Is there a place for non-members to volunteer?

[LAblondeGPhi]

What about just getting involved in social organizations aimed at the young professional female demographic? Junior League, Spinsters, etc. Or a structured volunteer organization that hits close to home?

If you want to help out young university women, why not try the career center or mental health centers to volunteer as a mock interviewer or mentor of some kind?

Also, given your interest in the area, are you considering a career in college administration? It sounds like a job as a student activities coordinator or director of student life would be right up your alley. At some (many?) smaller schools, the Greek Life would fall under a more general director role, giving you the opportunity to get involved that you seem to be looking for.

[SoCalGirl]

Originally Posted by misscherrypie

I am an alumna of a colony of SAEPi. I haven't been able to do any of what I described in my previous posts for various reasons, much as I'd like to. There isn't a role for me to do so at the moment. So, I remain supportive from afar and am ready to assist if and when I am needed.

I answered the question about Beta Sigma Phi in my previous post.

I'd simply present myself as: I'm an alumna of the University, supportive of sorority life and want to help in any way that I can as a non-member.

That's all.

Originally Posted by misscherrypie

I graduated before the colony was (hopefully will be) chartered. I was never initiated.

We do have Beta Sigma Phi collegiate chapters in other states, so I'll get into touch with them and see if I can lend any assistance.

I'd like to get involved again with volunteering at my local animal shelter, so I'll pursue that.

You may not want to present yourself as an alumna of SAEII. At minimum you're misleading. At worse you're straight out lying.

[Xidelt]

What about a chapter of AAUW?

[misscherrypie]

Originally Posted by SoCalGirl

You may not want to present yourself as an alumna of SAEII. At minimum you're misleading. At worse you're straight out lying.

As I am considered a colony alumna (by SAEPi Nationals and the colony) and no one is initiated until a colony is chartered, this is the correct terminology per the organization to use. If and when the colony becomes a chapter, and I am not initiated, then I would no longer use the terminology "colony alumna" in reference to myself as it would be inaccurate.

[AZTheta]

I do a considerable amount of volunteer work that is NOT associated with my sorority, Alumnae Panhellenic, Greek Life, or the University. It is how I interpret Kappa Alpha Theta's "widest influence for good". Because I might be the only Theta some people ever meet, I do my best to exemplify what a sorority woman represents. That's what I'd suggest you do to be supportive of sorority life. And I hope you will gain as much benefit as I have. It's gratifying when people find out and comment "you were in a sorority?" and I respond, "yes, it's where I learned the value of serving others."

Take the focus off the Greek letters and see what opens up for you.

Hope this helps.

[misscherrypie]

Originally Posted by Xidelt

What about a chapter of AAUW?

I love the organization, and I am looking into joining. I am trying to find out whether their roles and operations involve direct work with collegiate women, or in other ways. It is an organization that definitely supports great work for and on behalf of all women, collegiate students and otherwise....and I like that very much.

[misscherrypie]

Originally Posted by AZTheta

I do a considerable amount of volunteer work that is NOT associated with my sorority, Alumnae Panhellenic, Greek Life, or the University. It is how I interpret Kappa Alpha Theta's "widest influence for good". Because I might be the only Theta some people ever meet, I do my best to exemplify what a sorority woman represents. That's what I'd suggest you do to be supportive of sorority life. And I hope you will gain as much benefit as I have. It's gratifying when people find out and comment "you were in a sorority?" and I respond, "yes, it's where I learned the value of serving others."

Take the focus off the Greek letters and see what opens up for you.

Hope this helps.

It does. Thank you.

[misscherrypie]

Originally Posted by LAblondeGPhi

What about just getting involved in social organizations aimed at the young professional female demographic? Junior League, Spinsters, etc. Or a structured volunteer organization that hits close to home?

This sounds like a great idea. I haven't socialized much outside of my Beta chapter and the Beta Sigma Phi City Council, and the occasional alumni/collegiate event for Ambassadors since graduation, and I'd love to meet and work together with women my own age.

If you want to help out young university women, why not try the career center or mental health centers to volunteer as a mock interviewer or mentor of some kind?

There is a Career Studio on campus that I definitely plan to contact, as I think that they do allow for volunteers. Thank you for the suggestion.

Also, given your interest in the area, are you considering a career in college administration? It sounds like a job as a student activities coordinator or director of student life would be right up your alley. At some (many?) smaller schools, the Greek Life would fall under a more general director role, giving you the opportunity to get involved that you seem to be looking for.

It had been on my mind, and my Alma Mater has an educational leadership graduate program. I will look into that. :-)

Thank you so much for your suggestions.

[sigmadiva]

Originally Posted by misscherrypie

Beta Sigma Phi doesn't have alumnae. We also do not work with Collegiate women as a sorority aim. I wish that we did have that focus, but its not why we were founded and not why we exist. I do interact intensively with my sisters who are in college, and encourage them and am happy to be there for them. That's what ANY sister of my organization that has sisters attending college would do, is it not?

And what "plan" is supposedly being hatched? I believe in helping collegiate women in the same way that I was assisted and encouraged through my college days both in and out of sorority and am a huge fan of being able to do the same for others. Is that a bad thing?

I'll explain since I was the one who brought it up.

Knowing a little about your background from what you posted here on GC, you were initially very interested in joining a NPC org on your campus. It did not work out.

It was suggested to you that you look into BSP, which you did, and in becoming a member, I remember at one point you were trying to mold BSP to fit a NPC model. Which you realized would not work.

Now you are asking about how to associate yourself with Panhellenic sororities (re:NPC) in the hopes - and this is where my assumption comes in - of joining a NPC via AI.

You've been given some really great advice. I hope you find what you are looking for.

[misscherrypie]

I can understand where your supposition would come from, with my background taken into consideration. I merely am a supporter, see that such is inappropriate, and will be putting the suggestions of Greek Chatters that have been presented into practice. They are very much what I was trying to engage in and will be great avenues in which to mentor and serve in different ways in my community.

[AZTheta]

My opinion: the timing of your thread, coming hard and fast on the heels of the AI thread a few days ago, coupled with your history, led to that supposition/assumption.

Like I said, just take the focus off the Greek aspect, and give time time - see what comes up for you! You have much to offer, and proven organization/leadership abilities; see where it takes you.