Volunteer Position vs. Alum Chapter

[33girl]

I will second and say alum chapter as well. Several of my collegiate chapter sisters have gotten involved in the Central PA alum chapter and it's REALLY stoked up their love for ASA again - as well as it seems to enrich their connection to us.

Also, if you became a member of a coaching team (which is what I assume you mean by volunteering), you would be doing it solely online, and having done that, it was just not fulfilling, for me and I'm sure not for the collegians either. YMMV. Keeping in touch with people you already know IRL is one thing, making completely brand new connections is another. Especially if you're trying to advise.

[als463]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I will second and say alum chapter as well. Several of my collegiate chapter sisters have gotten involved in the Central PA alum chapter and it's REALLY stoked up their love for ASA again - as well as it seems to enrich their connection to us.

Also, if you became a member of a coaching team (which is what I assume you mean by volunteering), you would be doing it solely online, and having done that, it was just not fulfilling, for me and I'm sure not for the collegians either. YMMV. Keeping in touch with people you already know IRL is one thing, making completely brand new connections is another. Especially if you're trying to advise.

I'd like to ask a different question regarding alumnae involvement vs. volunteering. While in college, when my life revolved around greek life, one of my best friends from high school decided she no longer wanted to be my friend because all I ever talked about was the various greek events I attended and the things my sisters and I did, when we were at school. Okay. I can handle that. Whatever.

The other night, I noticed a really close friend of mine, who lives in another state, from the military de-friended me on FB. I texted her to ask her what was going on. Her response? "We are just at different places in our lives." She is currently going back to school for her A.S. and I am working on another graduate degree. She is not working and I have a steady career. Neither one of us is married or has children. I have fulfilled my military commitment and she is still in, until she is able to ETS. I asked her what she meant about that and she responded with, "You're still into your sorority life" (or however she worded it-because it was worded pretty weird). I told her that I am very involved and I won't apologize for that.

Like many of you, I am proud of my GLO. I am very involved and I have been to various conventions and leadership conferences. In fact, someday I'd love to be a collegiate chapter advisor. My sisters have always been there for me and I know that I have friends from different chapters. Like many of you, I see my GLO as a way to stay connected to the some of the most important people in my life. Needless to say, my feelings were hurt.

So, my question is: Is there such a thing as being "too" involved in your GLO?

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by als463

So, my question is: Is there such a thing as being "too" involved in your GLO?

Of course. Everything has a limit. You determine that limit for yourself.

Examples that may not apply to you:

If you do not have any friends or close acquaintances who are not your sorority sisters, not even one, you need to ask yourself why this is the case.

If all of your conversations and interactions (outside of your family, significant other, and colleagues) revolve around Greekdom, you need to ask yourself why this is the case.

[als463]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Of course. Everything has a limit. You determine that limit for yourself.

If you do not have any friends or close acquaintances who are not your sorority sisters, not even one, you need to ask yourself why this is the case. If all of your conversations and interactions (outside of your family, significant other, and colleagues) revolve around Greekdom, you need to ask yourself why this is the case.

That's just it...I do. In fact, I have many friends in my graduate program. I have friends from when I was in another graduate program, as well. I have friends from the military and friends from my time as an undergrad (who aren't Greek). I have friends from work and everything else. Some of my closest friends are NOT my sisters. I was really annoyed by that. I'm busy with school and work. I feel like my conversations always revolve around my career or what's going on in school. I'm not close with any of my hs friends because we've all taken different paths but, that one friend from hs...well, I think she just used it as an excuse. This friend just recently broke up with her boyfriend but, I felt it was very passive aggressive to just delete me. I was shocked. I enjoy my involvement and I love meeting other Greeks (even if they aren't in my GLO). It's a way to spark a conversation. I'm proud of the community service we do. I wear my badge with pride, even if it isn't Founder's Day because it's beautiful. I wear it for other special things like my birthday, and what not. I still wear my letters (usually leaving the stiched letters for inside my home for bed and studying) but, I have other items with letters or crests. Is that wrong? I love the thread about running into other Greeks and I sometime hope that someone stops me to talk about my lettered bag or whatever. I'm sorry. I'm just really hurt by this.

[amanda6035]

Originally Posted by als463

I'd like to ask a different question regarding alumnae involvement vs. volunteering. While in college, when my life revolved around greek life, one of my best friends from high school decided she no longer wanted to be my friend because all I ever talked about was the various greek events I attended and the things my sisters and I did, when we were at school. Okay. I can handle that. Whatever.

The other night, I noticed a really close friend of mine, who lives in another state, from the military de-friended me on FB. I texted her to ask her what was going on. Her response? "We are just at different places in our lives." She is currently going back to school for her A.S. and I am working on another graduate degree. She is not working and I have a steady career. Neither one of us is married or has children. I have fulfilled my military commitment and she is still in, until she is able to ETS. I asked her what she meant about that and she responded with, "You're still into your sorority life" (or however she worded it-because it was worded pretty weird). I told her that I am very involved and I won't apologize for that.

Like many of you, I am proud of my GLO. I am very involved and I have been to various conventions and leadership conferences. In fact, someday I'd love to be a collegiate chapter advisor. My sisters have always been there for me and I know that I have friends from different chapters. Like many of you, I see my GLO as a way to stay connected to the some of the most important people in my life. Needless to say, my feelings were hurt.

So, my question is: Is there such a thing as being "too" involved in your GLO?

From experience, this goes both ways. I did the military, then sorority, and I have many military friends on FB. When they gripe and complain about military politics, I laugh or roll my eyes, depending on what it is they are commenting about. I'm glad I served, but I'm glad I recognized that it wasn't for me long term. For them, they are very pro-military. For me, I'm involved as an alumna for my sorority. I tried to join a VFW, but I wasn't able to find one that had young vets like myself. I needed people to network with. My sorority afforded me that. The military did not.

Though, I do think it's pretty lame to be "defriended" because you're at different points in your lives. I have FB friends that I have hidden from my newsfeed because they make me want to stick a fork in my eye when I read their latest drama....but that doesnt mean I remove them completely from my list.

Back to the original question, though, my alumna chapter doesnt get together very often, but when we do, it's fun. I enjoy volunteering....more on a local level. I volunteer in multiple capacities right now, but I get much more fulfillment out of the positions where I have a more hands on opportunity.