New here, in AI process!

[Kansas City]

Originally Posted by texas*princess

I'm a little scared. She said her "first" sorority formal.... as in "the first of many"... WTH? I've been an alum for a few years now, and not once have I ever gone to a collegiate chapter's formal.

Even if I was allowed, I wouldn't even want to go - I'm way too old for that scene!

And in my sorority/chapter, no alums were even allowed at formal or other events unless they were advisors (risk mgmt). And I think there was one... maaaaybe two advisors that went to formal but that was about it.

This is kind of what I was getting at with my first post on this topic. I think that it is creepy when alumnae members try to re-live their college experiences which was my impression of the initial post considering she spoke of her dress, date and corsage at her "first sorority formal." I wonder if the OP remembers what it was like to be 20 years old and in college. I know that it wasn't always a prim and proper experience for me.

[SWTXBelle]

I attended formals as an advisor - it was not something I looked at as a social event (although I did enjoy being with the actives) but as part of my "job".

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by Kansas City

I think that it is creepy when alumnae members try to re-live their college experiences ....

Or create new college experiences via AI...which is our #1 reason NOT to AI.

[tri deezy]

I am just trying to picture what would have happened if our adviser tried to attend our formal. There would probably have been only two sisters there, that's what. It's just not an event for older people. We had the designated sober sisters, we had a safe way home, we had the risk manager sober and present, and our adviser let us have our fun.

[Nanners52674]

Originally Posted by tri deezy

I am just trying to picture what would have happened if our adviser tried to attend our formal. There would probably have been only two sisters there, that's what. It's just not an event for older people. We had the designated sober sisters, we had a safe way home, we had the risk manager sober and present, and our adviser let us have our fun.

That's pretty much how ours is. Although we have to have a cop this year and bracelets for girls over 21.

Originally Posted by tri deezy

I am just trying to picture what would have happened if our adviser tried to attend our formal. There would probably have been only two sisters there, that's what. It's just not an event for older people. We had the designated sober sisters, we had a safe way home, we had the risk manager sober and present, and our adviser let us have our fun.

And that's another case of what works for you might not work for others.

Not having an advisor or chaperone at a formal definitely would NOT have flown for my collegiate chapter.

[SWTXBelle]

As an active, I couldn't have imagined NOT having Sylvia at our formals! We loved her! And to the best of my knowledge, my Gamma Nu girls liked having me and my mother at their formals - they certainly liked having their pictures taken with us. We presented awards, and always managed to look surprised when they gave us a gift.

[KSUViolet06]

We were required to have an advisor at any event at which we were approved to serve alchohol. However, it was usually a younger alumna who volunteered for it (mid-20s).

[Jimmy Choo]

Originally Posted by tri deezy

I am just trying to picture what would have happened if our adviser tried to attend our formal. There would probably have been only two sisters there, that's what. It's just not an event for older people. We had the designated sober sisters, we had a safe way home, we had the risk manager sober and present, and our adviser let us have our fun.

Most of our chapters don't have an advisor present but mine may move to that next year. But our only function would be to help with risk team! Our formals are pretty large so we think that would be helpful to risk team (we had 250+ at our last one).

[33girl]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Choo

Our formals are pretty large so we think that would be helpful to risk team (we had 250+ at our last one).

Holy crap

Our advisor barely attended meetings, let alone would attend a formal. I think it all depends on how much "chaperoning" there is on a regular basis. (i.e. if you have a house mom you'll probably have a chaperone too)

But at any rate, if they are there, they should be advising and chaperoning, not entertaining prospective AIs and their dates.

[Leslie Anne]

We always had an advisor or two at our formals. They kept a low profile just sitting at a table chatting and keeping an eye out for trouble. They were definitely there to do a job but they'd chat with the sisters who came around and it wouldn't be unusual for them to be in a few photos. I always liked that they were there.

[LucyKKG]

Originally Posted by Leslie Anne

We always had an advisor or two at our formals. They kept a low profile just sitting at a table chatting and keeping an eye out for trouble. They were definitely there to do a job but they'd chat with the sisters who came around and it wouldn't be unusual for them to be in a few photos. I always liked that they were there.

Ditto.

[Jimmy Choo]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Holy crap

lol....I say the same thing sometimes. The chapter I advise is 170-ish. Then when you add in any dates you have a huge formal! Risk Team could use another set of eyes.

[ADqtPiMel]

I go to some social events in my capacity as an advisor -- but that's relatively normal for the campus I advise at. When I was a collegian we would have chafed at the thought of having an advisor come to parties (not because of any rule-breaking, but rather for the feeling of not being trusted). But our advisors weren't as present day-to-day since our campus was an hour away from major living areas. I'm more involved as an advisor since I'm so close (I live walking distance from the sorority house!) and most of the women know me well.