[SmartBlondeGPhB]

Actually being contacted by the org and invited to meet the women is EXACTLY how AI is supposed to work in an ideal situation (which nothing is ever ideal). That is the preferred method.

It would be a little different (at least for me personally) if the woman contacting her had been part of a group who had already said no, but I doubt this is the case.

Ok, here is how I would recommend someone approach AI who is looking at it without an inside "pull". That is without knowing someone already in the group.

1) You research all 26 of the organizations and narrow it down to the few (4 or 5) that have values that mirror yours or speak to you.

2) Determine if those groups do AI. If it's a group where AI is VERY rare and you don't personally know a member of the group then I wouldn't waste the time.

3) You find out if those orgs have alumnae chapters near you. If they don't, then what's the point.

4) Get the contact info for those groups and contact them. Develop a list of questions that will help you further narrow the groups.

5) Attend an event if possible, but don't waste their time if you are still undecided.

6) Find the ONE that you want and devote time to that group getting to know them.

My AC requires our AI's to attend a number of our events to show their commitment. If that woman is doing the same for a number of groups, she's going to be VERY busy.