My AI adventure

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by Sciencewoman

I think that Gamma Phi has a pretty welcoming policy toward AI, and our alumnae chapters even get "extra points" for sponsoring an AI. Our AC has initiated two AIs in recent years...both worked for the college where we had a new chapter. One got to know our resident CLC during colonization, and the other was a very close friend of an active alum. Both women attended schools without Greek systems, and both women jumped right into advisory positions with the chapter. In both situations, the AC approached the potential member. Sponsoring an AI is very involved, and I wouldn't be eager to do it for a stranger.

I think Phi Mu is similar. I actually know of three women who were AI'd into my chapter while I was a collegian, and two were family connections, one was a prominent local businesswoman who was friends with a very active alumna.

I wouldn't know what to do with a woman who doesn't have some kind of personal connection to my organization. That said, I'd consider "friends in the org" a personal connection, and if any of my close female friends who were never Greek suddenly said "man, I really regret that I never joined a sorority", I would put the wheels in motion for them. I know several outstanding women through arts boards and such who I would love to have as sisters, even if they have never thought about a specific organization before.

So, for the PNAI's who are contacting headquarters and/or local chapters: do you not have any friends who were Greek women? That would seem to me to be the place to start.

[fascination]

Thanks for your thoughtful posts, yellowrose26 and Sciencewoman. It seems to me that AI is looked down upon by some regulars on this site, as if AI seekers are interlopers. I don't understand that attitude. Whether an organization's decision makers approve of AI as a way to reward special women, or see it as a way increase the number of reliable members who will contribute financiallyand with service, that does not diminish the status of women who joined in college.
Yes, an AI's perspective within the organization will be different from that of a woman who joined in college, but so what? The experiences and perspectives of collegiate members vary enormously from campus to campus and chapter to chapter, too.
There is nothing wrong with someone's thoughtfully considering an organization that she already has a tie to. And, I see no problem with researching all organizations that are open to AI to determine if one seems to be a good fit. Some organizations make it very clear on their national websites that they welcome AI interest.
Strong organizations generally need as many good members as they can get, regardless of whether they joined as a shy, awkward 18 year old at a weak chapter or a sharp, polished 18 year old at a highly sought after chapter or a 30 year old professional woman who would fit in very nicely with an alumnae chapter that really needs more members to accomplish their goals - one of which is to help recruit more quality members.

[AOII Angel]

The problem with having absolutely NO connection is that organizations don't really have a mechanism to vet these women. We don't do AI rush, and most alumnae aren't willing to go out of their way to recruit women they don't know from Adam to join. Alum chapters meet at the most once a month, so it would be difficult to get to know enough about a PNAI in that setting without a sister vouching for her. That is why having a relative, friend, prior relationship with the organization is so critical to success. Being a known commodity takes a lot of work out of the formula. Let's face it, alums are too busy running their lives to worry about vetting someone completely unknown to them. It's not worth the effort unless they are really desperate for some warm bodies (which depending on the area of the country does happen.)

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

The problem with having absolutely NO connection is that organizations don't really have a mechanism to vet these women. We don't do AI rush, and most alumnae aren't willing to go out of their way to recruit women they don't know from Adam to join. Alum chapters meet at the most once a month, so it would be difficult to get to know enough about a PNAI in that setting without a sister vouching for her. That is why having a relative, friend, prior relationship with the organization is so critical to success. Being a known commodity takes a lot of work out of the formula. Let's face it, alums are too busy running their lives to worry about vetting someone completely unknown to them. It's not worth the effort unless they are really desperate for some warm bodies (which depending on the area of the country does happen.)

This. We've done it in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where we have two collegiate chapters and very few alumnae. We really need those AIs to help with the chapters. The OP gives her location in her other post in the AI forum and it isn't a location where any collegiate chapters have a great need for assistance. I think that will add to her challenges.

[Old_Row]

Originally Posted by AGDee

This. We've done it in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where we have two collegiate chapters and very few alumnae. We really need those AIs to help with the chapters. The OP gives her location in her other post in the AI forum and it isn't a location where any collegiate chapters have a great need for assistance. I think that will add to her challenges.

Oh my gosh there's only one college chapter in the entire state! Crazy!

[amIblue?]

Originally Posted by Old_Row

Oh my gosh there's only one college chapter in the entire state! Crazy!

Well, that would help explain why she doesn't know any sorority women in real life.

[KillarneyRose]

Originally Posted by Old_Row

Oh my gosh there's only one college chapter in the entire state! Crazy!

There's only one DZ chapter here in Maryland and, even though it's a small state, the school is over the river, through the woods and up in the mountains. It's frustrating because I would LOVE to be involved with a college chapter.

[amIblue?]

Originally Posted by KillarneyRose

There's only one DZ chapter here in Maryland and, even though it's a small state, the school is over the river, through the woods and up in the mountains. It's frustrating because I would LOVE to be involved with a college chapter.

There may be only one DZ chapter in MD, but there are other NPC groups in MD. OldRow was referencing that there is only one NPC chapter in the whole state. As I said in the sorority strongholds thread, AGD owns Hawaii.

[TexasViolet]

It's also a disservice to the PNAI. Having a close friend in the organization can help answer your questions, serve as a mentor and really help you to get involved in the organization. My advice to you would be really ask your friends, see if anyone is Greek and open to helping you through the process. You really never know! It would be a positive for you to have a friend in your corner.

[SWTXBelle]

Financial advisers are another example of an advisory role that can well be served by those without collegiate experience.

33girl - I know our A&M- Corpus Christi adviser lives in Katy and does a great deal of her work through Skype.

[33girl]

But part of that is - we have these huge alumnae bases and we're basically saying "oh, we have NO ONE who is both 1) a sister and 2) accounting-wise/RM-wise educated enough to fill this role." It kind of makes all our claims of great networking/we help women to get into great careers, ring extremely hollow.

[SWTXBelle]

Originally Posted by 33girl

But part of that is - we have these huge alumnae bases and we're basically saying "oh, we have NO ONE who is both 1) a sister and 2) accounting-wise/RM-wise educated enough to fill this role." It kind of makes all our claims of great networking/we help women to get into great careers, ring extremely hollow.

You forgot 3) has the time/inclination to fulfill the role. Yes, we help women in their careers, but that doesn't always lead to the right alumna in the right place at the right time. I've been active when I could, but when I had small children and was going to graduate school I had to step back. It didn't matter that I was qualified - I couldn't fulfill the role anymore.

[amIblue?]

That's another good example.

[groovypq]

Well, I don't know. I'm a general adviser, and I'm an AI. I always joke that those poor girls had no one else, so they got stuck with me. :-) I think my connections at the university (I was a part-time, later full-time employee) and in my fields (communications and coaching) gave me some perspectives that helped the chapter. But it really was a case of there not being alumnae in the area to serve.

I also had connections to the chapter - my sister was a former treasurer and president, and at the time I was asked, I was coaching one of the sisters. It was at my alma mater, so I was familiar with the chapter as well.

Was I the greatest choice of adviser? Probably not. But I did my best (and still do) to learn everything I could to be a good adviser. I read everything I could. I came to GC. :-) I connected with other advisers. I went to officer training. To me, being initiated was -- in addition to being a great honor -- a way to better serve this chapter that I had quickly grown to love.

When you have a chapter that's geographically isolated, with no nearby alumnae chapter, just knowing that someone cares enough to help you out can mean a lot.

[Sciencewoman]

Ones of the reasons that Gamma Phi promotes AI is that we have found that these women tend to be quite dedicated, involved, and ready to help out. They don't see sorority membership as a "college only" experience. We have 300 women on our local alumnae list. That does not equal 300 women paying dues, showing up at events, volunteering to support our local collegiate chapter, etc. Personally, I see many benefits in offering this option. I also respect those groups who choose not to offer this option.