AIs: "First meeting, now what?"

[tinydancer]

Oh, I swore I was not going to respond, but I had to. You all know how I have been overjoyed to find out about AI for months now. I have my first activity with "a sorority" on Sunday, and I don't mind saying that I am a bit nervous.

But EASY???? Is it easy to be going through "Rush" at age 50? Is it easy knowing that the first group I visit may or may not be "the One" and if it isn't, I have to start all over? Is it easy to maybe have to wait during the summer while activities are at a lull?

EASY????? Oh, give me air!!!

I am SOOO thankful for the wonderful sororities that do embrace AI and welcome women into their sisterhood.

OK, it must be time for lunch or I wouldn't be so cross.


Lizz (PNAM tinydancer - and PROUD of it!!)

[LXAAlum]

OK.

Here's my take on this, from "the other side of the fence" - fraternities.

It seems to me that many of the "honorary" initiates (which would be our term for alumni, or other categories other than "standard" initiation) have been extremely involved AND influential.

I've seen one honorary start not one, but two, colonies, one has been chartered for a while, and the second is months away from chartering.

I've seen another honorary take a very high leadership position not only in our fraternity, but in the interfraternity world as well, drawing upon his legal expertise.

I've seen other honoraries stay involved (statistically speaking, MUCH more involved than brothers who go alumni by graduation) with their respective chapters.

Never, EVER, have I heard a word of criticism of HOW they got into the brotherhood. Once a brother, always a brother, regardless of the circumstances of how one became involved. Sure, I have heard lot's of criticism about how they might approach a problem with a solution, but, then again, that is what makes them even MORE valuable to the organization - they are able to bring in an outside perspective that brothers "raised" on the traditions and history of a particular chapter might not otherwise have. It's always a good thing to have a "devil's advocate" to someone with the tired argument of "but that's how it's always been done here." Tradition does not mean the "right" way all the time.

A fresh pair of eyes, a different perspective, or just the voice of experience can sometimes make all the difference in the membership and future of a chapter.

[Greekgrrl]

LXAAlum, that's a fantastic perspective. I never thought of the devil's advocate possibilities!

Three cheers to the alumni/ae initiates and all they do to strengthen our organizations.

[adduncan]

Originally posted by Greekgrrl
LXAAlum, that's a fantastic perspective. I never thought of the devil's advocate possibilities!

I've found out that my current status as a non-Greek has been helpful in educating parents about Greek life at my alma mater.

I work as an Admissions Volunteer at BU. Basically, we do college nights, field interviews, etc.

Invariably, the first question I get is about Greek life, from both students and parents. Down here in the South, Greek recruitment can be pretty harsh. (Witness the many GC threads on the topic.) I have the opportunity to define how things work at our school, from an objective standpoint--and calm their fears/concerns for their kids going off to school.

"Hmmmmm--she has nothing to gain by promoting Greeks 'cause she isn't one herself. Maybe there is something really good here to look at!"

So, in some small way, I'm trying to promote Greek life at my own alma mater, and other schools by using that "objective" POV. Hopefully it's working.

(But I'm still pushing AI--I'll work that in when the time comes! )

Adrienne (PNAM-2003)

[JohnsDGsweethrt]

Good luck with AI! I have heard good thngs about it at least from my perspective!

[ZTAMiami]

I just wanted to make it clear that the previous comments made are not the point of view of Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity.

Please do not be discouraged (or ticked off) by an individuals statements. Remember that this is an anonymous public board and some things may not be what they seem.

[CutiePie2000]

Not to worry, ZTAMiami,
one of your Zeta sisters radioZTA made a wonderful post here. She stated that she is trying to get one of her friends AI'd into ZTA, but the friend had not made the decision yet. She wrote that "We're going to keep asking until she realizes we're serious and then give us an answer one way or another", which I think is wonderful. I hope that she keeps us posted on what happens.

This is also a beautiful ZTA convention initiate story and this is one of the most heartwarmining things that I have ever read on GC, submitted by GPhiBLtColonel - it's here.

Hi, I am sorry about the comments made on this "screenname" I am a ZTA but my roommate got on my computer and logged on under this "screenname". She doesn't agree with AI initiation and I am neutral on the whole thing. She has very strong opinions about stuff whereas do I but I personally know how to communicate my opinions in a succinct method whether it be PC or not. I feel that it's a strong point in joining a sorority or fraternity in college but shouldn't be the ONLY way to join a sorority as an alumna.

I do work a part-time job to pay for much of my schooling and other things. My parents do pay the brunt of my tuition which I am thankful for but I am on scholarship so they don't have to pay very much. They believed I shouldn't have to stress over paying for tuition while I am in school or have to worry about the financial burden of student loans once I graduate b/c I will have enough bills to worry about (i.e. insurance, possible mortgage, food, utility bills, etc.)

I do plan on joining the CIA after graduate school and do NOT plan on a family. The decision to not have a family is due to the major safety hazard inflicted upon myself and family. I feel that it's unfair, say if something fatefully happened to me or I get severely injured or held captive, to my family. I decided not to have a family before my decision to join the CIA because I don't feel the need to have a family. It's not unhealthy to NOT have a family either, AJUHDG. I know everyone believes my mind will change once I enter my career but I have felt this way for a very very long time. I really don't feel I will change my mind later in life.

It's an honor to be a ZTA no matter when you are initiated. I am thrilled to be a ZTA even though I went through Recruitment process twice. The reason why is because my ZTA chapter takes legacies seriously unless they are rude. I am a double legacy of Delta Zeta. I put that on my application and my chapter assumed I would join DZ the first time I went through. Unfortunately, I did not fit into the DZ chapter because they were very rude to me during the Recruitment process because they took my last name and checked on the legacy connection instead of using my mom's maiden name. I didn't have to participate in any diplomatic actions with President Bush, V. President Cheney, or Sec. of State Colin Powell that caused me to miss my preference parties.

Also, I am a very sociable person unlike my roommate that I WON'T be living with next year thankfully. KILLARNY ROSE I have a sense of humor but come on! I know it was aimed at my anti-social roommate but I was in a way kind of offended because was indirectly directed at me. The reason I didn't get these positions is because of other reasons that I don't feel necessary to discuss.

Finally, I apologize for my roommate because she's a jealous psycho bitch! Sorry for my French. She's just jealous that I am in a sorority and she was dropped from ZTA, the sorority she was a legacy to. So she does psycho things! OK that's it, I think.

[aopinthesky]

>>>Hi, I am sorry about the comments made on this "screenname"<<<

SCPIANO,
Take a deep breath and then please, please, take your medication. I could point out all the holes in your tall tale, but this "reading public" is comprised of very smart people and they already know. What started out as a thread from a very excited PNAM has become a forum for your foolishness, and I, for one, am over it. Please take this somewhere else, although I don't think there is a category that quite fits you.

My roommate DID log on because stupid me saved the password on my computer. I don't care to start anything. I just came in to apologize. I am sorry that you don't accept it.

[adduncan]

Originally posted by aopinthesky
>>>Hi, I am sorry about the comments made on this "screenname"<<<

SCPIANO,
Take a deep breath and then please, please, take your medication. I could point out all the holes in your tall tale, but this "reading public" is comprised of very smart people and they already know. What started out as a thread from a very excited PNAM has become a forum for your foolishness, and I, for one, am over it. Please take this somewhere else, although I don't think there is a category that quite fits you.

As much as I'd like to vent some frustration myself, I dont' think the benefit of the doubt is out of line here.

I had a similar scenario happen to me a few years ago. Someone I knew got a hold of my AOL account, sent a ton of emails and made posts w/out my permission, and I suffered greatly for it among my little online social group. Since it happened to me, I'm not going to be that quick to judge someone else.

Scpiano--I'll take your current post at face value--once. But I do think you need some security on your machine.

Adrienne (PNAM-2003)

[CutiePie2000]

http://www.greekchat.net/gcforums/index.php?s=

Scroll way way down to the bottom right corner to log out.
Make sure you do this each time you are done your GC session.

Thanks. I am not very computer literate and this is a new computer. I just figured how to put a password on my computer so let's cross our fingers and hope that it works.

Once again I apologize and congrats to the alumnae initiates to all sororities and fraternities.

[CutiePie2000]

Originally posted by scpiano211
Thanks. I am not very computer literate and this is a new computer. I just figured how to put a password on my computer so let's cross our fingers and hope that it works.

Once again I apologize and congrats to the alumnae initiates to all sororities and fraternities.

You're welcome. It's kind of hidden way way down there, so it is easy to miss.

Thank you for your kind apology. It is appreciated.

[JohnsDGsweethrt]

Cutie pie you are funny. lol