My update

dukemama · #1 06-07-2007, 04:51 PM

Unfortunately my husband was called down to DC on business that day and wasn't home in time to watch our 4-year old, so I had to take him along. Thank goodness the sister at whose house we met was very understanding -- she has a grandson the same age.

I liked the women a lot. They seem genuinely fond of each other and most of them have been together as a group for 20+ years! I left feeling that they would welcome me into their chapter, but I still think I'd fit in better with a younger group of women. Fortunately there's another chapter not far from me made up of a lot of moms with tots, and I've already exchanged several e-mails with their VP. I'll be attending a meeting with them most likely in July.

twotimestalia · #2 06-07-2007, 05:13 PM

Happy to hear you had a good time at the meeting. It can only get better. My first meeting was with members in their 30's and with kids. It was ok. The second was with older ladyies (30's, and mostly 50's+) I'm 23 and felt better with the 2nd group.

dukemama · #3 06-12-2007, 09:34 PM

Remember I said I was in a "holding pattern" with the NPC sorority with which I was planning to pursue AI? Well, no more! The president of the alumnae association in my area sent me an e-mail today and wants me to come to one of her group's meetings. WOW! Now I might soon be involved with BSP AND this sorority...would it be a bad idea to pursue both at once?

Denise_DPhiE · #4 06-12-2007, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dukemama

Remember I said I was in a "holding pattern" with the NPC sorority with which I was planning to pursue AI? Well, no more! The president of the alumnae association in my area sent me an e-mail today and wants me to come to one of her group's meetings. WOW! Now I might soon be involved with BSP AND this sorority...would it be a bad idea to pursue both at once?

I would suggest doing one at a time. The goals might overlap and you might be spread too thin. Do what your heart tells you! Be sure to ask what the reqs of AI membership in the NPC group are including time, monetary etc.

dukemama · #5 06-12-2007, 10:17 PM

Thanks Denise. I haven't gotten further than the e-mail contact stage with both groups so as of now I'm not experiencing any conflicts. But I certainly see how that could happen.

I am definitely meeting with the BSP chapter next month, which is kind of unusual because many of the other chapters I've been in touch with break for the summer. Don't know if the NPC sorority's alumnae group works on that kind of schedule but I hope to have at least one "fact-finding" meeting with them before the end of the summer. Time commitment and financial considerations will absolutely be taken into account since I am a SAHM to a four-year old!

susan314 · #6 06-13-2007, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denise_DPhiE

I would suggest doing one at a time. The goals might overlap and you might be spread too thin. Do what your heart tells you! Be sure to ask what the reqs of AI membership in the NPC group are including time, monetary etc.

I would agree that one at a time would be the best way to go - you don't want to shortchange yourself or the organization! For the long term, you could potentially join both BSP and an NPC group. However, its not necessarily something you'd want to do all at once.

I don't think there's anything wrong with meeting women from both organizations at least one time - after all, how can you decide which group "feels right" to you, if you don't meet women from both organizations? Of course, I'd recommend against stringing a group along if you started to feel a strong preference for the other!

AlphaFrog · #7 06-13-2007, 08:43 AM

I get the impression (granted, I've never AIed OR joined BSP) that NPC and BSP have different time-tables for doing things. BSP seems to move a lot quicker then most NPC AI processes. So, you might start both processes together, but be fully initiated into BSP before making much headway in AI.

I guess, just check out your options. Go to both, and see where it leads you. Unless an org is pouring all kinds of time and money into you (or asking you to pour all kinds of time and money into it), I don't see the harm in attending events for both, until you would find it impractical to do both. It may just work out perfect to do both, timing wise.

dukemama · #8 06-13-2007, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

I get the impression (granted, I've never AIed OR joined BSP) that NPC and BSP have different time-tables for doing things. BSP seems to move a lot quicker then most NPC AI processes. So, you might start both processes together, but be fully initiated into BSP before making much headway in AI.

I was thinking the same thing. While there is an actual pledge period in BSP with reading, tests, etc., I have no idea how strictly the individual chapters follow it...or even if they're required to. If the women I met with last week are any guide, BSP pledgeship/initiation doesn't seem overly stressful or time-consuming (they were a very laid-back group who had been together 20+ years). Of course, any BSP sisters out there can feel free to correct me if I'm wrong!!

Thanks for your input. I'll keep the board posted as things progress.