Numbering Pledges?

[Titchou]

I find this extremely interesting. Thanks for starting the discussion...

[Cheerio]

Originally Posted by Sen's Revenge

In NPHC, we might call those Line's Names or Unit Names. Click the link and scroll down to see examples: http://akaalphachapter.org/officers.html

Thank You, Sen! You have taught me something new today. Those types of names are so familiar, and take me down memory lane.

[Sen's Revenge]

[SoCalGirl]

If it's something that can be shared....do the numbers have any practical uses after pledging? If it's at all okay to speak of I would be curious if there's any use for them during pledging too.

[misscherrypie]

In our chapter, they do. The reasons for that are tied to chapter ritual.

[SoCalGirl]

Originally Posted by misscherrypie

When a Beta Sigma Phi becomes a member, she is given a member number. We use them often for sorority business, so I memorized mine quickly. I suppose they are issued by order of membership from 1, because the millionth Beta was initiated in 1995 and my member number begins 111xxxx and I joined in 2012. But, I don't know for sure.

In our chapter, pledges are numbered by season, year, class name, number in the class. Not a Beta tradition, but something specific to the chapter.

Originally Posted by misscherrypie

In our chapter, they do. The reasons for that are tied to chapter ritual.

I'm confused. You said your chapter's numbering of pledges is not a Beta tradition, so how would it be part of a Beta ritual?

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Titchou

I find this extremely interesting. Thanks for starting the discussion...

Same here.

As for Sinfonia, nationally we receive numbers on initiation that denote the chapter and what our order of initiation is, similar to what many others have described. I believe the numbers are assigned alphabetically as to each probationary member class. But we do not number within PM classes.

That said, I would not be at all surprised if it happens in some chapters as a chapter tradition, particularly in chapters at HBCUs.

[Sen's Revenge]

Originally Posted by SoCalGirl

If it's something that can be shared....do the numbers have any practical uses after pledging? If it's at all okay to speak of I would be curious if there's any use for them during pledging too.

Think about the big/little relationship.

Having a line number, for most of us, is like a secondary family tree.

You are most likely going to have some sort of connection to and support from people who share your line number. There is also an expectation that you will care for your numbers who come after you.

It is also a conversation starter and informal connection between members of NPHC organizations. Some of my closest friends in the Greek community are fellow sixes. We all have similar personalities for some reason.

I hope that answers both your questions.

[PersistentDST]

Originally Posted by SoCalGirl

If it's something that can be shared....do the numbers have any practical uses after pledging? If it's at all okay to speak of I would be curious if there's any use for them during pledging too.

I think our numbers hold significance. It is often one of the first things in a non-business conversation when you find out someone is an NPHC Greek.

When we went to DC for our Centennial celebration, everyone was wearing their crossing shirts or jackets. (Those may include our chapter, year crossed, line number, individual line name/nickname and the line's name.) Even if it was for a couple of minutes, Sorors from all over the world were striking conversations with us because we were in the same "club." I even took a picture with another "17." And with the amount of us there, we were stopping every 5 minutes!

Originally Posted by Sen's Revenge

You are most likely going to have some sort of connection to and support from people who share your line number. There is also an expectation that you will care for your numbers who come after you.

This is so true! Some of the first women who embraced me were also tails! Being at the end of the line, I am supposed to care for and protect the women who line up in front of me.

[DrPhil]

Surprisingly, that also sometimes happens in professional settings.

I love when a Soror or member of another NPHC GLO connects with me because we share a number. I have had people connect with me and they crossed decades before I was even born. I love seeing older GLO members representing (I also love seeing older college alumnae/alumni representing).

[misscherrypie]

Originally Posted by SoCalGirl

I'm confused. You said your chapter's numbering of pledges is not a Beta tradition, so how would it be part of a Beta ritual?

Our chapter has several rituals that were created by the founding members of our chapter, for use by our chapter. They are not Beta rituals, but are Nevada Nu Chapter rituals.

[SoCalGirl]

Thanks Sen, PersistentDST, and Dr Phil! I get it.

[tld221]

Meanwhile this conversation has erroneously glossed over an important detail:

[tld221]

Sorry for the large picture, but a point has to be made.

I'll also add that becoming members of your respective organizations during the same semester can be as much of a bond as your number. For some reason, Spring 96 was a HUGE deal and everyone I know who crossed Spring 96 knows each other, or there's 1-2 degrees of separation. Conversation always goes:

Person: I crossed Spring 96 -or- What org are you?
Me: Oh cool, do you know (insert names of Spr 96 prophytes)? -or- I'm an SGRho
Person: YEAH! From (insert chapter/region)? -or- Oh word? I know your prophyte ________
Me: Ok cool!

[SoCalGirl]

We had three in my quarter but at that time the "pledge class" was the entire year. So I was a Spring Alpha Beta and my Big Sis was a Fall Alpha Beta.