Update on my AI journey

lake · #1 11-08-2004, 11:33 PM

I sent a letter to the new AI Coordinator for XYZ on Friday, and she already sent me an e-mail reply! That was quick!

In a nutshell, she reiterated what I already know: that they would put me in contact with an alum group and that someone would need to sponsor me, and there are NO guarantees.

It's weird, but suddenly this whole process seems so overwhelming and hard. My excitement has turned to discouragement. HELP!! I'm in need of some GC TLC right about now!

navane · #2 11-09-2004, 04:50 PM

Aww Lake! Do not fret! You are still moving in a positive direction!

Let's look at what you've got going for you:

1) The AI Coordinator responded right away - you didn't have to languish for weeks with no response.

2) She said they would put you in contact with an alum group.

3) The new AI Coordinator now knows your name.

Those are three positive things out of that one e-mail!

However, yes, it must be so discouraging when you have to leave it to someone else to make the next step for you. I remember feeling so helpless at times waiting on someone else to get back to me.

I want to let you know from experience that late fall can be a busy time for folks.....you may not hear back from anyone for a long while. The chapters are often doing elections and alums are busy preparing for the holidays. Then, of course, there is winter break for chapters. I'd say, hang in there through mid to late January and then e-mail again. You can send a friendly note saying that you'd love to meet up with an alum chapter to see if there's any way you can assist in the new year.

Hang in there!!! We're all behind you!!

.....Kelly

trojangal · #3 11-09-2004, 09:54 PM

Lake,

Don't give up! I know the feeling about the waiting. I'm waiting right now on some questions that I have about the group.

Navane brought up some good points...you did get three good things out of that response. Another thing to remember is that many of the alum associations probably only meet once a month.

PM me whenever you want to talk. I'm here for you sweetie!

@>------ ( a rose to brighten your day!)

Cheryl

lake · #4 11-28-2004, 07:38 PM

I called the AI Coordinator for XYZ last Tuesday (it had been a couple weeks since I sent my letter and follow-up e-mails). I thought it went very well. She's very nice. She's going to start the process of getting me in touch with a specific alumnae group. Hopefully I can start out by e-mailing them and having some conversations over the phone with them, then meet them, then hopefully get invited to some events and even help them out with rush events, etc.

Slow, slow, slow...this seems to be going slow, but I swear I am sooooo motivated to see this through!! I'm excited!!

pinkyphimu · #5 11-28-2004, 11:44 PM

this is exciting news!! slowly but surely....you will get there!

Tom Earp · #6 11-29-2004, 05:48 PM

lake, remember the little engine that could?

Well, it was tuff going up the Mountain, but omg, crested the top, and whoa nellie, fast track after that on the down hill side.

Keep your head up and go go go. No go go boots though!

Sounds good, but remember, during the Horror Days it does slow things down a bit. But still looking very promising!

trojangal · #7 11-30-2004, 06:21 AM

I am so glad to hear that things are going so well! Good luck and keep me posted! I'll be thinking about you!

tinydancer · #8 11-30-2004, 10:11 AM

Hang in there! We're all with you!

blueangel · #9 11-30-2004, 11:34 AM

Add me to the list of people rooting for you! It's not easy, believe me! I've been at this for nearly three years with one GLO. To say it's been a roller coaster ride is minimizing the experience!

I'm not sure which GLO you're persuing, but keep in mind that AI is relatively rare in many sororities, so sometimes you won't hear anything for a while. It may not be because they are saying "no," but because the info needs to get to "the right person" (and maybe it didn't!) , or, the exact procedures aren't known in that alumnae chapter and something slipped through the cracks.

The hardest part, I think, is knowing when to follow up to make sure things are going forward, yet not be pushy.

Best wishes to you.. hang in there... and stay positive!

lake · #10 11-30-2004, 10:48 PM

Ha ha! Tom you're funny! "Horror Days"...I hadn't heard that one before. I'm going to combine it into a snappy new phrase with my favorite pet term: "relaticks". As in:

"I'm spending the 'Horror Days' with some 'relaticks'."

I'm still riding high on my euphoria, but blueangel, you're absolutely right...since AI is relatively rare I know it will take awhile. I too have been pursuing this for awhile and the AI Coordinator I just talked to is the third one I've chatted with in the past couple years. When I told her I wanted to be sure to talk with her first instead of breaking protocol of sorts and contacting an alum chapter "cold" she said that was absolutely the correct thing to do, since most alum chapters probably don't even know what AI is. This will give her the chance to contact them (as an agent of the Fraternity), introduce herself and explain her reasons for contacting them and explain AI. She said she would get right on it, so I'm assuming that now I'll have to wait for them to get back to her, then her to get back to me...and just basically "hurry up and wait" until something happens.

I sent her a thank you note on Saturday for spending time on the phone with me last week. She should've received it no later than today, so at least I'll still be somewhat fresh in her mind.

Thanks for all your support! I'll definitely keep everyone posted. This forum is the primary reason I'm pursuing this so intensely again.

trojangal · #11 12-01-2004, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by lake
I sent her a thank you note on Saturday for spending time on the phone with me last week. She should've received it no later than today, so at least I'll still be somewhat fresh in her mind.

Thanks for all your support! I'll definitely keep everyone posted. This forum is the primary reason I'm pursuing this so intensely again.

Woo hoo!! Good for you! ( as I quickly grab my pen and stationary to write one to the lovely lady I spoke with last week)

So proud of everything you are doing and that you are keeping a positive mindset.

We are here for each other!!

Jill1228 · #12 12-01-2004, 01:52 PM

Hang in there and good luck!

lake · #13 12-13-2004, 09:48 PM

Yay!! Just had to share the latest with all my GC friends:

I just checked my e-mail (I hadn't in several days) and there was a message waiting from an alum of XYZ and it was so wonderful! She wrote [and I quote]:

"I have read your request and would just love to get to know you better", and

"This is just a short note to let you know I would like to get to know you better and that I have just been really busy."

She also mentioned she had been meaning to call, etc. She sounds really nice! I'm so excited! I wrote back to her and told her a little about myself and how I hoped we could eventually get to know each other better via e-mail, over the phone, meeting in the future, etc.

KSUViolet06 · #14 12-13-2004, 10:01 PM

Things seem to be going so amazing for you. I'm saying my prayers that they keep going so well.

trojangal · #15 12-14-2004, 06:20 AM

Great! I'm glad to see that things are moving in a positive direction! Hooray!!