Quote:
Originally posted by enlightenment06
What exactly is a pledge pin? Maybe it just goes by a diferent name.
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This is a major generalization, but . . .
Historically, most NIC, NPC and many other GLO's had two (or more) stages of initiation. First, one "pledged" one's self to the GLO in a "pledging ceremony." At this ceremony, one received a "pledge pin," which was to be worn to show that one was "pledged" to the GLO in question. One then became a "pledge," and moved into a period where one learned more about the GLO, got to know brothers/sisters better, etc.
On successful completion of the pledge period -- maybe 4 weeks to a semester long -- and in some cases after an additional vote by the chapter, one became a brother or sister (a full member) in the GLO through the initiation ritual, and became entitled to wear the badge of the GLO. In some GLO's (like mine) the pledge pin was returned to the chapter; in others, members kept their pledge pins.
The same general pattern holds in many NIC, NPC and many other GLO's (but not all) today, although the word "pledge" is often frowned upon as having a connotation of hazing. Thus, NPC sororities have "new members" while some fraternities have "candidates" or "associate members." In my fraternity, we call our new, not-fully-initiated members "probationary members." But, we still call the act of initially joining the fraternity "pledging."
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