Observing Initation as an Alum
 

On Friday, the USC-Aiken chapter will be holding Initiaton and I'm thinking of attending (as long as other alums will be of course) since it's been over 3 years since I've witnessed it, it will be like a rededication for me. I was just wondering what others' thoughts were on it - have you done it, how you felt about it, etc.? The alum chapter will also be providing the food and refreshments for their celebration afterwards so at the very least, I'll be dropping off some homemade brownies or something, but I think it'd be interesting to see how another chapter besides my collegiate chapter does initiation (though it should be the same, I'm sure there will be slight differences, plus their supplies should be newer and nicer since the chapter itself is newer) PLUS, like I said, a sort of rededication. Thoughts...? :)

Since they're a newer chapter, I'd be pretty surprised if they've ever had an initiation without alums present (my chapter has not, and we're one of the newer ones). I'd say go for it.

Good point, I didn't think of that - my chapter was charted in 1980 and I think we only had an alum or two at initation a couple times (mine included because we had it at a school that the alum taught at) but it just wasn't a regular occurance. If they were were, they weren't in the room with us, but in the room with the food and not in whites, just there to help out.

I've attended several Initiation rituals since I've graduated, both at the chapter level and at Convention. Speaking of, you really need to see it done at Convention. There aren't enough words to describe it...

Awww... I really want to!!! Is it more of a rededication or is it an AI/special thing...?

Since I am an advisor I go almost every semester. I always try and have my whites clean and pressed to set the best example. It always makes me feel such warm and fuzzies to experience our rituals.

Have a great time, its wonderful to hear you getting so involed.

Well they had to postpone Initiation this semester (something about their forms) so I'm waiting to hear when they'll reschedule it for - hopefully it's on a day I don't have work or class... But I get to go shopping for whites on Saturday as I'm sure I'll need them regardless :) Good point about looking your best for ritual to set an example! I always feel warm fuzzies during rituals too - maybe that's why I was ritual chair in college....

No it is a full initiation - there is always a Convention Initiate and the ritual is done perfectly. Plus, you've got over 500 of your sisters there with you...it's really something. Everyone goes to lunch in their whites and there's always a Convention whites group picture, too.

I completely agree with you, PT. I haven't been to Convention in a long time, but I do remember it was AMAZING! I am already saving my pennies, so I can go to Convention '08!