Interested in AI

[pbear19]

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

Well, there's probably some ground between the haphazard sharing of the NPC and the oddly silent (in my opinion) stance of the NPHC.

The problem is it's not consistent across the board, except for the fact that in most cases women seeking AI would have to be disappointed once they went through the process. It just seems that no matter how many times we say it, women don't get that alumnae membership is just not the same as collegiate membership.

But you're right that if a woman is interested in AI in a particular NPC sorority, she should find a member in real life, or via private message here, and ask a specific question. A woman seeking AI into Chi O in Arkansas is going to get a much different answer than a, say, DPhiE in California. Which of course is in no way saying she would have a better chance into one versus the other. Just that the dynamics would be different.

Regarding the sentence in bold above: Why assume that a woman interested in AI is at all interested in a collegiate experience? Or that she isn't aware of the difference? Not picking on you DubaiSis, just asking the question generally. As an alumna initiate, I can be a bit salty about the way AI inquiries are handled here on GC. I admit that. But I really don't understand why there is always an assumption that women interested in AI are, as Katmandu put it, "trying to re-live your college days." That's not at all what I was looking for, and certainly not what I wanted! I have no desire to act like I'm in college or to be treated as if I were in college. I have no desire to erase my college experience or in any way diminish the choices that I made in college. They were the right choices for me and I have zero regrets or desire to change them.

I do, however, enjoy the friendships and opportunities afforded to me by my alumnae membership. I enjoy the ability to mentor and coach as an advisor. I enjoy the opportunity to meet women in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50, 60s, 70, 80s and 90s who all have some common bond. I enjoy the ability to volunteer on various levels within an international organization. I enjoy knowing that I am part of an organization with deep historical roots, and being able to participate in the ritual that reflects those roots. I wanted an alumna experience. Not a collegiate experience.

This thread isn't about me, of course. But I truly wish that GC could move beyond this assumption that everyone interested in AI wants a "do-over" on their college years. Perhaps it is true for some. But it does us all a disservice to make that assumption for all.

[sigmadiva]

Originally Posted by pbear19

But I truly wish that GC could move beyond this assumption that everyone interested in AI wants a "do-over" on their college years. Perhaps it is true for some. But it does us all a disservice to make that assumption for all.

If you go back through old threads in the Alumni Involvement forum, a few posters started their thread with "I didn't have a chance to join in college. I feel that I really missed out. What can I do to AI?"

I remember one poster who just came right out and said that she is looking for any NPC org that does AI so she can join a NPC org.

Not everyone who wants to join via AI has had sincere intentions. But, they made for some interesting threads.

[trebleclef26]

Originally Posted by pbear19

Regarding the sentence in bold above: Why assume that a woman interested in AI is at all interested in a collegiate experience? Or that she isn't aware of the difference? Not picking on you DubaiSis, just asking the question generally. As an alumna initiate, I can be a bit salty about the way AI inquiries are handled here on GC. I admit that. But I really don't understand why there is always an assumption that women interested in AI are, as Katmandu put it, "trying to re-live your college days." That's not at all what I was looking for, and certainly not what I wanted! I have no desire to act like I'm in college or to be treated as if I were in college. I have no desire to erase my college experience or in any way diminish the choices that I made in college. They were the right choices for me and I have zero regrets or desire to change them.

I do, however, enjoy the friendships and opportunities afforded to me by my alumnae membership. I enjoy the ability to mentor and coach as an advisor. I enjoy the opportunity to meet women in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50, 60s, 70, 80s and 90s who all have some common bond. I enjoy the ability to volunteer on various levels within an international organization. I enjoy knowing that I am part of an organization with deep historical roots, and being able to participate in the ritual that reflects those roots. I wanted an alumna experience. Not a collegiate experience.

This thread isn't about me, of course. But I truly wish that GC could move beyond this assumption that everyone interested in AI wants a "do-over" on their college years. Perhaps it is true for some. But it does us all a disservice to make that assumption for all.

I 100% agree with everything pbear19 said. AI is completely different by each of the 26 NPC sororities. You cannot make a blanket statement about it at all. Now yes there are most definitely sororities who say " you have helped xyz so much that as a gift for your service we would like to offer you membership." Absolutely that is something that does happen with AI but it is not the most common and it is not the primary way for AI. It is a situational thing. Like pbear19 said not everyone who comes on here asking about AI is seeking to relive their college days. Were there some in the past that were like that? Sure. But is that everyone? No. There is no need to make assumptions like that when AI is such a situational thing. The OP sounds like she would make an excellent candidate for AI. AI is most definitely not the same as collegiate membership and it doesn't try to be.

I am an AI and as a legacy of my sorority I could not join it in college because it wasn't on my campus. As an AI I have enjoyed getting to share the ritual and tradition with my mom. The alumnae group in my area has really taken me in and I don't feel any different from the other members. I have helped out with recruitment at a local chapter for a few years and I have learned all of the inner workings of recruitment and I have indeed been asked for advice. One can always learn new things.

There have been national presidents and officers who are AIs. If a woman is really truly in it for the right reasons and has a desire to make new friends, appreciate tradition and get involved why turn them down? AI is not something that happens a lot simply because it's not a well known process. You don't have hundreds of women lining up hoping to AI just so they can have sparkly letters and nothing more. Sororities have high standards of who they let join so they have a right to choose who they see fit. If a candidate for AI seems to only want to relive college, then they will most likely be turned away. Trust the process. I was approved by the national president to AI. How cool is that? Not many people can say that.


All I ask is that quick judgement on AI is not made on every person. The best thing to do is just give the appropriate advice ( situation permitting.) And yes people have given the proper advice here. Give the proper advice and then let the nationals handle it. There are many excellent AIs and it is not our place here to tell them it's not for them.

[amIblue?]

Originally Posted by sigmadiva

That she is not AfAm.

She should realize that we have members from a number of different ethnic groups / races in NPHC orgs. We do not limit our membership to AfAm only.

I knew that. Just wanted to see if should would actually come out and say it.

Originally Posted by 33girl

I love this. It's almost always appropriate.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by trebleclef26

I 100% agree with everything pbear19 said. AI is completely different by each of the 26 NPC sororities. You cannot make a blanket statement about it at all. Now yes there are most definitely sororities who say " you have helped xyz so much that as a gift for your service we would like to offer you membership." Absolutely that is something that does happen with AI but it is not the most common and it is not the primary way for AI.

The green bolded is a blanket statement, which you just said in the red bolded we cannot make.

Also you had a prior connection to the group you AIed into, so don't get your undies in a twist because no one is addressing you.