Alumnae Initiation
 

I have been asked to look into and consider alumnae initiation into an NPC sorority.The request was from a 30 year alum.After extensive research I have decided to contact the local alumnae chapter to see if its right for me.My question is this:How do actives consider alumnae initiates?Is sisterhood complete sisterhood or do you consider alumane initiates to be more of an auxiliary group? I have looked at past threads and just didn't find the answer that I was looking for.

No matter at what level or how you come into an organization, once you are initiated you are a brother/sister for life. If you are truly interested, go for it. Once you are initiated, no one can take that away from you.

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KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY, INC.
SPR 97
XI LAMBDA

RaeRae, Both tcsparky and I are 2 ladies who met through this board and we are seeking alumnae initiation. If you'd like to check out some of the threads, here they are: http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/...ML/000015.html

http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/...ML/000768.html

To answer your questions, it is the alumnae who would decide on your membership, not the collegiate actives, since it is the alumnae members that you would be spending your time (at least in the beginning) with predominantely.

Also, in the NPC context, if you are an alumnae initiate, you are still considered a full fledged member, rather than an "associate" member or an "auxialliary" member.

Just to let you know, a few NPC groups do mention the "alumnae initiates" subject directly on their website. For example,
AOII says:
"Alumna Initiates

We invite women who share our philosophy and purpose to become a part of
Alpha Omicron Pi.

This invitation is extended beyond the traditional environment of our collegiate
chapters across the United States and Canada. We offer women of various ages
and situations the opportunity for membership as alumna initiates. Our Alumna
Initiate program is available for women who are not eligible to be collegiate
members and are not members of another National Panhellenic Conference
organization.

An alumna initiate becomes an initiated member of Alpha Omicron Pi for life. She
is entitled to the same privileges enjoyed by all AOII alumnae members -
eligibility to serve the Fraternity in any elected or volunteer capacity;
participation in alumnae programming; plus a lifetime subscription to our
Fraternity magazine, To Dragma.

As women who share our objectives and friendship, we expect alumna initiates to
fully experience AOII membership by choosing to participate through an avenue
of involvement suited to them.

•Joining an alumnae chapter provides a network of AOIIs with diverse ages,
geographical backgrounds, collegiate chapters, professions, and interests. We
share a camaraderie while in pursuit of AOII’s ideals and community service.

•Accepting an opportunity to work with collegians as an Adviser or as a mentor
offers a unique occasion to both teach and learn from today’s young woman.

•Becoming a Rose Member is an option for alumna initiates who reside beyond a
fifty mile radius of an alumnae chapter. These members receive special Fraternity
mailings and notices of AOII events near them.

AOII Alumna Initiates are:

• Female friends and relatives of an AOII.
•Women who have given their time and talents to an AOII collegiate chapter.
• Former colony members and other past collegians who were pledged into an
AOII collegiate chapter, but were not initiated.


Membership Requirements:

• Completion of at least one year of college. (May be waived by a vote of the
Executive Board.)
• One time fees - covering initiation, badge costs and lifetime subscription to To
Dragma. Additionally, alumnae chapters charge nominal local annual dues.

Membership Education

A sponsor will ensure that an alumna initiate will understand the rich traditions
and heritage of our sisterhood. Through individual instruction, she will learn the
deeper meaning of Alpha Omicron Pi as developed by our Founders, and
expressed in our Ritual."

Also, Alpha Phi, Alpha Sigma Tau and Gamma Phi Beta address this directly as well, but I have to dash out the door now to catch a train back to the city and I'm out of time.

Looking forward to conversing with you on this topic!!!

RaeRae, maybe this is a dumb question, but are you still in college, graduated or other?

Cutie2000,Alpha Phi is what I am looking into.When my friend first made the suggestion to me,I was surprised.Intiation is something that I probably never would have considered let alone looked into.However,Once I started looking around at the various chapter sites and the national site,the more impressed I became with the organization as a whole.I must admit,I still had stereotypical visions in my head.After I looked at the various chapter sites,I emailed my remaining questions to the national site.They answered promptly and answered my questions fully.They suggested that I check out my local alumnae chapter.I did and they too answered right away and seemed genuinely interested in adding me to the group.They have never pressured me,just let me know whats going on.I am actually going to dinner and a movie with them at the end of the month so we will see.Thankfully I live in a large city so the group seems to be be very diverse. I am looking forward to it.If you would like to converse more ,please feel free to email me directly.Thank you also to Nupe4Life for his reply, I appreciate all the help that I can get.

RaeRae,
If the Nationals and the local alum chapter are both supportive, then I say go for it!!!
I have met many wonderful ladies in my chosen org. So far I have attended a dinner, a Pampered Chef fundraiser, and the Christmas party.
I have also been added to the mailing list for their newsletter. I have been asked to attend the social events that are not connected to the chapter meetings. There is a date party at a local hangout next month. I have been asked to bring the significant other so they can meet him also.
Although nothing official will happen until next fall semester, I am beginning to get to know everyone and see the sisterhood.
Everyone has been sweet and supportive. I am having a lot of fun with this. I say do it.

To join Lambda Chi Alph as anything but an undergraduate, you must be working with the house at that school. We have intiated 3 members as honory (but still Brothers) for the work that they have contributed to the house. Mostly as as an advisor from the facualty. If someone works with the house and cares enough to be with us, we can at our descrection intiate them into the bond of Brotherhood.

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Tom Earp LX Z#1
Pittsburg State U. (Kansas)

RaeRae,
I'm glad to hear that you have had such a positive response from everyone.
Here is a little blurb from the Alpha Phi website on alum initiates: http://www.alphaphi.org/initiate.html
"Alumnae Initiate Application -
Alpha Phi Fraternity offers alumnae initiate membership to outstanding women who are committed to the principles of friendship, sisterhood and support. Whether they chose not to take advantage of sorority membership as a collegian, did not have the opportunity at their college or did not attend college, they can become Alpha Phis. The proposed candidate cannot be an initiated member of another NPC group or currently meet qualifications for collegiate chapter membership."

Keep us posted!!