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