[imsohappythatiama]

Hi Kate:

I guess it depends upon WHEN it is that your chapter's NMs are not wearing their pins.

For example, they should always wear them when they attend your chapter's weekly meeting.

However, under the new New Member program, making New Members wear their NM pins at all times constitutes hazing. Bottom line.

Since it has only been a week since they became new members, I bet they don't yet understand the history, heritage and priviledge of wearing their new member pins.

So, I suggest the following:

(1) Have the NM Educator give the NMs a history lesson on the New Member badge (I can help you with this if you need further info on the history of the NM badge; just PM me, and I will send you what you need).

(2) Then have the NM Educator explain the priviledge of wearing the badge. She should tell them that in no way can she or the other chapter members FORCE them to wear their pins, but that she hopes they will WANT to wear their pins. She should explain that the chapter may infer that a NM who is not wearing her pin may be unhappy with the chapter in some way.

(3) If you really want to enforce (appropriate) NM pin wearing, then I suggest you NOT punish them (anything you do in the vein of punishment is going to smell like hazing and get you in trouble FAST)...I suggest that instead you reward those who DO wear their NM pins with a little treat each time they are wearing their pin at the appropriate time....a little bag of candy, a KKG pencil, some kind of social privilege....I don't know. That way, you are REINFORCING POSITIVE BEHAVIOR, not punishing negative behavior.

Kate, I hope my reply is helpful to you and your chapter. I know it can be so frustrating to deal with issues like this one!

Please feel free to PM me at any time with any further questions! Best of luck to you and your chapter and its New Members!!!

Loyally,

imsohappythatiama