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1. Think about it...maybe you'll meet someone at work or socially and you're wearing some of your GLO jewelry. Inevitably, someone will say something like, "Oh, you're an ABC? I used to be an XYZ." Luckily, there are those who say, decades after their initiation, "I am an XYZ!" Hopefully, more greek organizations will emphasize that membership is for a *lifetime*, starting with New Member Education and continuing through the collegiate and alumnae years. Alumnae support is crucial for the continued growth and success of all of our chapters. I wonder, when we get the sad news that any chapter has closed, how that particular group's alumnae involvement has been? Are there strong alumnae who have supported the chapter but the general campus atmosphere just not support the group? Or has there been declining alumnae involvement for whatever reasons?
2. I've never had such a conversation, but I probably wouldn't be the person someone would say "Why would I want to be in the sorority after college?" to. I'll be celebrating the 19th anniversary of my Formal Pledging this September. I've remained involved with AOII since I went alum. I wear my jewelry all the time (I have an AOII signet ring which I wear almost always and also regularly wear my lavalier.) I would assume that most of us who are alumnae members of our GLOs on GC could say the same kinds of things!
3. I've been surprised because those I would expect to be lifers don't appear to be and those who weren't all that involved as a collegiate are amazing lifers. Of course, I don't know what some people do behind the scenes, I'm sure many of my sisters quietly show support to our Fraternity, others can support financially, others are actively involved participants. Unfortunately, way too many just don't do anything with AOII.
4. Honestly? I am a lifer but I'm not sure if anyone would have thought that of me 18-19 years ago! My grades were horrific and add into that lousy personal financial management negatively impacted my collegiate experience, but luckily for me a lot of that was left in the past. Even so, I had a great collegiate experience and even better experience so far as an alumna. Think about it, we're collegiate members of our GLOs for 3-5 years, give or take. We're alumnae members of our GLOs for decades and decades...we're members for a lifetime.
Christin
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"If you want to criticize my methods, fine. But you can keep your snide remarks to yourself. And while you're at it, don't criticize my methods." Rupert Giles, BtVS
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