Pledges or New Members?

[reverie]

Someone in my chapter recently brought up the idea of changing the name of our pledges to new members.

Does anyone else call the pre-brothers new members or is pledge the most common?

[emb021]

Originally posted by reverie
Someone in my chapter recently brought up the idea of changing the name of our pledges to new members.

Does anyone else call the pre-brothers new members or is pledge the most common?

Most chapters I know use the term 'pledge'.

I dislike the term 'new member' because pledges are more of 'probationary members'. There is no guarantee they will complete their pledge period (probationary period) and become Brothers.

I pledged as a 30-something grad student. I had no problem being a pledge or using that term. People who think the term 'pledge' is some kind of insult need to re-think that. I don't feel that using the term pledge is hazing. That's silly.

[CasanovaAPQ]

yea i agree, something i dont agree with that my chapter does is to let pledgy's in the circle for the toast song, i dont think you should be allow to do that until you are a brother. does any other chapter do this, also i dont agree with wearing letter that arent blue and gold, there is a reason for these colors and to wear any other im my eyes is disrespect, i hate to see brothers waering letter with like littel cartoon characters in them. Also i hate to meet brother who dont know our founding date and basic info. does anyone feel the sameway or disagree?

[emb021]

Originally posted by CasanovaAPQ
yea i agree, something i dont agree with that my chapter does is to let pledgy's in the circle for the toast song, i dont think you should be allow to do that until you are a brother. does any other chapter do this, also i dont agree with wearing letter that arent blue and gold, there is a reason for these colors and to wear any other im my eyes is disrespect, i hate to see brothers waering letter with like littel cartoon characters in them. Also i hate to meet brother who dont know our founding date and basic info. does anyone feel the sameway or disagree?

Pledges in circle- the ceremony calls for it, so its ok. I feel this is part of their training to learn the song, and advocate that pledges sing the song at the end of each pledge training session, and join with the chapter to sing it at the end of meetings & events.

Letter colors- while I prefer blue & gold, I don't get worked up about other colors.

Lack of knowledge- yes, this bothers me. I feel there is a basic set of knowledge that ALL Brothers should learn as pledges, and it bothers me when I met those that don't know stuff like this. Their chapter is doing a poor job of educating their pledges (and future Brothers). To help this, I developed a series of powerpoint presentations with accompanying worksheets that chapters may use in their pledge program.

[33girl]

Originally posted by reverie
Someone in my chapter recently brought up the idea of changing the name of our pledges to new members.

Does anyone else call the pre-brothers new members or is pledge the most common?

The reason that NPC groups can use "new member" is that they're pretty much guaranteed that they will be initiated. APO selects their members differently - as emb021 said, there's no guarantee they will become brothers. If APO pledges were called "new members" it would imply something that just isn't true.

[Sister Havana]

Originally posted by emb021
Pledges in circle- the ceremony calls for it, so its ok. I feel this is part of their training to learn the song, and advocate that pledges sing the song at the end of each pledge training session, and join with the chapter to sing it at the end of meetings & events.

Our chapter does this. It was one of the first things we learned, actually.

We got quizzed on things like the founders and basic history and stuff during pledging, and you had to pass those (with a 90) as part of the requirements. Granted everything we needed to know was all there for us in the pledge book, and we knew what was going to be on each pledge quiz the week before, so we had no excuse not to know it.

33girl is right. Not everyone who becomes a pledge becomes a Brother. My chapter doesn't cut anyone during rush...it's during the pledge period that people leave or not. I'm fine with that...you find out who is in it for the right reasons and that makes a stronger chapter.

[Senusret I]

Originally posted by reverie
Someone in my chapter recently brought up the idea of changing the name of our pledges to new members.

BOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

Otherwise, I cosign with the other posts.

[SexySuperstar]

Originally posted by emb021
Pledges in circle- the ceremony calls for it, so its ok. I feel this is part of their training to learn the song, and advocate that pledges sing the song at the end of each pledge training session, and join with the chapter to sing it at the end of meetings & events.

Letter colors- while I prefer blue & gold, I don't get worked up about other colors.

Lack of knowledge- yes, this bothers me. I feel there is a basic set of knowledge that ALL Brothers should learn as pledges, and it bothers me when I met those that don't know stuff like this. Their chapter is doing a poor job of educating their pledges (and future Brothers). To help this, I developed a series of powerpoint presentations with accompanying worksheets that chapters may use in their pledge program.

When I was pledging we were supposed to sing the toast song at the end of every pledge class meeting. I think it would have meant a bit more if we had to wait but I think it was good b/c this was how I actually learned the song.

In my personal opinion I only like to wear blue and gold. I feel it's a little disrespectful when you don't.

I HATE IT WHEN BROTHERS DON'T KNOW THEIR HISTORY!!! I think that says enough right there!

[so anxious]

Originally posted by CasanovaAPQ
Ay-Phi-Que, A-Phi-O, Viking, Whatever you call it, LEADERSHIP is what you have, FRIENDSHIP is what you get and SERVICE is the PURPOSE.

I LOVE IT!!!! LOVE IT.....DID I MENTION THAT I LOVE IT!!

[PrettyKittieJ]

Im Just going to give my $19.25

I am a STUDENT and this is how I see it.

You are a pledge b/c you are pledging your dedication to this fraternity - you become a "new member" when you are initiated. For those who are familiar with BGLO its called "Crossing the burning sands" or "crossing" for short. B/c you are no longer just a regular student, you have crossed over into a new idenity and a new life now.

As a pledge you are not granted any rights - once you are a "new member" you can wear 'naila and do things.

I saw it as a simple distinction, but I could see why others are confused.

[Senusret I]

I WISH I had the nerve in Spring '99 to be a pledge posting on GreekChat "educating" people.

[SexySuperstar]

Originally posted by Senusret I
I WISH I had the nerve in Spring '99 to be a pledge posting on GreekChat "educating" people.

AMEN!!!!

[daffodils]

Aren't pledges some of the most important peeps in a chapter? I mean, without new blood, won't a chapter die?

You were all pledges once - remember that the next generation of APO is all based on the pledges now.

btw - I think the post was intelligent, pledge, neo, Brother, whatever.

[PrettyKittieJ]

Im not "educating" anyone....Im just offering my opinion from a side of a fence that most of you have left a long time ago. Also I speak from experience with other organizations. I grew up Greek - my whole household is Greek. So if anything if I WASNT a pledge, I would still have a valid veiwpoint and opinion on this matter.

[Senusret I]

Originally posted by SexySuperstar
AMEN!!!!

Can I get a boom-shacka-lacka-lacka? lol