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Originally Posted by interested-one
Hello at all,
I'm just interested in Greek Fraternities especially in their traditions.
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Some terminology. Be careful when saying 'greek fraternities'. Some may interpret that to mean 'fraternities of greeks'. We are 'greek letter fraternities', in that our names are greek letters. Except for a few that don't have greek letters.
Traditions are harder. Some are unique to particular fraternities. Some are common to certain type of fraternities (social, professional, honor, certain groups of socials, such as 'white', 'black', latino, mulitcultural), but may be done a certain way in a particular organization.
For instance, common traditions are the wearing of pins/insignia by pledges & brothers, the wearing of certain clothing (letter jackets, stich letter jerseys, letter shirts, etc) to show membership, etc. There are traditions that are usually only so in certain types of groups, such as step shows and the like for BGLO & LGLO (that's 'black greek letter organizations' and 'latino greek letter organizations'). The use of paddles (mostly as a memento of membership and the like).
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I'm member of a german Fraternity and would be glad if i could get some information on that topics:
Pledges: how long, what role does a pledge have in a greek fraternity
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As someone else noted, pledge periods will vary from a few days to several weeks to several months. It will depend on the particular fraternity and their policy.
In general, a pledge is a 'probationary member' or 'member in training'. (but note that becoming a full member of the fraternity is not a guarantee). So the purpose of the pledge program is training: in the history, traditions, and expectations of the chapter and fraternity, learning how to be a member of the organization, working with your fellow pledges and future fellow brothers.
How each fraternity treates its pledges will vary. Some are treated like 'second-class citizens', most are treated as what they are: probationary members with some limits on what they can do or be told, but who in most things should be fully involved in the org.
As others noted, not sure what you're asking here. Each group has its own unique rituals. Most take some inspiration from earlier masonic or fraternal organization rituals. But there are certain common rituals:
* a pledge ceremony, which all pledges go thru to become an official pledge
* an initiation ceremony, which pledges go thru to become brothers
There may be other rituals of groups, but those are the 2 common ones.
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type of forming a unity inside the fraternity: in germany we do academic fencing for example.
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forming unity has changed over the years. In the past, the hazing of pledges was, unfortunately, how it was done. By and large, hazing is no longer seen as acceptable, and is in fact forbidden by most (if not all) national organizations (and usually against the law and school policies).
Some groups might form varsity sports teams and compete with others.
Step shows are big amoung certain groups.
Just engaging in social events and other group activities help, and groups can also engage in various team building activities. Most schools do have a 'greek week', where various GLOs will compete against one another.
Hope that helps.
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