How Common Now?

[KSUViolet06]

In terms of the number of AIs I have met, I think my numbers are skewed because I have been nationally involved and present at Conventions at which they were initiated, but from my FB friends list I'd say 5?

[3StringedLyre]

Alpha Chi has been doing alumna initiation since the beginning. We have a dedicated and structured AI program. The AIs that I've met have been extremely dedicated, which is great to see. The saying goes "It's not four years, it for life" doesn't always seem to hold up for graduating sorority women who never attend an alum or sorority event again, and I think this plagues every NPC sorority. So an enthusiastic alum is a wonderful thing to have.

[AnchorAlumna]

I think it is more common than it used to be, but still very difficult. It also seems to depend on who you know among the upper echelon of officers.

Frankly, I don't know why anybody would want to. It's a wholly different experience.

[KSUViolet06]

The older I get, the more I think about this.

I was only an active collegian for 2.5 years. I have been an involved alumna in some form or fashion since 2008.

My alumna experience has already outpaced my collegiate years in terms of activity within the sorority (three volunteer roles, two Conventions, two Volunteer Summits, one Officer Academy.)

The collegiate experience may be what brought us all into Sigma, but it is far and away not the centerpiece of my experience within the organization.

[DGTess]

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

I think it is more common than it used to be, but still very difficult. It also seems to depend on who you know among the upper echelon of officers.

Frankly, I don't know why anybody would want to. It's a wholly different experience.

I know of one woman my alumnae chapter nominated; she had gone to a military academy and did not have the opportunity to join in college, but was (is, I presume) good friends with many in the chapter. I know there were plans to initiate her, but I never saw her again after she was introduced at a meeting.

I do know of one woman, a nationally known figure, who contacted DG about joining because she is particularly interested in our Service for Sight philanthropic efforts. She contacted Executive Offices, they contacted well-known women in our chapter (this was my previous alumnae chapter), those women spent several months getting to know her and agreed to perform her "pledge education". A Texan, she was initiated at convention in 2002.

When I was a collegiate, I recall the requirements included not having had the opportunity to join a GLO while in college. I don't know for sure, and didn't find current requirements using a cursory search.

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

The older I get, the more I think about this.

I was only an active collegian for 2.5 years. I have been an involved alumna in some form or fashion since 2008.

My alumna experience has already outpaced my collegiate years in terms of activity within the sorority (three volunteer roles, two Conventions, two Volunteer Summits, one Officer Academy.)

The collegiate experience may be what brought us all into Sigma, but it is far and away not the centerpiece of my experience within the organization.

I completely agree, but I've been an alumna volunteer for 27 years this year (since 1988). My alumnae experience has defined me in so many ways- far more than my collegiate experience ever did. The sisters I've met through volunteering have become closer friends than my collegiate sisters. We have been through so much more of life together and they are always completely there for me.