Rushing/Pledging Activites

ihearttrisigma · #1 08-22-2004, 08:02 PM

I don't know the best way to bring up this discussion or subject so I am just going to get it out there and see what you all think. I read a lot of the greek chat main forums on pledging etc vs. hazing and I wonder how your chapters run your pledging period.

Since I come from a relatively new chapter (2002) we have National Consultant visitng atleast once a year. We have truely taken the "no hazing" policy to heart and believe me, everything our girls do we do. But I'm aware that older chapters do things "a little different."

We once had a scavender hunt which was for things only on our campus ( a whole maybe mile of territory) and was more of a sisterhood thing..and were told that it was borderline hazing. I mean I would love to have a paddle exchange but I am afraid we will get in trouble! At our school you could never get anyone to admit it but we have a openly hazing greek system. The Administration looks the other way as long as no one dies pretty much. I mean our chapter prides itself on being the "alternative" to girls who don't want to yelled at, wear a uniform, eat until they puke etc. But at the same time..we want our girls to feel like they are working for something. I mean one of our girls begged us to haze her even..it was wierd. I understand the idea of going through this experience but how do you girls work that with our national policies and do it is a respectful manner?

I also wonder how you all go about Recruitment. I barely understand the whole COB, skit, housing...stuff that I hear you all mention. We don't have PNC rules on our campus and honestly it kinda sucks. In our case of course all our events are dry. Is that the same with you all? All the other groups have alcoholic events as their rush events, (i mean what better way to find out if you like a girl than if you're wasted right :roll eyes: )Anyway, so a frat and sorority have a alcoholic event..thats how rush works. I guess we don't know how to compete with that. I would say that maybe a total of 80 girls go through each year and honestly the groups that promote drinking get the big classes of about 20. We have been averaging 10-15 - which isn't bad but I just don't know what to do to open peoples eyes and see what a REAL sorority is like (with ideas, goals, philanthropy etc).

So, I guess I am trying to find out what you all do during this time. I understand if no one wants to reply to this but if you would possibly PM me that would be really appreciated. I am a new alumna and I am trying to help my chapter as much as I can. We have no real support from AAB, National HQ, or surrounding chapters, and a lot of us who were installed are concerned about our chapters future.

Sorry for ranting, but rush is around the corner and I guess if we need to try something new, now is the time. Thanks in advance to anyone who responds and even those who can't believe there is actually a greek system this odd!

ihearttrisigma · #2 08-23-2004, 05:19 PM

I just wanted to say I'm sorry for wasting everyones time regarding this post. Although I was hoping to get some advice and guidance I realize this was not the place to go. Sometimes in hindsight being too honest is not always the best policy.

Again, I am sorry and hope I haven't made you all hate me.

BlondeGurl · #3 10-11-2004, 10:37 PM

I just wanted to say about the paddles that my sorority isnt aloud to have a paddle in the house. We give sailboats. They are just like paddles...we paint them like a paddle and everything but it is wood cut in the shape of a sail boat. they are really cute. It is kind of like KKG's key shape paddles...only they ares ailboats. i just wanted to let you know that there are other options out there. You just have to get creative. We buy so many of them that all the greek shops within 60-80 mile carry the sailboat paddles now.
i hope that helps
SLAM,
brenda

KSUViolet06 · #4 10-12-2004, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BlondeGurl
I just wanted to say about the paddles that my sorority isnt aloud to have a paddle in the house. We give sailboats. They are just like paddles...we paint them like a paddle and everything but it is wood cut in the shape of a sail boat. they are really cute. It is kind of like KKG's key shape paddles...only they ares ailboats. i just wanted to let you know that there are other options out there. You just have to get creative. We buy so many of them that all the greek shops within 60-80 mile carry the sailboat paddles now.
i hope that helps
SLAM,
brenda

We give boats too b/c of the same rule and I think they look cooler anyway

BlondeGurl · #5 10-13-2004, 10:16 PM

ihearttrisigma - check your pm box

BlondeGurl · #6 10-13-2004, 10:41 PM

Okay I know this is like the third time I am posting, but I just want to show you a link that I thought might also help

http://greekchat.com/gcforums/showth...threadid=35946

Maybe if you did a search on the boards you could come up with some more helpfull advice on ideas for you new member classes issues.

SLAM
Brenda

trisigmaAtl · #7 10-20-2004, 02:33 PM

why would anyone hate you?

you said your chapter strives towards ideals and goals and doesn't drink or haze...that's great!!! you just want to know how to compete in a greek system that sells itself differently than Sigma does on your campus, and that's a fair question.

Unfortunately I don't have any concrete answers. The best thing I can think of to do is to fill your new member period with as much awesome programming as you can. We assign girls heart sisters on bid day (an older sister who gives her a welcome gift and mentors her untill she recieves a big), we also have pearl sisters who rotate each week and take a new member to lunch or write her a poem, or make her a door poster, so that the sisters and new members get to know each other. we also have this big campus wide halloween party (which is dry), but the new members plan the theme and pass out sign up sheets and come up with a fundraiser to do during the party (with sisters guidance and man power of course). we also do a retreat, with awards, candlelights, etc. and instead of "hell week" for thos orgs who haze, we do fun week. we pick the new members up at their rooms to do learn songs, we decorate their cars, we bring them things in class, all while they're getting their big/little clues. we also plan mixers that don't require booze to be fun. we go to haunted houses with fraternities, we've gone bowling, ice skating, gone to a trivia night. things where you're interacting and busy. so in the end you may not be hazing your girls, but your doing so much with them and having so much fun and making them feel so loved, it doesn't matter. Tri Sigma beleives in total integration from the start, and diving head first into that helps. Also, Sigma's CAN have alcholic events, you just have to do careful planning, fill out all the proper paperwork, and do risk management. so you could plan one or two alcholic events a year if you wanted. the new members still wouldn't get to drink (providing they're under age), but you wouldn't be stuck with the "dry sorority" stigma during recruitment.

during recruitment let PNMs know that even though you don't haze you still have so many things for new members to participate in, and that you can choose to haave alcholic events if you want, but that we have standards we live by always and that will make you a better student, a better friend, and a better person much more effectively than eating hotdogs untill you vomit while wearing a diaper at 3:00 AM.

good luck!!!!!!