Question for Bernadette regarding collegiate chapters...
 

Bernadette,

I thought you might be just the person to answer my question since your chapter's membership includes college students.

How do you handle the six month pledge period on an academic schedule? My sisters-to-be and I want to hold our first Rush at the start of the next term...February. The new sisters wouldn't be able to be initiated until August, and everyone will be out of the state for the summer except for me and one other member. We could hold off until September, but I am worried that a pledge member might lose interest over the summer or feel like she are going to be a pledge FOREVER! How have you handled this?


Thanks!

Erica G.

P.S. I was thinking of just making the pledge ceremony a really big deal so that new members won't really feel like they are waiting for something. Then again, I don't want to belittle the importance of earning the Ritual of Jewels degree. Help!

Re: Question for Bernadette regarding collegiate chapters...
 

Ok here we go Erica! Pledging Beta is one of the most fun experiences that I've had to deal with in our chapter. This is my second year as Vice President, but only my first as pledge educator. Even though International says that pledge period should last no less than a period of six months, in some chapters it just isn't that way. After you guys have your pledge ritual, that's when the pledge period begins. According to Internationals rules there is a loop hole (leave it to me to go in search of the loop hole!). You CAN NOT have a pledge have her RoJ ritual until she has finished paying her dues to International. Here is the loop hole. As long as all of your girls are current with their dues at International, you can have the RoJ ceremony. You will need to contact the certification department at LEAST 6 weeks prior to your ceremony. (That shouldn't be any problem) Let them know that your pledges are doing such a great job that you guys are ready to have your RoJ ritual. You will have to get from certification a "Right to confer degree" form. On it will be all of the girls names and whether they are eligible for RoJ. You also have the option at this point to keep your pledge pins or send them back. All your choice! Give yourself enough time in order to do the RoJ ritual though. Don't get stuck doing it in the middle of the summer like we did. LOL. But anyway, like I said, as long as everyone has paid ALL their dues, then you have the right to conduct the ritual. Hope this info helps.

Hugs,
Bernadette

Thanks!
 

That really helps a lot! I've really been stressing about this, and now I see that yet another problem can be overcome.

Tomorrow night we are collecting the last of the applications!

Yippee!!!!!!!!

Erica