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Yes, I have. NOTE TO THE SHOPPERS: Do not contact me. I'm not interested in sponsoring YOU.
In my positions with my sorority, I have worked and continue to work closely with collegiate chapters. I am a hands-on volunteer, so I develop personal relationships with the chapter members as well. Please allow me to explain why I chose to seek honorary membership for the most recent woman - we'll call her Katie. Katie's two daughters had both been initiated as collegians. During the oldest's term, Katie single-handedly organized a Mother's Club - the first time it had happened at this chapter. Even when she only had 3 or 4 responses, she maintained the Club and continued to grow it until her youngest graduated. It is now huge and tremendously active. In this capacity and as well as just a mom, Katie gave selflessly of her time and talents for the improvement of the sorority. Every retreat, every recruitment event, every workshop - she was there with treats and little gifts from the mothers.
One of the other advisors and I thought that she was an excellent candidate for honorary membership. She was a professional woman - she had attended college and earned a bachelors degree. And there were other considerations as well.
To answer Senusret's questions: The feeling we got was pretty cool. It was neat to share something like this with a person that we already KNEW was going to respect it and that we KNEW was going to be a very active part of the sorority's future - regardless of whether or not she knew ritual. She did know that she was going to be initiated, but there was a portion of time when another advisor and I researched the process and obtained all other initial permissions prior to asking her interest. Additionally, we met with the daughters first to see what they would think about it. (They were thrilled, and we let them do the asking.)
A lot of work? There was some paperwork to be completed in the preceding weeks by both the alumna and by us as sponsors. She had some additional small things - learning about our history, etc. But I wouldn't call it work. Crying. I'm not a crier during real life things for some reason. I cry at the end of Die Hard, but I don't cry at weddings - I'm weird. So no, I didn't. But Katie and her daughters got misty. Gifts. I don't think that I gave a personal gift. The chapter may have, though. Plus we always ordered tshirts and stuff for her.
It was a great experience, and Katie continues to support the chapter and its events and come to alumnae events - even though the youngest is in grad school. She had never considered alumnae initiation and therefore was not performing her selfless acts in order to get initiated as a reward. Katie was not the only AI that I sponsored. Out of the four that I have been involved with, I can happily say that ALL four were deserving and continue to support the chapter and alumnae association - many years after their initiation.
DISCLAIMER: I detest sorority shopping, and I am appalled when women seek membership to fill a gaping wound left over from their unsuccessful collegiate recruitment. Personally, I do not support those types of AI. I prefer - as Sen titled this thread - the term Honorary Membership. And to reserve the HONOR for someone who deserves it and is recognized by member(s) for their personal contributions already made.
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