Telling people you're an AI
 

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I didn't take a single class where I was initiated. Therefore, when people say, "What chapter are you from?", I take care to 'finesse' my words and I usually say, "I went to the University of ______ " or "I got my undergrad degree at _____ " and let people jump to their own conclusions that I initiated there too. (because that's where I got my degree).

Sure....it's not entirely forthcoming and a tad misleading, but I feel like that is the chapter that I have the most ties to, etc.
I just find it emotionally exhausting to have to go into a 20 minute explanation as to how I actually became a member, so I choose to take the path of least resistance.

For women who pledged their sorority, and then only AI'd into that same sorority but at a different campus maybe 10-20 years later, they might say something like "I pledged ABC at University of <insert alma mater here>", because technically that is TRUE...they did PLEDGE there, they just weren't initiated there.

I just say "I was initiated at the UBC". It's the truth.

Aries, your initiation class is a good one! :D

Good question! Like CP2000, I was initiated at a chapter which was at a university I never attended. I often run into difficulty because a lot of people know that I went to Long Beach State University and yet I'm not from that chapter. I am very proud of having graduated from Long Beach and I don't want to have people thinking I graduated from the University of San Diego. At the same time, I don't want people to be confused into thinking that I'm from the Long Beach chapter.

There are a *lot* of LBSU alumnae around. In the past when I've said, "Oh, I went to Long Beach" the ladies respond with "Oh me too! We're chapter sisters! What year were you? Do you know so and so?" I then have to back track and explain that I'm an AI and I was initiated with University of San Diego.

So, I now I just tell people, "Epsilon Gamma, University of San Diego; but, I graduated from Long Beach State." That seems to work really well. I suppose it almost sounds like I pledged at USD, but transfered to Long Beach. Sometimes I just say "Epsilon Gamma". I don't feel like I'm tricking anybody - it's just that when people ask you what chapter you're from, they expect a two word response, not a 20 minute speech about alumnae initiation.

And before anyone gets the wrong impression, no, I don't hide that fact that I'm an AI. I'm always happy to volunteer that information and, when I do, people are always supportive and excited for me.

With that said, I often wish that Gamma Phi Beta had allowed me to initiate with the chapter at Long Beach State; that would save me sooo much effort when people ask me to explain things! :p

.....Kelly :)

I just say that I am a professional learner - always wanting to expand my brain!

I'm very proud of being an AI.. so I tell the truth!

I tell the truth as well! (?!?!)


.....Kelly :)

I've gotten to the point where I don't say "I was an alumna initiate". I just say "Alpha Lambda" and let them put two and two together.

I usually tell people straight away that I'm AI if they ask. People usually are curious since they know that I went to a non-Greek school for my undergrad.

we regular initiates took the easy (and quicker)way out when we joined and were initiated in college, while your journeys can take years from start to finish. i am excited to meet alumna initiates and hold you all in very high regard, so if i had a vote, i would say please let people know that you are an alumna initiate-you deserve the recognition!!

I agree!!! I am very impressed when I learn someone is an alumnae initiate!!

I am even more impressed when any alumna stays active with her sorority/fraternity.

Couldnt agree with You more.:)

While AI is some what New to some, it is not to others.

As in some do, some do little and some do almost not at all.

But, Never Ever Feel Like you have to give a reason and feel sad.

Each and every AI has become a duly Initiated Member of Their Said GLO, it is something to be Very Proud of.

Many times as has been seen, it takes a longer trek to get there. It there fore is much more rewarding to them.

The historical value of Not only the GC Members who have AIed, but the many before each who have been overly Productive Members of Their GLOs.

It is a Proud Heretige to be proud of!:cool: As the Song says "Hold Your Head High, Hold Your Head High"!:)

I don't know if I'd say that anyone (AI or otherwise) took the "easy way out" when joining a fraternity or sorority.

HA that's funny. I think ADPi might have a chapter designation (for badge guards) for Alumnae Initiates. Can any ADPis confirm this? So they can actually say I'm from the XY chapter and it would be true!

Omega Alpha is the chaper designation for Alpha Delta Pi alumnae initiates.

I just wanted to revisit something I posted earlier (quoted above). Today was a perfect example of what I was talking about. I received my alum chapter newsletter today and there was a little blurb in there welcoming the new members.

I was listed as "Gamma Eta", which is the Long Beach chapter.

Now, those ladies know I'm an AI because we had a full on conversation about it.....and one of the other chapter members in attendance is also an AI! Yet, somehow, people *still* want to place me with Long Beach instead of my actual chapter, Epsilon Gamma.

Go figure.

.....Kelly :)

Good Heavens....
 

Just tell them what chapter. How they react all depends on how you act when asked. You dont have to say graduate chapter, they will know when you tell them. Most do not have a problem with it. Then again a lot of times the ones that do ask are NOT even active. Never be ashamed of how you became......each to his own on how and why they became what they are.


YOU owe them nothing but a smile and hold your head high... :D

Re: Good Heavens....
 

Very well said!

kelly, i don't think that the newsletter editor would be offended if you sent a brief note explaining that while you did graduate from long beach, you were an alumna initiate at the u of san diego chapter. ask her to place a correction in the next newlsetter.

I just keep it to the point ... i am an alpha phi ,and if someone ask i dont get into a longwinded speel that i am an AI , i just say what chapter alpha lambda and i say the college if asked where initiated.

While AI is new to many of the GLOs except on special occassions, be a Proud Member, dont hang your heads.

Many are learing about AI which is becoming a little more predominent than it use to be.

As I know about AI, it is still going through each of the GLOs Rituals who all have become affiliated with.

Prime example, is Our Advisor, a Prof. on Campus. He was at the New House under construction being one of the Brothers and helping out.

Of course, He does have the Priviliage to call His Son His Brother!:cool: He and I are about the same age. His # is 599. Mine is a little lower so I can call Zeta # on Him!!!!:D