My update

dukemama · #1 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 · #2 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 · #3 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 · #4 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 · #5 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 · #6 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.

SWTXBelle · #7 06-13-2007, 10:45 AM

As the mother of a small child, you may want to consider which group has women in the same boat. One of my alumnae groups actually had a play group - moms with small children met once a week at homes or at the park. If there were a few moms in either of your two groups, you could possibly organize something like that. In my experience with my GLO, the group is very understanding of the demands of having small children. If you cannot devote a great deal of time now, you may be able to later. I was a full-time chapter advisor until the birth of child #1, and took off a few years. Then I moved, and ending up organizing both an Alumnae Panhellenic and a Crescent Circle! I've helped two women (one was my mom!) through AI - and although I can't speak for any other GLO, I'd be surprised if it differed greatly from G Phi B - and it should not take up too much of your time. Follow your heart would be my advice - if you want to do both, I'm sure you can. If you want to put one on hold, that would work, too.
Best of luck!

dukemama · #8 06-13-2007, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

As the mother of a small child, you may want to consider which group has women in the same boat.

That is exactly why one particular BSP chapter has stood out for me so far...all of the others I've talked to are primarily made up of women who already have grandchildren. The "younger" chapter is really the only one I'm interested in joining.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

In my experience with my GLO, the group is very understanding of the demands of having small children. If you cannot devote a great deal of time now, you may be able to later...although I can't speak for any other GLO, I'd be surprised if it differed greatly from G Phi B - and it should not take up too much of your time.

This is very encouraging. Thanks!!!