Paddles

Drolefille · #1 05-12-2007, 03:32 AM

"wall plaques" They're called "wall plaques"

My chapter was a fairly young chapter and just started doing paddles (as a chapter) my senior year. They were initiation presents for the new members from their bigs. (of course I ordered one for my big and myself since I had no little and my big was an alum

)

My sister (a Tri Delta) does paddles for EVERYTHING. And they do the handpainted ones too. They have like 3 different types of sisters (pearl, big and mom... I think) and everyone gives everyone paddles all the time. Luckily they have a source that gets the plain wooden ones for 4 bucks a piece.

ladygreek · #2 05-12-2007, 04:28 AM

As a pledge I made paddles for my special and my Mom (my real MOM.) As a Delta I have made paddles as a gift for neos, and for sorors. Also as a Delta I have received paddles from pledges, sorors, and other NPHC members.
In other words there were no rules about who got one when. Just rules about what was on them at the time of the gift.

SigKapCoug · #3 05-12-2007, 05:52 AM

Bigs and lils exchange paddles during Inspo week (week of initiation).

My chapter used to do plain ones, but now i'd say 85% of them are entirely painted.

I made this one for lil #1: http://i10.tinypic.com/6gx3zok.jpg
the picture is poor quality, but you can see it has a photo of us on it as well as family symbols (palm tree, family name etc).

I don't have a picture of lil #2's or the paddles they gave me.

paddle i gave my big: http://i5.tinypic.com/4yuh3sx.jpg

paddle from my big: http://i8.tinypic.com/5y9t5dl.jpg

ISUKappa · #4 05-12-2007, 10:07 AM

At both my undergrad and the chapter I advised, the pledge mom/key sister (as they're now called) made it for the new member upon her initiation. I think I was in the last pledge class at my chapter to get actual "paddles," after us they started using large wooden keys.

Some people did just basic paddles -- names, year, letters, coat of arms. Some went all out with the paint, ribbon, glitter and craft glue -- especially at the chapter I advised.

AlexMack · #5 05-12-2007, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drolefille

My sister (a Tri Delta) does paddles for EVERYTHING. And they do the handpainted ones too. They have like 3 different types of sisters (pearl, big and mom... I think) and everyone gives everyone paddles all the time. Luckily they have a source that gets the plain wooden ones for 4 bucks a piece.

My tri delta BFF did a lot of paddles if I remember correctly. I realize it's probably a chapter-to-chapter thing but it amused me to read this

My paddle is pretty awesome, my favourite colour is orange so my 'mom' painted it orange and all the letters silver with silver glitter and a silver bow to hang it with.

Senusret I · #6 05-12-2007, 11:26 AM

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...3be&id=1404447 <----- some paddles I made

Buttonz · #7 05-12-2007, 11:34 AM

Little gives the big after initiation when the little receives a set of letters, a pillow, and other gifts from the big. The NM class also makes for the NME (New Member Educator) and President. If there is an assistant NME she gets a teddy bear shaped plaque. They get decorated and there is certain items that must be on them.

My chapter did sister to sister paddles as well one year.

That's my paddle wall, it's missing one paddle.

An example of one I made:

KSUViolet06 · #8 05-12-2007, 01:23 PM

Bigs & Littles decorate wooden sailboats and exchange them at "Boat Revealing" the semester after the Little Sis is initiated.

Each new member class decorates a class sailboat with each of their names on it to hang in the chapter house.

fantASTic · #9 05-12-2007, 02:22 PM

Littles make their bigs a paddle and present it at their new member social. Bigs are responsible for procuring a stiched sweatshirt to give to their little directly after initiation.

banditone · #10 05-12-2007, 05:03 PM

Pledge Pop gives a paddle (see below).

Also, during initiation week we get a wooden badge, you have your closest brothers sign it.

mystikchick · #11 05-12-2007, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Senusret I

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...3be&id=1404447 <----- some paddles I made

those are AMAZING!

Senusret I · #12 05-12-2007, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mystikchick

those are AMAZING!

Thank you. I am in semi-retirement from paddle-making because I am almost certain the paint fumes make me sick. And yes, I use a mask.

BabyPiNK_FL · #13 05-12-2007, 10:26 PM

OMG! Paddles is my chapters' thing! Littles give them to bigs after initiation. (chapter tradition)

Some are traditional with a creative flair (ex. a "normal" paddle but the handle is Tinkerbell).

My paddle is a HUGE painted Lightning McQueen from the movie "Cars" because that is my obsession!
http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i6.../mypaddle2.jpg

There was a Mickey Mouse with a moving top, a HUGE actual Sleeping Beauty, the witches from the poster of "Wicked" (gorgeous), a HUGE moon/star combo. A neon pink "A" (both big & lil had names that began and ended with "A"). My big was a TKE Sweetheart and I knew and she didn't know, so we got initiated the day of TKE Formal, and I gave her a red heart with a cute slogan having to do with her nickname and her being sweetheart when they announced that she had the position at the formal! All the letters were painted silver.
Another of my pledge sisters went by the nickname "Pimpin'" so she made her big a HUGE pimp cup with bling and everything it was so neon pink it looked orange! We've also had a huge ballerina, toe shoes, and the list goes on.

My chapter is HUGE on paddles, I'll try to post some of the pics so you can see! We usually have big's name, pledge class, and season/year, and little's name, pledge class and season/year on them. Some girls don't ask around to see exactly what should go on a paddle and it can make you feel bad when people bust out with some of the gogeous creations that they do and you put like 5 minutes of effort into it. It gets crazier every year! It helps that one of the girls' father cuts wood and can make any shape. It's not a requirement, but it's a beautiful ceremony and we encourage everyone to participate. And even if they come with just a simple plaque, it's appreciated.

kchaptergphib · #14 05-13-2007, 12:30 AM

At my chapter, big sisters made the paddles for their lil sis, and gave the paddle to them after initiation.
I have pictures, but can't figure out how to put them in the post without them being on a website...

twinkle555 · #15 05-12-2007, 11:30 AM

we make plaques for our bigs and vice versa. the one from my big has red AOII ribbon going around it with sparkly red and white glitter. the one from my little is pink with black outline with gold glitter letters and purple letters. we exchange about 3/4 through there new member period at big/lil sleepover, where we give the littles a bunch of little goodies in a decorated sleeping pillow.

i know my dchi boyfriend made a plaque for his big and his big made him a jersey with double stitched letters.