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Great story Tom,
Just so I get things right, you were a member of a local fraternity that was converting to LXA?
Yes, I think we are trendsetters, but does anyone know if the Associate Member trend ever caught on to other greek orgs? Did other fraternities discontinue the use of the word "pledge"?
I'd agree with you though. It's not so much the name of a new member, pledge or AM, but that you treat the person with the respect and dignity they deserve. We were always so afraid of slipping in front of HQ all the time. I think that it should be enforced for ceremonies, national events, etc., but in casual conversation with an ELC, I really wish (excuse my french) that they wouldn't be such tight asses about it. They should be more focused that the AM's are being properly handled and guidelines followed and not so much concerned about slips of the tongue.
I'd say keep the Associate Member term, but just lighten up a bit if someone makes a mistake. I remember ELC's getting really pi$$ed off because someone made a mistake. Instead of coming down on us just for a mistake and putting a chapter on the $hit list because of an honest mistake, they really should just politely remind us the difference between pledge and AM. So much more would get accomplished by focusing on the real problems.
It's really difficult, but we were pretty good at it, in keeping with the AM term. On a campus that is very old fashioned where there are only 10-15 other guys (LXA brothers) using the term AM instead of pledge, it can be VERY difficult. It's alot easier when LXA is a leading fraternity on campus with 70-80 guys. It's also alot easier when the campus is a little more supportive and progressive in it's greek system.
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