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Originally posted by valkyrie
So is the concept of wearing a pledge pin 24/7 kind of like Mormon garments? Like, when you're in the shower, should you, in theory, be touching the pin because you can't exactly wear it while you're naked but need to be constantly reminded of your covenant with your GLO?
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No, but plenty of fraternities do require pledges/probationary members/candidates/whatever-they-call-them to wear pledge pins "24/7" (excepting the shower, sleepwear or athletic uniforms, etc.) In other words, if you're wearing clothes, unless it's a uniform of some sort, you should also be wearing your pledge pin.
Quote:
Originally posted by CarolinaCutie
To me, it's all about your theory of the purpose of the new member/pledge period. The time a Phi spends during her Phi period is to acclimate her to the organization. I want her to start following the rules of the general chapter as soon as possible so she can get used to how things work. She should not have to do anything additional outside of basic membership requirements (meetings, study hours, philanthropy) to "prove her worth" as a sister. We chose her as a new member of Phi Mu on Bid Day. She has an adjustment period before Initiation to learn more about our sorority and prepare her for full membership.
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A very good point, which points up a major difference in the approaches of NPC orgs and most fraternities (NIC and non-NIC). In most (not all, but most) fraternities, the pledge period is just as much of a testing period as a learning period. The pledge period is both a time to learn about the fraternity and to prove one's self worthy to be a brother.
Just because you were pledged doesn't mean you will be initiated. At the end of the pledge period in most fraternities I am aware of, the chapter takes a second vote on the pledge -- whether to initiate him. The necessary vote varies from fraternity to fraternity. In mine, a pledge must receive a 3/4 majority vote by secret ballot -- in some fraternities, a unanimous vote is required.
Quote:
Originally posted by ThetaPam
And just for reference, here's the definition of hazing from NPC's website: . . . .
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Thanks for putting that NPC definition in, ThetaPam. It makes clear that, according to NPC guidelines, both pledges/new members and existing member can be hazed. (" . . . for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a chapter or colony of an NPC member fraternity.") It also makes clear that the relevant criteria is
not whether the activity in question has anything to do with learning about the GLO.
But I fail to see how either requiring pledges to wear a pledge pin or a mandatory dry pledge period "recklessly, intentionally or unintentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, or creates risk of injury, or causes discomfort, embarrassment, harassment or ridicule or . . . willfully destroys or removes public or private property . . . ."
Of course, this definition only applies to NPC orgs. Other orgs will have their own definitions.