Pledged

[HBADPi]

Originally posted by ASUADPi

Also, can someone PLEASE write a book that isn't anti-Greek. How about they write about our gpa requirements and our philanthropy projects. Grrr to greek haters.

Because no one cares about gpa requirements and philathrophy, its not dramatic enough to sell a book and no one joins a sorority because of those two reasons. Not to say that all girls join sororities for the partying and fraternity boys but let's be honest here some do. Have you ever met a PNM who says "I want to join the sorority with the best national philathropy?" We can only wish these girls walk through our doors for recruitment.

[polarpi]

Originally posted by HBADPi
Have you ever met a PNM who says "I want to join the sorority with the best national philathropy?" We can only wish these girls walk through our doors for recruitment.

Actually, I have. Not saying that they didn't want the partying and social aspect as well, but to them, philanthropy was more important than being seen at the parties. I'm glad there are those women out there, and maybe if books were written about the "nicer" side of sorority life (instead of the negative stereotypes we all live with), the perception will change about what a best selling book should contain when it comes to Greek life.

However, that's just my honest, personal opinion and my .02

[HBADPi]

Originally posted by polarpi
Actually, I have. Not saying that they didn't want the partying and social aspect as well, but to them, philanthropy was more important than being seen at the parties. I'm glad there are those women out there, and maybe if books were written about the "nicer" side of sorority life (instead of the negative stereotypes we all live with), the perception will change about what a best selling book should contain when it comes to Greek life.

However, that's just my honest, personal opinion and my .02

I guess I should have phrased it better, I'm not saying that girls join just for the partying or not at all. HB had a lot of girls that were not interested in doing the party scene, wouldnt even go to our own crush parties etc. So yes for girls like that, more productive aspects of a sorority would be more appealing. My point was when a PNM is torn between two houses I dont really think its the philathrophy that sells one house over the other, I would think (and hope) how well they got along with the sisters and if she could see herself in that house would be more important factors.

[polarpi]

Originally posted by HBADPi
I guess I should have phrased it better, I'm not saying that girls join just for the partying or not at all. HB had a lot of girls that were not interested in doing the party scene, wouldnt even go to our own crush parties etc. So yes for girls like that, more productive aspects of a sorority would be more appealing. My point was when a PNM is torn between two houses I dont really think its the philathrophy that sells one house over the other, I would think (and hope) how well they got along with the sisters and if she could see herself in that house would be more important factors.

And I completely agree with you

I think some of us wish that these are the ideas that would be promoted in a book about Greek Life, rather than the stereotypical "negative" thoughts everyone has about Greek life already. Just like no one (hopefully) would walk through the door and say that I want to join the house with the best philanthropy, (and I'm not trying to make a joke here, I promise), no one (hopefully) walks through the door and says I want to join the house with the least number of eating disorders or the most parties per week, etc.

[ASUADPi]

Originally posted by HBADPi
I guess I should have phrased it better, I'm not saying that girls join just for the partying or not at all. HB had a lot of girls that were not interested in doing the party scene, wouldnt even go to our own crush parties etc. So yes for girls like that, more productive aspects of a sorority would be more appealing. My point was when a PNM is torn between two houses I dont really think its the philathrophy that sells one house over the other, I would think (and hope) how well they got along with the sisters and if she could see herself in that house would be more important factors.

On a funny note, one of my sisters went to Morningside which is Delta Epsilon. Ironically, one of the girls who became a incredibly active member was a two generation legacy to AOTT, the only other sorority on campus. But she had a daughter who when she was incredibly sick stayed at the RMH, b/c RMH is our philanthropy she chose ADPi instead of AOTT.

Just thought that was a cute little anecdote to share.

But you are right 95% of the PNM's will chose houses they are comfortable with and can see themselves fitting in, not b/c of the philanthropy. Those girls who do look at the philanthropy as a "pitch" I guess are few and far between.

[ADPiAkron]

Originally posted by ASUADPi
On a funny note, one of my sisters went to Morningside which is Delta Epsilon. Ironically, one of the girls who became a incredibly active member was a two generation legacy to AOTT, the only other sorority on campus. But she had a daughter who when she was incredibly sick stayed at the RMH, b/c RMH is our philanthropy she chose ADPi instead of AOTT.

My sister has a friend who joined ZTA because of their National Philanthropy- The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation- because she had breast cancer as a teenager. She also joined because of the women...but the philanthropy was an immediate connection for her!

I understand those women are few and far between....but they are so wonderful when they come along!!

[ASUADPi]

Okay so I caved and bought Pledged. I'm kind of mad at myself for forking over 25 bucks to this woman but who knows when I will get to read it via the library (plus, I'm not good at returning books on time). I wanted to have it read by the time FR rolls around since I do plan on helping out DG.

Let you know what I think when I start reading it. (Right now I want to finish reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Yes, I caved and decided to join the Harry Potter fandom also).

[sweetie adpi]

you want a book that gives greek life a positive spin? try this one: published in may, it's called "bound by a mighty vow" by diana turk.... it's specifically about "greek letter fraternities for women," and doesn't mention the adelpheans at all (to my surprise/chagrin) BUT it's very positive. our greek advisor is a theta and got a copy sent to her just today. thetas, being the first "greek letter fraternity for women" feature prominently in the book, and it specifically mentions allegheny college (HB's and my college), where their mu chapter has been since 1880.

(it also mentions pi phi and many other greek organizations, including kkg, phi kappa psi, fiji, etc.)

~sweetie

[hunnie843]

Ok, I just finished this book and have to say, I thought it was very interesting. Sadly, I do think that sorority life at a larger school is more like the author's depiction than many would like to admit. I am by no means saying ADPis or sororities in general are all like that but we have to realize that extremes are what sell books. If there were no exposing stories, no one would buy the book. I do know girls from my old chapter like some of those she described and I know girls who couldn't be farther from the stereotype. It goes both ways in any large group...

Overall, I really feel like it's a good read for any collegian or alum member. For alums, it's really informative for the image that future employers may have of you and for any who have daughters entering college. For collegiates, remember that any girl for the next few years that is interested in rushing will be reading this book and will probably have questions for you. They will want to know why ADPi does not fit into the mold and specifically why your chapter doesn't fit. It's always good to be prepared!

Ok, that was just my opinion. I work with an Alpha Chi Omega and we've had an ongoing discussion while we've been reading and these are just some of the things we've been discussing.

I like this online book club thing though!

[jh124]

I've already posted my view on the book, but being honest, the reasons that I joined a sorority:

~Meet friends
~Getting to go to the coolest parties and mixers to:
~Meet boys

I'm far too cynical to buy into all the mushy sisterhood crap that they threw at us during rush. Did I feel it after I joined? Sure, but that wasn't why I joined. And even now to this day, if you ask me about the mushy stuff, I'll lie Yes, I could go on and all all day about what I ended up getting out of my experience. We all could. But really, unless you had a mom, aunt, sister, or really good friend to expose you to greek sisterhood, did you really know what you were getting into? Nothing previous prepares you for it.

So, being completely honest, parties and boys had nothing to do with your decision to rush and/or pledge? Because I really gave a rat's booty about our philanthropy during those blurry days of rush.

[ADPiShannan]

Id say each of us has our own reasons why we joined. Some people join to make friends, to meet boys, to have a sister bond cause they dont have real sisters, some join for philanthropy, we all have our own reasons.

I know I did join because I knew of the sisterhood and I knew of what ADPi did for people. My grandma and 3 aunts as well as other family who were ADPi and I always heard all about it and just really wanted to be a part of something so amazing that they always talked about. I had a bf who I eventually got married to so I could care less about boys at all or fraternity parties. Its sad, but so true lol. I wanted to make new friends and sisters who I would bond with. I wanted to become a part of that lifelong commitment and something that I would cherish all of my life. Sure I went to some parties and I had fun and all that, but to me by far,t he sisterhood was the most important thing for me and it always will be. I dont think everyone feels that way joining, but thats how I was.

I am a sentimental girl and very emotional so I cried during so many of the events because things touched me so much when I rushed. It was amazing. I came in wanting ADPi, but being open to other places, but I feel in love with ADPi a long time ago, when I was a girl, and I feel in love with all those ADPi girls I met the first day. I knew there would never be another sorority Id ever feel that way about. Tears thinking of how great that journey has been and all thats to come.

No matter what this stupid book does to greek life, ADPi is in my heart forever and this stupid book will never break our sorority or any other book for that matter.

[jh124]

I am a sentimental girl and very emotional so I cried during so many of the events because things touched me so much when I rushed.

I have to apologize, because I'm the smartass in your pledge class that rolled her eyes at everything. Just my personality, I'm not sentimental (except for my clothes ) or emotional. Sorry. I never cried. People were incredibly surprised that I cried at my wedding.

[polarpi]

Originally posted by jh124
So, being completely honest, parties and boys had nothing to do with your decision to rush and/or pledge?

To be *completely* honest.....parties and boys had ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with my decision to go through recruitment.

I chose to go through recruitment because I had seen (for a year) the wonderful fun my best friends in college had with their sisters (two joined our freshman year, two joined first semester of sophomore year), and I wanted that. Especially when they would go to their chapter meetings and I'd be sitting doing homework in my dorm room, I wanted to have that experience. The social part of sororities (parties, boys, etc)....I got that without joining ADPi. But the opportunity to have a group of women who genuinely cared what was going on in my life and I was able to go hang out with, no matter what time of the day or night, was priceless.

Besides, I'm not much of a party gal.....

[Adelphean1851]

I joined, honestly because I fell in love with the girl who would eventually become my diamond sister. I was at orientation for UNLV, and Danielle came up and asked me if I wanted to know about her sorority. And she told me all about ADPi and showed me pictures from the chapter. Then we spent a good half hour talking about shopping and clothes and stuff we became friends on the spot. She also intorduced me to some if the other girls, and what really impressed me was that they all remembered me when I came back in the fall. I just knew I had to be a part of ADPi.
I think the biggest benefit to me after I joined was the instant identity, being from so far away I really think I needed a group to identify with I mean, I had no friends or family in Las Vegas. I enjoyed the parties and stuff but my major kept me so busy with rehersals and diddn't have any time for going out or boys, I was forever turning in excuse forms for diffrent events and meetings. But still it was nice to sit and have lunch with my sisters and spend what time I could with them.

[ADPiShannan]

Do any of you girls have any idea where this book is supose to be from? The school I mean? I hear people say the south and east coast so I wonder. Im currently reading it right now. I just got it today from the library. I know she said that she changed things around but I wonder if she was smart enough to change everything. Like she says the campus shes on has 18 sororities, I wonder if thats correct and then she talks about the chapter house shes going to and explains it pretty descriptive. I just wonder if people could find out what school she really says she was at.