Curious

[rebelgirl]

VandalSquirrel, I do have thick skin but that isn't the point. The reason I asked here in this forum was to get ideas. I have no plans, and never would, to just cold call a sorority. I was just looking for info and ideas. I've gotten many great suggestions here that weren't insulting. I have my own personal reasons for looking to a NPC sorority that I don't feel the need to go into in this forum. I have many friends and family who have been involved and wanted opinions before I went to them with questions. I am now looking into ways I may be able to volunteer at one of the two colleges in my city. The great thing, I've found, about greekchat is that I can ask a touchy question and get feed back from many wonderful people.

Just to address one thing which is why I didn't go greek in college. The college I attended had a large greek life but with that came $300+ dues that my parents would NOT pay. I was just wondering if there was an alternative since I couldn't while I was in school. Also I thought it might be a way to mentor or help young women that get lost during college years.

I again want to thank everyone for such great advice and ideas. The last few days have been very enlightening and helpful. I'll continue my search and, hopefully, find the group I am meant for.

[LadyLonghorn]

It seems to me that if you have many friends and family who are members of NPC organizations, they would be the people you should be directing your questions to, not strangers on the internet. Those are the people who both truly know you and are familiar with all the specifics and options available with their organizations (or can find out if they don't know.)

[myopicsunflower]

Originally Posted by rebelgirl

VandalSquirrel, I do have thick skin but that isn't the point. The reason I asked here in this forum was to get ideas. I have no plans, and never would, to just cold call a sorority. I was just looking for info and ideas. I've gotten many great suggestions here that weren't insulting. I have my own personal reasons for looking to a NPC sorority that I don't feel the need to go into in this forum. I have many friends and family who have been involved and wanted opinions before I went to them with questions. I am now looking into ways I may be able to volunteer at one of the two colleges in my city. The great thing, I've found, about greekchat is that I can ask a touchy question and get feed back from many wonderful people.

Just to address one thing which is why I didn't go greek in college. The college I attended had a large greek life but with that came $300+ dues that my parents would NOT pay. I was just wondering if there was an alternative since I couldn't while I was in school. Also I thought it might be a way to mentor or help young women that get lost during college years.

I again want to thank everyone for such great advice and ideas. The last few days have been very enlightening and helpful. I'll continue my search and, hopefully, find the group I am meant for.

If you have friends and family who are involved in their GLOs, why ask about alumnae initiation on Greekchat? I know you are seeking information, but it seems curious to me that someone with sorority women in her family/friend circle would come onto an internet message board for information on alumnae initiation, especially when there are pages and pages of past threads on this very subject to sift through, and people have stated over and over what alumnae initiation is and is not.

Regarding the women who "get lost," perhaps I'm misunderstanding your vision, but just based on what you've said, it sounds like you're looking for something more like what a student life employee or a career counselor would do. You might contact your local university to see if they need any volunteers. P.E.O., which someone mentioned earlier, would also be a good organization to look into if you wanted to mentor college women.

[Kansas City]

In my experience as a chapter advisor it seems that sorority members generally have it more together than the average college undergrad. If you're looking to help "lost" women, I'd suggest looking somewhere else. Perhaps an off-camups women's aid organization.

[ASTalumna06]

AST doesn't require an advisor to be a member of the sorority. HOWEVER... chapter advisors need approval through both the chapter AND the national VP. Also, these advisors are not able to attend any kind of ritual. They are not considered members at all, and their access to information is very limited. They are only expected to help the chapter when necessary. But they are also well respected members of the Greek community.

To give you an example of someone who is an advisor of one of our chapters who isn't a member... David Stollman http://www.campuspeak.com/speakers/stollman/

Please don't think that you can just "want to help students" and become an advisor for a chapter.

I became an advisor many years after becoming a member of my chapter, and I'm still learning new things every day.

This isn't a way into becoming a member of a sorority.

[kddani]

Originally Posted by rebelgirl

V
Just to address one thing which is why I didn't go greek in college. The college I attended had a large greek life but with that came $300+ dues that my parents would NOT pay. I was just wondering if there was an alternative since I couldn't while I was in school.

You could've gotten a job instead of expecting your parents to pay. Many many many sorority members hold jobs while belonging- regardless of major (anticipating the "I had a really demanding major and couldn't work" argument). If you wanted to badly enough, you could've made it happen. That excuse isn't going to impress anyone. You're not claiming that there was a family hardship or something.

You are the one coming to this message board to seek information on joining OUR organizations, that we have worked hard for, spent money on, and have been devoted to. We have every right to question your intentions and reasons for doing what you want to do. If you can't handle that, tough.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by Kansas City

In my experience as a chapter advisor it seems that sorority members generally have it more together than the average college undergrad. If you're looking to help "lost" women, I'd suggest looking somewhere else. Perhaps an off-camups women's aid organization.

BUT THEN YOU DON'T GET THOSE CUTE LETTER SHIRTS!!!

[baci]

rebelgirl,

If I were in your position, I would pour my heart and soul into Junior League. This is your chance to shine and do wonderful things. In Junior League, you will meet wonderful women and you will grow with your experience(s) in numerous ways. If you are fortunate, you may just make a connection that will help you in both your career and other desires of your heart. At the very least, you will be part of something wonderful and make life long friendships. I have seen and heard amazing stories that have happened to women who were part of Junior League. I think for now you should not look beyond and enjoy where you are at. This may fill your void and you may love it! Good things may come to you in time, but nothing comes easy.
I like to think positively!

[FSUZeta]

i think that you might find what you are seeking within junior league. the league i joined was very welcoming, had many committees to choose from and with over 300 members it was easy to find a smaller group of women with similar interests with which to cultivate friendships. since the league stresses bettering the commmunity in which they live, you can see the benefits of your hard work on a daily basis.

after your provisional year, you might be able to found a committee to mentor "at risk" college students, if one does not exist.

your provisional year will be a busy one, but fun-i would not pursue other membership in any organizations until i had completed those requirements.

[dukemama]

I agree with FSUZeta. From what I've read about the Junior League, the provisional year is very busy and carries a lot of expectations. I can't imagine how the OP would find time to devote to JL AND pursue AI. I get tired just thinking about it.

[ThetaPrincess24]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Or have you looked at P.E.O.?

There is also Epsilon Sigma Alpha (ESA)
http://esaintl.com/

[whiteXseaXlily]

Yay, I'm glad to see people have suggested ESA!

Rebelgirl, ESA seems to have a wider age margin than BSP. I'm thinking it's because there are collegiate ESA chapters. You can also join ESA as a Member-at-Large and you wouldn't have to join meetings while you are getting through your year at Junior League.

[ItIsAutumnInFL]

FYI: There are also collegiate chapters of Beta Sigma Phi. Such as...

http://studo.umkc.edu/betasigmaphi/

[HeavenslilAngel]

BSP is a wonderful organization. I have been involved for almost as long as I've been a member of ASA. My chapter is not antiquated at all. I'm the youngest member (I'm 27) and the oldest members are probably in their late 50's and 60's. While I love ASA and am extremely involved I also love my BSP chapter and love learning from my sisters who have more life experiences. It's almost like college all over again. Almost being the operative word. Meetings once per month (instead of weekly) and a social once a month (instead of daily or weekly events). Someone gave the email address for friendly venturing (forming a chapter). You may be able to find some Junior League members and then you ladies can form an unantiquated BSP chapter. Best wishes on whichever way you decide to/end up finding fulfillment. I do agree with whats been said about NPC may not being the best route.

[CougarGrad]

Originally Posted by ItIsAutumnInFL

FYI: There are also collegiate chapters of Beta Sigma Phi. Such as...

http://studo.umkc.edu/betasigmaphi/

Yep, there's one at St. Mary's University in San Antonio.