Quote:
Originally posted by CarolinaCutie
Thank you for sharing this with us. With these kind of specific guidelines, I see no problem with the pledge pin requirement- as long as INDIVIDUAL chapters are communicating this to their pledges.
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Well, communication is always a problem.
What I tell chapters (and I think other alumni volunteers do the same. this isn't a unique view point) is that they should have clear and objective pledge requirements, and that these requirements should be provided IN WRITING to the pledges (ideally as part of their pledge notebook) and reviewed with all pledges. I know many chapters do this. I would hope all do.
In the chapter I work with, we have our requiremens on-line (I know of other chapters that do the same) and we review all requirements with the pledges during the first pledge class session. Thus, everyone (hopefully) is clear about what is expected.
Having objective requirements (stuff like complete xx hours of service, attend xx number of meetings, meeting xx% of members, etc) makes it clear what is expected and avoids nonsense at the end of the program that they did not do a 'good enough job' and can't join.
Providing the pledges with these written requirements ensure that no surprises gets pulled at the end that they 'missed' some unknown requirement. Having them in writting also helps if either fraternity or university leaders want to review the requirements for any issues.
We also put down in writting what we will be teaching them and what of that they will be expected to learn for the tests. Again, I don't see this as an area that should allow for abuse or the like. If we want them to learn the names of all our National Presidents, then we will say up front from the begining that they need to learn this.