Alumnae Initiation

[adpiucf]

Dear ADPi sisters,

I just wanted to send out a general FYI: ADPi DOES have an alumnae initation program-- where women are approached by a collegiate chapter or an alumnae association and invited to join Alpha Delta Pi. As alumna initiates, they must be at least 25 years old, have at least some college, and may not have been an initiate of an NPC/NPHC sorority. When initiated, these AI's are full sisters with the chapter designation "Omega Alpha," and can participate fully in ADPi ritual, recruitment and sisterhood, and may serve as chapter advisers, alumnae association members and officers, even as international officers. We encourage that if you do find someone who would be a likely AI, we want them to be active sisters-- and not ADPi's in name only-- we want women who will participate and get a full ADPi experience!

If there is a woman in your community whom you admire, perhaps a faculty member at your university, a community leader, RMH volunteer, a local humanitarian personality, a relative or close friend who exhibits the traits of an Alpha Delta Pi, talk to your chapter or association about inviting this woman into our sisterhood. If you are an alumna and no collegiate chapter or alumnae association exists where you reside, three alumnae in your area who are in good standing may sponsor a member for AI.

To learn more about AI, please go to alphadeltapi.org's Pride Online, and in the International Officer Directory, locate the Alumnae-Collegiate Relations Director for your district. She will send you all the information you need. At DLC last year, all chapter presidents received program information on ADPi AI, as well. This is a great opportunity for collegiate chapters to develop relationships with outstanding women in their community to increase their alumnae support, and an opportunity to alumnae associations to infuse their membership with enthusiastic new sisters!

[honeychile]

I can't tell you how much I appreciate your posting this information!! I had never heard of Alumnae Initiation before Greek Chat - I knew that there were Honorary Sisters (usually housemothers or such), but never AI.

Violets to you, adpiucf!!

[SororgrlADPi]

I totally agree...thanks adpiucf!

[jh124]

I also had never heard of Alumnae Initiation before Greek Chat. To be honest, ADPi was such a large part of my college experience that I can't imagine wanting to join after college. The bonds that are formed watching tv until 3 a.m. are hard to replicate in the "real world". Thanks for the info, though. Good to know and pass on.

[adpiucf]

Great points made by all. While we did enjoy some very special sisterhood experiences as undergraduate members, it is key to remember that the face of sorority membership is changing, and now, more and more, sorority membership is more than a four year college experience. There are multiple opportunities to benefit from as alumnae, and as new member in the AI programs, well.. just imagine how excited and motivated the chapter and new member class are when the new members come in. Now imagine infusing that with a bit of growth and maturity, and community connections and ties.... that's AI. Infusing our alumnae life with a sense of freshness and spirit, enthusiasm and energy to take the sorority experience to new heights, raise greater awareness and support for our charities, increase our influence within our individual communities, and strengthen our collegiate chapters with strong alumnae teams and volunteers. As well as giving deserving women the opportunity to benefit from membership through friendships, social and service opportunities, networking, and all of the great things that come with being a sorority member!

[jh124]

Alumnae initiation has been very successful for many of the black sororities. I've read that (depending on the sorority and chapter) as many as half the members don't join until later in life. I have many friends in black sororities that still have extremely strong bonds to the sorority and each other.

I think this is something that might be dependent on your location. For example, in some areas there may be a great deal of alumnae involvement, where in other areas, there is not as much of a chance to bond through activities. The worst thing that I would want to see happen would be to have someone who has a lot to offer the organization get initiated, then never have the opportunity to get involved.

Of course, things are different everywhere.

[FSUadpi02]

My grandmother joined as an AI after her three daughters joined ADPi. She hosted many parties and events for the girls from Jacksonville University because they don't have a house and they decided they wanted her as a sister. She was initiated by Maxine Blake at a Grand Convention. My grandmother, mother, and two aunts came to my Initiation and it made so much more amazing to know that the most important women in my life were taking part in it with me.

MC

[adpialumcsuc]

Very interesting I did not know this!

[valpogal99]

The AlphaDeltaPi group on MSN had someone apply that is in grad school that would like to affiliate since she feels she missed out on it in undergrad. I sent her information to EO. She states she is 23 and I read the 25 but she is a college grad so I don't know if that makes a difference or not. Her name is Amanda K. I sent her a link to alphadeltapi.org and GreekChat and told her to visit the sites. Maybe she will post here and get to know a little more.

[AJKMU]

GREETINGS!! THanks Jen for forwarding my message to Alpha Delta Pi Headquarters!! I have been browsing the forum for a little less than a month, and I have contacted the alumni association for more information on Alumnae Initiation. I did miss out on undergrad greek experiences because none of the organizations where I went to school really encompassed what I thought the definition of "sisterhood" should be. I did go through rush, but I turned down several bids from local sororities. The only international sorority on campus was AST, which I had several close friends join, but I didn't feel as if I really fit in there. So, I found your national website and started to gather information on the organization, I have also visited many chapter websites as well. I haven't actually met any Alpha Delta Pi sisters, and I am not sure that an alumni organization is close enough for me to join, but I am hoping that it will all work out. I am excited to learn more and chat with the sisters because you all seem very welcoming and sweet! Hope to talk with you soon!
Sincerely,
Amanda

[ASUADPi]

Amanda,
Welcome. I hope that you are able to find an AI program right for you (if it's us, yeah us). Sorry, shameless self promotion. But anyways good luck in your search and if their is anything I might be able to answer for you please feel free to pm me.

Brianna

[honeychile]

Welcome, Amanda!

Best of luck with AI!! I think there's a lot of really wonderful women who could bring a lot to the table, but don't realize that AI is a possibility. I'm glad that you're interested!

[polarpi]

Amanda,

Best of luck with your AI pursuit! As others have said, AI is a wonderful opportunity for those women who didn't have the opportunity to affiliate with an organization in college. I hope you find the organization that you feel encompasses the definition of "sisterhood" as you see it.

Welcome again, and if you need any help, I will try in any way I can!

Jennie

[adpiucf]

Hi everyone!

Here's some more information, if you would like:

Currently, the policy for ADPi AI requires that the prospective member be at least 25 years old, have had at least some college, has not been an initiate of another NPC/NPHC group, is approached by ADPi for AI candidacy, and is a prospective member who will offer support to ADPi as an active member, be it as an alumnae association member/officer, collegiate adviser, international officer, international committee volunteer, etc.

Also, currently our AI policy states that a prospect must be sponsored for membership by either a collegiate chapter or an alumnae association. In areas where neither of these groups reside, three alumnae in that area who are in good standing with the sorority may sponsor a prospective AI. These policies are in place to ensure the local members are not put in an awkward situation of turning someone "down." I can see where this would sound disappointing to someone looking to meet ADPi women in the hopes of pursuing AI. As with all things ADPi, our policies continue to evolve and grow. In the meantime, however, the organization's approach is such that it in our best interests for our membership to pursue our prospective AI candidates, based on who we know in our community as our friends, relatives, respected community leaders, university faculty members, etc.

I would encourage any woman interested in any of the NPC/NPHC AI programs to get to know their local alumnae assocations first before considering AI into that group, because as a prospective member, you would be spending a good amount of time with that local group. I would imagine a great way to get your foot in the door is by volunteering with that group's pet philanthropy, assisting their collegiate chapter with membership education (maybe offering to help run a career fair, resume workshop, health issues roundtable, etc). The NPC groups that currently have AI programs are working with their collegians and alumnae to educate them on these programs and how to become involved with them. AI is still in its infancy, and can be a long process for those interested, but it is well worth it in the long run! AI members are sisters-in-full, and can be extremely valuable additions to NPC groups!

[AJKMU]

Thank you SO very much Brianna, Honeychile, and Jennie for your encouragement and welcome!! And also thank you very much ADPiucf for the excerpt on Alumnae Initiation for possible AI's thinking of joining the organization. I am only 23 years of age, but I am in my second year of graduate school for clinical psychology. I, unfortunately, do not know any ADPi's and I'm not sure if there is an active alum association nearby. I live in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. and attend Marywood University ( who doesn't have any Greek organizations). I am in the process now of contacting an alumni chapter--but would this be "bad form" in conjunction with the post that ADPiucf posted?? A potential Member is technically not really encouraged to approach an alumni chapter?? Thanks so much for all of the info!! Just a few questions--what do you girls think??

~~AMANDA~~