National Numbers of AI per year

[WCUgirl]

Originally posted by dakareng
Having attended college is the one absolute requirement to be a Pi Beta Phi AI

This is a requirement for us as well. And, of course, she cannot have been initiated into another NPC organization.

[CutiePie2000]

Originally posted by AOIIalum
That's easy
1. When a chapter colonizes, offer alumna initiation to those mothers and campus/community leaders who may qualify. I hesitate to use the term "worthy" but for a lack of a better term, those women who have supported and helped the colony become a chapter are ideal candidates.

An excellent point. In many cases, a new colony may not have immediately available alumnae support in the area (although if this was the case, I would wonder how wise it would be for an NPC to set up "shop" there to begin with). Anyhow, to AI some local women who were deemed "worthy"/"deserving"/"suitable" might help to set up a "ready made" alumnae network--while these women might not have extensive sorority experience, they *DO* have the wisdom of life experience, which counts for a lot too!

[honeychile]

Originally posted by aopirose
Silver, I understood your first post completely and I think that it is fine. My post was in response to honeychile’s friend’s comment. I am sorry that I wasn’t clear but I didn’t want to put HC on the defensive. She was just passing along a comment.

I appreciate your kindness, aopirose. Actually, there are times that more than 10 AI's are done in a year - such as when a long-lived local becomes a chapter of Alpha Delta Pi. In such cases, the alumnae of the local sorority are usually offered full AI membership in Alpha Delta Pi.

I would imagine that I was told about the less than 10 as a way of saying that it's not for just anyone. Most housemothers are offered AI, as are many mothers who have served a chapter above & beyond the call of duty, or super-legacies who went to a college without a greek system.

Alpha Delta Pi also requires some college education; but I think that's not an issue with the housemothers.



ETA: you have to understand that we have legacies who are direct descendants of our 1851 founders. One just can't deny membership to someone with that many generations of ADPi!

[James]

I would imagine that Greek chat has both increased interest in AI as well as increased their numbers.

[Jill1228]

Without a doubt! Many of us had no idea about AI. Once we found out that we can finally make our dream a reality, we took it and ran with it!

Originally posted by James
I would imagine that Greek chat has both increased interest in AI as well as increased their numbers.

[Tom Earp]

James, I think you are 100% right at least for us on GC!

While my Chapter has only Intitated 5 people over our 39 years, it was for a good cause, what they had done to help us as a Fraternity Chapter.

I think the NPC, NHPC are more apt to AI than NIC, I do not think anything is wrong with it! I have a, well best friend who I would like to see Intiated, but as I told him, He has to deserve it and I will do my best to see it happen!

Many Ladies who are on GC and have related their storys show, that just not being initiated in college does not dim the light for what they feel and want to do for each of their respective Greek Organizations, with that said, could you imagine Jill being more dedicated than any other Member of AP?

Remember, she is one of the many on here who have related the same thing so please take my congratulations and hopes for those still looking and those who have found their home!

[valkyrie]

Originally posted by James
I would imagine that Greek chat has both increased interest in AI as well as increased their numbers.

I think you're right, and I don't want to sound negative, but sometimes I wonder if that is a good thing or not.

[Tom Earp]

valkryie, why not?

Are there not many women over the years as AIs who have ment many great things to their Organizations?

[DeltaBetaBaby]

I think I have to lean towards valkyrie's opinion on this one. Sure, we could go out and actively look for more AI's, but why?

[Sistermadly]

Originally posted by valkyrie
I think you're right, and I don't want to sound negative, but sometimes I wonder if that is a good thing or not.

Ditto... and I'm not only a huge supporter of alumna initiation, but I'm an alumna initiate myself.

[aopirose]

I think that it is all how you look at it. What organization couldn’t use more hands to carry on its mission? Conversely, what woman couldn’t use a network of leadership, friendship, and service?

Several of AOIIs most outstanding sisters have been AIs, including two International Presidents. I, myself, am serving the Fraternity on an International Standing Committee. (That’s not too shabby considering that I have only been an initiated AOII for 3 ½ years.) This is in addition to my wonderful family and local AOII duties plus my other civic work.

GC is a great resource and I am glad that information about AI is out there. Not only are potential members finding out about it, but MEMBERS are discovering it too. However, I am sure that the number of women finding out about AI and subsequently finding a group is small compared to offline. (Congratulations again to those of you who did!) I don’t believe that GC will cause a stir “the likes of which no one has ever seen”.

I also stand by my original statement. I don’t feel that COR principles need to stop after “Pomp & Circumstance”. I believe that there are many qualified unaffiliated women and they would make perfect AOIIs. Now, I am not saying that we need to set up a booth and sign up sheet in a mall. That is extreme. Rather as dakareng and AOIIAlum put it, we should take the approach of our Founders. Take an inventory of those outstanding/deserving (any descriptor that you feel necessary) women in your life. You have got to know at least one, right? Invite her.

I know five women, in addition to the one that I am sponsoring, who I consider Sisters without Badges. Membership would certainly be mutually beneficial for these women and AOII. They are living our philosophy and purpose but they don’t realize it. These women would also have the chance to enhance their leadership skills by serving in an elected or volunteer position, enjoy our programming, and most importantly, develop lasting friendships. AOII would gain devoted sisters who would contribute time, talent, and money to ensure the Fraternity’s success. If AOII gains either one woman or 40 women per year, we are the richer for it. Ideally, we would pick these women up as collegians. Reality, unfortunately, doesn’t allow that.

Due to organizational policies, this is certainly an area where we can all agree to disagree.

[sageofages]

Very well said AOPiRose!

[aopirose]

Originally posted by sageofages
Very well said AOPiRose!

Thanks, sageofages.

[Tom Earp]

4 to 5 years of Collegiet experience do not always a Brother or Sister make.

It is what is in the Heart. I think that very well be seen on GC by All of the AI Initiates we have seen.

It just seems that these Individual Ladies that have gone through AI have had a much tougher time than a Collegete Associating as a Freshman.

I just think that most of the Ladies on GC that We know about who have AIed are as enthusiastic or even more so than some who went to college rushed, graduated and never have come back or participated as Graduates.

The AIs have worked just as hard if not harder and longer than many in College!

My Congratulations to The Soroities and Fraternities who do so!

[Aphigal]

I think the new and different ways AI's are finding their way to our organizations is something for each NPC group to evaluate on its own.

Alpha Phi is being proactive and has currently formed a small committee to review our AI process and policies. While I don't know what changes, if any, will evolve from the process I am pleased that we are reviewing this membership intake avenue.