Your thoughts on AI: discussion goes here.

[ReachTheLimit]

[quote=centaur532;1340100][quote=ReachTheLimit;1340086]

Originally Posted by greekalum

Look, no one here is objecting to the fact that you are pursuing AI. Good for you, seriously. This forum could exist peacefully if people like yourself find out about AI through the correct channels and then use this forum to talk about their journey and frustrations. That's why this forum should exist. It should not exist to be a resource for PNAMs.
If we can put the lid on enquiries and the means to pursuing AI and leave this forum for people like yourself who are already in the process then it could work.

I only used the GC board for a few basic things..to find out if the sororities (and I'll admit here, there were two on my list) I was interested in, even did AI.

1) I learned from reading the posts that the National office was the place to make the contact.
2) Don't post the name of the sorority until you are extended an invitation to join, or better yet, intiated.
3) Don't solicit other members for sponsorship, because of #1.
4) That it could take weeks, months, years, if at all.
5) Was rare and every sorority did it differently and had different requirements.

Yes, there were a few sororities that were listed that said they AI'd under specific circumstances. These were not on my list, but even if they had been, I wouldn't have contacted them at all because what "special circumstances" did I have? Nothing! I obviously didn't know what they were b/c I'm not a member, but I don't think one has to be very smart to be able to answer your own question that if you don't have a previous tie, then that is probably not the one to contact.

I was able to gather all of that info without posting anything. I consider this information, extremely basic. That is the part that I would like to see continue, and I don't see anything wrong with a sticky to make sure that the information given is accurate

I would also support the deletion of any threads or posts where someone didn't bother to read the sticky.

Now, do you get some crazies inquiring about AI? Absolutely! I'm not going to disagree with anyone regarding that.

However, there may not be many, but I am sure there are a few women like me, who want to join for the right reasons, are willing to be a very present, hardworking member, and "do the sorority justice" in representing it and giving back. I don't think it would be the worst thing in the world if HQ was contacted by these women. How many could there possibly be? This forum is very, very small.

I also believe, in regards to the crazies, let's say they did contact your HQ. If you can figure out they are nuts in a few posts, don't you think a group of women can figure out the same thing?

Trust your local AA. I am sure they turn down alot.

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by ReachTheLimit

I only used the GC board for a few basic things..to find out if the sororities (and I'll admit here, there were two on my list) I was interested in, even did AI.

THERE SHOULD BE NO LIST.

Originally Posted by ReachTheLimit

3) Don't solicit other members for sponsorship, because of #1.

IF YOU HAD TO "LEARN" THAT ON GC...THEN THAT IS A GREAT REASON FOR THE AI FORUM NOT TO EXISIT.

[greekalum]

Originally Posted by ReachTheLimit

However, there may not be many, but I am sure there are a few women like me, who want to join for the right reasons, are willing to be a very present, hardworking member, and "do the sorority justice" in representing it and giving back. I don't think it would be the worst thing in the world if HQ was contacted by these women. How many could there possibly be? This forum is very, very small.

I also believe, in regards to the crazies, let's say they did contact your HQ. If you can figure out they are nuts in a few posts, don't you think a group of women can figure out the same thing?

Trust your local AA. I am sure they turn down alot.

Hon, you seem to be missing the fact that what you consider the "right reasons" is not the same as what most sororities consider "the right reasons."

[ReachTheLimit]

Originally Posted by greekalum

Hon, you seem to be missing the fact that what you consider the "right reasons" is not the same as what most sororities consider "the right reasons."

I stated the reasons to the local AA, and that is up to them to decide. Considering I sent them this information up front, and met them, and they invited me to further activities, obviously, they don't have an issue with why I want to join.

[AlphaFrog]

ReachTheLimit,

I'm just going to put it out there, blunt as possible, because you seem to need it that way:

You have 79 posts on GC. All but 5 are you fighting for your "right" to shop on GC as an AI. Argue all you want, but in the grand picture of things, when decision time comes as to whether the AI Forum stays or goes, your opinion means one of two things: 1)Jack 2)Sh*t.

[ReachTheLimit]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

ReachTheLimit,

I'm just going to put it out there, blunt as possible, because you seem to need it that way:

You have 79 posts on GC. All but 5 are you fighting for your "right" to shop on GC as an AI. Argue all you want, but in the grand picture of things, when decision time comes as to whether the AI Forum stays or goes, your opinion means one of two things: 1)Jack 2)Sh*t.

That's a decision for John to make, not you.

You are anti-AI, so your opinion is pretty much worthless to me.

[AlexMack]

Originally Posted by ReachTheLimit

That's a decision for John to make, not you.

You are anti-AI, so your opinion is pretty much worthless to me.

No.

[irishpipes]

Originally Posted by ReachTheLimit

2) Don't post the name of the sorority until you are extended an invitation to join, or better yet, intiated.

I would be in favor of PNAIs posting the name of the sorority. I would be in favor of you posting your sorority of choice.

Originally Posted by ReachTheLimit

I was able to gather all of that info without posting anything. I consider this information, extremely basic. That is the part that I would like to see continue, and I don't see anything wrong with a sticky to make sure that the information given is accurate

I don't understand how a "sticky" would ensure that information is accurate.

Originally Posted by ReachTheLimit

However, there may not be many, but I am sure there are a few women like me, who want to join for the right reasons, are willing to be a very present, hardworking member, and "do the sorority justice" in representing it and giving back. I don't think it would be the worst thing in the world if HQ was contacted by these women. How many could there possibly be? This forum is very, very small.

In my opinion, this is where things really start to go downhill for you. You obviously believe that your reasons for wanting to AI are the "right" reasons. But really, AI is not a mutual selection process. It is the GLO's reasons that are assessed, not the PNAI's. I don't intend for that to sound offensive - really, I don't. AI is not intended to be fair or unfair. The GLO decides who they want or need and if the woman accepts it is a go. The PNAI really is virtually powerless except for the obvious ability to go along with the process, decline, or accept. That is why AI is a tougher reality than collegiate recruitment, where there is more of a mutual selection. (Although it is still heavily weighted on the GLO's side, in my opinion.)

Originally Posted by ReachTheLimit

I don't think people that are Anti-AI should be posting in the AI forum at all.

Keep in mind that this is a greek messageboard. Whether ladies are pro or anti-AI, they are actually members of Greek Letter Organizations. I have no problem with non-greeks posting here, but to restrict a greek forum and allow non-greeks (PNAIs) to post and not actual greeks seems a bit off.

[AChiOhSnap]

Reach The Limit, can I ask you a serious, honest to God question?

Why would someone in your position choose to go through the gauntlet of AI in an NPC organization -- which is much more tricky without like having a good friend or relative in an organization -- instead of attempting to join a community sorority that is designed to intake adult women?

Actually, that's my biggest question for all PNAMs....why aren't you looking at community sororities that are designed for adult intake? I certainly don't want to speak for any of the members of these community sororities or imply that it's somehow "easier" to gain membership into them, but seriously...WHY NPC???

[adpiucf]

That's what I wonder, too. Having been a member of several alumnae associations around the US, and having friends in other NPC's with varying levels of alumnae involvement, most of us find greater ranges of activity and fulfillment within groups where the focus in programming is on us and the phase of life we are currently in, not us at age 20.

[OtterXO]

Originally Posted by AChiOhSnap

Reach The Limit, can I ask you a serious, honest to God question?

Why would someone in your position choose to go through the gauntlet of AI in an NPC organization -- which is much more tricky without like having a good friend or relative in an organization -- instead of attempting to join a community sorority that is designed to intake adult women?

Actually, that's my biggest question for all PNAMs....why aren't you looking at community sororities that are designed for adult intake? I certainly don't want to speak for any of the members of these community sororities or imply that it's somehow "easier" to gain membership into them, but seriously...WHY NPC???

I've wondered this all along.....seriously, why not join the Junior League? That's what I'd do if I were interested in a sorority-esque environment but had not been a collegiate member of my organization.

[AChiOhSnap]

Originally Posted by OtterXO

I've wondered this all along.....seriously, why not join the Junior League? That's what I'd do if I were interested in a sorority-esque environment but had not been a collegiate member of my organization.

YES YES YES! PNAMs.... there are groups -- sororities even -- that are specifically designed for women like you! They're out there! Take advantage of them! You'd think that if ritual/philanthropy/sisterhood draws you to greek life, then you would want to attempt to join a community sorority which encompasses everything you want and yet isn't as exceedingly rare as NPC AI!

ReachTheLimit, maybe you can shed some light on what draws you to NPC orgs over community sororities specifically?

[Taualumna]

Originally Posted by OtterXO

I've wondered this all along.....seriously, why not join the Junior League? That's what I'd do if I were interested in a sorority-esque environment but had not been a collegiate member of my organization.

Provisionals/New Members of the Junior League are often older, in their early 30s, probably established in their careers and married with kids. Many PNAMs feel that a sorority, especially one with a young alum group may be better for them, socially speaking (Junior League might be better for networking, though).

[greekalum]

Originally Posted by Taualumna

Provisionals/New Members of the Junior League are often older, in their early 30s, probably established in their careers and married with kids. Many PNAMs feel that a sorority, especially one with a young alum group may be better for them, socially speaking (Junior League might be better for networking, though).

Most sororities are not looking to ask women in their early 20s to become AIs. And a woman who wants to join a sorority after college for the social aspects is really barking up the wrong tree.

[OtterXO]

Originally Posted by greekalum

Most sororities are not looking to ask women in their early 20s to become AIs. And a woman who wants to join a sorority after college for the social aspects is really barking up the wrong tree.

I almost cross-posted you with the exact same thoughts.