usc&a - fraternity and sorority life virginia commonwealth university new member development
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USC&A - Fraternity and Sorority LifeVirginia Commonwealth University
New Member Development
Every year as members of our organization we get to welcome in new members and introduce them to our group.
It is one of the most exciting times of the year as we have the opportunity to help them develop further in to even greater young men and women.
Remember the pride you feel to be a part of your organization and the community.
Excitement and New Members
Fraternity and Sorority Life
Choosing Fraternity or Sorority
Remember back and remind yourself of
the choices that you made…
Choosing Fraternity and Sorority
Accepting a bid, completing application,
and being invited to start process.
Choosing Fraternity and Sorority
Filling out and signing a Grade Release & Hazing Statement
Card
Choosing Fraternity or Sorority
Question to think about
As these individuals accept their invitation to join or enter in to process do we have a plan?
Are we relying on what was done before? Is what was done before the right thing to do? Is are process giving us the results that we
hope for and is it consistent with our values?
Before Beginning Education
Before you begin your education process or before you plan a new member development activity make sure that you are asking and thinking about the following questions in relation to what you are planning?
If you were previously asked to participate in a similar activity,
would you have any reservations?
Ask Yourself Before Planning
Does the activity have the potential to cause any kind of psychological distress through humiliation or intimidation?
Ask Yourself Before Planning
Could the activity cause any kind of mental stress due to sleep
deprivation (e.g. not allowing individuals to sleep for at least
six consecutive hours) or extended isolation?
Ask Yourself Before Planning
Does the activity involve any kind of physical exertion (e.g.
forced calisthenics)?
Ask Yourself Before Planning
Ask Yourself Before Planning
Does the activity involve any kind of physical abuse (such
as hitting or exposure to extreme weather)?
Ask Yourself Before Planning
Does the activity pose a threat to the safety of organization
members or to any other person?
Ask Yourself Before Planning
Are you asking anyone to do something that is illegal?
Ask Yourself Before Planning
Would you have any reservations about describing the activity to a University Official, Officer of the Law, or Representative from your
Inter/national Headquarters?
Ask Yourself Before Planning
Are new members coerced, pressured, or encouraged to
consume alcohol or any food, liquor, beverage, drug or other
substance?
Ask Yourself Before Planning
Would you be concerned if the activity were to appear on the front page of the Richmond
Times Dispatch or in the Washington Post?
How did you answer
Were you able to answer yes to any of the previous questions?
What activity or activities does the organization conduct that may have caused you to raise your hand?
How did you answer
If you answered yes your organization is conduction,
condoning, facilitating, practicing, participating, in activity that is or could be
considered to be….
Are we doing activity that is…
HAZING
Hazing Definition - FIPG
No chapter, colony, student or alumnus shall conduct nor condone hazing activities. Hazing activities are defined as:
"Any action taken or situation created, intentionally, whether on or off fraternity premises, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. Such activities may include but are not limited to the following: use of alcohol; paddling in any form; creation of excessive fatigue; physical and psychological shocks; quests, treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, road trips or any other such activities carried on outside or inside of the confines of the chapter house; wearing of public apparel which is conspicuous and not normally in good taste; engaging in public stunts and buffoonery; morally degrading or humiliating games and activities; and any other activities which are not consistent with academic achievement, fraternal law, ritual or policy or the regulations and policies of the educational institution or applicable state law."
Changing Directions
What is it that we truly want to accomplish in our new
member program?
What is the intent of the process
Promote unity and loyalty. Develop a sense of pride. Provide familiarization with the group. Pass on the organizational knowledge and
history. Develop friendship and bonds through shared
experiences. Personal growth through challenging
activities. Help new members feel welcome.
Scholarship
Encourage new members to see their advisors at least once a month.
Schedule a couple hours on Thursday or Friday nights that would encourage new members to study before participating in other activities.
Create a system where members and new members who are in the same academic program study together.
Scholarship Tools
Academic Advisors
Professor’s Office Hours
Peer TutoringGroup Study
Sessions Individual
Academic Plans
Time Management
Introduce new members and members to the rule, “If your on time, your late.” Being at an event 15 minutes before the scheduled time
is a good rule of thumb. A calendar of all organization activities should be
given to all members and new members. Members in the organization should work around
new members schedules.
Participating in a new member process is often time consuming…
Time Management Tools
Planners, watches, alarms, and note reminders are good ways to help create good time management habits.
Brotherhood and Sisterhood
Non-alcoholic events should be set up between the new members and members within an organization to create healthy relationships.
There should be no “gaps” between the active chapter and the new members.
Brotherhood and Sisterhood Service Projects Movie Nights in the
Commons Theater Fall Block Homecoming Into the Streets Family Weekend Intramural Sports VCU Athletic Events Dinner at Shafer Dining Concerts Short Pump Mall
APB Events Comedians Concerts Craft Nights Dances Movie Nights
James River – Belle Isle Maymont Park Louis Ginter Botanical
Gardens Student Leadership
Conference
Unity
The most important piece of the new member process is the unity created between the new members.
Activities that are considered hazing like “scavenger hunts” have become unfortunate side effects of the concept of unity.
Leadership
Teach new members the operations of the chapter and have them participate in chapter meetings.
Involve all members in the planning of chapter events.
Provide them with the opportunity to serve on a chapter committee.
If we make changes
We can expect the following Better Overall Members Better Retention of Members Potential Increases in Recruitment More committed members. Greater chapter unity.
In order to change we need to…
Stop Doing – “What should we stop doing?” Activities that are hazing or considered hazing. Making excuses and justifying inappropriate
behaviors. Tolerating and allowing others to be hurt mentally
or physically. Acting as if these problems do not exist.
In order to change we need to… Start Doing – “What should we do that we are not doing?”
Planning ahead and thinking through all activities before doing.
Doing what we know is right deep down, not just what we think is “cool.”
Asking good questions. Providing experiences that further develop our members. Teaching new members how to be members instead of
teaching them how to be pledges.
In order to change we need to… Keep Doing – “What are things we should keep?”
What are the activities that we have found to be successful in our organization?
What are the activities that we are that are consistent with what we say we are about?
What are the positive items we take
Conclusion
New Members are the future of our organization. It is our duty as members to provide them with the
best quality experience possible. In order to insure our future we must not rely on the
past, but be willing to make positive change. We must be committed to the development of each
member.
Resources
FIPG Policy http://www.fipg.org/FIPG/FIPG.nsf/835fe7d91217664d8525723c007a7545/9c0d3c4d4ca5614e8525734b007b08a4/$FILE/FIPG%20Policy%20July%202008.pdf
Fraternity and Sorority Governing Councils VCU Risk Management Policies and Procedures http://www.chaptertools.net/site_files/file_1215715513.pdf
“100 Hazing Alternatives” - Developed by Allison Swick-Duttine, Coordinator of Greek Affairs & Leadership Development, Plattsburgh State University of New http://www.deltasig.org/home/100_Hazing_alternatives.pdf
Virginia Commonwealth University Resource Guide - Hazing http://www.students.vcu.edu/rg/policies/hazing.htm
“Is it Hazing?” - University of Texas – San Antoniohttp://www.utsa.edu/sa/so/hazing/isithazing.cfm
Stop Hazingwww.stophazing.com
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