My line name is G.Q because of the fact that I was always in a fashion show on campus somewhere and also because when I dress up, I dress up. I do the damn thing! Also, I like to take pictures and be in pictures like the G.Q. Magazine.

Nicknames can be fun. Sometimes we get pledges in who are uncomfortable about the idea. Usually when we explain some of our members nicknames and how they get them, and they understand they are all in good fun, most don't have a problem.

My nickname is Collector. I collect a lot of things, including lots of APO-related stuff. But unlike many collectors, I like to bring what I collect out to events so others can see and enjoy my collection.

Some of the nicknames in my chapter:

Joker- a brother who is always being funny and making jokes.

Mystress- a brother who is kind of a semi-goth.

Strike the Pose- a brother who is into modeling

Sugar & Spice- two brothers who were 'pledge twins' (had the same Big Brother in the same pledge class.

City- a brother whose name is close to a local city. people are always mispronouncing her name and someone called her 'city' and it stuck (and she would be one of the first ones to explain her nickname, too).

I didn't get a nickname. Hmmph.

my name is Dumpster Diver because during our pledge service project (Trick or Treat for cans) I jumped in a dumpster to get much needed boxes to hold the cans.

My nickname is Hyper, I guess cause I am so excited about APO , I have been and always will be.

Pledge Names.....
 

My pledge name is Mighty Mouse....I really don't know how I got that name, all I know is that i tried to save the day.....Some people might say it because I was the smallest guy on line but I am 5'10 -1'

My line name is Taxicab Confessions...not that long of a story.
My nicknames/alias' are : Bishop Don and Godiva, after the chocolate but its because i used to say GO Diva!

Re: Pledge Names.....
 

I thought it was because...lol

Re: Re: Pledge Names.....
 

I thought it was because.....................hmmmm ( I Will Think) LOL

Re: Re: Re: Pledge Names.....
 

LMBO!!!!!! ROTFL!!!!! :D :D :D :D

I was so excited when I received my nickname, because it describes me SOOOOOOO WELL! As u can see I'm [color=royal blue]SPUNKY[/color] <---- What can I say, it's in the blood ;)!

Nicknames and Lines
 

I am pledgemaster for this coming fall for the alpha alpha epsilon chapter at College of Charleston and I was wondering about the whole line and nickname thing...can someone explain the whole line thing to me? how can I get this started in my chapter?

-Ashley

Re: Nicknames and Lines
 

I'll let someone else cover lines. We don't have them in my chapter, not familiar with them.

There are basically 2 ways that chapters organize their pledge classes. One is by lines, the other is to use a 'big-little' system.

With a big-little system, each pledge is paired up with an active brother. The active serves as a mentor to the pledge and is refered to as the Big Brother. The pledge is a Little Brother. Typically, Bigs & Littles are organized into families that strength back to the founders of the chapter. As part of their pledge education, pledges are expected to learn about their family tree: who is the founder, who are the other members, etc. In some chapters, these families may have special tradtions and the like.

As I said, the Big Brother is to be a mentor to the pledge. Help them out, advise them, make sure they are doing their pledge requirements. Many chapters will have special Big-Little events to help the Bigs & Littles get to know each other better, and the like. Many times Bigs will present their Littles with gifts after they are inducted into APO. In some chapters, the Bigs might be expected to present their Littles with their first APO jersey. Many times Littles will also present gifts to their Bigs.

The use of nicknames is another aspect used in chapters. Be careful you don't stray into hazing. The idea of a nickname is some name that says something about that Brother. Some chapters may give nicknames to the pledge while they are a pledge, then another nickname once they become Brothers, others may only give out nicknames once they've become Brothers. Typically the nickname is choicen by the Big, based on what they've seen about their Little. This nickname is then put on the back of their APO jersey, above their Chapter number.

My nickname is "Collector". I collect stuff (pez, apo memorabilia, scouting memorabilia, comic books, etc). On the back of my APO jersey you'll see Collector above "51", which is my chapter number.

Other nicknames I know:

Our Section Chair is "Mr. Forklift". He had a run-in with a forklift.
Some nicknames in my chapter: "Strike the Pose" (Brother who models), "Mystress" (a goth brother), "Sniper" (Brother who likes to shoot), "City" (brother whose name is similiar to a couple of local towns in the area), "Starfox", etc.

Hope this helps

Re: Nicknames and Lines
 

Also, as Pledgemaster I do hope you've obtained a copy of the Leadership Series booklet on Pledge Trainers. That book does cover Big/Little programs and nicknames.

You can get a copy of this booklet from the National Office. Its on their website AND its on the Chapter Resource CD your chapter was given. Also, the Chapter Resource CD has a whole section on Pledge Program materials. Your chapter should have been send a CD last Fall. If not, call the National Office and order an extra one.

Chapters use two approaches to new member education: pledge classes or pledge lines. Whatever method you use, the Big/Little program is still in effect.

Nicknames
 

Thank you for the info. My pledgemaster didn't do a good job and everything was a mess last year. I was inducted and made pledgemaster last spring. I really want to bring the chapter back to being in order and being involved with other chapters. We currently practice the Big/Little system but don't have families, or family trees or any of that...they don't go to nationals or regional events...nothing...I will download that info from the nationals site thank you for that tip, the last pledgemaster didn't leave me very much to work with. I love this fraternity, and my chapter...I just want to get it back on the right track.

-Ashley

Re: Nicknames
 

Get the Chapter Resource CD!! I was involved with that CD, and made sure to include as much Pledge Training materials as I could on it. (I was also the main editor/author for the Pledge Trainer Leadership Series booklet). This should give you information to revamp your pledge program and get it back on track. Also consider calling upon your Section/Regional alumni volunteers. I'm also in Region IV.

Online Resources
 

I printed out the pledge trainer information. It should get me started! Thank you so much for the advice.


-Ashley

In 4 words...
 

My linename, or nickname, is Eye of the Storm and is based on my calm, relaxing personality ;) And my alias is poprocks.

That being said, to answer aaeapo's question, the resources on the National Website under "Pledge Trainer Leadership Series", "Growing Pains", and "Survival Guide for Small Chapters" are excellent and cover everything you need to know about bringing in educated, committed new brothers. The line concept is a little more complex and is only useful depending on what you are trying to instill in your pledge class. Maybe it would help if you contacted chapters near you and observe their pledge program...

My nickname is Ms Congeniality, from the movie of the FBI agent who is tomboy-ish and has to enter a Beauty Pageant. I have a similar personality, I guess, never seen the movie. I've always done different things, like I am honorably discharged by the Air Force, tried out for a women's tackle football team, was the school mascot "Rocky D. Bull" for Fall 2002 football season, known as a fighter, etc.

I am trying to come up with something smaller cause a 14 letter nickname gets expensive after awhile, considering I'm poor.

My number is 301 (chapter number). It would be hard going by numbers in my Chapter cause I was in Beta class (which was a petitioning group class).

"Beta class" during petitioning? That's interesting.

In most chapters, the use of letters to designate pledge classes only occures after their chartering. Typically, during the PG period, additional groups are refered to as PG 'generations' (1st generation, 2nd, etc). Many times the group who comes in just before chartering will be refered to as the Pre-Alpha Class.

I know it is kinda weird but that is what was voted on. I do know that Alpha Delta Nu chapter did Alpha Prime, Alpha, and Alpha Star for the petitioning classes.

Brothers wanted a way to distinguish those who joined earlier than the others. Most of the ones who seem to fight for this were in Alpha class.

My wife's undergrad chapter (Alpha Gamma Chi) just counted the ones who were on the charter as "charterers" and the group that was Petitioners but not on the charter were run through the pledge ceremony and initiated 3 weeks later. They were Alpha... As for my undergrad chapter, all of the founders are deceased, so I can't ask. (Kappa)

Randy

Actually, through pulling strings, all 32 were placed on the charter. Even the ones who joined a month prior to the chartering ceremony.

The Classes are: April 03- Alpha
October 03- Beta
December 03- Gamma
February 04- Delta

Some people may be placed within the different petitioning groups but was active before the ritual (just couldn't attend)

The National office does try to help with things like that. I *think* they need about 2 weeks between having the final list of names and getting the charter/rechartering certificate back from the place that makes them. Rechartering certificates take less time.

Its up to the group. Can't hurt to ask!

Randy

Well, my line name is "Dragonfly." I was named that because I was heavly into taekwondo... a 3rd degree black belt. While pledging, I was always going to tournaments and events... HEAVYILY competing. Thus, the name... "Dragonfly."

Similar to being named "Dragonfly" for APO, I was named "Hong Kong Phooey" for Phi Mu Alpha.

My line is Skeeter (the little character from Muffet Babies). I won't go into why that was my name. And no I dont look like that ugly little thing. Mr. Black-and Mild (Strawter) from my line gave me that name. I will let him do the explaining.

Hey Skeeter!!! Congrats on DST!!!

Thanks girl!!! Are you going to the picnic down in Atl?

everybody keep askin me that!!! lol i think i might have to make an appearance. u going?

not sure. i may be down there anyway doing other things (shopping, eating, etc.) and just pop in to see the guys step. that would be the only reason. ill have to see though.

My nickname is Sexy Superstar. It was given to me by my Big. I enjoyed acting and I had rehersal all the time while I was pledging. We'll just leave it at that!!!

My nickname is "Bebe":p ...no explanation needed ;)

Re: BUFFALO SOLDIER!
 

I noticed that you were made Alpha recently - congrats!

I plan on seeking membership into the Alpha Phi Omega Chapter at my school. I know that they dont have lines here and dont have line names. Maybe thats something I can start if/when I become a member.

hey :) I'm Alpha Phi Omega, I pledged Spring 2003 at East Carolina University in North Carolina....I just wanted to say that I'm so excited to see this unity and openness between brothers...rock on! Keep up the great work of our founders!
L,F,S
Jen
KBA-Spr.03
Kappa Upsilon
ECU

Hey Jenn Jenn! :D

Awww! hey Rory!! :D I've decided to post obviously...:rolleyes: ok, nicknames....there are 4 girls in my chapter named Jennifer (including me) but out of all of us I'm the that got to keep Jennifer. So, it's either Jen or Jennifer....all the others are "Killer" herlast name is Miller, Fermin, that's her last name,too and then Jennie.what's funny is a question i always ask a pledge which brother's name is in the Toast song (Fermin) really it's "Firm in" but that's how you pronounce it...my pledge class brought that up...I wish I had a kool name like that LoL.....

You guys have no idea how awesome Jenn Jenn is. You only PRAY that your chapter could have a chick like her! :p

My nickname is Top Flight. My brothers "teased" me calling me that because they said I reminded them of a security guard due to my size and martial arts background.

Were you a Tail, then?