Pledging rituals??

BlueEyedButrfly · #1 11-12-2006, 10:17 PM

Ok! I just want to apologize in advance if this question has been asked before, we just founded a local and this topic confused us!!

I have been told that we need to create a pledge ritual b/c it is one of the "big" rituals. I know that it would be done after bid day but am confused as to what would go on during it. I feel that all of the important and meaningful stuff should be during initiation otherwise if girls do not make it to initiation they will know the things that we would like to keep between sisters. Soooo, my question is...are pledge rituals just a ceremony to induct girls as pledges? are they supposed to be taught certain things BEFORE initiation?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

*Mary*

Senusret I · #2 11-12-2006, 10:47 PM

If you plan to use pledge pins or pledge ribbons, this might be the time to pin the girls.

You may want to give a summary of the founding of the org.

Introduce the principles and ideals of the sorority.

Introduce the pledge.... have the girls repeat the pledge....

Or, you could do something completely different.

You might want to google the following terms, in quotes:

"pledge ritual"
"pledge ceremony"
"pledging ceremony"
"new member ritual"

etc.....

These things don't have to be elaborate.

PhoenixAzul · #3 11-12-2006, 10:50 PM

^^ What he said. Our new member (pledge) ceremony is one of my favorites, but it is seriously short and sweet.

SoCalGirl · #4 11-12-2006, 10:55 PM

Pledging ritual (aka new member ceremony or pinning) is when the new girls will formally promise (pledge) to learn about the sorority and complete the necessary steps to become an initiated sister. How much or if any sorority secrets are revealed is up to you.

BlueEyedButrfly · #5 11-12-2006, 10:57 PM

awesome, thanks so much

i've been googling like a million things a day but i never seem to get anything helpful...that's why i love this site!

ragtimerose · #6 11-13-2006, 05:33 PM

My pledge ritual lasted about 15 minutes. I learned something about the sorority, then was asked to repeat certain parts of the ritual. You'll want to get your new members to promise to uphold your organization's high standards, etc. etc.

Hope this helps.

REE1993 · #7 11-13-2006, 06:08 PM

About the word "pledge" - many GLOs are moving away from the noun or verb "pledge", in response to anti-hazing rules/laws. You might want to think about terminology as you move along in this path.

The verb meaning of the VERB "pledge" is different than the noun "a pledge". What we used to refer to as pledges are now Members in Training. Other orgnizations use other terms. I know that in the 80s and early 90s, many fraternities used the term "associates" or "associate members". Without a national office to regulate such stuff, you are essentially setting the precedent.

Good luck, and I am sure you will find examples online as to the type of things you might want to include in your ceremony/ritual.

Tom Earp · #8 11-13-2006, 07:04 PM

Did we not discuss this via PM?

If not, feel free to to PM me again.

What you are asking may be secret form many GLOs.

Drolefille · #9 11-13-2006, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Earp

Did we not discuss this via PM?

If not, feel free to to PM me again.

What you are asking may be secret form many GLOs.

She's not asking for anyone's ritual... just ideas.

I co-sign what SoCalGirl said. To me pledging is "i promise to learn more about XYZ and not to tell any of it's secrets" and you don't really learn any ritual until initiation. This doesn't mean that you don't see aspects of the ritual in pledging, but if you're unsure that these members are going to stick it out, you don't necessarily want to tell them tons of information yet!

BetteDavisEyes · #10 11-13-2006, 07:15 PM

I PM'd you just in case.

DSTCHAOS · #11 11-13-2006, 08:03 PM

Administrative stuff:
Make sure you all document these activities and practice them before attempting to act them out. It will help everything go more smoothly and be taken seriously. It will also help to document what materials are needed for the ceremony before you begin documenting the details of the ceremony. Then there won't be questions as to what this or that meant, how to prepare for the rituals, and how to do so-and-so when it's re-enacted next year.

Don't forget to cut the goat's neck and slice the live chicken in a circle while the new members chant something.

BlueEyedButrfly · #12 11-13-2006, 08:04 PM

Thanks everyone!!!

Tom - yes, I did pm you about this but also wanted ideas from other people.

BetteDavis - Thanks so much, everything was EXTREMELY helpful!!!

I know that a lot of organizations have switched to other terms other than pledge, such as new member, but I feel that the term pledge(s) more accurately describes what the girls are. They aren't new members in my eyes until they've been initiated into the sorority. I know the term pledge makes people think of hazing but i am strictly enforcing a no hazing policy and am hoping that people realize not all sororities that use the word pledge are hazing sororities.