Pledging like your founders did...

[Psi U MC Vito]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Society. It reminds me of the annoying saying "BGLOs didn't 'pledge' back in the day because being Black in America was a strenuous process in and of itself."

When "worthy potentials were just iniated" in the early years, how was someone deemed "worthy?" For some orgs, that distinction of "worthy" could involve an official or unofficial "new member process" even if they knew the person. It perhaps became more structured, formalized, and documented over the years--including taking cues from other organizations--and led up to the hazing and so forth that began over a generation ago and worsened in recent years.

It was usually friendship. remember in the early days fraternities numbered in the teens member wise if that. That was enough for the early members to get to know well each person before inviting them into the brotherhood. What was being stated I guess is that there was no probationary membership like there is now, because they didn't have to rely on fleeting first impressions like they did during the height of the rush period.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

It was usually friendship. remember in the early days fraternities numbered in the teens member wise if that. That was enough for the early members to get to know well each person before inviting them into the brotherhood. What was being stated I guess is that there was no probationary membership like there is now, because they didn't have to rely on fleeting first impressions like they did during the height of the rush period.

Many people know each other today. Childhood friends pledge each other. Cousins pledge each other. Siblings pledge each other. Parents sometimes pledge their children and vice versa.

Perhaps not a probationary membership like there is now, but I don't think "worthy" was always as cut and dry as "I know him, he is my friend who gets good grades and is involved on campus. Now he's an XYZ." I think there was some informal stuff going on in some instances.

[starang21]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Parents sometimes pledge their children

sounds like good parenting.