Graduate Student and AI

[CutiePie2000]

Originally Posted by irishpipes

You don't join an alumnae chapter. You join a national/international organization and are sponsored by an alumna or an alumnae chapter to do it. Then once you are initiated you of course are likely to be active in an alumnae chapter.

Yes, and I also wanted to point out that in addition to being active in an alumnae chapter, there will the expectation that you will support the collegiate chapter too if you live close by to one (i.e. helping out "behind the scenes in Recruitment, etc...stuff like that).

[mkriske]

Originally Posted by CutiePie2000

Yes, and I also wanted to point out that in addition to being active in an alumnae chapter, there will the expectation that you will support the collegiate chapter too if you live close by to one (i.e. helping out "behind the scenes in Recruitment, etc...stuff like that).

Thank you. Isn't one of the reasons to have an Alumnae Chapter, to help support the Collegiate Chapter? Afterall, the majority of those who will make up the Alumnae Chapter are those who are in the Collegiate Chapter.

[lauralaylin]

I guess I can't speak for anyone else, but in Alpha Phi if you are part of a collegiate chapter, you aren't in the alum chapter. So no, the alum chapter isn't made up mostly of collegiates. Maybe I read this wrong though?

Also, from what I've seen, while there is some support for the collegiates, we don't really do too much with them. I know things are different in other parts of the country, but I've never seen an AC really get involved deeply with a collegiate chapter besides planting flowers in front of the house, a little rush help, scholarships, etc. The advisers are the alums who are really involved. If I find an alum who is interested in collegiate stuff, I try to get her to be an adviser. Of course, with four collegiate chapters within 10 miles of me, we can always use more advisers!

[texas*princess]

I think one of the things I don't think I will ever understand is that some people can't get past the whole sorority thing.

I am pretty sure that if I hadn't found my home while I was in school, my life would have moved on, and I wouldn't worry 10 years later about finding that sorority that I didn't join when I was in college.

I probably won't be doing the grad school thing for awhile, but if I was in grad school, I'd have more important things to worry about (ummm grad school... work, and the rest of my life) than to think 'gosh darnit! i need to find a sorority home because I didn't find one that fit in college!!'

Sorry for the rant, but I really just don't get it.

[AUDeltaGam]

As someone who's IN grad school (2nd year), I don't see how anyone has time to relax, let alone find a sorority home. If a person is dead-set on AI-ing, I would advise them to wait until after they've finished grad school. There are more important things to worry about while in grad school.

Just my $0.02.

[Dionysus]

Grad school's tough, but if you don't have enough time to relax (for anything), you're probably taking too many hours.

[blueangel]

Originally Posted by AUDeltaGam

As someone who's IN grad school (2nd year), I don't see how anyone has time to relax, let alone find a sorority home. If a person is dead-set on AI-ing, I would advise them to wait until after they've finished grad school. There are more important things to worry about while in grad school.

Just my $0.02.

There is a very famous motivational speaker named Zig Zigler who once did a talk about putting things off that we want to do. He said that we often miss opportunities in our life because we are always caught up with what we're doing now.

For instance, we say, "Oh, I'll do that after I graduate college." Then we graduate and find outselves busy looking for a job. "Oh, I'll do that once I find a job." Then we are busy with our new job. "Oh, I'll do that once I get married and have two incomes." But then we're busy with out new home and our new husband and a new baby. "Oh, I'll do that once the baby is old enough to go to school." But then we get a job when the child is in school. "Oh, I'll do that once I retire.."

.... and on and on it goes.

The moral of the story is, if we want to do something badly enough, we can make the time to do it.

And speaking of AI'ing.. it's a long, difficult process. But aside from sending out a letter and meeting the local chapter.. it's not a time consuming process. It's more about waiting.

If one finds their home through AI, it can be as busy as you choose-- depending on how involved you want to be. There are no mandatory meetings... you are as active as your schedule permits, and put in as much (or as little) time as you like.

[TrueBlueKappa]

Originally Posted by blueangel

There is a very famous motivational speaker named Zig Zigler who once did a talk about putting things off that we want to do. He said that we often miss opportunities in our life because we are always caught up with what we're doing now.

I'd think getting "caught up with" getting an education should probably come before geting "caught up with" AIing a sorority.

Just my $.02.

[blueangel]

Originally Posted by texas*princess

I think one of the things I don't think I will ever understand is that some people can't get past the whole sorority thing.

I am pretty sure that if I hadn't found my home while I was in school, my life would have moved on, and I wouldn't worry 10 years later about finding that sorority that I didn't join when I was in college.

I probably won't be doing the grad school thing for awhile, but if I was in grad school, I'd have more important things to worry about (ummm grad school... work, and the rest of my life) than to think 'gosh darnit! i need to find a sorority home because I didn't find one that fit in college!!'

Sorry for the rant, but I really just don't get it.

One of ZTA's slogans is, "Zeta is Forever." It doesn't say, "Zeta is for your college years".. it says "forever." College is only four years.. "forever" is a very long time. Hope that helps.

[ScarletRed]

Originally Posted by texas*princess

I think one of the things I don't think I will ever understand is that some people can't get past the whole sorority thing.

I am pretty sure that if I hadn't found my home while I was in school, my life would have moved on, and I wouldn't worry 10 years later about finding that sorority that I didn't join when I was in college.

I probably won't be doing the grad school thing for awhile, but if I was in grad school, I'd have more important things to worry about (ummm grad school... work, and the rest of my life) than to think 'gosh darnit! i need to find a sorority home because I didn't find one that fit in college!!'

Sorry for the rant, but I really just don't get it.

I don't believe that women that pursue AI are "obsessed" with trying to complete an unfulfilled college dream or "obsessed" with joining a sorority, just because they are going AI, or don't have anything better to do with their adult life because they want to join.

Sororities are different than the vast majority of organizations for women. Sororities are for life. I can't think of any other organizations for women that work quite like sororities do, thus can 100% understand the appeal.

I see the Eastern Star mentioned from time to time, and I am a legacy of that organization with a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather that were Masons and a grandmother that was an ES member. However, if you checked around at the locals, unless you are 65 years old, you'll be way out of your age group if you join.

I see alot of those that don't particularly care for AI's on the GC message board, but I look at it like this: If you don't like the AI process, then you should wage a campaign with your national to get the process banned.

The collegiate chapters run their show the way they see fit, and therefore, the alumnae chapters do as well. If they don't want to accept an AI member, they don't have to. If they choose that option, you can bet there is a reason why.

There is more of a chance of a collegiate "weirdo" member joining as a Freshman after a single week of recruitment activities than there is an AI who usually takes 6 months to a year and many meetings to complete the process.

If I am going to be a member of my sorority, then I am going to support ALL of my other sisters, not just the ones that I pick and choose and single out because of the way they joined.

If someone cannot embrace that, then they should not be a member of a sorority at all.

[SigKapSweetie]

There is more of a chance of a collegiate "weirdo" member joining as a Freshman after a single week of recruitment activities than there is an AI who usually takes 6 months to a year and many meetings to complete the process.

You may be on to something there.

[Taualumna]

Originally Posted by ScarletRed

I .

I see the Eastern Star mentioned from time to time, and I am a legacy of that organization with a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather that were Masons and a grandmother that was an ES member. However, if you checked around at the locals, unless you are 65 years old, you'll be way out of your age group if you join.

Even Junior League can be "older." While provisionals are nowhere near 65, many are already in their 30s and have had a few years of work/real life experience.

[blueangel]

You're right TauAlumna, it really depends on the Junior League. My provisional class had women as young as their early 20's to one woman in her early 60's. Most however, seemed to be in their mid to late 30's. Some Junior Leagues (such as the one in my area) have done away with sponsorships and age limits. If you're female and you're breathing in and out... you can join.

And back on subject, I want to clear something up. I've noticed that there seems to be a disturbing tactic on this board of "saying something untrue often enough, and it is believed." Specifically, I'm referring to the untrue allegation that I believe everyone should be an AI and that everyone is worthy of being an AI. I never said that and I challenge those who are spreading this untruth around to quote a post in which I said that.

I do, however, believe anyone who wishes to try, to be allowed to ask questions and pursue their dreams without harrassment on this forum.

I want to make it clear that I believe not everyone is a good fit for a sorority.. but it isn't up to you nor I to make that judgement.. it is up to the individual Alumnae Chapters and International HQs.

[ScarletRed]

Exactly Taualumna.

We have the "Civic League" where I am from instead of Junior League. 100% of them are married. 100% of them are from extremely wealthy households.

They sponsor a huge Miss America preliminary pagaent every year and people turn out to that thing dressed like it's a Hollywood movie premier. They also limit their membership to 30 women so the only way a new member gets in is if someone moves, dies, or files for bankruptcy. Ok, I'm joking, but you get the point.

There are so many incredibly talented women that are looking for an organization to lend their talents to. If someone is willing to take the time to wait 6 months, a year, maybe even 2, to AI a sorority, then it would be a horrible waste of time to be anything but a fully participating member, and a disservice to the sorority who took the time, the effort, and the resources to sponsor them and bring them in.

I don't really think that there is a "flood" of AI requests to National GLO's, and it should remain something selective and special. I could be wrong, I sure don't work for National. I may look at it differently if I did.

There are just a ton of women that went to schools where there were no sororities, etc. What would be the harm and damage in bringing these women into an organization where they want to contribute to it?

I see none.

Originally Posted by Taualumna

Even Junior League can be "older." While provisionals are nowhere near 65, many are already in their 30s and have had a few years of work/real life experience.

[KunjaPrincess]

Originally Posted by mkriske

Thank you. Isn't one of the reasons to have an Alumnae Chapter, to help support the Collegiate Chapter? Afterall, the majority of those who will make up the Alumnae Chapter are those who are in the Collegiate Chapter.

I am assuming that you mean that the Collegiates who graduate will go on to become members of the Alum chapter? Possibly so depending on the area but many collegiates go to school away from home so they will not join the local alum chapter. My alum chapter has people from as far apart as WA and Maryland in it and they didn't go to the same school LOL.

Yes, ideally an alum chapter will support the collegiate chapter BUT not every member of the alum chapter wants to support the collegians. Our alum chapter has a lot more members than who support the collegians reguarly. We have our advisors and our House Corp board but most members of the HCB aren't even active in the alum chapter and vice versa.

An alum chapter is nothing like a collegiate chapter. I can say that since I work with the collegians. They are not usually going to have get togethers every week. Some won't even have them every month. Even if they do they are not mandatory and won't likely have the same people turn up every time.