Yet another question about AI

[glittergal1985]

I would look into community based sororities, such as Beta Sigma Phi. As far as NPC sororities go, you don't really "seek membership" as an AI, as it is a very special honor that few are given. While some groups may state on their websites that they are open to alumnae initiates, it is usually required that you either be a legacy or have some other existing special relationship with the group.

[Equus73]

Thank you for your reply. I did not know that there were "non-academic" sororities out there.

I appreciate your time and your help!

[adpiucf]

That being said, thank you for wanting to mentor collegiate greek women. If you have a particular skill or talent, you might consider contacting the campus Panhellenic near you to tell them you would be glad to put on a workshop for a chapter. The sororities hold regular enrichment workshops and are always looking for speakers to talk about things like interviewing, dressing for the workplace, dining etiquette, networking tips, career day type activities, health and nutrition, grad school admission tips, etc.

In my experience with AI's, in addition to initiating legacies or someone with a tie to a chapter, we have also AI'd women who live near our more rural chapters where we lack alumnae who are able to mentor and advise chapters.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by adpiucf

That being said, thank you for wanting to mentor collegiate greek women. If you have a particular skill or talent, you might consider contacting the campus Panhellenic near you to tell them you would be glad to put on a workshop for a chapter. The sororities hold regular enrichment workshops and are always looking for speakers to talk about things like interviewing, dressing for the workplace, dining etiquette, networking tips, career day type activities, health and nutrition, grad school admission tips, etc.

This is a WAY better way to mentor/help collegiate Greek women and will earn you far more respect than trying to AI "to add additional community service to [your] life" ever would.

Also, if you are in a capacity where you need to hire people and/or find groups of volunteers, reach out to your local campus's Greek community. Many sororities and fraternities now have community service requirements from either the school or their national organization. You can help each other.

If in doing either of these things, you would develop a long-lasting tie with a particular group and are OFFERED AI, that's another story. But "campaigning" or "searching" for it is considered by many to be, well, crass.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by glittergal1985

I would look into community based sororities, such as Beta Sigma Phi. As far as NPC sororities go, you don't really "seek membership" as an AI, as it is a very special honor that few are given. While some groups may state on their websites that they are open to alumnae initiates, it is usually required that you either be a legacy or have some other existing special relationship with the group.

This is not true for all groups, at all. We definitely discourage women "shopping around" for AI, and/or trying to become an AI because she didn't get the collegiate experience, but if an outstanding woman were to approach an NPC group, there are at least a few that would be open to the idea.

I think that GC has had so many crazy PNAI's come through, that we have totally soured on the idea, but if membership is truly a lifelong experience, it makes sense that we allow great women to join post-college when they really bring something to our organization.

adpiucf's advice is good: if you have something special to contribute, do that. If you form a relationship with a chapter, perhaps in time, AI would become a logical next step.