Do you think your organization's risk management policies go overboard?

[GeorgiaGreek]

Yes. I think many of the policies, namely the "thou shalt nots," are reasonable at their cores, but then become over-expanded because of the risk of liability.
Example: We are not allowed to physically join new members together. Yes, typing pledges up is bad. Having them do a 3-legged race could be bad, even though some might see that as a fun activity. But we can't have them hold hands. So asking them to hold hands in a circle and sing a sorority song is considered hazing instead of a bonding activity.

I'm not so much frustrated with the policies themselves, but rather the general nature of society, in the sense that people like to blame and sue for anything they can, that makes a sorority have to ban hand-holding, scavenger hunts of any kind, etc. even though most people and organizations would only use those things with good intentions.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by GeorgiaGreek

But we can't have them hold hands. So asking them to hold hands in a circle and sing a sorority song is considered hazing instead of a bonding activity.

I've never heard of this hand-holding thing. Is this a new national policy of some groups?

[GeorgiaGreek]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

I've never heard of this hand-holding thing. Is this a new national policy of some groups?

To be honest, I can't remember if that specific policy was a national policy, or from UGA Panhellenic. I do remember reading it though, and it definitely specified hand-holding under the rule stating we can't physically put new members together.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by GeorgiaGreek

To be honest, I can't remember if that specific policy was a national policy, or from UGA Panhellenic. I do remember reading it though, and it definitely specified hand-holding under the rule stating we can't physically put new members together.

That sounds like a local Panhellenic rule passed because someone pushed this or that. Some panhels have a "no touching" rule during rush.

[GeorgiaGreek]

Originally Posted by 33girl

That sounds like a local Panhellenic rule passed because someone pushed this or that. Some panhels have a "no touching" rule during rush.

UGA has the no touching rule as well. You aren't even supposed to shake hands when introducing yourself to a PNM/active. They usually won't fine you for it, or if, say, an active sees a PNM she's related to and gives her a quick hug, but that active will probably have a Gamma Chi tailing her for the rest of the party if that happens.

[naraht]

Originally Posted by GeorgiaGreek

UGA has the no touching rule as well. You aren't even supposed to shake hands when introducing yourself to a PNM/active. They usually won't fine you for it, or if, say, an active sees a PNM she's related to and gives her a quick hug, but that active will probably have a Gamma Chi tailing her for the rest of the party if that happens.

Now I have the image of an active *married* to a PNM (Not in Georgia, I know...) and causing the Gamma Chi's head to explode when they see them greet each other...

(Note, I have *no* idea if any of the NPC sororities would consider a woman who is married to a sister as being a legacy or not)

(In my co-ed service fraternity, I saw a situation where the faculty advisor's wife was taking classes at the college and decided to pledge the fraternity, *that* was interesting.)