Well, I haven't exactly been discreet with my intentions (shows what happens if you don't lurk at GreekChat before posting), but I thought I'd start a thread about my quest for alumnae initiation!
(From this point forward I'm just going to call them ABC and Nu Mu)
At present, I am looking at two organizations in my local area. I have met with the chapter president of ABC, and met the collegiate chapter adviser and members of the alumnae chapter Nu Mu. On New Year's Eve, I'm attending a party thrown by a member of Nu Mu, and in January, I'm attending ABC's Founder's Day tea.
I have to say that I'm absolutely in love with Nu Mu as an international organization! Everything I've read about this group has impressed me from the first. When I met with the rep over coffee, we seemed to click right away - we both have a really droll sense of humor, and she seemed to think that I'd get along with the other members of the chapter quite well. I went to a Christmas dessert party at the home of one of the alumnae members, and let's just say that I don't think that I "clicked" as well as she thought I would. I'm a lot different from the members in the chapter (age difference, cultural difference, from a different country), and I just felt a little out of place. I'm really shy, and when I'm in a group of people I don't know, I'm either a complete motormouth, or I clam up completely. I didn't talk much this night, but I still participated in the conversation and played games whenever I could. I still love the organization as a whole, and the chapter rep who I got along with so well is convinced that it was just an off night. She really wants to see me in Nu Mu letters, and seems to have made it her mission in life to make this happen.
In addition to her New Year's Party, she's invited me to one of their chapter meetings in January.
Now on to ABC...I'll be honest here: I had my doubts about them as an undergraduate because of a nasty rumor on my campus that was never confirmed nor denied. But 16 years have passed since then, and I've learned that you can't judge an entire organization by one chapter.
I contacted this group directly -- again, I hadn't checked CutiePie2000's AI advice thread -- and the chapter president responded almost immediately. When we finally met, I have to say that by the end of breakfast, I was
completely bowled over by the chapter pres. The passion and enthusiasm she showed for ABC really shone through her words and actions, and she even talked about how the value of ABC didn't really become obvious to her until she became involved as an alum. She discussed the AI process in depth and left me with copies of the fraternity's magazine. I was impressed with how prepared she was, and after doing some research, I've really become impressed with the organization -- especially with the Canadian members I've met on GreekChat and in person. She invited me to their Founders Day tea in January so that I'd get a chance to meet the other members of the chapter. I'm nervous, and I hope it doesn't feel as awkward as the event with Nu Mu, but I'm really looking forward to learning more about ABC and meeting more of the women in the chapter.
So, that's my update. Nu Mu says that if I'm extended an invitation I'll probably be initiated in the Spring: ABC says if I'm invited to join, I'll be initiated in September. I'm really impressed with both of these organizations, and while I do have a favourite, I'm keeping an open mind. They're both very strong in Canada and in the US, although only one has a strong presence in my home state. I'll try to keep you posted on the progress!
Thanks to everyone who has been such a help to me during this process - and for those of you who have "virtually" held my hand when things got tough!
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