Graduate chapter blues
 

Hello Sorors,
Last May I graduated from undergrad, and thus into a graduate chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha . I was the only one from our line to graduate and go on to grad chapter and I feel a bit alone. The meetings are very busy and often the older Sorors are debating issues that I do not even understand!! I`m a pretty quiet person, also very impatient. Last Saturday was just my 4th meeting as a graduate Soror, but I want to feel connected NOW. Have any of you ever had this experience? What should I do to cope? Thanks for your help

I can relate. Sit back and just watch. The connection wont happen over night.. just be patient. If they start talking about some issue you dont understand, lean over and ask the person next to you if she understands what is going on.

Since you are still new to the game...

1. Be patient
2. Learn the dynamics of the chapter
3. Study
4. ALWAYS learn to practice discretion
5. Observe (learn the members)
6. Continue to serve as you concentrate on #s 1-6

Your post will be edited because of TMI...

This happened to me, too, when I first got started with things. But as you get more involved, things become more clear. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who was affected by this.

Another thing that tends to help is finding a Soror that has been in the chapter longer and bonding with them and asking them to assist you in learning more of the ins and outs of the chapter. Even joining a committee could give you great insight to the chapter.

And don't forget about RECLAMATION. Don't pass up opportunities to talk to your line sisters who graduated with you and other sorors whom you know that are in AKA "limbo" between undergrad and grad, and encourage them to join the graduate chapter. Invite them to meetings and encourage them to join. Then you'll have people you know at the meetings :-)

Interestingly, a soror who I assisted fully into the membership, TAUGHT me how to be in the graduate chapter after I had been a member of this chapter for several years...

What you do: Say on day you want to be "president" ;) well, you know you need to know the C&B and MOSP, then you need to know the financials and all the little booklets that go along with that. Then, there is this huge book that ONLY the VP is given, you need that, too. And guess what, the chapter has its methods...

So, the simplest way is the program community service committees or the large fundraisers. I would work on a very easy subcommittee first, then step it up slowly, adding my influence as necessary. If we say we are about tutoring kids, then, that means getting all that documentation from the Nationals, and building networking relationships as approved.

The other issue is attendance of all sorority-related meetings that include cluster, regional and national. Where else do you get this info?

Nothing is wrong with a little sisterly relationships. However, that is done by serving on our committees.

I recently relocated to a new city and determined somethings about a community service committee that MUST be approved. With several discussions and evals, I formulated the best course for the chapter in the last 3 years. And I got Hell for it from "antiquated attitudes". But, then I brought in grants and corporations interested in our activities at a chapter. And things change in grad chapters... ;)

Your duty is toward service... You made commitments... ;)

Soror, I co-sign with the Soror that encourage you to find recent graduates (2-3 years out of college) and start bringing them to meetings OR find another "shy" member and sit next to her OR consider the following: when I was in my 20's after being a member of one of 46 charter members, I didn't see age, when it was Soror time, I hung out a couple times with Sorors that were a few years from being Golden (it was one of those listen and learn times!!)

Remember, you have affiliated with the greatest sisterhood on the planet (IMHO fellow Sistergreeks :D) In addition to being a Soror, you'll learn that you have several hobbies/interests in common with other Sorors in your chapter. Use those as foundations to build friendships, carpool with members to meetings activities, etc.. just ENJOY being in a place where you worked hard to arrive;)

Also, we are allowed to visit chapters, so chech with the chapter Basileus for meeting times and see if it is ok. As a undergraduate I have attended a coulple of graduate chapter meetings and I know the transition will be a little smoother for me since I have attended service projects with the chapter before. This proves to be going well for me especially since we have more than one graduate chapter in my area.

Sorors, do you guys think this discussion would be better handled in private? Some (not all) of the info seems like TMI.

SC

I know, i'm not YOUR soror, but as i also graduated last May and am new in my graduate chapter... i think its a topic worth discussion.

(of course AKA biz is AKA biz, so whether AKA GCers want to take the topic offline with the OP is up to them but i would like the topic to stay open in an general sense: transitioning from undergrad to grad. its a worthy topic within all the D4, but if there is an older thread on this, then i can KIM).

It's been said, but I can't emphasize enough how joining a committee(s) will help with the transition.

And don't get caught up in any politics.

That's some good universal advice whether it be related to sorority business or a job.

Now dat dere is a cotton pickin' mouthful. Well said, sistergreek, and well taken. ;)

I'm glad I read this thread because that is some advice that I really needed to hear. Thanks.