[24196] in APO-L
Re: [APO-L] Required Knowledge for Pledges
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Brown Michael-EMB021)
Mon Mar 8 11:53:50 2004
Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2004 11:53:31 -0500
Reply-To: Brown Michael-EMB021 <Michael.R.Brown@motorola.com>
From: Brown Michael-EMB021 <Michael.R.Brown@motorola.com>
To: APO-L@LISTSERV.IUPUI.EDU
>Date: Fri, 5 Mar 2004 07:09:45 +0200
>From: Mark Bransby <Mark_Bransby@BELLSOUTH.NET>
>
>I think that the issue that really is facing many chapters is bigger than whether to
>require pledges to memorize the fraternity jeweler. I would like to suggest that having
>pledges learn information such as the official jeweler, fraternity symbols (tree, bird,
>colors, flower, etc), founders, chapter founders, history of scouting and so forth is not >necessarily a bad idea. Provided we have the correct information ;)
>
Not only is it not a bad idea, per the National Pledging Standards that is what Chapters are supposed to do:
#6 Instruction in pertinent facts.
"...pledging includes instruction in the National Bylaws; Standard Chapter Articles of Association; Chapter Bylaws; Chapter Officers and advisors; decision making processes of the Chapter; key campus officials; and sectional, regional and national officers of the Fraternity."
#7 Alpha Phi Omega Heritage
"...pledging including education in Chapter, campus and Fraternity History, including our special ties to and relationship with the Scouting movement and our common background."
>In a day and age were people are struggling for a sense of belonging, one way that we can >really provide a worthwhile organization is to teach our potential new members as much as >we can about our organization. They need to fully understand the history behind things
>like the scout movement, the fraternity's history and their chapter's history. They need >to be intimately familiar with the principles of scouting as well as the responsibilities >and expectations that this organization holds high.
See above NPS elements #6 & 7.
>I think that all too often chapter operations can slip into more of a club scenario.
>Plans are not made in advance, operations become more day to day. This can possibly be
>attributed to a lack of buy-in by new members into the full membership responsibilities
>of being a brother in Alpha Phi Omega.
>
>This organization was designed to hold up a standard of living that is higher than the
>average and then to motivate its members to aspire to that standard of living. Now I know >that this is not an easy task to achieve. It was never supposed to be. But I think that
>one of the key starting points is to impart as much of what this fraternity is to our
>potential members, so that they can become fully participating members upon activation.
>
>It has been mentioned that the national pledge manual should be provided for each pledge. >I would challenge chapters to go one step further and develop their own manual that
>contains all the chapter history and operating procedures as well as all the information >for the administration of the pledge period. This can either be added to the national
>information or can just be designed as a completely separate publication that
>incorporates the national information as well.
Well, what you are talking about is the "Pledge Book" that each Chapter should develop and provide to pledges. This is covered in both the NPS and the Pledgemaster book from the Leadership Series.
As the Pledge Manual from National is 3-hole punched, its easy for Chapters to put together a 3-ring binder of materials for their Pledge Book. What might it contain:
* The Pledge Manual from National
* Chapter's Pledge Requirements
* Chapter's Pledge Training/Program Schedule
* National Bylaws & Standard Chapter Articles of Association
* Chapter Bylaws/Standing Rules
* Chapter History/Traditions
* Chapter Calendar
* Chapter Roster
* APO-related websites
* Upcoming National/Regional/Section events
* Info on APO LEADS
* Copies of recent T&T
* APO Brochures from National Office such as Alumni Service & Life Membership
* other chapter-specific materials for their pledge program.
>Remember, today's pledge is tomorrow's leader. They need access to all the information
>we can give them. If we truly care, we will provide them with a pledge experience that
>most closely resembles the work load, and responsibilities of being a brother.
True, and Chapters should keep that in mind when developing their "Pledge Books". Because once those pledges become Brothers, their pledge book is now their membership book, with information they will need/use as Brothers.
Michael Brown
APO LM & TB
