I've said it before and I'll say it again:
I think that this forum is dangerous because people are using it instead of relying on official channels to gather information. People on message boards are (relatively) anonymous, and unless you're willing to do some super sleuthing, there's no way to know for certain if the person who's sharing information is actually a member of the organization they claim to represent.
When I started the AI process, I posted my AI thread in this forum because I thought the information there might be helpful to someone who was going through the process. Now that all has been revealed through the fullness of time,
I wish I'd never done it. It has nothing to do with being a hypocrite, or being two-faced, or forgetting where I came from. It has
everything to do with the viral nature of this message board and the communication contained herein and how the Executive Offices of the Fraternities/Sororities here have no means to control this communication.
So now that I've said all that long-winded hoo-hah (
), I'll just say this:
* I think this forum should be limited to listing a group of Men's Fraternities/Women's Sororities that have alumni initiation processes.
* It
should not tell people how to contact these organizations, especially not in open conversation.
* It
should not be a clearinghouse for successful AI stories. People read them and think that these anecdotes are the law of the land - and they're quite simply not.
* If alumni/ae initiates wish to have their names listed as "successful" candidates, then that should stand.
* There should be some sort of "sticky" message that appears at the top of the forum that answers the Frequently Asked Questions that we see again and again.
* If fraternity/sorority members wish to help potential initiates connect with their local alumni/ae chapters, then do it via PM - not in an open forum.
Gee, does it show I've thought a whole lot about this?