Big Brother Ceremony

kappauiw · #1 04-26-2004, 04:32 PM

hey guys. its me the kappa for uiw again, and once again im looking for some brotherly advice. im conducting my first big brother ceremony and was looking for some ideas. what you went through, enjoyed- as both big bros and lil bros, or any traditions would be greatly appreciated. one another side note, im also working on building the big brother lil brother program and was wondering about some good traditions to attempt to begin. i know about the paddle, but other than that im open to any and all suggestions. thanks again guys.

In ZAX

JonoBN41 · #2 04-26-2004, 09:14 PM

Pikey, to my knowledge paddles went out of vogue in the '60s as what they represent is antithetical to the concept of Associate Membership as opposed to pledgeship. I was Kappa in the early '70s and we weren't even allowed to have a project unless all the brothers worked on it along with the AMs. Personally I think that was a little over the top because the AMs themselves really wanted to do something for the brotherhood and I had to tell them No. So nothing happened and I believe we lost something there.

Anyway, I'd like to hear what some of the others on this board have to offer with regard to your other question about big brother/little brother stuff and what are appropriate events. I would guess getting smashed at the Big Brother/Little Brother Dinner isn't one of them.

Also, guys, lets try not to condense terms to "my big" or "my little" because that sounds so sorority. I have a Big Brother, and I have a Little Brother. One has disappeared; the other has not.

In ZAX,
Jono

lifesaver · #3 04-27-2004, 06:14 AM

I dont see anything wrong with paddles used as tokens and gifts. As long as people dont actually USE them for paddeling I think its OK. I've seen a lot of chapters - good ones too - Grand High Alpha chapters - use paddles in a ceremonial way, as gifts. As long as a chapter doesnt get stupid about it and start USING them. Also you wouldnt recruit with paddles on your rush table becasue of the message it sends.

To me, its about the tradition of the item, not the use. Simply as a gift, given to me after initiation (an approperate time, from little brother to big brother) I proudly display my paddle on my wall and it was never used on me or anyone. HQ doesnt ban members posession of them. I understand the theoretical beleif that it is anthetical to the concept of AM programs, but if your chapter or colony runs a true fraternity education program, then I find them harmless. They transform from symbols of seperation to tokens of our heritage. Symbols are all about how we make use of them.

boz130 · #4 04-27-2004, 09:25 AM

Hey, gang--at Illinois State, the Beta-Omicron's have each AM decorate their own paddle. They start out w/a plain, unfinished paddle (I think it's pine wood) and make it "their own" through decorative drawings, logos, etc.

They also use it to collect signatures from all of the officers (they reserve the back for that). It's a way to get the AM around to meet people he might not normally hang out with. After all, it only takes two people to start a clique.

One of the fun things about this program is the way the AM class stampedes en masse towards an alum when we have meetings in town (Homecoming in the fall & Founders Weekend in March).

I always have a Sharpie ready to sign a paddle when I "get back to Normal" (pun intended). The AMs like to have signatures from the early days (anybody w/an initiation number under 700).

The guys @ BOZ also have class paddles each semester. My class actually had two, because our Kappa forgot to include a couple of guys he'd used as "Kappas in waiting". Both paddles have been stolen by sororities over the years, but we finally got one of them back last fall.

It's always kinda cool to go back to the house and see the paddles from the various classes. Overall, I think paddles work well--they've never been used THAT WAY.

ZAX,
BF

EM1843 · #5 04-27-2004, 10:05 AM

Well, as far as paddles go I think that has been stated.

If you'd like to see our script for a big brother ceremony I can send it to you. Basically you want to talk about the person being a "guide" for the AM.

As for other education activites, you can do a ropes course, we're trying to do one in the fall. We also do sessions on alcohol awareness and stuff like that. Call my phone and I can explain more about it.

Tom Earp · #6 04-27-2004, 04:47 PM

What is really sad, and I could not agree more with you all about the paddle situation, that each of our Pledge/Associate classes made a very big Paddle and listed the members of that class with the Class designation on it! They were Friggen awesome. Ask Jono, he has seen them.

But Hdq said NO NO, that is showing a form of Hazing. Well, my first thought was "Animal House" when they were seated in the OHOH room going blow job!

We had Brothers who came back with their Familys looking for Their Paddle to show them. That is something that has been lost and should be brought back!

I mean come on for crying out loud, these things were 5' tall! Try to swat someone with that!

I think Int. is worried about the Latitude that may be taken in certain circumstances, but lets be realistic about this!

I am glad to see others who feel the same way as I do. It is a rememberence from one Brother to another. I never had a Little Brother!

RACooper · #7 04-27-2004, 10:31 PM

Well since paddles are verboten (and have been at my chapter since the 80's) why not switch to something else?

In the military we made shirts for each "class" with everyone's name on it; maybe that could be adapted. I have seen other chapters/fraternities have "brotherhood" projects were the Big Brothers and/or Little Brothers get together and make a contribution to the house - like a picnic able with names, or repainting a room, or "family dinners" were as many members of the family go out for a nice dinner, or each "class" painting a small mural in the basement.....

Here in Toronto we "encourage" the Big Brother to make/give his new Little Brother a gift with letters (campus classics work great)... and when the Little Brother has gone through ritual his name is then added to his family's brick. In our basement we have wooden "bricks" filling spots in the wall, each to a family... in effect everyone is added to the foundation of the chapter house.

EM1843 · #8 04-28-2004, 09:01 AM

Well since we're still talking about paddles, UF makes them. (Gasp from the crowd) If anyone would like to attempt to hit me with one of my paddles, go ahead and try. The paddles my little brothers made me vary from 3 to 5 feet long and 1 to 2 feet across. If you can swing 30 lbs of wood at me before I can hit you in the face, you can paddle me.
I believe paddles are a great gift. We exchange them with our little brothers for a signed CofA, like the one I sent you Tom. They are framed and matted, and cost $30-70, depending on how much you spend.
Basically, INT may not like paddles, but as long as you're not hitting each other with them, I don't think they are that concerned with them. But paddles shouldn't be given until later in the semester, and you wanted to know about the big brother ceremony.

Tom Earp · #9 04-28-2004, 03:16 PM

My Brother The Hulk, you are to funny! God I love all 6' 7" of you!

I think, from reading these many missives, that I am going to suggest that when we get Associate Classes back up to standards that They Do A Paddle of the same proportions that I mentioned!

It is something that each Member can come back to on a visit and relate to His Brothers from His Associte Class and is awesome Hanging in the House, well, when we get a new one built!

Each one was uniqe on how it was done but on a basic pattern for continuity of size and style!

As EM1843 said, it would be hard to pick up and swat someone!

kappauiw · #10 04-29-2004, 01:21 AM

hey guys,
thanks for taking the time to reply. because of this being our first semester everything has been out of synch. our big brother ceremony is no exception. i will make this big bro ceremony as good as i possibly can, but i will have all summer to plan traditions and alter the big brother ceremony. i agree with the general consensus about paddles. its alot like a metaphor i heard about scalpels. you can use them for a lot of good things but you can also butcher someone with them. as long as they are used appropriately, and that is absolutely what i have in mind. thanks again for replying. just off the top of my head, i had in mind big bro lil bro exchanging a paddle for a lettered shirt later on in the semester. and maybe at the beginning of the program having the big bro buying the lil bro a "party shirt" with our letters (small) and his big brother assigned nickname and number on the back. let me know what you guys think of this or any other ideas you have.

In ZAX,