Your thoughts on AI: discussion goes here.

[LouisaMay]

I'm with you, tinydancer. When I first inquired about the possibility of AI, the issue was fairly quiet. There were a handful of success stories on GC. There was some general information posted, but most of what I learned was from Private Messages from two alumnae, one from the organization that I was looking into and one woman who was just generally supportive and wanted to point me in the right direction. Now, when I've finally found my home, this place feels like a disaster zone I'm sorry that it has come to this. The average one-time-only lurker would look at this board and think that all AIs were a bunch of pathetic dreamers who can't grow up. I'm not even sure how that came to be, but as someone who has benefited greatly from this sub-forum, even I can see that this board might be more trouble than it is worth.

Just to speak for myself, I'm quite grown-up, thank you. In fact, my years of schooling and life in general (although I'm still young) have taught me enough to make me feel that I can make a difference in the lives of college women...that I can teach them to be proud and gracious and determined. And that is exactly why I am a soon-to-be-AI.

[macallan25]

Is this alum. initiate thing very big at big Southern schools? I have to think most of the sorority girls I know would think it was really odd for an older, graduated, working woman to want to get initiated/join a sorority.

[greekalum]

Macallan, they would not be joining the collegiate chapter (I think we all agree: that would be weird.) And the way it usually actually works, despite what GC may tell you, is that there is a wonderful woman who has a daughter or a mother or a sister who is a member, and who has given a lot to her community as a professional or volunteer, and who the sorority's alums think, "wow, she would make a great XYZ" and they approach her. It's not usually something for women who missed their chance to join in college and have been dreaming of nothing else ever since- it's for women who have fulfilling lives and something to offer.

[SoCalGirl]

Originally Posted by greekalum

Macallan, they would not be joining the collegiate chapter (I think we all agree: that would be weird.) And the way it usually actually works, despite what GC may tell you, is that there is a wonderful woman who has a daughter or a mother or a sister who is a member, and who has given a lot to her community as a professional or volunteer, and who the sorority's alums think, "wow, she would make a great XYZ" and they approach her. It's not usually something for women who missed their chance to join in college and have been dreaming of nothing else ever since- it's for women who have fulfilling lives and something to offer.

Quoting because it's so TRUE!

[irishpipes]

Originally Posted by macallan25

Is this alum. initiate thing very big at big Southern schools? I have to think most of the sorority girls I know would think it was really odd for an older, graduated, working woman to want to get initiated/join a sorority.

You are correct that a lot of people think it is weird.

When I was a NM, I knew about AI because it said that we did AI in my Frat Ed manual. I also knew about it because my chapter AI-ed women from my community when the chapter was installed.

However, after reading up on different chapters/orgs here, I know that not all people are aware that their GLO even did AI (if they even do). I don't know if the other NPCs has even addressed the issue to their members, but the Quarterly article Alphagamuga mentioned earlier pretty much explained to the Fraternity that a) yes, we have AI; and b) many AIs have gone on to do marvelous things for the Fraternity, even hold the office of International President.

[aopirose]

Originally Posted by OTW

I don't know if the other NPCs has even addressed the issue to their members, but the Quarterly article Alphagamuga mentioned earlier pretty much explained to the Fraternity that a) yes, we have AI; and b) many AIs have gone on to do marvelous things for the Fraternity, even hold the office of International President.

AOII did a very nice article a few years ago too. I also agree that many of our AIs have gone on to do good work for the Fraternity. Like AGD, AOII has had an AI become International President.

I think that an AI can bring great value to an alumnae chapter. If a women has a close tie to the chapter and is around pretty much anyway for open events, why not invite her to join if she meets or exceeds the qualifications? AIs that have joined my AC were not looking to relive college days. That's not what our AC is about. We concentrate on our roles as active alumnae and being about AOII's business and developing freindships.

Currently, we have AIs of Alabama, Southeastern La., and one soon-to-be of Ole Miss.

[ReachTheLimit]

I'm curious about something, so I'll just throw it out there. If so many sororities don't want AI discussed on Greek Chat, then why doesn't someone from higher up in the individual GLO's not post on here from time to time making the wishes of the individual GLO known.

I'm only asking this b/c many having posted the GC is affecting AI policy of many sororities.

Any thoughts?

[SoCalGirl]

I don't know how far reaching the affect of GC really is on sorority AI procedures but most if not all the sororities (and fraternities) try to keep an eye on things here. The "higher ups" don't post here due to many reasons. (I'll take a stab that the #1 reason is to not to make GC a legit place to get membership info.) If it's important enough to be said they'll do it through their existing communications with members (newsletters, websites, etc).

[midwesterngirl]

Originally Posted by ReachTheLimit

I'm curious about something, so I'll just throw it out there. If so many sororities don't want AI discussed on Greek Chat, then why doesn't someone from higher up in the individual GLO's not post on here from time to time making the wishes of the individual GLO known.

I'm only asking this b/c many having posted the GC is affecting AI policy of many sororities.

Any thoughts?

There have been a few national officers on this board who have asked that the information be limited. Unfortunately their concerns weren't taken very seriously by the former mod. That has been part of the problem from the beginning. Incorrect and unneeded information was being allowed to circulate and wasn't being stopped like it should have been. From there other problems arose and were blown totally out of proportion. I personally wish the forum to be deleted all together but if it isn't going to be,there needs to be a much much tighter reign on it.

[KSUViolet06]

I am not against AI. I am against people seeking it. I am a collegian of a sorority that does AI. My HQ is well aware of the discussions going on in this community and (like I believe Alpha Phi has done) removed all AI info from the website and such. They are also restructuring the process.

In short, I am pro AI, but these are the only circumstances I think are acceptable to be considered:

*A woman was a member of a local sorority which affiliated with an NPC, and they are seeking membership with that NPC group.

*A woman pledged an NPC, but due to extenuating circumstances, had to depledge and later seeks membership with the same sorority.

*A woman has a daughter in a sorority. She assists her daughter's chapter for a number of years. Her daughter then recommends her for membership.

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by macallan25

Is this alum. initiate thing very big at big Southern schools? I have to think most of the sorority girls I know would think it was really odd for an older, graduated, working woman to want to get initiated/join a sorority.

Expanding on this, I think it's interesting the lack of knowledge that us fraternity guys have on the subject. I had only heard of it in Kappa Sig for VERY specific circumstances: for example, a close relative (grandson I believe) of one of the fraternity's most important members was initiated as an alum. He had given a lot of time and money to the fraternity to that point. I can think of a couple other examples of people who gave an immense amount of their time to the fraternity in other capacities who were initiated.

I still can't completely wrap my head around the reasons for doing it, on either side of the coin, but I'll defer to think it should be left off the board (because of membership discussions, etc.).

[macallan25]

Originally Posted by KSigkid

Expanding on this, I think it's interesting the lack of knowledge that us fraternity guys have on the subject. I had only heard of it in Kappa Sig for VERY specific circumstances: for example, a close relative (grandson I believe) of one of the fraternity's most important members was initiated as an alum. He had given a lot of time and money to the fraternity to that point. I can think of a couple other examples of people who gave an immense amount of their time to the fraternity in other capacities who were initiated.

I still can't completely wrap my head around the reasons for doing it, on either side of the coin, but I'll defer to think it should be left off the board (because of membership discussions, etc.).

Yeah, I have really never heard much about it. I know of several men who have been given special recognitions by various chapters of SAE, but I dunno if they were actually initiated or not. Barry Switzer is one that comes to mind.......I have heard from a couple people that he is an "honorary" initiate of Oklahoma Kappa........but I dunno if that is the same thing as an alumni initiation.

Originally Posted by macallan25

Yeah, I have really never heard much about it. I know of several men who have been given special recognitions by various chapters of SAE, but I dunno if they were actually initiated or not. Barry Switzer is one that comes to mind.......I have heard from a couple people that he is an "honorary" initiate of Oklahoma Kappa........but I dunno if that is the same thing as an alumni initiation.

I can't speak for the other NPCs, but an AI into my organization is not an honorary member, as she receives all the same privileges and benefits entitled to members initiated as collegians. We don't have honorary members, period.

[AChiOhSnap]

Originally Posted by macallan25

Yeah, I have really never heard much about it. I know of several men who have been given special recognitions by various chapters of SAE, but I dunno if they were actually initiated or not. Barry Switzer is one that comes to mind.......I have heard from a couple people that he is an "honorary" initiate of Oklahoma Kappa........but I dunno if that is the same thing as an alumni initiation.

I believe that "honorary initiatiation" in a fraternity is essentially the same thing as NPC AI. I'm aware of a few men who have been honorary initiates of fraternities (usually they're famous or closely related to big shots in the fraternity) and they go through ritual and are afforded full rights of the brotherhood. This could be different for other groups, but as far as I've heard, all honorary fraternity initiates are considered members and wear the letters, badge and crest.

Please correct me if I'm wrong or if your group has a different kind of honorary initiate.