Is hazing the best way?

[djpsk21]

Thank you EVERYONE for your replies. They have been really helpful so far! I guess the biggest hurdle I am facing right now is that brothers want to keep the "spirit" of the hazing but are starting to understand that they shouldn't haze. However, they still have that "tick" that says "we went through it...why should they get a free pass...they should earn their way into this chapter". I want to try to keep that same spirit while eliminating the negativity.

I have ideas such as having them complete a project or addition to the house, as a class, before they can initiate. A common cause they can come together for, depend on each other to complete and must have finished it "on time" so there is still the pressure of a deadline. This can be an addition in or outside of the house, but something where they are also able to leave their mark.

I want them to have required study hours, weekly quizzes on history and fraternity information, etc. I want to build them up instead of them being torn down. How is them doing a brothers laundry or washing cars being an "addition" to the house? How is it helping them as a person? How does it relate to the fraternities values and principles?

I have a team of guys who are on my side. However, as I mentioned previously, they still want the new guys to respect the house and the letters as much as they do and unfortunately, the only way they know is through hazing because that is how they were brought in.

I have people willing to support change. I have the national program for my chapter, but I am seeking others opinions, ideas, etc so I can truly create a phenomenal program. This is a unique opportunity that I have to really implement change. I want to do it the best possible way instead of making a change that is just "good enough" for now and then has to be continuously updated. As I am sure we can all agree, change the window opportunity for change only opens every now and then so now that there is an opening, I really want to take advantage of it.

Can anyone share what their pledgeship was like? What kind of stuff did you do with your class? Was it just meetings about the fraternity and history? Were there tests? Does anyone know of any team building exercises that are useful?

I am seeking help from GC because I value the knowledge of others. I know what my National HQ wants me to do, I am curious to what others have done. That way, maybe I can make a good program even better. Further, maybe some ideas can come out on this forum that can help others that are having similar issues.

Again, thank you all for your replies so far. I look forward to reading some more insightful thoughts and on to make this very important change.