NM's not wearing pins!!

[UCONNKKG]

Alright girls we have a problem, its only been 1 week since bid day and there is already a major problem with New Members not wearing their new member pins....We have 38 NM's and feel its really impotant for them to wear them , and very disrespectful to the Kappas everywhere when they dont! Is there anything we can do or any punishments that some of you have used, we really want to get this pledge class off to a good start!! Thanks!
L&L,
Kate

[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

[HotDamnImAPhiMu]

Hi girls. Sorry to crash your board.

We had the same problem the semester after I was initiated. When we were discussing it, I mentioned that the *biggest factor* in my remembering to wear MY pin was knowing I'd see older sisters on campus.

Hearing the girls say, gently but seriously, "Why aren't you wearing your pin?" made me realize how important this was to THEM. Pledging the sorority was important to me -- I wanted to earn the respect of the older sisters. We weren't REQUIRED to wear the pin, either, and we had no hazing -- I just felt like I'd been allowed into something really special, and wanted to feel like I deserved it.

If that makes any sense?

At any rate -- you might consider mentioning it to the other sisters and have them remind your new members. The trick is to do it kindly without being like "HEY PLEDGE! WHERE'S YOUR PIN?! FRY LIKE BACON!" etc. *ahem* Anyway. Betcha it works perfectly.

good luck!
Greek love,
Jacquelyn.