My thoughts on being a GC Alpha Gam

I've had my triple dose of caffeine this morning, so BEWARE...long post ahead.

When I became an Alpha Gam a few years ago, I searched for places online where I could meet and keep in touch with fellow sisters. I searched and searched, became a part of a bunch of message groups, but I felt like I didn't really find my place until I logged onto GreekChat for the first time.

Next month marks my three year anniversary on GreekChat. I remember sensing the strong sisterhood that was already in place when I registered for the first time. Lisa Fishman probably doesn't know it, but she's the first sister that I met on GC, and she gave me the biggest welcome a sister could ever ask for! I also met Nina shortly thereafter, and was amazed that we both had Hawaii ties.

Since then, names Lynn, Maria, Sarah, Katey, and Leslie logged on too. And then more and more sisters joined. These sisters did all they could to help me through the world's most disastrous breakup and the deaths of my uncle and grandfather.

After a while, I realized that these names weren't just names anymore. These were my sisters. And though I have yet to meet many of you, I already feel a deep connection to each and every one of you.

The internet's a crazy thing. It's great for a gal like me who's isolated from all her sisters. But it could spell trouble for another sister whose online actions could be misinterpreted in a negative way.

I don't expect my sisters to be perfect and on their best behavior at all times online because I know I'm not.

But, we have a responsibility to represent AGD as best we can. Even if it means taking off the letters at the end of your posts. Or it could be refraining from jumping into drama in the general forums. On the upside, being a great online AGD GCer may mean you contribute to positive discussions, you support a sister who might be going through a tough time...and hey--the 2nd annual Secret Squirrels Exchange shows that your GC sisterhood extends beyond your internet connection!

What I'm trying to say is this (without trying to sound all lecture-y): love your sisters for who they are and accept their faults as if they were a family member. If you don't agree with a sister's behavior, there's PM/IM/email to contact her. Or, if you don't feel comfortable doing so, I know Nina and I can help...as long as it's not a personal problem.

I know that there are "big squirrels" lurking on the boards, so that should be reason enough to be on your best online behavior. BUT, and I'm really serious about this...if there is a problem on GC, I'd like to see it resolved as quietly as possible between the parties involved. It pains my heart to hear of situations where sisters have received warnings from members of IHQ/VST/CAs who aren't even on GC and don't even know what's going on.

I understand that this is a sensitive issue for some of you, but I'd really like to hear what you have to say. If you aren't comfortable doing so publicly, I'm just a PM away.

That being said, I strongly encourage all of you to continue to foster this strong AGD Online Sisterhood. I am truly proud of each and every one of you.

Loyally in Epsilon Pi,
Sandy

[AGDLynn]

We love you too!

LiEP!!
Lynn

[greeklawgirl]

Hmmm. Sandy, you've touched on a few things that are near and dear to my heart. Like you, I don't expect our Alpha Gam GCers to be perfect. I'm not perfect, so it wouldn't be fair to hold a sister to a higher standard than I would hold myself to.

However, there are other standards that I hold myself and my sisters to. The first one is the one in my signature, "To hold truth inviolable, sincerity essential, kindness invaluable." I try to be honest, sincere and kind in all my dealings with my sisters, and I expect the same in return. We have a duty to each other--and that duty means being happy for a sister when something great happens; comforting her when something bad happens; rejoicing when she does something right; being unafraid to correct her when she's wrong. This is true sisterhood.

I definitely agree that problems between sisters should be handled between those two sisters. Or go to Sandy and Nina to mediate. Its better than dragging the problem out into wider circles. That only brings trouble down onto everyone.

Although I don't know what situation Sandy is speaking of, I'd like to take a moment to apologize to any sister that I may have offended. I'm probably most famous around here for constantly warning sisters that this is a public forum, and that everything we post is a reflection on Alpha Gamma Delta. If I have offended you, please forgive me. Believe it or not, I say these things because I have a deep love for each and every one of you. I don't want any of you to get into trouble with IHQ, IC, the VST, or our other sisters. I hope that if I ever say something on GC that isn't appropriate that you would care enough about me to correct me.

[Lisa Fishman]

Awwww... Sandy. Gosh (blushing). I just went back to the first posts in the AGD fourm. This board has exploded. I can't believe we've been on the boards together this long, and this group of women have become so close. I enjoy and love our time together with everyone. It has been fun to see though we are spread out over the contential US, Hawaii, Canada and everywhere in between that we can "talk" via email or IM in happy and sad times.