I Don't Get AI

[Senusret I]

Alumnae initiation is SO DIFFERENT for every NPC organization.

It's funny to me that we excuse ourselves for lane swerves on nearly every other topic, but when it comes to AI, many GreekChatters often assert themselves with authority on what AI is and is not, and try to speak on behalf of every org in the NPC.

For some orgs, AI is honorary membership. For others, it is not. For some it's rare, and for others, you can start seeing movements toward a more formalized AI program that might one day look more like NPHC alumnae intake.

Nanners, what I'm saying is you should ask real-life people in your own sorority because there are so many different reasons for and approaches to AI that most people on GC ignore when it comes to providing their opinions on the topic.

[OleMissGlitter]

My mother is an AI of AOII. To me AI has a different meaning. Do I think every person who wasn't in a sorority in college should do this, of course not. But for my mom it was special since both of her daughters are AOIIs. She wasn't in a sorority at LSU. She helped with recruitment at Ole Miss for 5years as a mother's club member. She attended her first Convention event this summer too. So, I think it's a case by case situation.

[AXOrushadvisor]

Originally Posted by OleMissGlitter

My mother is an AI of AOII. To me AI has a different meaning. Do I think every person who wasn't in a sorority in college should do this, of course not. But for my mom it was special since both of her daughters are AOIIs. She wasn't in a sorority at LSU. She helped with recruitment at Ole Miss for 5years as a mother's club member. She attended her first Convention event this summer too. So, I think it's a case by case situation.

Personally, I think that is the perfect situation to do AI. Yea for your mom.

[DubaiSis]

This is the kind of situation where AI makes sense, but unfortunately it seems that many women interested in it are after a social life type of involvement. I think when people say it's only done in rare scenarios (like a mother with 2 daughters in the same house) that we mean it's difficult. It's not that it's difficult; there's just so little point if you're not directly tied to a sorority in some real way. A once per month hour long meeting with women who could be 40 years older or younger than you pretty much loses the point if you don't have the collegiate background to draw from. Using your Mom as the example, would she have any interest in doing this if not for you?

I had typed up a whole theoretical scenario that turns out pretty similar to your Mom's when my computer crashed and I lost it. Real is better than theoretical anyway.

The thing is it's so hard to explain what alumna membership is because it does vary a great deal around the country and from GLO to GLO. But I don't think there are any that are going to fill the void of wishing you were in a collegiate chapter.

[OleMissGlitter]

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

Using your Mom as the example, would she have any interest in doing this if not for you?

I had typed up a whole theoretical scenario that turns out pretty similar to your Mom's when my computer crashed and I lost it. Real is better than theoretical anyway.

The thing is it's so hard to explain what alumna membership is because it does vary a great deal around the country and from GLO to GLO. But I don't think there are any that are going to fill the void of wishing you were in a collegiate chapter.

I don't think my mom would have joined any NPC group via AI without some type of personal connection. She does have friends in other NPC groups but since she has a different type of connection with them (lifelong childhood friends) I don't think that is something that ever came up in their conversations. For my mother it was not a way to "redo" her college years in any way. It was a way for her to experience AOII on a different level from just serving punch and cookies during recruitment. Her continued support of AOII through me and my sister allowed her to want a deeper connection. Plus, it's something the 3 of us share together. It was a wonderful experience to have my sister, my mother, and me altogether at AOII Convention this year. It allowed them to see AOII on a bigger picture. Plus, as an international volunteer for AOII they can see how much it all means to me. (Must have rubbed off my sister is a new adviser for her local collegiate chapter down in FL!)

I would also like to share another example. When I was a collegian our financial adviser was a local CPA and Accounting professor on campus. She had been helping the chapter and tutoring members as well. She had gone to a small private college where there was no Greek Life. We alumna initiated her since her hours of service and her dedication to the chapter were outstanding. She was overwhelmed with joy and accepted the invitation.

So, I think the best point of all of this is it is a case by case situation. There are some outstanding alumnae initiates in my own sorority and they have really done wonderful things for AOII whether on the local level or international level.

[ASTalumna06]

I completely agree with the idea of "needing a connection" in order to fully appreciate joining a sorority after graduation.

I am currently in the process of starting an alumnae chapter, and there are about 6 people who, right now, are fully dedicated to attending meetings, taking positions, and getting this thing off the ground. A couple of us are older, some are younger, and one of them joined my chapter a year after I did. We even had a dinner where more alumnae attended, including a member who just graduated last year, and another who was well into her 60s.

As you talk, you find that the one thing that ties everybody together is your collegiate experience. Granted, everyone has different stories, but usually someone will say, "I remember when we did this..." and someone else will chime in with, "We did that, also, but we instead of doing it that way, we did it this way..." Or we would talk about the fraternities that were cool to hang out with when we were in school, or about strange things that happened during ritual, or about the styles of hair/clothes that were in at the time.. whatever!

Not everyone is married, not everyone is deep into their career, not everyone is a grandparent... your time as a collegiate member of your sorority is the one common bond that you all have. If nothing else, it's something to break the ice and get the conversation going. Don't get me wrong, you can definitely be involved if you don't have that experience, but coming in with no connection at all to that sorority would probably make for a difficult adjustment... no matter what kind of involvement you choose to have (alumnae chapter member, collegiate chapter advisor, etc.)

[honeychile]

Originally Posted by OleMissGlitter

My mother is an AI of AOII. To me AI has a different meaning. Do I think every person who wasn't in a sorority in college should do this, of course not. But for my mom it was special since both of her daughters are AOIIs. She wasn't in a sorority at LSU. She helped with recruitment at Ole Miss for 5years as a mother's club member. She attended her first Convention event this summer too. So, I think it's a case by case situation.

Perfect example!

Again, it's a case to case situation. Our Housemother (who was gone before I pledged) was initiated after years of service, and I'm sure she wasn't an exemption to the rule.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

...and for others, you can start seeing movements toward a more formalized AI program that might one day look more like NPHC alumnae intake.

I actually want to read some NPC posts like this.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

for others, you can start seeing movements toward a more formalized AI program that might one day look more like NPHC alumnae intake.

If that occurs, then I look for that org to leave the NPC.

Touching on what baci said, there are good reasons for AI, but "we can't get our current alums involved and would rather just AI people" is most certainly not one of them. Don't have a baby to save your marriage - fix the marriage first.