[17775] in APO-L
Re: Transfers (A Pleasant Experience!)
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Janson S. Jones)
Mon Nov 24 22:52:38 1997
Date: Mon, 24 Nov 1997 22:51:13 -0500
Reply-To: Janson73@AOL.COM
From: "Janson S. Jones" <Janson73@AOL.COM>
To: Multiple recipients of list APO-L <APO-L@VM.CC.PURDUE.EDU>
Greetings!
I've been following this discussion with a mix of amusement and
disappointment... I myself had a wonderful transfer experience. I pledged
APO originally at FSU, Iota Rho chapter, in 95 or so... The summer of '96 I
transferred to the University of Oklahoma. I immediately sought out the OU
Delta Beta chapter of APO. There were a few glitches in my "transfer", but
most of them were purely personal. For the most part, Delta Beta welcomed me
into our organization... I found myself disoriented at times because of the
vast differences between the two chapters... Iota Rho was a bit larger and
wilder than Delta Beta. But, I quickly found that for every disappointment
there was something wonderful about Delta Beta, something even my beloved
Iota Rho didn't have.... Quickly, I felt a part of Delta Beta. Iota Rho is a
great, wonderful chapter, and so is Delta Beta... I learned to seperate
expectations of the two. And let me tell you all something, there were no
"repledgings"... No "Orientation Program", etc... And I'm glad there
wasn't. The reason I found myself in Delta Beta so quickly was because of
two things:
-My enthusiasm to find out all I could, get to know as many brothers as I
could, and ACTIVE membership. (and)
-Delta Beta's immediate acceptance of me given that I was a BROTHER. I was
welcomed to events without being patronized. I was consulted for advice
given experience with another chapter. Delta Beta saw me as a valuable
resource, an active member who, like everyone else in Delta Beta, was a part
of the family.
So, for all you chapter's out there bombarding yourselves with what to do on
paper, etc... Yes, figure out the legistics... but a transfer brother is so
much more than "a matter of paperwork". It's a difficult transition we all
have to make... It's hard leaving a chapter you love, and realizing how
unique it really was... Then, you learn that your new chapter is also unique
and wonderful. All it takes to ease the transfer-process is respect for your
fellow brothers... Without being too patronizing. Like Royer said, the most
dedicated A-Phi-O'ers are the ones who seek out APO on their new campus.
Don't worry about whether they are "up to par". Time and experience will
quickly settle that issue.
Anyway, as Dennis Miller always says, that's just my opinion. I could be
wrong.
(Prospective Transfers: Relax, it really is a wonderful adventure that will
make you see A Phi O in a different light... I am eternally grateful for my
experiences, despite the bumpiness of the road I was driving on at the
start... It's well worth it...)
