Why is AI so long???

[Sistermadly]

Originally posted by navane
Hi dakareng,

Valkyrie is an Alpha Phi. If I understand correctly, Alpha Phi has a special chapter designation exclusively for alumnae initiates. I think that designation is "Alpha Lambda". Though, I cannot speak for whether or not the collegiate chapter must be involved or not.

Alpha Lambda is the traditional designation, but if Alpha Phi alumnae initiates have a special connection to the chapter that initiates them, they can be listed as members of that chapter. I'm in the process of seeing if I can change my chapter designation from Alpha Lambda to Beta Theta.

[SmartBlondeGPhB]

Originally posted by AOIIsilver
In AOII, only collegiate chapters may initiate. Therefore, almost the entire AI process in AOII involves working with a collegiate chapter.

There have been AI who have been initiated at National Convention; however, those members were still initiated "through" a collegiate chapter.

Have a blessed day.
Silver

That's how it is for us as well. But that's the only time the collegiates get involved. They tell us the date they are scheduling initiation, and we show up.

Our AI's will be designated by the collegiate chapter who initiates them. Any initiations at convention will be done by the local collegiate chapter.

[Aphigal]

Actually although you can identify yourself with Beta Theta, you would always be identified with the Alpha Lambda chapter in terms of Alpha Phi International records in the computer system.

As a fellow AI, although I identify with my collegiate chapter (since I was a colony member that wasn't installed until after graduation) I also believe its important we make it known that we are AI's.

[33girl]

Originally posted by Aphigal
Actually although you can identify yourself with Beta Theta, you would always be identified with the Alpha Lambda chapter in terms of Alpha Phi International records in the computer system.

As a fellow AI, although I identify with my collegiate chapter (since I was a colony member that wasn't installed until after graduation) I also believe its important we make it known that we are AI's.

If you find your group through an alum chapter, I personally think this makes much more sense. For example, one of our alum initiates is from Texas but her chapter designation is that of a chapter in Michigan since that's where her sponsor was from. I doubt if she has ever even been to Michigan...I would feel very funny saying "I am a member of so and so chapter" if my only connection to it was a single member.

However, if you're a colony member or longtime advisor being initiated, or you have a lot of interaction with the collegians prior to your initiation (see post below), I would say go with the chapter you have been attached to.

[AOIIsilver]

The AI collegiate connection seems to be closer for us...in addition to initiation, the collegiate chapter must approve the AI, and the AI may have her new member education through the collegiate chapter as well.

Just curious, does this also apply to GPhiB?
Silver

[pinkyphimu]

i am not an expert in phi mu's ai process, but i did have an ai initiated at the same time i was. she definately had NOTHING to do with the collegiate chapter as far as her new member education. we never even saw her until inititation night. we just thought she was an alum that we hadn't met yet...lol...and then she was in line with us to enter the chapel (where we held initiation). it was a little awkward so i wish that we at least knew that she was coming. for the two people i know who have done ai, the alum chapter president and the chapter advisor of the collegiate chapter had to sign paperwork. the collegiate chapter is basically responsible for letting the ai know when and where initiation is going to be held!

[SmartBlondeGPhB]

Originally posted by AOIIsilver
The AI collegiate connection seems to be closer for us...in addition to initiation, the collegiate chapter must approve the AI, and the AI may have her new member education through the collegiate chapter as well.

Just curious, does this also apply to GPhiB?
Silver

I will preface this by saying I only know how my alumnae chapter handled the two AI's we have done (and who knows if we did it correctly, but we followed the instructions).

No, it doesn't. Technically, the collegiate chapter President signs the form, but that's it. And the AI's go through education with their sponsors. In the case of my alumnae chapter, the collegiate chapter we support is about an hour away and would be a long drive for many women. And we stress involvement with the alumnae chapter over involvement with the collegiate chapter (hell, a lot of our regular members don't support the collegiate chapter). I think it would be great though if they could go through the new member ed program with the collegiates though.

[DGMarie]

Originally posted by pinkyphimu
i am not an expert in phi mu's ai process, but i did have an ai initiated at the same time i was. she definately had NOTHING to do with the collegiate chapter as far as her new member education. we never even saw her until inititation night. we just thought she was an alum that we hadn't met yet...lol...

When I was initiated it was a little awkward for me, too, bec everyone was like "who is she?" but I made a joke that I had failed the pledge test 15 times and then said: "It is DELTA Gamma, right?" They got a good laugh!

[AOIIsilver]

DGMarie,
That is the funniest thing that I have ever heard. You go, girl!

Silver
HAHAHAHAHAHA

Originally posted by DGMarie
When I was initiated it was a little awkward for me, too, bec everyone was like "who is she?" but I made a joke that I had failed the pledge test 15 times and then said: "It is DELTA Gamma, right?" They got a good laugh!

DGMarie your to funny! I walked inot Initation and all these girlsd looked at me and said are you an alum and i said no not exactly i am the mystery pledge sister you didn't see all quarter long!hehe


Seriously though, I was one of the fortunate ones i must say. My Alpha Phi GC sisters know how quick it went for me. many commented how quick my AI process really was. They also know the frustration i went thru in waiting.


They say timing is everything and i truly believe that. lauradav mention that it was insulting and in some sense maybe it is but it is also unfair to make a woman wait and wonder well do they want me or dont they. That is is insulting too. When FR is only days and AI can take up to a yr...it is frustrating! Sistermadly and I were just discussing this the other day and the fact some on here have been waiting forever to find there home.

I contacted EO and they inturned contacted me a day later and that same day i heard from my first Alum Chapter ( the president) that i initiated into. I met them and they before even meeting me had the application for me to fill out and send in to EO. I was to be initiated in June in the spring initiation class but with convention and timing as well as the US mail it got pushed to fall initation. EIther way it comes to timing most of the time.

Ladies you got to rememebr that AI is farely new to the majority of groups. Let me say if i knew A Phi had AI in place yrs and yes ago i would be a member already but the groups that are NPC and those groups being around when i graduated college in 95 did not know of AI.

Yes chapters are very leary of what Ai is. Were all leary of new things. But we have got to get into the new century this isn't 1960s or 70s or 80 any longer this is 2003 and sorority life has come a long way from what it use to be and we should be open to all women who wishes to take part in our sisterhoods.


FR and AI are two forms of membership and yes each have some flaws but they also have some good things about htem too. I am the first to tell you i don't like to wait, i get to impatient but i understand why we are selective. Because we want the best for our GLO and we want the very best to be our sisters!


Laura

[GeekyPenguin]

Originally posted by SmartBlondeGPhB
AOIISilver,

In AOPi do the collegiate chapters get more invloved in AI? For us, they simply sign the form acknowledging they know about it and let us know when initiation will be. They don't get involved at all in the AI process. It's all alum chapter.

Actually with our last two AIs we got really involved - but that's because our local alum chapter is :ahem: unique. We recruited the AIs, brought them to the alum chapter, had our advisor be their sponsor, and kind of told the alum when to show up.

[DGMarie]

SOOOO much depends on your groups awareness of AI. If the National VP:Alumnae had not been a member of my chapter, who knows how long it would have taken? I met my group on 12/8/02 and received my bid 2/3/03 and was initiatied 3/3/03 so it was lightning speed if you consider the holidays involved.

[DGMarie]

Originally posted by cutiepatootie
Yes chapters are very leary of what Ai is. Were all leary of new things. But we have got to get into the new century this isn't 1960s or 70s or 80 any longer this is 2003 and sorority life has come a long way from what it use to be and we should be open to all women who wishes to take part in our sisterhoods.

Laura

Yes, this is so true. Despite what the national policy may be, the local chapter decides if they want to sponsor you or not, and in some cases, they may be very ANTI-AI. Those sentiments have been expressed on this board in other posts. The fact of the matter is that regardless of organization there will always be those to whom AI is enemy territory.

[bsp-mich24]

Originally posted by DGMarie
SOOOO much depends on your groups awareness of AI.

This is so true -- I ran into this with same issue with several of the GLOs I contacted & the approval process (chain of command so to speak) varies from GLO to GLO. But it was well worth the wait.

[CutiePie2000]

Originally posted by Sistermadly
Alpha Lambda is the traditional designation

ADPi does this too, but I can't remember what the chapter designation is.... Will go check their website now.

2 minutes later:
ADPi Alumnae Initiates are initiated as members of a new specially designated chapter-Omega Alpha.