Pledging rituals??

[BlueEyedButrfly]

Ok! I just want to apologize in advance if this question has been asked before, we just founded a local and this topic confused us!!

I have been told that we need to create a pledge ritual b/c it is one of the "big" rituals. I know that it would be done after bid day but am confused as to what would go on during it. I feel that all of the important and meaningful stuff should be during initiation otherwise if girls do not make it to initiation they will know the things that we would like to keep between sisters. Soooo, my question is...are pledge rituals just a ceremony to induct girls as pledges? are they supposed to be taught certain things BEFORE initiation?


Any help is greatly appreciated!

*Mary*

[Senusret I]

If you plan to use pledge pins or pledge ribbons, this might be the time to pin the girls.

You may want to give a summary of the founding of the org.

Introduce the principles and ideals of the sorority.

Introduce the pledge.... have the girls repeat the pledge....

Or, you could do something completely different.

You might want to google the following terms, in quotes:

"pledge ritual"
"pledge ceremony"
"pledging ceremony"
"new member ritual"

etc.....

These things don't have to be elaborate.

[PhoenixAzul]

^^ What he said. Our new member (pledge) ceremony is one of my favorites, but it is seriously short and sweet.

[BlueEyedButrfly]

awesome, thanks so much i've been googling like a million things a day but i never seem to get anything helpful...that's why i love this site!

[ragtimerose]

My pledge ritual lasted about 15 minutes. I learned something about the sorority, then was asked to repeat certain parts of the ritual. You'll want to get your new members to promise to uphold your organization's high standards, etc. etc.

Hope this helps.

[REE1993]

About the word "pledge" - many GLOs are moving away from the noun or verb "pledge", in response to anti-hazing rules/laws. You might want to think about terminology as you move along in this path.

The verb meaning of the VERB "pledge" is different than the noun "a pledge". What we used to refer to as pledges are now Members in Training. Other orgnizations use other terms. I know that in the 80s and early 90s, many fraternities used the term "associates" or "associate members". Without a national office to regulate such stuff, you are essentially setting the precedent.

Good luck, and I am sure you will find examples online as to the type of things you might want to include in your ceremony/ritual.

[Tom Earp]

Did we not discuss this via PM?

If not, feel free to to PM me again.

What you are asking may be secret form many GLOs.

[SoCalGirl]

Pledging ritual (aka new member ceremony or pinning) is when the new girls will formally promise (pledge) to learn about the sorority and complete the necessary steps to become an initiated sister. How much or if any sorority secrets are revealed is up to you.