Okay so I'm asking the AI question
 

Howdy all!

I sure hope posting this in the right place :)

**Editing to add. . I read the posts in the AI forum just now! So I think I have my questions answered! Thank you all for your responses and pointing me in the right direction! **

<<<<My question is this: What sororities have AI programs, and what is the best way to go about getting involved in one? Or even learning about them? And then what is the etiquette involved in evaluating the options of the AI programs? Are they all the same (as in -- I'm seeing some require you to have graduated. . . others don't appear to)?>>>>>

Here's a bit about me, since I'm asking for your comments :) . . .

I am a 33 year old, mom of twins, and a full-time college student (again lol) -- I'm married (14 years) to the same man (of course) -- he is an alumni of Pi Kappa Alpha.

Honestly, I've read through the threads here and read the comments and criticisms. . . and I see both sides of it. But the truth of the matter is that a sorority is a life long commitment, I just happened to trade my 20's for my 30's (college and experience wise), and now I am in a position to make that commitment.

A lot of the comments seem to be geared towards, "why would a mom want to be involved?" Well, my kids, at 10, have their own lives! *laughs* Doing this is not about them, but about me being a woman and contributing to sisterhood.

Fortunately, my husband is *very* supportive -- he sees Greek Life as an important factor in life.

So -- after all that babbling. . . anyone have any insight for me? Thoughts? Comments? Please no hurling anything at me! I'm allergic to tomatoes! *giggles*

~Beth
UNT . . . and yes I will graduate! Eventually!

I think this might be best in the AI forum - go to Alumni Involvement, then there is a seperate Alumni Initiation furm. :D

Gah!
 

Hehehe I didn't see that there! Thank you :)

Is there a way to have a mod move my post?

Beth :)

AI is usually a sensitive subject because many of us feel that GreekChat is not the most appropriate place to seek AI assistance. Many successful AIs did their research (ie. Which groups actually do AI?) on their own.

A) Contact the local alumnae group of the sorority you're interested in. If you need help with that, I'm sure there's a Panhellenic Alumnae organization somewhere near you (you're from TX, so I'm thinking they're everywhere).

B) Be discreet. I'm sure you've already seen AI trainwrecks on GC. We hope it won't be like that for you.

Re: Gah!
 

Yes, you could private message either of them and ask - it might take them a little time though. :)

Okay. .
 

Thank you! I didn't realize that there were alumni Panhellenic groups. That will be my phone call for tomorrow!

I'm also reading everything now in the AI forum. I have no idea HOW I missed it. Must have been all the goofy rush stories on one of the other threads :) I was totally distracted.

And yes, I read some of the trainwrecks. *sighs*

Anyway -- thank you for responding! I won't be a trainwreck! I promise! ;)

~B.

Here is the link for the NPC Alumnae Panhellenics. Go to the left of the page and click on directory to see if there is one near you. Best wishes.

please check your pm box.

I live in Plano, so I'm practically a neighbor. There are many Alumnae Panhellenics in the Dallas/ Fort Worth area. The closest to Keller would be Metrocrest (includes Southlake, Keller, Hurst, Los Colinas and I'm not sure where else) but if you are a UNT student, contacting Denton would make sense as well. I would echo everyone else in saying that discretion is very important to the AI process. Not all groups that do AI want you to contact them. Many will AI, but prefer that the initial contact be made by a member.

THe best advice I can give, having seen women be *asked* to AI, is to build a portfolio of community activities. Joining the Junior League would be a definite leg up and something I regret never doing. Not only do you learn leadership skills but it enables you to make community connections through service and enhance your reputation as a contributor.

Step one is to research all of the groups and decide which one speaks to you. Talk to your friends, or to the mothers of your kids friends, you might find that some of them are members of sororities (since your in TX I'm going to guess that MANY of them are members). Find someone you know and admire and talk to her about her organization. Find out all you can about the organizations and make an informed decision on your own. All of the groups have websites and all of those websites will tell you a lot about the groups.

Decide WHY you want to join a sorority, what you want to get out of it and what you want to GIVE. Be willing to prove your commitment.

When you find a group that fits your philosophy, determine if they do AI because not all of them do. And even some that do, only do it in rare circumstances. Contact the group that you decide on and go from there.

And as some have said, BE DISCRETE.

Okay, don't hate me...
 

But we're always advising people to be hush-hush about their intentions with AI. I totally agree with this advice, but something has been bugging me for ages and I wanted to put a stop to it now.

The correct spelling is D-I-S-C-R-E-E-T, not discrete. Discrete means "separate or distinct", while discreet means "showing self-restraint".

The grammar police will quietly go home and read her thesaurus now before anyone throws old shoes or bricks at her. ;)

Re: Okay, don't hate me...
 

You know, I had it spelled correctly and then changed it because I thought it was wrong....:D

I think it's because I use the "discrete" word in professional settings.

Re: Okay, don't hate me...
 

I LOVE YOU SISTERMADLY AND I AM GOING TO MARRY YOU. THIS HAS BEEN DRIVING ME NUTS FOR FOREVER.

I'm replying to myself and updating :)
 

Okay so . . . I have been asking around and finding out which friends of mine have been or are in Sorors, as well as who is involved in alumnae chapters in my area.

Ironically, I also found my Big from when I pledged a soror way back in 1990 (I left prior to initiation).

So as it stands now, I'm kind of in a holding pattern. Lots of researching in my area (DFW) to see who has active but not overwhelmingly huge alum groups, as well as talking to friends about what I'm hoping to do. The reception has honestly been very, very excellent so I'm excited. And I'll keep you guys posted if and when I am invited to some events.

Cross your fingers for me!

Oh and we found out hubby's fraternity (Pi Kappa Alpha) has rechartered finally at the school he was initiated at. He is SO thrilled. They were tossed off (lost their charter) the year that we moved out of state -- we came back and the house was sold. He was so sad :( So we're beginning to see old names from when we were in school before! It's kind of exciting! I'm halfway hoping that we'll find some wives that I knew as well.

Thanks tons~

~B.

Re: Okay, don't hate me...
 

No old shoes from me!

My pledge mother was continually telling us that "The D in ADPi stands for discretion!" Spelling it properly makes it even more discreet!