Your thoughts on AI: discussion goes here.

[ReachTheLimit]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

But then I have to ask...WHY A SORORITY???

I know this is another horse that's been beaten to death, but if there's not much Greek activity in a PNAI's area, why not get involved in something that IS active??

That's a very easy question, because they work drastically different than any other women's organization that has national and international ties, and it's an organization for life.

I can't think of any other women's groups who are the same, and are ritual based...ritual is what makes the group special and bonds the entire organization.

Any other women's organization that I can think of are available any female who is sober enough to show up and pay dues and have members that constantly drop out and then pop back up. What is special about that? Nothing.

[PenguinTrax]

You can find ritual in a church, in Masonic organizations, in non-collegiate service sororities. Ritual does not make an organization special - people and how much work they put into the organization do. While it is nice to share ritual, as an alumna (and this has been stated MANY times before) you may only experience ritual once a year, if that. It is not something that is talked about on a regular basis in the alumnae chapter.

What matters is finding a common interest and friends with which to share those interests. Not all my sisters are my friends - I think that is true for everyone here. I belong to many different organizations - some GLO, some not. I have close friends and meaningful bonds with all these groups, whether we share a ritual or not.

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by ReachTheLimit

That's a very easy question, because they work drastically different than any other women's organization that has national and international ties, and it's an organization for life.

I can't think of any other women's groups who are the same, and are ritual based...ritual is what makes the group special and bonds the entire organization.

Any other women's organization that I can think of are available any female who is sober enough to show up and pay dues and have members that constantly drop out and then pop back up. What is special about that? Nothing.

But that's exactly what we're trying to tell PNAI's. Yes, ritual makes sororities special, but as an Alum, you MAY participate in ONE OR TWO rituals a year, if that, and that's if you happen to be in an active Alum chapter or are an active adviser.

And within sorority Alum chapters, you constantly have fluctuating membership. People show up or not all the time. There's not some special OMG I HAVE TO GO BECAUSE I'M A MEMBER FOR LIFE thing that keeps Alum chapters running.

[ReachTheLimit]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

But that's exactly what we're trying to tell PNAI's. Yes, ritual makes sororities special, but as an Alum, you MAY participate in ONE OR TWO rituals a year, if that, and that's if you happen to be in an active Alum chapter or are an active adviser.

And within sorority Alum chapters, you constantly have fluctuating membership. People show up or not all the time. There's not some special OMG I HAVE TO GO BECAUSE I'M A MEMBER FOR LIFE thing that keeps Alum chapters running.

I am not under the impression, nor have ever been told, that ritual was done on a regular basis, especially at the AA level.

However, I disagree with Penguin that this isn't what bonds them. Yes the people are important and the work that is involved is important, but to say ritual isn't a bonding process, a commitment, and a vow to that organization for life is the same thing as dismissing the importance of it.

And I have never, ever seen a sorority woman say or write that it wasn't something very dear and precious to them.