Pledging Cermony and Strapless Dresses...
 

(While this is describing some actions in the pledging ceremony, I think that what's being described is general enough...)

A problem that I've seen at the Pledging Ceremonies (and Petitioning ceremonies) is when women wear Strapless (or Spagetti Strap Dresses). If a male brother is the one who puts on the pledge pin, putting it on can get pretty awkward to both the male brother and the female pledge because most of the fabric where it can be pinned is fairly close to (or *on* the breast).

There are a number of solutions, but each has its problems.
1) Remind the women attending the pledge ceremony about the fact that the pin should go in a specific place and suggest they plan their outfit accordingly. The question there is do you make a general announcement, add it to bid cards (if you do bid cards) or make it one more thing for the pledge master to remember.

2) Have the brothers rearrange themselves during the ceremony to make sure that women put the pin on women with problem dresses. That would seem to distract from the ceremony.

3) Try to match up as they come in, again, some noise issues.

4) Hand the pin to the pledge, saves everyone's modesty, but seems to take something from the ceremony.

5) Give the women with problem dresses a wrap to go over their shoulders in blue or gold? Cost?

Any other ideas?

Note, that for Brotherhood Ceremony, it is somewhat less of an issue if big brothers are pinning their little brothers because they know them a lot better, and putting the Service pin in the location of the Pledge pin is probably OK.

Randy

OK, first time I've ever heard of a shrug (but I found it on Wikipedia), but its not like I would wear one. :)

I sort of included in my mind adding additional clothing as being part of solution entry #1, but I didn't make that clear. Unfortunately adding that sort of thing never seems to be remembered by all the female pledges.

And don't worry about crashing, the only reason that I didn't post it more generally is that most of the groups on greekchat don't have issues with men placing pins like that on women. (Unless it's his pin indicating they are engaged, in which case you are unlikely to have much embarassment)

(I'm not trying to be sexist here, but it would seem that the problem in the other direction would only occur if men showed up at pledging wearing only Speedos, and if that happens you have other issues. :) )

Randy

Just state plainly (both written and verbal) what they should wear: a modest dress (no strapless or spaghetti straps permitted) or a skirt and blouse for the ladies and coat and tie for the gentlemen.

BTW: That speedo remark gave me a flashback to a European vacation. My eyes! My eyes! :p

dealing with that would just be awkward, that sucks

Luckily I haven't run into this problem yet since being initiated (no duh from my signature...). I think it's the Pledge Master's responsibility to clearly outline what is appropriate attire in advance, also making sure to run it by the appropriate people first if necessary, and firmly relays this to the Pledge Class.

In short, I'm saying you should probably ask them to refrain from wearing strapless dresses at initiation.

Just my two cents, maybe you can add this. I was a pledge but dropped before crossing. Anyway our chapter didn't even have pledge pins, so they just tied the blindfold around our left arm as a symbol of accepting out pledge. We then made the pins later on in the week.

Our description of badge attire clearly states "shoulders must be covered, no tank tops or spagetti-strapped shirts." Maybe you want to create a more clear-cut description of what should be worn.

Yay, someone else who has dealt with the issue! Thanks.