socalgirl,
You have failed to see that these ideas can be used in your favor! You don't have to set the girls apart to accomplish these activities. Ok, when you have a fundraiser, usually their is a head and a committee for the ideas and work part of planning. If the girls can't be set apart. . . Make one of them the head or make them the committee! That will give them the experience. Change the rule a bit. All pledges must participate in the planning of an activity. The sisters can help. It doesn't have to be entirely pledge run.
I'm sure you have new member education, so that would take care of learning the history of your organization.
Chapter retreats, this is for everybody! The pledges can practice goal setting and brainstorming. They can also voice their ideas for the organization, when they might otherwise be scared or intimidated to do so.
New member outings. . .involved the whole chapter, but make it like a pledge appreciation outing. They decide what they want to do and the chapter follows. Or, the ropes course is a great idea for the whole chapter.
New member responsibilities. I've got a great idea for this. They will have to learn eventually about each office that the sorority holds. As part of their education, have each officer come and explain their job and the tasks inolved with the office. Then, for say one meeting, a designated pledge acts for new member educator, or secratary, or treasurer. (however you sorority does offices). That way the know what is involved and they learn the responsibilities of being an officer. One pledge per meeting. It isn't setting them apart, it is incorporating them into the meetings and activities.
Yes, I can see your point that your nationals might consider this stuff hazing (a bit extreme though). But you can use all of the ideas to your advantage. You can change the ideas to fit your organization. I hope that I've helped.
Oh, and one more thing. For the girls to bond together as a pledge class, they have to do that on their own. Even sororities that have pledge only functions can't make them bond. It is something they have to feel for each other. There is nothing you can do about that. All the girls in my pledge class were friends, but I really bonded with only a few. Those girls I bonded with I was not drawn to them because of the sorority, but because we just really had a lot in common, we got along great, and because we could identify with each other. We were very close, but the others I was just friends with.
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Mikki Gates
Delta Zeta Alum
Kappa Mu Chapter
Sigma Alpha Iota Alum
Eta Tau Chapter
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(Steel Magnolias)
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[This message has been edited by mgdzkm433 (edited April 06, 2000).]