One fall my fraternity had twelve guys accept their bids. The fraternity was extremely excited about this pledge class and the promise they showed. However, looking back on what happened to that pledge class provides a valuable lesson for all future pledge classes.
It amazes me that nearly every fraternity pledge program concludes without teaching pledges anything about recruitment. Recruitment is the life-blood of the chapter. It is essential that the chapter takes the time to educate the pledges on how to recruit.
If you haze, your fraternity will die. The severity of your hazing will determine how fast. Fraternities that haze severely will eventually get caught and be forced to close by their university or their national headquarters. Before that, their membership will dwindle at an alarming rate because the brothers will lose interest in the fraternity. They will lose interest because hazing is not that much fun.
One great way to introduce the pledge class to the fraternity is by having them plan a party for the chapter. This will teach them a lot of things about the chapter. Namely, it will show them the importance of working together to accomplish a goal. It will also show them how the chapter will support their efforts.
A lot of fraternities like to have a hell week towards the end of the new member period. This is a dangerous game to play because of hazing implications.
My article on hell week got this reaction from a brother from the University of Alabama.
For the record, I am 100% against any fraternity having a hell week that involves hazing. However, there often are benefits that happen during hell week, often in spite of the hazing.
As stated in previous articles, Hell Week is a juvenile idea. However, if you find that you are going to have to make it through a Hell Week – here is what to expect:
Pledge movies are great. They provide the pledges an opportunity to bond, and they are a lot of fun for the rest of the chapter. This task should be included in every pledge program.
A campout is a perfect pledge event. By eliminating all outside influences the fraternity can accomplish the main goal of a retreat – building brotherhood.
