Section I: Pledging and the Pledge Program

Section I: Pledging and the Pledge Program

 

Clause 1: Pledge Program

 

The Pledge Period shall begin no later than the third regular meeting of the semester, and shall extend up to the day of the Pledge Elevation meeting. Prospective Pledges may, at the discretion of the Pledge Trainer, join the Pledging Program at any time from the beginning of the Pledge period up to the date six (6) weeks in advance of the Pledge Elevation meeting.

 

 

Clause 2: Pledge Program Requirements

 

A. Consideration for Induction

 

In order for a Pledge to be considered for a bid at the conclusion of Rush, the following requirements must be met before the end of the two (2) week rush period:

·                     Attend at least one (1) information meeting

·                     Attend at least two (2) fellowship events

·                     Attend at least one (1) service event

·                     Submit a written response to the Pledge Trainers answering a prompt determined by the Pledge Trainers at the beginning of the Rush period.  Requirement is based solely on completion, not content.

 

Anyone receiving a bid is required to attend the Induction Ceremony in order to become a Pledge.

 

All above requirements must be completed unless a university approved excuse is given to the Pledge Trainers before bids are given out.

 

The above requirements should be evaluated at the conclusion of each semester and adjusted as needed.

 

B. Consideration for Elevation and Initiation

 

 

In order for a Pledge to be discussed at the Pledge Elevation Meeting he/she must have completed all of the pre-requirements listed below. Those in question of meeting pre-requirements shall be considered for discussion at the discretion of the Pledge Trainers.

 

1.                  Requirements to Fulfill Pledge Program of Excellence (to be completed by the end of the semester)

·         Participate in one (1) leadership development project as a pledge class (usually completed during Pledge Retreat) and earn one (1) additional leadership point

·         Have at least 10% of pledge class attend one (1) inter-chapter event

·         Plan, execute and attend one (1) fellowship event, one (1) service project, and one (1) fundraising event as a Pledge class

 

2.                  Pre-Requirements (to be completed before Pledge Elevation Meeting)

·         Complete at least ten (10) of the fifteen (15) required service hours and be signed up for any remaining required hours on the Chapter website

·         Complete three (3) leadership development points, including LAUNCH

·         Complete one (1) fundraising point

·         Attend four (4) Active Chapter, one of which may be substituted by an Executive Board meeting. Pending extenuating circumstances, additional Executive Board meetings may be substituted with the approval of the Pledge Trainers.

·         Attend all Pledge classes (absences must be excused)

·         Attend at least three (3) Fellowship events. Fellowship events must consist of at least five (5) Brothers.

·         Attend a set number of hours of Cram Slam as determined by the Pledge Trainers at the beginning of the semester

·         Complete LAUNCH

·         Attend Pledge Retreat

·         Pay Pledge dues and Initiation fees or make arrangements with the Treasurer by the due date as prescribed in the Dues section of the Chapter Bylaws

·         Wear Pledge pin when in proper attire and in appropriate circumstances

·         Participate in all progress assessments during pledging period

·         Complete interviews entailing: all officers, 90% of Pledge Brothers, three (3) advisors, and ten (10) regular Actives, one of whom must be the pledge’s house head. (Not to be completed during Active meeting. Must be completed in person.) Percentage of Pledge Brothers interviewed may be changed with a majority vote of the Executive Committee by the Executive Committee meeting before induction. The revised number shall not fall below 50%.

·         Pass each of the Pledge quizzes with at least 80% on the first attempt.  If they do not attain 80%, they can retake the quiz and must score 90%.  If they do not score 90% on the second attempt, they can retake the quiz and must score a 100%

·         Show character desirable for Alpha Phi Omega

 

3.                  Overall Requirements (to be completed by the end of the semester)

·         Complete service hours equal to those of Active Brothers (to be completed by the end of the semester)

·         Attend at least 1 Inter-Chapter event

 

Clause 3: Procedures for Pledge Program

 

A. Cram Slam

Cram Slam is a Pledge event where Pledges and Actives study together. The time and location shall be determined at the beginning of each semester.

 

B. Pledge Retreat

Pledge Retreat is a two-day event held off-campus designed to bring together the Pledge class. Below is a list of events that occur at Pledge Retreat:

·         Name games

·         Big/Little Ceremony

·         Big/Little & family games

·         Community service project (usually for the host location)

·         A leadership development experience in which all participate to meet the Pledge Program of Excellence requirement

·         Fireside chat where select Brothers explain their APO experience

·         Lunch, dinner, and breakfast are provided

·         Overnight stay of all attendees is required (it is suggested to provide separate lodging for opposite genders)

 

 

 

Clause 4: Re-Pledging Policy

 

Pledges that are not accepted into Active membership either by failing a membership vote or by failing to meet their pledging requirements during the pledging period shall be eligible to re-Pledge with the next Pledge class pending a simple majority vote by the Active Brothers. 

 

Pledges that are re-pledging shall not have to pay further Pledge dues, but must complete all the other Pledge requirements.  Pledges that are re-pledging may begin to complete their new requirements immediately after the Pledge Ceremony of the next available Pledge class.

 

 

 

Clause 5: Big Brother Requirements

 

In order to serve as a Big, the member must complete the following by the Initiation Ritual (unless otherwise stated by the Big Little Chair):

·         Be an Active Brother in the Alpha Zeta Chapter

·         In Good Standings with the fraternity

·         Be able to pass the Pledge tests with a score of 80% or higher (evaluated through a comprehensive quiz distributed by the Big Little Chair)

·         Must be able to spend one (1) hour each week of the Pledging Program with Little Brother

·         Must attend a Rush Information Meeting and a Rush Fellowship Event, Pledge Retreat, the Big Little Reveal Ceremony, Pledge Elevation Meeting, and the Initiation Ceremony, unless officially excused by the Big Little Chair three days prior to the event, except in the case of an emergency

·         Must write a letter and create a family line tree for each of their pledging Littles to be presented to them at the Big Little Reveal Ceremony

·         Must attend three (3) Chapter events, one of which must be a service event, with each of their Littles during their pledging period.

·         Must attend two (2) hours of Cram Slam with each of their Littles

·         Must attend the Pledge Progress Review with each of their Littles