Pledge EducationBest Practices and Policies

PresentersMike Corelli, Province Omicron Archon

Joshua Welch, Assistant Director of Greek Life, Elon University

Jeff Hall, Dennis Regional Director, Director of Extension

James Irwin, Director of Educational Programs

Intended OutcomesBecome familiar with best practices for pledge educationBe alerted to potential pitfalls and bad practices and how to avoid themUnderstand what a pledge program should & must includeLearn about the True Gentleman Model 8-Week Pledge Program

A Pledge Education Program Should

Be well plannedA.C.E. Our ValuesBe creative & interesting Develop essential leadership skills

Be Well Planned“Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail” For each week of the Pledge Program answer the following questions:

What are your intended outcomes? What do you want them to walk away with? What resources do you have access to that could help? (The NEW TGI, Campus Staff, Community Partners)

Plan around important dates on the academic calendar. Finals Week, Mid-Terms, Advising Days

A.C.E Our Values“What does it mean to be a member?”

Achieve What does a brother who achieves the values of Sigma Alpha Epsilon look like – what actions, beliefs, or behaviors are common among our best members from the past and present?

Communicate Teach members how to communicate our values to people outside of our organization. This doesn’t mean sharing the meaning of Phi Alpha, rather teach members how to talk about what it means to be a True Gentleman in today’s language and society.

Expect Explain to members the expectation of behavior that is congruent with our values.

Be Creative / InterestingIt’s not an 8:00 AM lecture – Make it interesting!

Consider the different ways people learn things and find appropriate ways for members to truly learn what you want them to learn. (Example: University Challenge or Rope Course to explore leadership styles and teamwork.)

Participate in activities your college or university has planned that tie in with The True Gentleman. (Example: Attend a campus speaker on Diversity and later facilitate a discussion on what the TG says about diversity. “who does not make the poor man conscious of his poverty, the obscure man of his obscurity, or any man of his inferiority or deformity”

Invite university staff members to facilitate educational sessions. (Examples: Leadership Center discussing leadership styles)

Develop Essential SkillsInterpersonal Communication Skills

Recruitment. Working with other campus organizations / faculty / staff. Working with Alumni members. An individual’s personal endeavors.

Learn more about specific leadership roles in the chapter that they may want to take on in the future.

Potential PitfallsBid NightsBig Brother Programs/RevealsPhi Alpha WeeksInterview Programs/Black Books

Potential Pitfalls – Bid NightsOriginal Intent

Welcome new members to the chapterComplete the formal pledging ceremonyIntroduce new members, and their families, to members, alumni and university officials

PitfallsGenerally associated with social events, and specifically alcoholBlurs the purpose and meaning of membership when associated with alcohol

Potential Pitfalls – Big Brother Pairings/Reveal

Original IntentConnect new members with leaders of the active chapterProvide social, academic and emotion mentor Facilitates assimilation into the active chapter

PitfallsGenerally associated with social events, specifically alcoholRelationships can be focused more on social connections, as opposed to academic In many cases, presents opportunity for hazing

Potential Pitfalls – Phi Alpha WeekOriginal Intent

Introduce/review values of our organization via ritualImplement structured program that facilitates the transition from new member to active memberComplete formal Initiation ceremony

PitfallsAssociated with late night events with limited learning outcomesFocuses less on ritual, and more on “earning” initiation through passing tests, completing tasksIn many cases, presents opportunity for hazing

Potential Pitfalls – Interview Programs/Black Books

Original IntentFacilitate interactions between new and active members through a structured process of meaning Q&A

PitfallsAssociated with questions ranging in relevancy and appropriatenessMajor emphasis on new members completing 99% of the work, while active members passively permit interactions In many cases, presents opportunity for hazing via the addition of contingency factors in order to complete interviews

Carson Starkey OCP Overview and Purpose

Provide foundational overview of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, its mission, purpose and risk management polices and expectationsDeveloped in memory of Carson Starkey

Tenants of ProgramComplete overview of the Minerva’s Shield, Crisis Management Protocol and Good Samaritan PolicyIntroduction to SAE mission and purposeReview of SAE signature eventsIntroduction of the Supreme Council, Province Archons and FSC Staff

ExplanationEnsures all new members across the realm receive the same foundational information prior to initiationFrom the onset of affiliation, provides clear overview of what is expected of all members with regard to chapter operations and social programming

Scope of Association (SOA)Overview and Purpose

Overview of the expectations and standards of membership in Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE)Signed agreement of adhering to expectations of membership to SAE

Tenants of ProgramFinancial ExpectationsAcademic ExpectationsBehavioral ExpectationsIndemnification Expectation

ExplanationProvides a clear overview and understanding as to the expectations of membership with Sigma Alpha EpsilonOutlines the potential outcomes for acts that fall outside these clear expectations

Required Components of Pledge Program

Ritual/PledgingComprehension of The PhoenixLearn and recite “The True Gentleman”Learn names of Supreme Council, Province officersLearn names and campuses of all SAE chapters in provinceLearn names and insignia of all Greek-letter organizations on campusLearn the songs of SAE used by the chapter and in the Initiation Ceremony

Fraternity LawsMust be between 4-12 weeks in length (or meet university req’t if different)Cease all non-academic activities that may take placed 7 days before the first final exam and ending the day after the last scheduled final examDistributed written program to all new members

Required Components of Pledge Program

Minerva’s ShieldProgram must include that pledgeship is a dry processInclude alcohol awarenessInclude information on We Stand TogetherEvent Planning if pledges required to plan an eventCrisis-ManagementInclude copy of SAE and college/university hazing policy

MiscellaneousInclude information about the Carson Starkey Online Pledge Certification Program and Scope of AssociationCalendar of all pledge activities, including content/description and start and finish timesIs the program, as written, free of hazing activitiesDoes the program include the 1-888-NOT-HAZE hotline?

Introducing

The NEW True Gentleman Initiative

Question-and-AnswerSession

Do not forget to complete the post-webinar survey.

Resources AvailableThe True Gentleman Initiative Library

Pledge Education AreaTrue Gentleman New Member ProgramTrue Gentleman New Member Syllabus

Pledge Educator Online Certification Program