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Sigma Chi Fraternity Theta Iota

8-Week Pledge Program

Table of Contents

Objectives of Pledging The Sigma Chi Fraternity ...........................................................4

Pledge Obligations .......................................................................................................4

Purpose of Pledge Obligations......................................................................................5

Pledge Class Meetings..................................................................................................5

Pledge Class Events ......................................................................................................5

Study Hours .................................................................................................................6

Signatures....................................................................................................................6

Interviews....................................................................................................................6

Sober Driving Program .................................................................................................6

Active Chapter and Pledge Class Service Project...........................................................7

Pledge Program Outline ...............................................................................................7 Week 0 – Introductory Week................................................................................................................................ 7 Magister’s Letter.........................................................................................................................................................7 Meeting 0 (Held on the Sunday beginning Introductory Week)............................................................7 Meeting 1 (Held on the Sunday ending Introductory Week) ..................................................................7

Week 1 ............................................................................................................................................................................ 7 Formal Pledging Ceremony ...................................................................................................................................7 Event 1 – Norman Shield Event............................................................................................................................7 Meeting 2 .......................................................................................................................................................................8

Week Two ..................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Event 2 – Big Brother & Bridge Builder ...........................................................................................................9 Meeting 3 .................................................................................................................................................................... 10

Week 3 ......................................................................................................................................................................... 10 Event 3 – Ways to Kill an Organization......................................................................................................... 10 Event 4 – George Dinner ...................................................................................................................................... 11 Meeting 4 .................................................................................................................................................................... 12

Week 4 ......................................................................................................................................................................... 12 Event 5 – Search for Brotherhood ................................................................................................................... 12 Meeting 5 .................................................................................................................................................................... 13

Week 5 ......................................................................................................................................................................... 13 Event 6 – Strength and Weaknesses ............................................................................................................... 13 Meeting 6 .................................................................................................................................................................... 14

Week 6 ......................................................................................................................................................................... 14 Event 7 – Individual Fraternal Interviews ................................................................................................... 14 Meeting 7 .................................................................................................................................................................... 15

Week 7 ......................................................................................................................................................................... 15 Event 8 – Magister Follow-Up ........................................................................................................................... 15 Meeting 8 – Final Pledge Meeting.................................................................................................................... 15

I-‐Week (Week 8) ........................................................................................................15 Appendices……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….16

Objectives of Pledging The Sigma Chi Fraternity “Pledging in Sigma Chi is the preparation of prospective members for a

personal commitment to the ideals for which Sigma Chi stands, and for the understanding and acceptance of the fundamental precept of our Fraternity that true friendship, brotherhood and the lifelong development of character demand accountability for one’s course in the Fraternity, in college, and throughout life. Preparation for brotherhood is the beginning of our fraternal experience, and has as its paramount goal the communication of expectations of our brothers, our academic institutions and our society concerning educational attainment, personal development and the contribution of value in all aspects of the world around us. Preparation for brotherhood is the challenge we offer those individuals who would become our brothers to discover the personal commitment that underlies our ideals, and to adopt it as their lifelong binding obligation.” – Preparation for Brotherhood Manual p. 15

Pledge Obligations Each pledge is encouraged to carry out each of his below obligations and

responsibilities to the best of his ability. • Apply himself in his scholastic endeavors and strive always to do his best in

getting an education. This is his first and primary obligation. • Accept the teachings and traditions of the Fraternity with sincerity and respect. • Try his utmost to interpret and implement the ideals of Sigma Chi in his daily

life. • Adequately and promptly discharge all financial obligations to the chapter. • Participate in worthwhile campus activities, provided that such activities do not

interfere with scholarship. • Be loyal to himself, his pledge brothers, the chapter, and the Sigma Chi

Fraternity. • Take part in all planned pledge meetings and activities. • Complete a minimum of eight scheduled study hours in the library (or other

location) per week. • Participate in a complete chapter (actives included) cleaning of the common

areas of the Theta Iota Chapter House. • Dress in a professional and clean-‐cut manner. (See Appendix: Wearing of Pledge

Pins) o Pledge Pin worn at all times. o Maintain a well-‐groomed appearance. o With the exception of Fridays, pledges are encouraged to wear a

presentable collared shirt tucked in with a belt worn. • Conduct one-‐on-‐one interviews with weekly assigned actives to build chapter

unity and to promote the education of one another.

• Collect signatures of weekly assigned actives and five additional signatures from any Sigma Chi. This is to ensure they remain proactive in meeting all the actives and other Sigma Chi’s that may be present on campus.

Purpose of Pledge Obligations The purpose of pledge obligations is to simply assist the pledges through their personal transformation into a lifelong commitment of personal accountability. The pledge period is a time of personal growth and transformation. Obligations relating to the Chapter and pledge brother loyalty are to promote the unity of the pledge class and the Chapter as a whole, creating a brotherhood and support system that they may use for their college years and beyond. All other obligations not mentioned above are to simply make each pledge self-‐sufficient, forming habits that will be advantageous to him throughout life.

Pledge Class Meetings Once a week, throughout the pledge program, an approximate one-‐hour meeting will be held with the pledge class. The Magister, Magister’s assistants, and the Executive Board will run each meeting. The purposes of each meeting are as follows: to provide a brief educational lesson over fraternal materials of that week, conduct a short weekly quiz over previously taught material, ensure each pledge is keeping up with pledge obligations and maintaining a proper scholastic report, and to answer any and all concerns and questions a pledge may have.

Pledge Class Events Each week, throughout the pledge program, pledges will be requested to

meet promptly at predetermined time outside Fusz Dining Hall on the event’s scheduled night (See Pledge Calendar). While at Fusz, pledges are encouraged to act in a responsible and respectable manner. At the meeting time, Pledges will be picked up from Fusz and walked down to the Sigma Chi House for the Pledge Class Event. This is to ensure that all members of the pledge class are accounted for prior to the beginning of the event and that the necessary event set-‐ups are complete. These events will either be held at the Sigma Chi House or at a predetermined off campus location. Pledge Class Events are meant to further instill the ideals of Sigma Chi as well as to cultivate an atmosphere of brotherhood. Pledge Class Events are ritualistic in nature and are not to be discussed with members outside the fraternity. Pledge Class Events involve not only the pledge class, but also the entire active chapter.

Study Hours As a student of Saint Louis University, the primary goal of a member of The

Sigma Chi Fraternity (actives and pledges included) is to get an education. Sigma Chi is dedicated to fostering a learning environment that promotes success both in and outside the classroom. To help pledges achieve success, pledges will be encouraged to participate in eight study hours per week where actives members will be available for tutoring and mentoring. Through these encouraged study hours, it is the chapter’s wish to teach the importance of studying and completely course work. The pledge class will determine the time and place of these sessions during the first Pledge Class Meeting.

Signatures Pledges are encouraged to obtain each week’s assigned signatures and 5

additional signatures from any active or alumni brother (See Signature Sheet). The signature sheets serve as a way for a pledge to meet all the brothers in the chapter and for the actives to meet all the pledges. The assigned signatures serve an additional purpose because the assigned signatures are of actives that pledges need to interview with the following week. This interaction allows the pledge and the active to setup a time that is mutually convenient for both parties to meet and conduct an interview.

Interviews Interviews are a requirement to be completed each week. Interviews provide

both the pledge and the active with an opportunity to get to know each other better. Fraternal bonds cannot be established unless both actives and pledges get to know each other. Interviews typically last from 30 minutes to one hour. Pledges are not to pay for an active’s meal under any circumstances. Pledges are however required to setup these interviews in a timely fashion, 48 hours in advance is appropriate. This again educates the pledges that in order to be successful in the competitive working environment, they must be proactive in their interactions. Pledges will not be tested over material covered in an interview. Interviews are a mutual benefit for both the active and the pledge to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood.

It will be standard for these interviews to solely be a conversation shared over a meal or other such appropriate activity. These interviews will consist of questions that the pledge finds appropriate to ask and discuss. In addition, the active will discuss the current week’s topic.

Sober Driving Program Both actives and pledges are required to participate in our chapter’s Sober

Driving Program. One active and one pledge will be assigned together to sober drive Friday and Saturday nights. These drivers will be on call from 9pm-‐3:30 am. Sober

driving ensures that no brother or pledge feels the need to drive under the influence or ride in a car with a driver under the influence. Actives or pledges that request a sober driver will need to provide the sober driver with a car. Reimbursement for gas for those that offer their own car is required.

Active Chapter and Pledge Class Service Project During the pledge program, the active chapter and pledge class will hold a brotherhood event completing a service project together. This project is to be predetermined and to be held at a predetermined date to the program starting. The project and project date will be to be announced yearly due to rapidly changing service opportunities in the area. This is done to not only build chapter unity but to show the pledges first hand the importance of giving back to the community and helping those who are less fortunate. This will be typically completed half way through the pledge process on a Saturday afternoon.

Pledge Program Outline

Week 0 – Introductory Week

Magister’s Letter • Magister will write a letter to each of pledge’s parents/guardians explaining

the history of the fraternity and the chapter, providing the personal contact information of chapter Consul and Magister, to explain the pledge process, and to give recognition for the pledge’s selection. (SEE APPENDIX)

Meeting 0 (Held on the Sunday beginning Introductory Week) • Refer to pledge syllabus and pledge meeting content outline.

Meeting 1 (Held on the Sunday ending Introductory Week) • Refer to pledge syllabus and pledge meeting content outline.

Week 1

Formal Pledging Ceremony • (SEE APPENDIX C) • This will be conducted during normal scheduled chapter, Monday at 6 pm.

Event 1 – Norman Shield Event Objective: To provide the pledges with the guide to pledging Sigma Chi and to promote the personal reflection on the characteristics and standards of the fraternity.

• Event Details: o As a group, the pledge class will be brought from Fusz to the house at

the meeting time.

The purpose of the pledge meeting else where than the house is to allow the active chapter to be properly prepared for the event, for example setting up.

o For the duration of the event, all actives are completely silent. The only actives permitted to speak are the Magister and those given authorization from the Magister to give clear instructions to the pledges.

o Pledges will be walked into a room and instructed to be seated for approximately 20 minutes. During that time, inspirational speeches will be played at a respectable volume to get the pledge class thinking of their personal potential. In addition, the Magister will be present at all times.

o After approximately 20 minutes, selected actives (dressed in shirt, tie, and badge) will take a single pledge at a time, requesting the pledge to close his eyes.

Pledge will be led to upper left apartment stairs, instructed to open his eyes once he hears the door close behind him.

o On every second step, a candle will be present with a key, meaningful statement, pertaining to leadership and personal conduct/character.

o At the top of the stairs, the hallway will be lined with white sheets and candles, leading the pledge to a painting of the Jordan Standard on the wall.

o An active will be present behind the sheet, instructing the pledge to direct his attention only at the seven standards of our fraternity on the wall.

o The active will then, after a brief moment, instruct the pledge to read the seven standards aloud.

o After, the active will place the Norman Shield in front of the pledge and state, “Refer to this as a guide to aid you throughout your pledge process. You have been recognized to possess all seven of these standards, live them out fully and to the best of your ability.”

o An additional active will then lead the pledge out of the apartment and into a room where the pledge is to reflect on the standards of the fraternity and the potential that has been seen in him.

o After all pledges have gone through the process the event will end. Pledges will round table (group discussion) with the Magister

to discuss the meaning of the event, their interpretations, answers any questions or concerns, and to congratulate them on the beginning of their pledging period.

Meeting 2 • Refer to pledge meeting syllabus.

Week Two

Event 2 – Big Brother & Bridge Builder Objective: To give a better understanding of the path we have created for them and to introduce each pledge to their big brother who will be there to support them throughout pledging, college, and beyond.

• Pledges will meet up and brought to the house via the same manner as used event 1.

• Part I – Bridge Builder o Pledges will be securely placed in vehicles

All pledges must wear a seat belt! o Pledges will be driven to a park (i.e. Tower Grove). For the duration of

the drive, the active(s) present in the vehicle will lead a brief discussion on the importance of brotherhood and the beginning of the creation of such bonds.

o Pledges will be led out of the vehicles, lined up all facing a bridge, and requested to close their eyes.

o Once actives in place, pledges will be instructed open their eyes. o Junior Year Pledge class will together read aloud the founding of the

Sigma Chi Fraternity. After they will, as a class, cross the bridge and light the appropriate candle(s) at the end of the bridge.

o Senior Year Pledge class will together read aloud the founding of the Theta Iota Chapter. After they will, as a class, cross the bridge and light the appropriate candle(s) at the end of the bridge.

o The Magister will read the below speech, cross the bridge and light the appropriate candle(s) at the end of the bridge.

The Bridge Builder An old man, going a lone highway, Came in the evening cold and gray, To a chasm vast and deep and wide,

Through which was flowing a sullen tide. The old man crossed in the twilight dim, The sullen stream has no fears for him,

But he stopped when safe on the other side, And built a bridge to span the tide. “Old Man,” said a fellow pilgrim near,

“You are wasting your strength with building here; Your journey will end with the ending day,

You never again will pass this way; You’ve crossed the chasm deep and wide— Why build you this bridge at evening-‐tide?”

The builder lifted his old gray head. “Good Friend, in the path I have come,” he said,

“There followeth after me today, A youth whose feet must pass this way.

This chasm, which has been as naught to me, To that fair-‐haired youth might a pitfall be, He too, must cross in the twilight dim,

Good Friend, I am building the bridge for him.” —Will Allen Dromgoole

o After all actives have crossed, all will passionately say “We have built this bridge for you!”

o The pledge will then be placed back into the appropriate vehicles. • Part III – Big Brother

o Pledges will be driven to a different location in the park or a different park if needed.

o Pledges will be led out of vehicles, instructed to stand in a line and requested to close their eyes.

o Actives who have been selected as big brothers will be standing behind their respective little brother.

• The Big Brother/Little Brother Ceremony will then take place, exactly as written in Sigma Chi’s Magister Manual, see Appendices J & K.

• After ceremony is complete, pledges will be driven back to campus with their big brother. Upon to immediate return to campus, the event is officially over.

Meeting 3 • Refer to pledge meeting syllabus. • Magister will inform the pledge class that on Thursday, the active chapter

will be providing them with a dinner and to plan appropriately.

Week 3

Event 3 – Ways to Kill an Organization Objective: To teach the importance of the organization, in particular our chapter. This event is to be held on a Monday night.

• Pledges will meet and be brought to the house as previously done. • Pledges will then be led into a room and requested to close their eyes.

o Room will be lit with seven candles, with Magister and one other active present (dressed in shirt, tie, and badge).

• When set up, pledges will be instructed by the Magister to open their eyes. • Magister will display the current Charter of the chapter and explain its

significance. • Selected active will then read the following speech:

Ways to Kill Almost Any Organization Don’t attend meetings, but if you do, arrive late. Be sure to leave before the meeting is closed.

Never have anything to say at the meeting—wait until you get outside. When at the meeting, vote to do everything, then go home and do nothing.

The next day, find fault with the officers and other members. Take no part in the organization’s affairs.

Be sure to sit in the back, so you can talk freely to another member. Get all the organization has to offer you. Grow as much as you can but don’t

give anything back. Never invite new members to attend meetings.

Never invite guest speakers or administrators to attend meetings. Talk cooperation, but never cooperate.

If asked to help, always say you don’t have time. If things don’t go your way, threaten to resign and get others to do the same. Never read anything pertaining to your organization (journals, articles, other

relevant materials, etc.) Never accept an office. It is easier to criticize than to do things.

Don’t do anymore than you have to, and when others willingly and unselfishly use their abilities to better the organization, gripe because the organization is

run by a clique. If there are any finances to consider, just ignore it.

Always be quick to take sides in misunderstandings within the organization and side with the person you spoke to last.

Repeat to everyone you see everything you hear in the organization that is unpleasant.

Do the things on this list! • Pledges will then be led into the Parlor Room where the Magister and his

assistants will be present. • Pledges will then roundtable. • Event is then officially over.

Event 4 – George Dinner Objective: Provide the pledge class with the ability to bond with each other and the active chapter in privacy with no outside distractions.

• Prior to the event, the active chapter will prepare a dinner for the pledges and set it up in an appropriate location.

o Dinner will consist of a vegetable medley, plain mashed potatoes, and a plain piece of grilled or baked chicken. Dinner will be served in a family style manner. In some cases, the chapter will elect to cater dinner from an outside vender, for example, Pappy’s or Papa John’s. Regardless, the Chapter will provide a variety of soft drinks and water.

• Pledges will meet and be brought to the location in same manner as previous at 6:30 pm.

• Pledges will go straight into a dinner set up for them – set up is to be very casual.

• During the dinner, the entire active chapter will facilitate an open discussion on individual pledge experiences and personal stories.

o The discussion will focus on how each active member has made a contribution to the Chapter.

• After the dinner all actives will leave except the Magister. • Magister will leave the pledge class with a list of discussion topics, but

explain that they may chose to talk about whatever they would like, this is their time to bond and they may discuss anything they would like.

• Magister will then leave the pledges to conduct their own private and intimate conversation, bonding as a pledge class.

• When pledges inform the Magister that they believe to have followed the Magister’s instructions and bonded appropriately, the pledges will be then invited to join in a bonfire with the rest of the active chapter.

• At the bonfire, the Magister will read the following: Let George Do It

My name is George. I’m an all-‐around handyman, and I’d like you to feel free to use my service for any and all chores,

errands, duties which you may be too busy to perform. Anytime there’s anything that needs doing and you’d rather not, you just let George do it. I’ll write to your Congressman for you; I’ll write your newspaper editor; I’ll serve on

the chapter committees in your place; I’ll do anything you’re too tired or too preoccupied to do. With me around, you can be as lazy as you like, or just have fun. The more the merrier, I always say. My services are available to you for all the tedious, time-‐consuming things which you’d rather duck

doing. You haven’t time to do your pledge assignments. Let George do it.

You haven’t time to do a service project or work on your Crosses. I have. You don’t want to accept committee assignments and extra responsibilities, anyway.

You let ol’ George tend to those things. Maybe I’m not as famous as Castro, but if it hadn’t been for me—you’d never have heard of him.

And that goes for Stalin and Hitler and Mao Tse-‐Tung. I made those guys! And the big time racketeers in the United States. You name ‘em; without me those guys would be nothing. Why do I run errands for you? When I’m the guy who runs all these “big wheels”, why do I want to

run errands for you? Don’t you see? I get a kick out of electing presidents of student bodies and school boards. I’m all these

things you used to do before you took up chasing dollars and not being concerned of your organizations or your responsibilities

Don’t feel like you’re imposing. I’m glad to be of service. Helping you, I’m really helping myself. How do you think I was able to take over and run a third of the world already? Because nobody else

wanted to bother. They said, “Let George do it,” so I did.

Now I’m taking over in lots of cities and countries and I figure it’s just a matter of time until I’ll take over in this chapter, too. I want to thank you for making it possible.

Remember now, if there is ever any way in which I can be of help, I’m at your service. You just have fun and don’t worry about a thing. I’ll do your worrying, too; I’ll bill you later • After, as an active chapter we will roundtable to discuss who George is, etc. • Event is then officially over but pledges will be give the option to participate

in the bonfire with the active chapter if they would like to.


Week 4

Event 5 – Search for Brotherhood Objective: The event is to build stronger unity and bonds amongst the pledge class. This event is to be relaxed and for the pledges to make of it what they wish.

• Pledges meet at Fusz at 9 and brought to the House by the Magister. • No actives will be present at the House at the time of the pledge class’ arrival. • Magister will explain to them the event, the rules of acting appropriately and

not to go more than a block off campus. The Magister will then give the pledge class their first clue.

• Throughout the hunt, clues will lead the class throughout campus, requiring the class to pool together their knowledge and work together to complete the hunt in a timely manner. PLEDGES WILL NOT BE COLLECTING MATERIALS, TAKING PICTURES, PARTICIPATING IN INAPPROPRIATE ACTIVITES, etc.

• The first clue will lead the class to an on-‐campus monument where the second clue will be present.

• The second clue will lead the class to an active’s off campus’ apartment (i.e. The Lofts) where select actives will be present.

o In the first apartment, the actives present and the pledges will hold an open discussion on what it means to them to be a Sigma Chi, or a potential Sigma Chi.

o Once all have been discussed, the third clue will be given leading the class to another active’s off campus apartment

• At the second apartment stop, similar open discussion will be held but concerning what the concept of brotherhood means.

o Once all have been discussed, the fourth clue will be given leading the class to another active’s off campus apartment.

• At the third and final apartment stop, similar open discussion will be held but concerning what “My Badge” personally means to each person.

o Once all have been discussed, the fifth and final clue will be given leading the class back to the House.

• At the House, each pledge will receive a personal letter from the pledge’s big brother as well as the Magister. These letters are to be made personal. These are to be letters of encouragement and recognition of each pledge’s personal progression.

• Once pledges have all received their respective letters, the pledge class will roundtable with the Magister

o Topics of roundtable: Did this help unify you all as a pledge class? What do you think can be done at this point to build stronger bonds? Magister will stress the importance of our chapter’s unity and how it is non-‐existent without the primary presence of pledge class unity.


Week 5

Event 6 – Strength and Weaknesses Objective: to allow each pledge to reflect on his personal strengths and weakness. To symbolically eliminate those weaknesses to express the importance of bonding together each other’s strengths and never allowing a personal weakness to hold you back in life’s challenges.

• The Consul, Pro-‐Consul, Annotator, and Scholarship Chair will pick up pledges immediately at 9 pm.

o Pledges will be brought to a private location (i.e. classroom) o Individually, pledges will be brought in to discuss their midterm

grades with the Consul, Pro-‐Consul, Annotator and Scholarship Chair. This is to make sure that each and every pledge is maintaining

outstanding grades. If the case is that a pledge is struggling in a certain subject, the above actives will discuss the process of getting a tutor, how to better study for troubled classes, etc.

• Pledges will then be led to the house where the Magister will be present to give them further instruction.

• Magister will provide each of the pledges with pen and paper and lead them into House apartments where they may sit comfortably and reflect on their personal strengths and weaknesses they possess.

o Pledges will be requested to fold their piece of paper in half, writing their strengths on the top half and weaknesses on the bottom half.

• After an appropriate amount of time, each pledge will be led outside where their respective Big Brother and the Magister will be present.

• Outside the Magister will request to have the list from the pledge, without reading it, he is will tear off the bottom half possessing the list of weaknesses, returning the top half to the pledge. Letting him know that Sigma Chi is not concerned about said pledge’s weaknesses.

• The pledge’s Big Brother will then explain the importance of maintaining his strengths, build off of them, and never let his weaknesses hold him back in life.

• Together the pledges Big Brother and Magister will switch off reading “Some Thoughts on Leadership” (See Appendix). This will be read in order to facilitate a more advantageous roundtable discussion after all pledges are done.

• Once the entire pledge class has done this, the class will round table with the Consul, Pro-‐Consul, and Magister.

o The Consul, Pro-‐Consul, and Magister will each express their own weaknesses. The discussion will move to reflect how we are created of “different temperaments, talents, and convictions” and how to collectively use each other’s strengths to build each other’s for life. Round table will then take place, concluding the event.


Week 6

Event 7 – Individual Fraternal Interviews Objective: To have three serious conversations about the ideals of the Sigma Chi Fraternity and to assist the pledge in his understanding of each ideal.

• Pledges will meet at Fusz at 9 pm, Magister will pick up pledges as previously done.

• Magister will lead the pledges into a room and organize the pledges in an interviewing order.

• One at a time, the pledge will go through a series of three interviews. o (1) The Rush Chair: Will discuss The Jordan Standard (See Appendix:

Sigma Chi Ideals and Objectives) o (2) The Tribune: Will discuss the Purpose of Sigma Chi and the Spirit

of Sigma Chi (See Appendix: Sigma Chi Ideals and Objectives)

o (3) The Consul: Will discuss hold a discussion on what is an ideal. (See Appendix: What is an Ideal?)

• Once all pledges have completed the interview process, pledges will roundtable with Magister and Magister assistants.

o Topics include but not limited to: how did the interviews go? Do you all feel ready to begin I-‐Week?


Week 7

Event 8 – Magister Follow-‐Up Objective: For the Magister and pledge to have one last final serious conversation about how pledgeship has prepared them for brotherhood and life.

• Pledges will meet and be picked up as previously done but by the Annotator. • Pledges will be placed in an interview order. • One at a time, the pledge will be brought to a discussion table with the

Magister. The discussion is to discuss the preparedness of the pledge for I-‐Week. Specifically, his pledge process, his personal growth, etc. The only question the Magister will specifically ask is “What have you learned through pledgeship?” to initiate the conversation.

• After the brief open discussion, the pledge’s big brother will meet with his little brother at the discussion and lead him outside where they may privately discuss any unanswered questions over material, brotherhood, etc. that the pledge may have before beginning I-‐Week.

• Once all discussions between little brother and big brothers are complete, the Magister will roundtable with the pledge class.

o Topics to be discussed: Are there any additional unanswered questions or concerns, talk about their pledge progress as a class, and to strongly acknowledge their completion of pledging.

Meeting 8 – Final Pledge Meeting • Refer to pledge meeting syllabus.

I-‐Week (Week 8)

Sigma Chi Theta Iota Pledge Program Calendar

Fall 2010

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Labor Day – No

Classes Bids are given

out.

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Meeting 0 – Introductory Meeting

19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Meeting 1 Formal Pledging

Ceremony Event 1 - Norman

Shield Event

26 27 28 29 30 Meeting 2 Event 2 – Big

Brother & Bridge Builder

September Nam id velit non risus consequat iaculis.

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Meeting 3 Event 3 – Ways to

Kill an Organization

Event 4 – George Dinner

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Meeting 4 Grace Period Begins until end of Fall Break to allow for focus on Midterm Exams

Midterm Exams Midterm Exams Midterm Exams Midterm Exams Midterm Exams

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Fall Break Fall Break Event 5 – Search

for Brotherhood

24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Meeting 5 Event 6 –

Strengths and Weaknesses

Last Day to Drop with a “W”

31 Meeting 6

October Nam id velit non risus consequat iaculis.

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3 4 5 6 Event 7 –

Individual Fraternal Interview

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Meeting 7 Event 8 –

Magister Follow-Up

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Final Pledge Meeting

I-Week Begins I-Week I-Week I-Week I-Week Initiation

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Residence Halls

Close at 8 pm Thanksgiving Break

Thanksgiving Day Thanksgiving Break

28 29 30 Residence Halls Reopen

November Nam id velit non risus consequat iaculis.

Sigma Chi Fraternity’s— Preparation for Brotherhood ManualPage 149

Some Thoughts on Leadership

Good Leaders are forward thinking.

Good Leaders are always one step ahead of the team.

Good Leaders are thoroughly knowledgeable about all big-picture goals and use thisperspective to evaluate the worth of each activity.

Good Leaders pursue lives of balance, not of devotion to a single cause. The mostsuccessful leaders are well-rounded. They pursue outside interests.

Good Leaders continually reinforce the benefits of striving for a particular mission.

Good Leaders remind the team members of the goal when the team veers off track.

Good Leaders care about the details, and they account for them by delegating themost important ones to reliable team members.

Good Leaders realize the inter-dependency of his team with other teams, that thesuccess of his operation is often linked to the success of other organizations.

Good Leaders wouldn’t ask their team members to do anything they wouldn’t also do.

Good Leaders are accessible to all members of the team, the constituency theyrepresent, and others who inquire about the process, the direction and missionof the operation, or the purpose of a change.

Good Leaders are not afraid to ask for help. Occasionally, people in leadershippositions won’t ask for help because they think it will make them look bad orthat they have an inability to handle a task. Quite simply, this is a fallacy.

Good Leaders remember where they’ve come from and have learned from theirexperiences. They learn from every occurrence, professional and personal.

Good Leaders believe that motivation is knowing what truly excites you, and doing it;and that discipline is knowing what it is that you should do, not wanting to doit, but doing it anyway (K. Millhone).

Good Leaders take responsibility for their actions.

Good Leaders don’t attempt to cover up mistakes and shortcomings.

Good Leaders are good public speakers.

Good Leaders are effective, and often dynamic, inter-personal communicators.

Good Leaders greet others by introducing themselves, shaking hands, telling theirnames, making eye contact, and being genuine.

Good Leaders say hi; they smile. By so doing, leaders broadcast the spirit of courtesy.

Good Leaders dress the part, care about personal hygiene, and do not smell badly.

Good Leaders expect the following from each member of the team: “Do what you sayyou’re gonna do or responsibly communicate that you won’t.”

Good Leaders are positive. They know that the team cannot afford to see them down.

Sigma Chi Fraternity’s— Preparation for Brotherhood ManualPage 150

Good Leaders know that eighty-five percent of winning the game depends upon apositive attitude of the team and that garnering team enthusiasm is ninetypercent of the challenge.

Good Leaders know that the remaining factors contributing to a team’s successinclude the talent found within the team’s players, the pursuit of smart goals,and a little bit of luck.

Good Leaders realize that the trip may be more important than the destination.

Good Leaders realize that we are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantlydisguised as impossible situations (C. Swindall) and that great spirits havealways encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds (A. Einstein).

Good Leaders are always careful with the delicate concept of criticism.

Good Leaders believe that there is a purpose for their life. Because the organizationwill be deeply affected, they make the time to lead the best times of their lives.

Good Leaders do what is right. No one can be criticized for doing what is right.

Good Leaders are upfront and honest. They will say and mean: “My reputation is atstake when I tell you…”

Good Leaders never believe they are the saviors of their team.

Good Leaders put their best foot forward every day.

Good Leaders are thinkers. They know how and why they have been; they know howand why they are going.

Good Leaders are good teachers. They take the time to listen and exchange ideas.

Good Leaders share responsibility. The most powerful, successful, ethical leadersknow that they become even more successful by sharing their power.

Good Leaders are smart enough to see problems and big enough to deal with them.

Good Leaders have the ability to perceive the concerns and needs of the team.

Good Leaders don’t compare because they know that their team will be ahead of somebut behind others. Instead, they measure the team against itself. They rely oninnovation and creativity to establish the possibilities of what could be.

Good Leaders understand that people, more often than not, choose to learn forthemselves; sometimes, this means learning the hard way.

Good Leaders also believe that the smart person learns only once.

Good Leaders know their own strengths and weaknesses.

Good Leaders know the strengths and weaknesses of the team members and the team.

Good Leaders place themselves in the shoes of other team members, and then so theycan really get the picture, they walk.

Good Leaders are good listeners.

Good Leaders care about people.

—MRD, Alpha Sigma ’89

The funds provided by the General Fraternity for the Designated Driver Grant Program have now been exhausted. While this grant money is no longer available, the RMF strongly encourages all chapters to continue to operate Designated Driver programs. The RMF hopes to be able to offer further grant opportunities in the future.

How to Develop a Designated Driver Program A designated driver program is vitally important to help ensure that your brothers and guests return home safely from a social event. The following list will explain how to effectively develop and implement a designated driver program that will help your chapter provide for the safety and betterment of your brotherhood and the community. Moreover, effective designated driver programs help to keep claims at a minimum. Issues of RISKWATCH and RMF case studies are effective educational tools your chapter should use in educating your membership on the negative consequences of alcohol abuse.

• Make your program simple, defined and reliable. • Involve all members of the chapter, brothers and pledges. • Designate a team of brothers and pledges to serve as designated drivers for

social events. Consider making designated drivers available every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night.

• On dates that designated drivers are in place, have specific hours that the drivers will be available. For example, one hour before and after the event, or from 9:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m., with brothers alternating shifts. Ensure that every brother volunteering does not consume alcohol or another controlled substance before or during his assigned shift.

• If your chapter is hosting an event, require all guests to use chapter-provided transportation, for example buses, or collect brothersÍ and guestsÍ keys at the front door. Return the keys only if the brothers or guests have a designated driver.

• Allow brothers and pledges to select certain days to serve as designated drivers. Disseminate a list the first of each month for brothers to select what dates work best for them to serve as designated drivers.

• Reward volunteers with modest incentives. Common incentives include house privileges, small dues reductions, etc.

• Ensure there is an effective communication method for brothers and guests to contact the designated drivers. Examples of effective methods include: cell phones, pagers and a designated house phone line.

• Create a wallet card with the appropriate contact information, including public transportation, university, emergency, chapter, and designated driver phone numbers.

• Enlist the help of your university and its campus transportation methods as well. If your university does not currently have a program, contact your Greek Life Office about establishing one.

The RMF is committed to helping you make your chapter and community as safe as it can be. Please e-mail [email protected] for more information.

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