Revising the Pledge Program

alum130 · #1 03-05-2001, 10:22 PM

Ok folks, I need your help...

The Fraternity Chapter I belong to at a small university has recently been through some hard times. You know, declining membership, lower grades, increased hazing, etc. The alumni are just now becoming increasingly active thanks to those of us who believe this chapter is something worth standing for. I have taken the responsibility to revamp the pledge program along with the Pledge Educator of the local chapter, and we have already started to make changes for the better. However, the major traditions of hazing still remain. My question is, what do you feel is the best approach...do away with all hazing at once, or gradually make the changes over the course of 2-3 years. My general sense working with the actives is that they would be VERY reluctant to make sweeping changes, thus I have tried to begin with what I know they will "bite and swallow". The hazing is not anything dangerous in the sense that someone may get injured physically, rather it is more mental(still not good!). Any thoughts on good alternatives that maybe your chapters have put into place instead of hazing? Any help/thoughts would be greatly appreciated, as I need to show these guys that there are MUCH better alternatives to what they are doing now and that it can work!!! THANKS!!!

LXAAlum · #2 03-05-2001, 11:55 PM

The best way is to get rid of it all - NOW. Several reasons for this...if you try to do it piecemeal, it is so much more difficult to keep "turning the thumbscrews" and slowly getting rid of it - there will be more and more opportunities this way to drag out the process and find ways to circumvent you. Secondly, even though it may be "only" mental hazing, it is hazing nonetheless, and threatens the very survival and future of the chapter - regardless of how "harmless" it might seem. Hazing flies in the face of any ideal your fraternity might stand for - use this as your justification for eradication of the activities. Not to mention the legal liabilities should the mental hazing suddenly turn physical for that "problem" pledge/Associate Member...

Bottom line, don't let it fester - get rid of it now. You might not be so popular with the members in the short term, but long term, the benefits will be too tangible to ignore.

Regards...

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Don't be your brother's keeper; rather, be your brother's Brother.

DeltAlum · #3 03-06-2001, 12:10 AM

Dear Alum,

I started a long response about this issue, but I'm just too tired of hearing all the crying and moaning from both sides.

You can read my thoughts in other threads in this forum.

I will just say that I don't think any alum can condone anything that is either illegal or against the rules of his/her national organization -- no matter whether the actives like it or not.

In their fraternal oath, they probably swore to uphold the fraternity and it's values. Hazing is not allowed.

I will quietly agree that some definitions of hazing strike me as silly -- but I will still abide by the rules.

Fraternally,
DeltAlum

33girl · #4 03-06-2001, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by alum130:
Ok folks, I need your help...

The Fraternity Chapter I belong to at a small university has recently been through some hard times. You know, declining membership, lower grades, increased hazing, etc. The alumni are just now becoming increasingly active thanks to those of us who believe this chapter is something worth standing for. I have taken the responsibility to revamp the pledge program along with the Pledge Educator of the local chapter, and we have already started to make changes for the better. However, the major traditions of hazing still remain. My question is, what do you feel is the best approach...do away with all hazing at once, or gradually make the changes over the course of 2-3 years. My general sense working with the actives is that they would be VERY reluctant to make sweeping changes, thus I have tried to begin with what I know they will "bite and swallow". The hazing is not anything dangerous in the sense that someone may get injured physically, rather it is more mental(still not good!). Any thoughts on good alternatives that maybe your chapters have put into place instead of hazing? Any help/thoughts would be greatly appreciated, as I need to show these guys that there are MUCH better alternatives to what they are doing now and that it can work!!! THANKS!!!

I don't want to ask you to reveal to much in public, but....it would all depend what you mean by "hazing." PLEDGING AND HAZING ARE NOT THE SAME.

LXA Alum, I see your point, but I'd be reluctant to make that sweeping of a recommendation unless I knew EXACTLY what the so-called hazing was. I've seen too many national pledge programs that strip away any sense of tradition or identity the local chapter has, and it does not go over well.

Don't completely get rid of all the traditions - chances are that even if they have devolved into hazing activities, they were once something that had a meaning and a purpose. Turn it into something that the brothers and pledges can both learn from. For example, if one of the things is to leave the pledges in the forest or something, turn it into a campout for the whole fraternity.

You have alumni helping you out - ask what they did, and try to figure out when & why things started to go downhill. Once you do that you will be on the right path.

SoCalGirl · #5 03-06-2001, 12:38 AM

Are you a national glo? If so, do ya'll have a national Pledge Program in place?

And before I get too far...are you a BGLO or NIC? I ask because I've learned from this board the pledge programs can be radically different. What is your typical process for some BGLOs would easily get some NIC/NPC chapters shut down. I want to make sure we get the right responses for your situation. If you are a BGLO you may want to ask some members on here if you can email them privately about your situation.

Either way, this is really tough to answer. Basically at this point I'd suggest that you make sure an alum is present at everthing the pledges do. Babysitting? Yup, but apparently the chapter has proven they need it. If the alum steps in only when things "cross the line" into hazing and works w/ the chapter to define that line, then things should improve.

The alums definitely should not condone ANY hazing, but you all have to agree what that is first.

[This message has been edited by SoCalGirl (edited March 05, 2001).]

alum130 · #6 03-06-2001, 10:44 PM

First, thank ALL of you for your responses. I thought it appropriate at this point to add clarrification, answer a few of your questions, and add further detail so you have a clearer picture of the circumstances we are dealing with. SoCalgirl, we are a national glo under NIC, and as far as I am aware we have no national pledge program in place. LXAAlum, like 33girl stated regarding doing away with everything... our actives have seen the result of a national program put into place at a house next door. The result has been almost a complete dissallusionment of its members...they are no longer closely knit and are declining rapidly. We have really just formed our alumni association, so we are still struggling, along with the actives, as to what the alumni role should be(besides providing them money). Shadocat, unfortunately we started this effort just as this new pledge class was starting. Now they are almost 2/3 through the 6 week program. You raise the issue of them "getting off easier" than those before them. This is a good reason why I am asking all of you to give me your thoughts on substitutes that work(like PLEASE!), as I believe if we can provide constructive alternatives we can reduce that mentality. DeltaAlum and all, recognize the frustration of discussing what is and isn't hazing. Opinions vary dramatically in our chapter alumni alone. Your are right DeltaAlum, you are right about our fraternal oath, and it is the reason I am working with the actives to make the changes necessary to support what our Fraternity stands for..not by words alone but by our actions.

Again, thank ALL of you and PLEASE provide suggestions for suitable substitutes(like 33girl) and any further insight. Appreciate you taking the time to make a differance!!!

shadokat · #7 03-07-2001, 01:05 AM

I believe that it is hard to rid hazing in one grand gesture, but is necessary if it is going to be successful. A strong group in the organization's leadership positions, along with alumni support is crucial.

Also, if you leave some "hazing" in place, you subject new members to those practices, and with an environment of "earning letters through the pledging", the new members will question why they had to do things considered "hazing", while now new members get off easier. Hazing is perpetual, in that what one person had to do to get in, they want the next person to do. If you get rid of it now, in total, you can stop this cycle from continuing.

I hope that's helpful

PenguinTrax · #8 03-07-2001, 11:07 AM

There are several good hazing alternative exercises on the http://www.stophazing.org site.

I find it odd that your national does not have an official new member program in place. Your best bet would be to contact the alumni association of a successful NIC group on your campus (or chapter in your Fraternity) and work with them to devise a new member program for your local chapter. Once in place and successful, work with your national organization to roll out this program nationwide.

The program should consist of:
National History
Local History
General GLO history/knowledge
Symbols, colors, mottoes and songs
Importance of - and respect for ritual
Philanthropy information (national and local goals)
Fraternity governance (org. chart for both local and national)
Parlimentary procedure
Fraternity constitution and by-laws
Fraternity regulations regarding: risk management, membership, financial requirements, etc.

There should be a new member advisor to work with the new member educator and general advisor to oversee this program. The new members should elect a new member executive board and hold meetings similar to general chapter meetings. The new member class should participate wherever possible in the governance of the chapter, with the possible exception of voting for executive officers. The new member class should be encouraged to plan and execute a philanthropy project (the initiated members should participate in this project) and possibly plan and execute a project designed at improving a section of the Fraternity house and grounds.

There should be a schedule of new member meetings set up with an agenda of topics to be covered at that meeting. The new member program should be limited - say 8 weeks at the end of which is initiation. The members should never never be told they will be initiated with they are 'ready'. The new member program should insure that at the end of 6 or 8 weeks of classes and activities, the new members are ready for the responsibility and honor of the initation ritual. Be sure to work in time for whatever paperwork needs to be done for initiation and badge-ordering.

By not providing consistent new member programming, your members cannot establish a bond with the Fraternity as a whole (not just the local members) right off the bat. Consistent new member programming, shared ritual and other required national programs help establish the concept of Fraternity and consistency in the organization. That, combined with local brotherhood and quality alumni leadership complete the experience for the new member.

Barbara
ZTA Alumna
Rush Forum moderator

LXAAlum · #9 03-08-2001, 12:43 AM

I'm curious...what national program was just put into place by the neighboring house? A pledge program? Alcohol-free housing? What exactly was it?

IF, and this is just an assumption on my part, but, if it were an anti-hazing/new pledge program that did away with "traditions" that really were nothing more than hazing activities (I can't begin to tell you how many times I've heard members try to defend hazing as "tradition"...I won't go there right now), that would tell me that the chapter might need to go through some rough times and changes - they have possibly drifted so far away from the true ideals of the order, that, when confronted with them...really don't want them or understand their true meaning. A strong alumni presence and support during this time will make that chapter stronger in the long run.

Again, just an assumption...

33girl, yes - I agree that you first have to know what the hazing is. I am also assuming in this case that the hazing is obvious, especially if the undergraduates have welcomed the alumni involvement to put a stop to it in the first place.

It is never difficult to determine what is and what is not hazing (just recite the ideals of your order for starters, if the activities in question don't reflect an ideal, it's more than likely hazing)...what is difficult is taking the steps to first say "this is wrong," and, to back up words with actions.

------------------
Don't be your brother's keeper; rather, be your brother's Brother.

Tom Earp · #10 03-08-2001, 05:31 PM

Could not agree more Brother Mark!!!!! Is this thing just a ruse to see what is out there?

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Tom Earp LX Z#1
Pittsburg State U. (Kansas)

alum130 · #11 03-09-2001, 08:21 PM

All...Sorry for the late response..just back from business on the road.

Thank You, PnguinTrax!!! I will look into it and I also noticed several other good ideas by browsing through the listings on this site.

Several good points LXAAlum. I am not sure of the nature of the National Program put in next door, and it is hard to say what all the variables are in why that chapter is on a downward spiral.

Tom, common!!! Ruse??? If I was "trying to find out what's out there", tragically all I have to do is pick up the morning paper and read about the latest hazing incident! I'm looking for alternatives to hazing...I'm not looking for names/chapters of glo's attached, just general thoughts on alternatives, because most of my fellow alumni feel we can do better...isn't that what this site is about?

I came from a school of 2,000 students, dry campus, forced school housing for GLO's, and a National that many have felt has been apathetic. Don't you think it's a little hard to run to your national office and say, "hey guys, I think we are a little behind the times with some of the hazing we are doing..can ya give me some ideas?"

Sorry, Tom, I'd rather give my active guys a chance than have the national yank the charter and end any hopes of having a great active fraternity and alumni association before we have had the chance to change!

Tom Earp · #12 03-10-2001, 05:20 PM

A Alum at least I got a response!! I to am very saddend when any house is yanked or a Greek member dies because of some Stupid things.
I think some of the ideas of what hazing is is totally out of whack and some of the things become deadly. I cry when I read about someone dieing no matter what house. We as Greeks get enough bad press with out stupidity. While Greeks do more good it is the bad press that makes us look like some kind of ogres.

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Tom Earp LX Z#1
Pittsburg State U. (Kansas)

Kapsig1 · #13 06-06-2001, 04:48 PM

As Membership Development Commissioner for Kappa Sigma, I can tell you this is one of the single most important and DIFFICULT tasks you could have accepted as an alumnae/us. I will also tell you that the "Model Programs" often derived and promoted by the General Fraternity/SOrority are not always full of the "meat" that make for a meaningful experience. And if I were a betting man, I'd mortgage my house that the real aversion in the house to changing things is just that - concern that a boilerplate history/CBR/ educational program won't be meaningful.

We consistenly counsel chapters and alums struggling with "changing the way we do business" in terms of pledge ed/brotherhood development to go through what we call a "morphing" exercise. Take a current tradition that includes hazing, and spend the time to "morph" it into a meaningful, completely non-hazing NEW tradition. I have not yet run into one of these activities that can't be "morphed" with effort.

I'm not sure about your org, but we recognize "Outstanding Brotherhood Develpment Programs" during our national conference. I sit on the awards committee that reveiws the various programs from our chapters. With that experience - BE CAREFUL about adopting another chapter's program - some are GREAT, and others are terrible. If your org has such an award, look at the winners and judge for yourself whether they might be effective.

I echo others - you can't slow walk the process successfully - I have NEVER seen it done. Chapters that have successfully recovered from hazing have cut it out like a cancer, and the alum vols have to consistently provide ongoing treatment to ensure it stays in remission! Especially when an affiliate transfers from a hazing chapter - WHOA!

Good luck!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I find it odd that your national does not have an official new member program in place. Your best bet would be to contact the alumni association of a successful NIC group on your campus (or chapter in your Fraternity) and work with them to devise a new member program for your local chapter. Once in place and successful, work with your national organization to roll out this program nationwide.

The program should consist of:
National History
Local History
General GLO history/knowledge
Symbols, colors, mottoes and songs
Importance of - and respect for ritual
Philanthropy information (national and local goals)
Fraternity governance (org. chart for both local and national)
Parlimentary procedure
Fraternity constitution and by-laws
Fraternity regulations regarding: risk management, membership, financial requirements, etc.

There should be a new member advisor to work with the new member educator and general advisor to oversee this program. The new members should elect a new member executive board and hold meetings similar to general chapter meetings. The new member class should participate wherever possible in the governance of the chapter, with the possible exception of voting for executive officers. The new member class should be encouraged to plan and execute a philanthropy project (the initiated members should participate in this project) and possibly plan and execute a project designed at improving a section of the Fraternity house and grounds.

There should be a schedule of new member meetings set up with an agenda of topics to be covered at that meeting. The new member program should be limited - say 8 weeks at the end of which is initiation. The members should never never be told they will be initiated with they are 'ready'. The new member program should insure that at the end of 6 or 8 weeks of classes and activities, the new members are ready for the responsibility and honor of the initation ritual. Be sure to work in time for whatever paperwork needs to be done for initiation and badge-ordering.

By not providing consistent new member programming, your members cannot establish a bond with the Fraternity as a whole (not just the local members) right off the bat. Consistent new member programming, shared ritual and other required national programs help establish the concept of Fraternity and consistency in the organization. That, combined with local brotherhood and quality alumni leadership complete the experience for the new member.

Barbara
ZTA Alumna
Rush Forum moderator[/B][/QUOTE]

Tom Earp · #14 06-06-2001, 05:31 PM

Alum 130, I would be interested in knowing what National you belong to. To my knowledge, all have a pledge program in place and strict guide lines to follow. If they do not then I wonder about their ability to run a Fraternity.

Tom Earp · #15 06-06-2001, 05:31 PM

Alum 130, I would be interested in knowing what National you belong to. To my knowledge, all have a pledge program in place and strict guide lines to follow. If they do not then I wonder about their ability to run a Fraternity.

------------------
Tom Earp LX Z#1
Pittsburg State U. (Kansas)