Mutual selection?

[OPhiAGinger]

I'm not suggesting that sororities must accept everyone who expresses an interest. Of course not!

But I feel bad for Patty PNAM, waiting around for Abigail Alumna to recognize what a fantastic sister she would be. This is analogous to the way well-bred young ladies in my mother's generation had to wait for men to ask them out. It was scandalous for the girls to ask a boy out back in the day. Why is it so wrong for Patty to express her interest? How will Abi know Patty is even interested otherwise? Maybe it's time for this social norm to catch up with other social norms, and encourage women to take more direct ownership of their own happiness rather than just waiting around for something to fall into their lap.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by OPhiAGinger

I'm not suggesting that sororities must accept everyone who expresses an interest. Of course not!

Why is it so wrong for Patty to express her interest? How will Abi know Patty is even interested otherwise? Maybe it's time for this social norm to catch up with other social norms, and encourage women to take more direct ownership of their own happiness rather than just waiting around for something to fall into their lap.

That's just how the policy in some sororities works. My thoughts:


Originally, AI was created to honor non-members who have served the sorority in some capacity (faculty advisor, housemom, etc). So I think that's why AI works the way it does now. Because it wasn't meant for everybody and their mom who was interested. Just certain "special cases." It wasn't meant to be an option for people to regularly pursue membership (like collegiate recruitment). Hence why the mutual selection thing does not apply in this case.

[SWTXBelle]

Amazingly enough, the members of each NPC group get to decide whether they want to have an AI program at all, and if so, how it will operate. I can't imagine trying to dictate to another group what they should or should not do. NPHC groups have their way of doing things, and more power to them. Some NPC groups don't have AI at all - if it works for them, good. I am a big fan of Gamma Phi's AI program. I like it the way it is, and see no reason to change.

I know of no NPC group that has an AI program with the stated aim of providing philanthropic opportunities for women. While our charitable works are important, they are not the only reason for membership, and the various AI programs are, as has been noted, considered an honour to be bestowed, not something to be pursued.