Bye Bye, Paddles?
 

Wondering if anybody has more info on this. I heard that Nationals will not be allowing the new chapters opening this year to make/have big sister paddles. I assume that they subsequently will be phased out from existing chapters.

Any info as to why this is being done, and what they might allow in place of paddles? What are your thoughts? Personally, I like the paddles... they seem traditional and timeless to me. But, I'm curious to see what they will come up with in their place! :)

:eek: First big/lil revelations, now allegedly this? I'm so glad I'm an alumna now...:rolleyes:

Our chapter isn't even new this year and we were told that we could have paddes. Instead our littles could give us wooden "plaques" that they have decorated like a paddle. Most greek stores in our area have these plaques in the shape of a quadrafoil.

Apparently the reasoning behind this is because its considered hazing or something similar to that effect. But, I'm taking my first little this year and was really looking forward to getting a paddle. I guess that won't be happening.

my chapter already doesn't do paddles either. Plaques are required... and are exchanged after initiation. Some people do make paddles but just give them at other times.

I haven't heard anything about phasing out the revelations. I thought that we were just to make them more "inspirational". I too am glad to be alumna!

Paddles were banned and we were told only Plaques for big/lils when I was in undergrad. However, for the big sister's who really wanted one, their littles would "surprise them" at an undisclosed location (ha ha)... it was frequently done, but just wasn't talked about.

A sorority paddle is tradition! All these new rules are sad :(

Not that they phased them out, but we used to do a cool and safe but really fun activity. But they made recommendations to do another activity that is so mild it's ready for the old folks home!

This past year, we had to do some lame stuff with matching candles, which sucked because some people were walking around lost b/c they couldn't see in the sea of people. Also, it just doesn't get your blood pumping the same way so that you are overly excited to meet your big, you know? All you did was walk into a room. Honestly, this year the girls didn't even look excited to see us. But we don't want issues so we definitely follow recommendations.

I loved being active, I miss it a lot. And I don't want to "preach" about "good ol days", but some traditions should be allowed to remain if pre-approved at least.

I will post pictures of my paddles. They are actually big plaques, but we called them paddles, so you guys can see. I love mine.

Totally agree BabyPink. At the risk of "preaching about the good ol' days", we too use to do a more active, fun and exciting activity which has since been phased out. I'm still trying to find a good one for the chapter (which I now advise) to replace it with. They too did some sort of candle thing for the last few years which I'm sure is fine if you had never experienced our traditional way of revealing. We have a new idea that we are going to try and get HQ to approve for this year but if any one else has some fun, energetic and exciting reveal ideas, please let us know!

I thought we phased out paddles in the 80s - maybe it was just my campus ...

And, it is hard not to talk about the good ole days - drinking age = 18; scavenger hunts, kidnapping lil sisters to take them to cafe du monde at 2 am, etc. Risk management :-(

Now I'm wondering if what we all call "paddles" at my chapter is actually a "plaque"! What is the difference? It looks like a paddle to me, anyway...

"What's in a name?"

I would guess that HQ wants to phase out the "paddles" because to outsiders paddles could be associated with hazing. Decorated wall "plaques" that honor your letters (regardless of shape in my opinion) should be fine but then again, I don't make the rules.

You could kidnap me to cafe du monde any time sug! I've never been, but once my dad turned our house and everyone in it into a beignet factory and they sure were tasty.

And truly-what's in a name? LOL. (Pics coming soon).

P.S. -Can I just say how glad I am that the Phi Mu page is a little bit active now? We never talk this much and we always should!

Agreed ... maybe with the start of the new semester, we'll get a bit more active. :)

I love the paddles and hope they're never phased out! we have always done big sis reveal with 2 girls at a time coming onto the lawn with a candle and your big reveals to you with a matching candle. I've heard a few stories of some other...interesting tales. I'd love to know some other traditions other chapters have. I'm sisterhood chair and really want to expand our chapters traditions because I think they help with retention and also just memories! Let me know =)

Our house does a Big-Little Gift Exchange sometime after Initiation where bigs make a small quatrefoil plaque for their little, and littles make a larger quatrefoil plaque for their big. It's cute and fun to see how creative some of the sisters get when decorating them.