Contents of your Pledge Manual

[LindsayJean]

Kappa Delta's is now online at www.kappadelta.org.

Lindsay

[emb021]

Originally posted by SilverTurtle
OK, before anyone starts freaking out- I'm not interested in your GLOs secrets, etc. What I'm looking for are the basic contents of your pledge/new member manuals. If there was a Table of Contents, what would the headings be?

We're looking at reworking ours and improving it, and I'm just sort of outlining it at the time being.

I know there's the usual stuff like history and songs and insignia, but was/is there anything you wouldn't have thought to include yourself-but was useful, important or just plain interesting?

Alpha Phi Omega has a National Pledge Manual, which you may see on-line at www.apo.org. It includes the basics you mention.

Most (hopefully all) chapters use this as the basis for THEIR Pledge Manuals. Most would add the National Bylaws, Chapter Bylaws, Chapter History, and other documents they feel the pledge should know. My chapter includes these, plus info on upcoming events of the Fraternity, newsletters, Issues of our National magazine, etc.

Hope this helps

[ZTAMich]

Originally posted by adduncan

Now get this--this is what I love. There is a *huge* chapter on traditional masculine social etiquette--right down to how to hold a teacup, set a table for formal dinner, and how to hold a chair for a lady being seated at the table.

Then there are sections of what everyone's group seems to have: the listing of chapters, the poem defining the KA (I think sororities call it a symphony, not too sure), and the traditional songs, etc.

I once peaked at my boyfriend's roommate's pledge manual and saw something similar...how to tie a tie etc. I'd say the name but I don't know if they'd want it known

It came in handy, too. I could prove he was setting the table wrong for Christmas dinner.

Proof positive that your greek affiliation comes in handy after college!!

A special poem or quotes about being greek. brother/sisterhood is always good as well to have in a manual

[DeltAlum]

Originally posted by ZTAMich

I once peaked at my boyfriend's roommate's pledge manual and saw something similar...how to tie a tie etc. I'd say the name but I don't know if they'd want it knon

Oh, you naughty girl!

Seriously, consider this. We freely hand out pledge manuals to anyone whom we hope will become a member -- but they aren't yet, and may not ever be initiated.

So, following that logic, how can anything in a pledge (or new member) manual really be considered a secret?

[japhir]

Originally posted by adduncan

Now get this--this is what I love. There is a *huge* chapter on traditional masculine social etiquette--right down to how to hold a teacup, set a table for formal dinner, and how to hold a chair for a lady being seated at the table.

One of the fraternity's on campus actually held etiquette classes for their new members. It was really cute to see the guys concentrating so hard on what is the proper thing to do. (I have to say, though, the only time I saw them using it was at the sorority formals they attended. Most of them didn't even use their newly acquired knowledge at their own formal!)