a reply. We do not have a specific alumnae initiate program although we do, under specific circumstances alumnae initate women. Normally these women are working with one of our college chapters as perhaps a facullty advisor or have had contact with an alumnae association who then nominates them for alumnae initiation.

Kappa Kappa Gamma:
Currently KKG only offer membership to women who are enrolled as full time students at one of the 128 colleges where we have collegiate chapters. KKG has no vehicle to initiate women who are not college students or who have graduated from college interested in membership.

Zeta Tau Alpha:
ZTA does have an Alumnae Initiates program and the process is as follows:
A ZTA alumnae may recommend outstanding women from their communities for membership in ZTA. A four year period must have elapsed between the time she left college and the time she would be initiated. The unanimous vote of National Council is required. It is desirable the woman has attended and institute of higher learning, although not required to be a graduate. She should bring to the membership the attributes hoped for in each new member. Approval of the recommendation is not automatic. If you are interested in becoming an alumnae initiate, it is important to show sincere interest in our organization. Alumnae who do recommend women to become alumna initiates usually do so because the unaffiliated woman becomes involved with a collegiate or alumnae chapter, supports our programs, reflects our values and demonstrated a commitment to lifelong membership. There is a definite relationship formed with the members of ZTA prior to becoming recommended for membership. Women do not generally "Seek out" becoming an alumnae initiate. It usually happens because the collegiate or alumnae members feel the woman would be an asset to our organization. If you are interested in sorority membership and have no special group attachment, perhaps there are other groups whose programs operates differently than ZTAs. But, if you do have an ongoing relationship with ZTA, you can inform the members that you are interested in becoming an alumna initiate. Again, there are no guarantees they will start the process or that National Council will approve the recommendation. ZTA typically approves under ten women a year for this honor.

Alpha Sigma Tau:
anyone interested in membership as an alumnae member must have completed at least one year of college, and generally we want to find out what you know about our sorority. An alumnae or collegiate member must recommend someone for membership as an alumnae affiliate. I have had similar requests, and generally want the individuals to meet other alumnae in an area, if we have an organized alumnae association, and then if the members in the association want to recommend the individual for membership, that would be great!

Alpha Gamma Delta:
Alpha Gamma Delta does have an Alumna Initiate Program whereby our members can recommend friends, relatives, co-workers, etc. for Initiation. The member would bring this potential initiate to Alpha Gamma Delta events to meet the other members in her alumnae chapter/club and the chapter can begin the process of recommendation.
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This list is by no means "complete", but just gives an idea! Thanks!




[This message has been edited by CutiePie2000 (edited August 15, 2001).]

I think it is wonderful that women who didn't have the chance to be initiated into a sorority while in college still have the option to share in the Greek bonds.

Exactly. This was the case with me...I was not initiated into a sorority in university and I thought that I had missed my opportunity by not pledgeing in college, until I (thankfully) discovered alumnae initiates.

Also, in many cases, it is my belief that Alumnae Initiates come about like so:
A Daughter goes to college and goes Greek. Then, her non-Greek Mom gets actively involved in the Daughter's chapter; consequently the Daughter's chapter loves the Mom and appreciates all of Mom's hard work and efforts, and Mom ends up getting initiated too!


For example, does the potential new member need to contact the national HQ for an introduction or can this be handled by a local alum group? I am sure this will help answer a few questions for potential new members.

Here's my thoughts on that.....
My *personal* belief is that a Prospective
Alumna Initiate should contact the Head Office of the NPC group that they're interested in and explain that they are interested in being a "Prospective Alumna Initiate". Be sure to be truthful and explicitly state that you never joined a sorority in college. If you were pledged in college, but never fully initiated into membership....that might be different..
Furthermore, if you do NOT know know any members personally, say so in your letter. That way, the Head Office may pave the way to an Introduction to the local alumnae chapter. (Somewhere along the way, you will need an alumna to sponsor you for membership, so you will need to get to know a sorority member personally, eventually, in order for you to apply to be approved for membership.) That being said, Head Office MAY do an introduction for you via letter or email, but nothing is for sure. Each NPC group seems to react a bit differently with regards to this type of pursuit. Also, what is the extent of your college education? (some NPC's want 1 year of college, some want 2, some want a full 4 year degree, some say no college is a prerequisite).

I would caution you against contacting an alumna chapter directly yourself...best to let Head Office make the introduction. I only say this, because if you contact the alums of ___ sorority YOURSELF, they might erroneously assume that you already are a fully initiated member of ____ sorority who is new to the area, and then you have to clarify that "no" you're not a ____sorority member, but rather that you're seeking out being a prospective alumna initiate.

You do not want to get off on the wrong foot, as it can be difficult to "back peddle", smooth things over and do damage control. Best to email Head Office and let them set things up (and always always always be upfront that you are NOT an initiated member of that group, just to be on the safe side).

Just my 2 cents, but I have seen 2 misunderstandings(!!) occur from Prospective Alumna Initiates who contacted the alumnae orgs directly and the alums thought they ALREADY were initiated members...it just made for an ackward situation and kind of got things off on the wrong foot! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

Thats cool. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif I wonder if there are others. I never knew about alumni initiates until greekchat. Thats great that it does give post graduates the option of going greek.

Kevin

Delta Phi Epsilon does have alumnae initiation. We actually had this at our last convention and it was so great. One of our sister's mother, who has done so much with her daughter's chapter, was initiated as an alumnae initiate. Another woman who was a house mother for 15 years at one our houses was an alumnae initiate. And finally, the secretary at our HQ, who has been there a LONG time, was made an alumnae initiate.

Our alumnae initiates are normally folks who have given of their time and resources to D Phi E in some way, although if someone did the research and wanted to do so, I'm sure contacting our International HQ and speaking with someone there would be the first step.



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Delta Phi Epsilon, Celebrating 84 years of Dedication, Pride and Excellence!

30 and Goin' Greek
 

Phi Sigma Sigma


I am a founding Sister to a chapter of Phi Sigma Sigma (a member of a local that started the process of being National when I was a Senior). I was initated as an Alum along with 9 other sisters who had also played a role in the chapter going national. Now it has been 10 years, but to the best of my recall, you can contact a local chapter for information on joining as an Alum.

Another great organization is Beta Sigma Phi. Not a college, traditional sorority, but one that has many chapters internationally with different levels roughly based on age. My mother is a proud BSP sister, now in the highest level of "Master" that the sorority has. Her membership spans close to 40 years now. If I had not found Phi Sigma Sigma, I too would have joined BSP. Just something else to consider.

TKE has intiation for older men that become instant alumni. I know a lot of fathers become brothers this way. Its a good father son bonding experience.

If anyone can find out about Phi Sigma Sigma for me, that would be great! I know we have a mothers pinning, but I would love to see my mom become part of something that I love!!!

<3Ali

WOW
 

I just wanted to update this particular thread and THANK ALL OF YOU:) for all of the great information that you took the time to reseach!

This is what GC is all about:D

I know Alpha Chi Omega allows non-collegiate initiations. My chapter initiated our house mom my senior year. I don't know the process though.

Beta Sigma Phi website?
 

Does Beta Sigma Phi have a national website?

Re: Beta Sigma Phi website?
 

www.betasigmaphi.org

LXA does "honorary" initiations, which would include alumni. A chapter around here recently invited the chapter cook to be initiated - he had done a very good job, and was very good to the chapter. I know several people who were "honorary" initiates, and, in most cases, they have turned out to be some of the best brothers I have met in the fraternity.

Phi Mu does allow alumni initiates. When my pledge class was initiated, we actually had an alumni initiate with us.

I also know that Delta Chi allows certain outstanding alumni to become "father initiated." I'm not entirely certain how the process works, but I used to date a DX and he tried to explain it to me.

Hello and welcome...

Alpha Phi does initiate alums and always welcomes new members either collegiate or alum...You simply need to get a "sponsor" who will write you a reccomendation. I helped to start the Alpha Phi chapter at my college and my mom was right beside me the whole way...she, just now, 15 years after my initiation/chartering, will be initiated as an alum. Check your local university for their sororities and then check out their alum groups...You'll have to find the one that is right for you...

I think it is great! Welcome!:)

That raises a question for me---I'm still new to Greek Life, and I've never really been clear on what the policy is for movement between organizations. My impression was that once you join one organization, that's it, even if you leave them for whatever reason. I'm just curious, is that correct, or are there other sororities/fraternities that will welcome a prospective member who was or perhaps still is an initiate of another group??? :confused:

Sigma Sigma Sigma has an alumnae initiate program. My mother and 2 friends have been initiated so far with my support. You need the support of a National Officer or alumnae chapter or local chapter (they all can get the national officer support for you). They have the forms necessary to move the process forward.

After the National Organization has approved the request, then we move forward. The member has her New Member ceremony at the closest local or alumnae chapter (either can do all rituals). Then the National Organization sends the potential initiate a new member test and a Forever Sigma so that they can take their test. It is sent in graded and then the Potential initiate is either given clearance for initiation or not. The initiation must take place at the same place the New Member ceremony did.

There of course are fees, but they are nominal comparatively to being a collegian.

It's very special. Contact me if you have questions.

Cloud9, allow me to answer your question in 2 parts...
If you are initiated into 1 sorority of the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC), you CANNOT be initiated into another sorority of the National Panhellenic Conference. There are 26 in total.
These are the 26 groups in the NPC:
All 26 NPC groups:
Alpha Chi Omega
Alpha Delta Pi
Alpha Epsilon Phi
Alpha Gamma Delta
Alpha Omicron Pi
Alpha Phi
Alpha Sigma Alpha
Alpha Sigma Tau
Alpha Xi Delta
Chi Omega
Delta Delta Delta
Delta Gamma
Delta Phi Epsilon
Delta Zeta
Gamma Phi Beta
Kappa Alpha Theta
Kappa Delta
Kappa Kappa Gamma
Phi Mu
Phi Sigma Sigma
Pi Beta Phi
Sigma Delta Tau
Sigma Kappa
Sigma Sigma Sigma
Theta Phi Alpha
Zeta Tau Alpha


However, the sorority that localsororities was referring to is Beta Sigma Phi, which is *NOT* a member of the National Panhellenic Conference.
Beta Sigma Phi is not a local group..they have chapters all over the world, but they are a non-collegiate sorority.
Therefore, it would indeed be permissible to be:
A Chi Omega and a Beta Sigma Phi
A Kappa Kappa Gamma and a Beta Sigma Phi
A Kappa Delta and a Beta Sigma Phi
A Delta Gamma and a Beta Sigma Phi...
I am sure that you catch my drift! :D

Exactly CutiePie,
One of my new sisters was in a local group in college and just initiated into Tri Sigma. She's a great new sister.

Say what?!
 

wow, really? I'm in a local organization now, and I plan to go on to grad school after graduation...AND I'd still like to be a part of greek life wherever I end up. So if there was a national organization there that interested me, I would actually be able to look into it as a perspective member??? And if so, how would that work? Would it be the same as the alumni initiation process? This would be a bit in the future, but it would be good to have the preliminary info!

Re: Say what?!
 

Cloud9, To be an alumna initiate, there are 2 things:
1. You must not be an initiated member of any other National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) group.
2. You must not at the time of seeking initiation, meet the criteria for being a collegiate member.

To be an alumna initiate, you don't just "sign up"...you often must be introduced to the alumnae chapter by an alumna member in good standing. You would get to know the group, then the group would decide whether they would like to sponsor you for membership.
There are some good links on the web about this...
Alpha Phi
Alpha Sigma Tau
Alpha Omicron Pi
Alpha Delta Pi
Pi Beta Phi
Gamma Phi Beta

will get you started. Nearly all 26 groups initiate non-collegiate women (I only put up the groups which have explicit information right there on their National Websites). The only ones who don't don't initiate Non-Collegiate women are Kappa Kappa Gamma. Also, I should qualify that I know that Chi Omega *does* have Special Initiates, but it is not done very often.

Good luck.

34 and a grad student
 

Cloud9,
I just discovered this thread here. If you are going on to graduate school you might look at some of the NPC groups, such as Phi Sigma Sigma, because they initiate graduate students into their organization.
I am 34, a grad student, and a founding sister of my chapter of Phi Sigma Sigma. We celebrated our 1 year anniversary a couple of months ago.
The only problem is the local organization that you are a member of. As someone else posted if you were initiated into an NPC group you're unable to initiate into another. Not sure how the local thing plays in to that.
Carolyn

Sigma Nu does not have "Honorary" Initiation. You are either an Initiate... Or you're not. I did however personally oversee the initiation of several alums that were invited back when we got our charter after 2 years of work... (some had to graduate in that period)... I also oversaw (I wrote and corresponded with HQ on the matter) the initiation of our faculty advisor who is an official of the University that was particularly influential in getting our colony started. He was also been indispensible in our progress towards being a chapter.

Sigma Nu does not grant alumni initiations lightly. All of them must be approved by our Executive Director (I think our High Council may have something to do with it as well). Like anyone else they also require the same vote for initiation as any other active.

But as far as inviting our parents back or initiating friends... that doesn't happen except for in EXTREME circumstances where these folks have demonstrated service and committment.

Hope that helps :D

Not sure wherre I heard it but...
 

...I heard that Kappa is considering accepting alum initiates under certain circumstances -- must be a college grad etc...

I have personally gotten four Gamma Phi alum initiates since I left college AGES ago -- it is very rewarding! Two were "legacies" -- one was another AF officer whose mom was a Gamma Phi but my friend attended an all girls college and never had the chance to rush at all -- when she saw my Gamma Phi decal on my car window, she commented that her mom was a die-hard Gamma Phi who was always sad that she (my friend) never had the chance to become one -- we needless to say I resolved that problem posthaste! My friend was thrilled and her mom was beyond thrilled. When my friend was initiated -- with the first pledge class at our recolonized Auburn chapter, her 80yearold plus mom was there and there was nary a dry eye in the place...my friends mom died soon afetrwards and to this day my friend is soooo grateful that she got to become a Gamma Phi before her mom died....
The way our local Gamma Phi alumnae chapter works it here is we mentally consider our own personal circle of friends and then if we know someone who might be interested we tell them we'd like them to consider becoming a Gamma Phi alum initiate...and we take the process from there...
I think it is a great program!

Alpha Sigma Phi does not have a provision for honorary members, but in limited situations may allow initiation of faculty advisors by the chapter. In very rare situations a man may be initiated into Alpha Sigma Phi by vote of the Grand Council, and as such becomes a 'member-at-large'.

ktsnake, I laughed for a moment on the Honorary Initiation thing!

After rereading it, Da I knew exactly what you ment!

Remember, there are those out there who do not understand the Difference!

We in LXA also have the same thing! Initiation of an advisor and someone who has shown and done special signifigacne for the Chapter! Above and beyond the Call Of Duty of the Guys at the Chapter!

I know the BGLOS ( no offense ment ) have a large amount of members who are initiated as Alum members. That maybe because of the low % of AM in the College system and the Number of Chapters available on any one campus! There a lot of factores.

I do know that the difference between Male/Female Greek Organizations do exist!

Becoming a member is not an easy thing whether on the Collegeit level or as an Alum!

Remember, it is well worth the time and energy spent being a memeber during and after if you want to put the time and effort into it!

Well for me, after have being a member for low these many years and am still involved tells everyone somethig! Ha and I am not alone!

:D :cool:

Thank you GPhiBLtColonel
 

GPhiBLtColonel,
Thank you for sharing that beautiful story. It's wonderful when relatives can also be sisters.
violets