Need NME process ideas please!
 

Thank you for all of your help! For risk mgmt purposes, I have deleted the contents of my post!

Sounds like something is missing from this story. There's no way a process can be seen as "acceptable" for 60 years, then "bad" all of a sudden unless something different was done.

BTW: why are you all taking pictures of initiation and posting them online in the first place?

EXACTLY what I was thinking.

I recommend that your chapter re-evaluates what it means to "earn" membership in your organization. Putting up with hazing only proves that a member won't stand up for herself. New Members in all organizations are still expected to learn the history and ideals of their respective groups. New Member meetings with activities and lessons are appropriate. Having New Members and Actives get to know each other without forcing the NMs to serve the Actives is possible. A lot of chapters are using "Speed Dating" type activities to help members get to know each other. If you think the NM class needs to work together on a project, have them plan an educational event or philanthropic project with mandatory attendance by the entire chapter. Just realize that EVERY social fraternity/sorority has had to adjust its New Member training programs due to hazing laws. Keeping hazing because it is tradition won't save you from administration or the courts.

As for your initiation, make sure that you are actually performing the event like your founders envisioned. Some of the hazing aspects may have been added along the way. If you are blindfolding initiates, there are many organizations that do the same. Just be sure that your initiates feel safe during the event and have an advisor present to make sure that everything runs well.

Good luck revamping your program. It can be done!

Dry pledging (if you allow initiated sisters who are underage to drink) is hazing. No ifs ands or buts.