Fraternities Fraternities Menstuff® has compiled information, books and resources on the issue of fraternities. Our Position Regarding Fraternities U.S. frats opt for stricter booze policy in wake of deaths Fraternities Speak Out Against Sexual Abuse The Alcohol Issue Delta Dawn, What's That Frat Pin You Have On? DePauw Cuts Ties With Troubled Sorority Strengthening the Bonds: A Positive Fraternity Pledge Program for the 21st Century Where it All Began Ancient Wisdom Confidentiality Hazing - A Definition Introduction Why Change? Simple Beginnings A Shift of Ritual - The Seven Steps Male Trashing Summary Newsbytes Black Fraternity Announces Two-Year Prostate Cancer Global Awanress Campaign Related Issue: Hazing, Bullying, Binge Books: fraternities, affirmations, conflict resolution, intimacy, men's groups, ritual initiation, transition, 13th generation Journals - on Emotional, Religious, and Sexual Abuse and Trauma Our Position Regarding Fraternities I want people who were in fraternities and not in fraternities to know that the following information is in support of the fraternity system and also takes the stand to hold individuals in fraternities, and their national conclaves responsible for their actions. That the systems aren't perfect, and some have a lot of improvement to be able to hold to name "fraternity" with honor. I also believe that, in a culture that is stuck in its head, has abanded ritual and rites-of-pass sage (except the rites of getting drunk, getting pregnant, first auto accident, joining the military), a culture that criticizes men for drumming, something that was important to all of our ancestors as a way to get out of the head and into the body, and a culture that I truly believe does not want men to change, otherwise who would we blame and who would do the work that if it doesn't cost a man his life directly, adds to the causes for a shorter life-span, in this culture, born and bred in the United States of America. The fraternity system has the possibility of taking over the responsibility that society has shirked and initiate young men into true manhood in a healthy way. True, there are a few workshops and rites-of-passage that go on around the country, but conceptual acceptance, money, location, or access make it so that probably less than a thousand boys and girls have the opportunity to be initiated in any one year. Fraternities and sororities initiate thousands each semester. Yes, I am a "Greek", initiated in 1959 when "boards" were still common. And, as you may have already read on these pages, it was a fraternity brother from another chapter that saved my life during a traumatic divorce. He stepped up when I didn't know how to ask for help, when I didn't even know what that kind of friendship meant. We had both gone through an "initiation", and the brotherhood was important. Until society changes dramatically, to me the fraternity and sorority system is the only large, valid initiation we have and I'm one who wants to see it get healthy so that it can do this most important task for our young people. I'm proud of my fraternity and its stand on "Binge Drinking."  I'm proud of their work with young men in an effort to clean-up the system and make it better, and I'm also disappointed that they haven't taken official stands on Sexual Harassment, Sexism, and some other major social issues. And, I'm not proud of some of the behavior and actions that under-grads have taken - most vividly my "brothers" at U.C. Berkeley a number of years ago shouting things I cannot repeat on the web at women marching by their house in protest of a rape that happened on campus. They are a result of the worst part of our educational training we give boys and girls from birth. And, while I don't expect a small group of fraternities changing the social context of the world our parents and other adults have colluded in creating, I do think that the system is valid, can always improve, and is doing just that. I hope that gives you some background on this and the section on Hazing. We want things to change. And, fraternities are a very small part in a much larger social system they have been brought up in. It's time now of the youth to teach us something about humanity that we haven't learned. Or, if we have, that, for the most part, we haven't taken any drastic action to see things change. Yours in continued growth, Gordon Clay U.S. frats opt for stricter booze policy in wake of deaths Hundreds of fraternity houses across the US will no longer a llow frat members to serve hard liquor, according to a self-governing policy announced Tuesday in the wake of growing outrage over alcohol-related hazing deaths. The North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) policy effectively means that most of the nation's fraternities cannot dole out strong booze unless it is served by a licensed third-party vendor. “At their core, fraternities are about brotherhood, personal development and providing a community of support," Judson Horras, CEO and president of the NIC, said in a statement. "Alcohol abuse and its serious consequences endanger this very purpose. This action shows fraternities' clear commitment and leadership to further their focus on the safety of members." The NIC is an umbrella organization for fraternities. The group said the new policy was reached in a near-unanimous vote and must be adopted by more than 6,100 of its chapters by September 2019. Those chapters are located on 800 campuses throughout the country. Chapters have autonomy to set their own policies and rules, but the NIC has oversight over some broader policies, such as how the fraternities must implement alcohol rules at parties. Fraternities in several states have been under fire in the past year for horrific deaths related to heavy drinking during hazing rituals and frat-house parties in general. Among them was the February 2017 death at Penn State of 19-year-old sophomore engineering student Tim Piazza of Lebanon, New Jersey. Piazza died of severe head and abdominal injuries after falling several times at the Beta Theta Pi house the night of a bid acceptance ceremony. Security video recovered from the house showed the sophomore and other pledges being plied with alcohol, and authorities later estimated Piazza had consumed three to four times the state’s legal limit for alcohol. Piazza's parents, Jim and Evelyn Piazza, have been vocal proponents for stricter laws against hazing. Jim Piazza said Tuesday night that the new alcohol policy is "a good start." "It should make a meaningful difference," Jim Piazza said. "There are other reforms they need to put into place, and there's still work to do. But this is a beginning." Jim Piazza said other possible changes that he and other families of hazing victims would like to see include serving only beer at frat parties and ID checkers at parties to ensure everyone attending is of legal drinking age. He said NIC representatives have been working with his family and others and "they've been listening to us." "Our aim is to make overall college life safer," Jim Piazza said. The first of more than 20 defendants charged in connection with Tim Piazza's death was sentenced to house arrest last month. Ryan Burke, 21, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to three months house arrest in Lackawanna County, 27 months of probation, 100 hours of community service and fined $1,000. In June, Burke pleaded guilty to hazing, four counts of unlawful acts relative to liquor, malt and brewed beverages and licenses, and one count of purchase, consumption, possession or transportation of liquor and malt or brewed beverages. Burke was originally facing charges of involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, simple assault, reckless endangering another person. The NIC said in a statement that its new alcohol policy will prohibit "the presence of alcohol products above 15% ABV in any chapter facility or at any chapter event, except when served by a licensed third-party vendor." Most beer and wine is below 15% ABV. Source: www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/09/04/u-s-fraternities-opt-stricter-alcohol-policy-wake-deaths/1196674002/ 1. 2, 3. Fraternities Speak Out Against Sexual Abuse It happened on August 13, 1985. A national fraternity (Pi Kappa Phi) made a public statement against sexual abuse (1). And, it was unanimously passed by all of its chapters. They went even further. They developed a power poster to hang on the wall of each of their fraternity houses in the nation. It is a copy of a famous print of a Greek orgy (2). And, the message was even stronger (3) with the subhead "Against her will is against the law." If other national fraternities follow suit, their would be a major reduction in sexual assaults on campus and a lot fewer young college men ending up in prison. If you are or were in a fraternity, be proactive and insure that your brothers know the consequences of their actions. And, to work towards of positive respect for women as co-creators of the world to come. The following is the essence of the Statement of Position on Sexual Abuse: "The members of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity believe that the attitudes and behavior exhibited by members of the collegiate population have direct bearing on the quality of their present and future life and that there is an increased consciousness of sexual exploitation and violence and incidences thereof not just on the nation's college campuses but in society and the Greek community has stated its responsibility in leadership, scholarship, community services, human dignity and respect, Pi Kappa Phi is committed to excellence in the Greek community, and this requires us to identify and solve serious problems that prevent the growth and development of our brothers, and strives to foster an atmosphere of healthy and proper attitudes and behavior towards sex and the sex roles, and wishes that the incidences of sexual abuse (mental and physical abuse - coercion, manipulation, harassment) between the men and women of the collegiate community be halted. Therefore, be it resolved that Pi Kappa Phi fraternity will not tolerate or condone any form of sexually-abusive behavior (either physically, mentally or emotionally) on the part of any of its members, and encourages educational programming involving social and communication skills, interpersonal relationships, social problem awareness, etiquette and sex-role expectations; and will develop a reward system to recognize chapters and individuals that lead in fostering a healthy attitude towards the opposite sex." The Alcohol Issue In the Spring, 1999 issue of The Caduceus of Kappa Sigma, they do a rather through job of addressing "The Alcohol Issue" on campus and within the fraternity system. Some of the things it mentioned:  A Harvard Study surveyed over 14,000 students at 130 colleges both in 1993 and 1997. The results show a 22 percent increase in the number of students drinking to get drunk. Additionally, fraternity and sorority members were labeled as the biggest alcohol guzzlers, with four out of five qualifying as "binge" drinkers,. That 80 percent figure is nearly double the 44 percent of all college students qualifying as "binge drinkers." Causing approximately 50 deaths from drinking each year and many more hospitalizations from poisoning or related accidents, alcohol remains a top health risk (except for suicide) to college students, according to alcohol abuse experts. In the broader society, according to the National Center for Health Statistics, excessive alcohol consumption and the resulting behaviors cause more than 100,000 deaths in the United States alone. Binge drinking is defined as five drinks in a row for men and four drinks in a row for women. The amount of alcohol the average male body can metabolize in 1 hour: 12 oz of beer or 4 oz of wine or 1 oz of liquor or 1 shot of liquor. Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) is the number of milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood. A BAC of 0.5 and below may give you a mellow buzz (1 to 3 drinks, depending on body weight and other factors). A BAC of .10 means that one-tenth of one percent of your blood content is alcohol. Signs of intoxication become noticeable. This is above the legal limit for driving in most states. A BAC of .50 and higher can easily result in death. BAC is affected by a number of factors including body weight, when you last ate and time lapsed between drinks. Your body can only process about one drink per hour, so any drinks past that natural limit begin the process of intoxication. Here are some statistics:  85% of surveyed students drank during the school year. 44% qualified as binge drinkers. 41% reported binge drinking within the last two weeks. In 1997, 52% of students who drink said they drink to get drunk - this is up from 39% in 1993. The number of students who reported being drunk three or more times in the month prior to the survey rose 22% from 1993 to 1997. Among binge drinkers, 45% were under the legal drinking age. Students reporting D and F grade points averaged 11 drinks per week. Students reporting A grade points consumed only 3 drinks per week. White fraternity men who were binge drinkers in high school were the most likely to binge drink in college. Fraternity leaders had a much higher percentage of binge drinking than regular fraternity members. Fraternity men who also participated in collegiate athletics had the highest risk of alcohol abuse. Students in the Midwest, northeast, and north central states drank more - up to 33% more - than students in other regions. College students spend approximately $4.2 billion annually. This equates to 430 million gallons of alcoholic beverages, including over 4 billion cans of beer, or about 4% of total US consumption. The industry recognizes this lucrative market, spending over $600 million in 1996 on beer and liquor advertising. Some of the signs or symptoms of possible alcohol abuse: Alcohol is consumed in greater quantities or for longer periods of time than the person intended. The individual has a persistent desire to control or eliminate drinking, or has made one or more unsuccessful efforts to do this (for example, there are resolutions to "cut down" but these efforts disappear after a period of time). Considerable time is spent in obtaining, using or recovering from alcohol and its effects. Intoxication or its aftereffects (e.g., hangovers) frequently occur at times when the person is expected to fulfill work, family or school obligations, or there is physically hazardous use (e.g., while driving). The individual gives up or reduces social, recreational or job-related activities because of alcohol use. Drinking continues despite the knowledge that alcohol causes the person to have social, psychological or medical problems. Significantly increased tolerance has developed. Withdrawal symptoms occur when initially attempting abstinence (e.g., flu-like symptoms, headaches, gastrointestinal distress, sweatiness, mood swings, irritability, anxiety.) Alcohol or other drugs are used to ward of the withdrawal. As a 1990 Carnegie Foundation report found, when universities place more stringent regulations on students and drinking, those regulations are "not likely" to have the desired affects. And, while some campus's are trying to eliminate fraternities, thinking that the problem will then go away, I think that the fraternities and sororities are the places to start to turn around a whole society who has been well trained to drink. It's true that fraternity members binge drink more than the average college student. However, if the statistics compared fraternity drinking (and fraternities are very social compared to a large number of non-Greek students) to social non-Greek students, I think the differences between the groups would be minimal. So, it all boils down to one more lesson to learn in becoming a responsible adult. Along with learning to be in relationship. Learning to have responsible sex. Learning to balance study with activities. This piece has gotten alot of press lately, but what about suicide on campus. Many more students commit suicide on our college campuses every year than die from alcohol related events. Let's look at the pressure we put on students that cause drinking, cause drugs, cause suicide. And, I think we'd see a mirror of the society we brought them up in. Pointing fingers at fraternities and sororities won't change much, if anything. Encouraging the development of sound programs in an atmosphere that has proven to develop people of good character and community involvement, is a place to start. These fraternity men and sorority women could be the leaders in what might otherwise be an impossible shift. And, programs like Kappa Sigma's "My Brothers Keeper" is a start in that direction. To get a complete copy of the manual, go to http://www.kappasigma.org/manuals/mbk/contents.html. Sources:  "Battle of the Binge", by Adam Cohen, Time, 9/8/77. "Fraternity and Soroity Leaders are Heaviest Drinkers, Study Finds," by Julianne Basinger, The Chronicle of Higher Education, 12/16/97. "Study:  Drunk 101 still the norm for college students", AP Wire, CNN Interactive, 9/10/98; "Survey shows campus drinking crackdown had little effect," CNN Interactive 9/11/98; "Alcohol still top health risk to college students" by Bill Belaney, CNN Interactive, 11/23/98. "When a drink becomes a problem," by Susan Ferraro, New York Daily News, 1999. "Deaths due to alcohol" Scientific American, 12/96. "Shaken and Stirred:  The State of the Liquor Industry" The Washington Post, 11/12/96. "Binge drinking on American college campuses: New look at an old problem," Harvard School of Public Health, Fall 97. "Schools review alcohol policies after recent deaths," by Ilana Rosman, The Brown Daily Herald, 2/3/98. "The Alcohol Issue", The Caduceus of Kappa Sigma, Spring, 1999. The Caduceus, is a publication of the Kappa Sigma National Fraternity, PO Box 5066, Charlottesville, VA 22905. lrayburn@kappasigma.org or www.kappasigma.org. Also see www.stophazing.org and http://sites.netscape.net/hanknuwer/homepage. Strengthening the Bonds: A Positive Fraternity Pledge Program for the 21st Century This program was developed by Gordon Clay in 1986.. We request that no part of this pamphlet be reproduced by any mechanical, photographic or electronic process, or in the form of a phonographic recording, nor may it be stored in a retrieval system, transmitted, or otherwise be copied for any use or shared with others without the written permission from him. Where it All Began The year was 1974, 16 years after my initiation into a fraternity. The devastation and turmoil of a pending divorce found me seriously contemplating suicide. When my former wife suggest I talk to my friends, I didn't believe I had any that I could really "talk" to. She reminded me of Trent, a longtime friend from high school. And Dave, a roommate at college and a guy I was initiated with. And then there was Dan. Dan was a real fraternity brother and a friend that I most likely would never have met if either of us hadn't joined a fraternity. We had gone to different colleges but became friends at a monthly fraternity alumni luncheon in 1973, shortly after I moved back to my hometown. I didn't know just how much of a friend he was until I starting going through the divorce. But Dan was really there. Whenever I called to talk, he took time off work, whether it was for a quick lunch or a long walk. I credit him with saving my life. I just wish I could have returned the favor! (Dan died by his own hand in November, 1982.) I probably would have gotten through my divorce without Dan. And, I probably would have gotten through college and life since college without the fraternity experience. But, my fraternity experience positively affected my life, and I would definitely do it over again if given the opportunity. This isn't to say there aren't things I wouldn't want changed. I am outraged when I read about fraternity men sitting in front of the frat house yelling obscenities at women, when they get incoherently drunk, when a gang rape happens in a fraternity house, or when active's use horseplay, practical jokes and tricks, or humiliating and even painful ordeals in the hazing of their pledges. Hazing doesn't build brotherhood. It builds dissension, undercutting, and eventual retribution. It strips a pledge's self-esteem and often goes beyond their physical and mental limits. The result is an unquestioning abeyance of any command by authority (as in the military system). People can't demand respect, it's earned. (The highest mortality rate during the Korean War was among our Lieutenants being shot by their own troops.) Within a fraternity system, we shouldn't be building a system around respect, rather one around trust, support, and brotherhood. It is because of Dan, and my belief in the intrinsic value of the fraternity system, that I developed "Strengthening the Bonds~ - A Positive Pledge Program for the '90s" which has been implemented it in a variety of fraternity situations from one which wanted to have something meaningful after national took out most of their program without offering substitute ideas, to one fraternity that was on probation from both the school and national. While utilizing many of the concepts of ancient rites-of- passage, we removed those aspects of sexism and separation that no longer serve us in our culture. It does confront an educational system that creates conformity in a culture that has more laws and social rules to control individual action and thinking than any other country in the world. "Strengthening the Bonds" is based on peer support of individual diversity and while recent press has emphasized the shadow side when that peer support gets directed in the wrong way, nonetheless, a strong, positive foundation is already in place within the current fraternity system to build upon. Some say that the shadow is just as strong in non-fraternity men in dorms and off-campus housing, but this isn't a justification. Admittedly, there aren't alot of positive male role models in the culture to draw from. However, fraternities offer a way to develop positive change in male roles and relationships that exists anywhere else in our culture today. Ancient Wisdom Too many men die, long before their physical deaths, in the quality of their lives. Most of us were raised without actively present healthy models of masculinity and manhood. Through healthy initiator rites we can learn how to be with ourselves, with each other, with the women in our lives and with life itself in a vital, passionate, responsible way. As a culture over the last several hundred years, we have failed to pass on, in a meaningful way, the wisdom of men to our children. Today's male has grown up with little or no positive male training from his father or other elders. And, the Boy Scouts, a bar mitzvah, confirmation, learning to hunt or fish, the first date, first sexual arousal, first car, first alcoholic drink with parental permission, or the military, have tried, unsuccessfully, to replace those ancient rituals. Our sons, as well as society as a whole, have been the losers. Starting college is an ideal time to develop "A Modern Rite-of-Passage for Contemporary Heroes~", bringing in the freshman "boy", giving him a positive adult system in which to function and learn what it is to be a man in this culture in this day and age. And this "being a man" doesn't have anything to do with how much you can smoke, drink or do drugs. Those are generally tools to escape being a "real man" and dealing in a healthy way with life. The fraternity system is one way to develop young boys into the role models of the future! Confidentiality Our work with local or national fraternities is kept in strictest confidence. We will not reveal fraternities who show interest or participate in this program to anyone outside the fraternity unless we have their written permission. Any confidential information we receive from fraternities is removed completely from our files and back-up files and returned to the fraternity anytime it is requested and always once the project is complete. Hazing - A Definition Hazing is defined as the initiation of a disciplinary activity by means of horseplay, practical jokes and tricks, often using humiliating or painful ordeals. Hazing has been a tradition of the fraternity system in American universities since 1850. Fraternity hazing is commonly practiced on college campuses throughout the United States today. Associated with these rites of initiation are numerous injuries and deaths. (168 incidents have resulted in 58 deaths. Many involved the use of alcohol and revolved around "road trips" and "line ups" or exercise programs.) Source: American Journal of Forensic Medicine & Pathology, 3/85 Introduction While most fraternities have strict rules against hazing, it still exists in many pledge programs and posses risk to the pledges, actives, and the local and national chapter. One of the main reasons it still exists is that the local chapter hasn't been offered adequate alternatives as a replacement for the hazing practices. And, it is often felt that without those alternatives or without hazing, the whole pledge program would deteriorate into a system that would eventually lower the quality of the initiates. The pledge program is not the place to "weed-out" potential members. That should be done in the rush program and only pledge those that the chapter is confident would make a good brother! The pledge program should be used to build that brotherhood. Any change to the current pledge program will often be resisted by both upper classmen and alumni for "traditions" sake. Realize that no hazing activity was ever part of the original charter. In most cases, a pledge program wasn't part of the original charter, either. In developing these "new" traditions, it is important to take it one step at a time. As these new "traditions" show positive results, expand the program. Why Change? When fraternities were originally founded, their goal was to build brotherhood. They didn't have systems of hazing to accomplish that goal. However, over time, their original purpose has been lost. Hazing doesn't build brotherhood as we see in our military system, it builds unquestioning abeyance of any command by authority. One of the highest mortality rates during Viet Nam was our Lieutenants being shot by their own troops. People can't demand respect. And, within a fraternity system, we shouldn't be building a system around respect, rather one around trust, support, and brotherhood. Instead, hazing builds dissension, undercutting, and eventual retribution. It strips a pledge's self-esteem and often goes beyond their physical and mental limits. It really provides no benefit and by participating in hazing practices, the fraternity and it's members may receive much bad press, not to mention causing local campus administrations, some campus organizations, the non-Greek student body, the local community and the national fraternity to comedown on the fraternity, often removing the chapter's charter. Continued hazing has caused the elimination of the fraternity system on some campuses. Currently, 35 states have specific laws, with felony charges to those participants who are members of the offending fraternity. While actives aren't thinking of prison while pushing a pledge to do 100 push-ups or drink a quart of liquor, or walk home in the freezing cold from some distant drop-off point, that could be the result. And worse than that, for what ever reason, someone we wanted in our fraternity could lose their life in their eagerness to "be one of the guys". This happens every year. Changing the system doesn't have to lose any of the fun, the discipline, the group effort, etc. In fact, by eliminating hazing, we will build stronger camaraderie within the pledge class, build a sense and anticipation of belonging to the fraternity, and build a way that, when initiated, the individual pledge becomes integrated as a brother rather than remaining part of a tight pledge class that remains separate from the rest of the active chapter after initiation. With all this in mind, the real reason to change shouldn't be because we might get shut down or we might end up in prison. It should be because we really believe that without hazing, we can build an even stronger brotherhood and with a stronger brotherhood comes a stronger fraternity system. Simple Beginnings Our ingredients for a meaningful pledge and initiation process without hazing excludes any use of "lineups", recreational drugs or alcohol. It starts with a decision on what you want your pledge program to achieve. Chapter unity, fellowship, teamwork, scholarship, campus involvement, community service, etc. and plans activities to achieve those goals. Seldom is any of the actual program or initiation changed. The changes come in how the activity is performed. This is all accomplished using three simple steps: 1. The entire active chapter acts as active and equal participants in all activities that the pledges participate in in addition to taking on the role of teachers and transmitters of wisdom to incoming brothers during the entire pledge and initiation period. 2. Acknowledgment is given of each pledge's uniqueness, personal empowerment and individual responsibility to themselves, the fraternity and the community. 3. There is an air of reverence and dignity throughout each process with an avoidance of machismo, bravado, destructive competition, physical, psychological, or spiritual abuse, or violence. A Shift of Ritual - The Seven Steps There is always a team made up of an active "big brother and a pledge "little brother" plus the remaining actives who don't happen to have a "little brother" at the present time. They can be seen as "mentor's", the ones the "little brothers" look to for answers. All members of the house participate fully and equally in all activities that "little brothers" participate in. The fraternities current pledge program and initiation are used, working with what they already have while adding in appropriate programs that have proven successful for each aspect of this initiatory process, to insure that the most effective program is created to build pledge class unity while integrating the pledge into the brotherhood as the process moves along. This acknowledges a reverence to the process while maintaining personal dignity throughout. This process covers the time from pledging to initiation. It could be used either in the Fall or Spring with slight revisions in some timing. Step 1: Pledging - Affirmation. This is a time to affirm the child within the pledge. Start the bonding process by having fun together. Not only playing sports, but playing games like kick-the-can and capture the flag (games that release some of the playfulness of everyone). It allows for the silliness and reduces the competitive "win at all cost" philosophy. If teams are picked, "big" and "little" brother are always on the same team. This process is designed to honor the child within each active and pledge and the value of that inner joy and freedom from care. Around a fire, active's share stories of their own initiations. Step 2: Orientation - A thorough discussion of hazing is given including a definition, with open questions and answers. While learning about the fraternity is very important, and could involve alumni in the teaching process, it is also important for the "little brother" to confront his fear of growing up. A challenge is devised by the "little brother" based on his own fears. It could be similar to a ropes course if the fear is of height, water, physical limitations, etc. or it could be something like the fear of speaking before a group. "Big brothers" share their own fears and help their "little brothers" confront their chosen fears. At no time is there any encouragement to go beyond your limits to "be one of the guys", and in fact, the "mentors" are charged with the caretaking responsibility to see that this does not happen. It is during their period that the fraternity history is learned in a simple, enjoyable way. Also during this time, the "little brother" selects a chapter committee to be on. He sits in on all meetings as an active participant and is included in the planning of activities and projects. Step 3: Learning Process - You're not alone. The "little brother" gets to use his individual strengths or talents. Acknowledging the individual's strengths, may require physical strength, but also may include music, art, drama, storytelling, poetry, etc. The range is limitless. Each "little brother" selects his own task. Everyone can be involved with no stars. Phase II is to select a subject from an endless list of topics relating to being men in this society. The "little brother" has the absolute choice of topic, tough, without pressure, it is suggested he pick a topic he knows little or nothing about. He is to work with his "big brother" and a "mentor" if appropriate, to get information on the topic and then, together, they will present it to the entire chapter sometime during the semester. The presentation could be any length but 10-15 minutes is suggested and encouragement should be given for the two to contact appropriate people on campus and in the community to get the latest information on the subject. Step 4: Cooperation - Pledge Project & More. Determine and carry out a task as a group. It could include a problem in the fraternity (physical or organizationally like poor rush), community involvement, campus improvements, even working with another Greek house that is going through a rough year. Something to build esteem within the class, the Greek system, the campus and the community. Consider several smaller projects and activities rather than one, enabling a wider range of leadership development. This is an important time to develop problem-solving and conflict resolution skills. The assistance of the "mentor's" are very important in this stage, giving positive guidance and options rather than orders and allowing the freedom to explore new ways to accomplish the tasks. Step 5 - Journey - Be responsible for your own actions. This is a journey as a fraternity, into the wilderness - a Vision Quest. It's a time for the "little brother" to learn to face the world on his own. A time to possibly seek a vision of a new name (nickname the "little brother" chooses that is totally positive and powerful and is what the "big brother", other "little brothers" and "mentors" will call him. It is particularly valuable to get help from his "big brother". Alone in the wilderness, the "little brother" will contemplate life as an adult male, journal things that concern him growing up in the fraternity/in college/in his career selection, confront fears, and overcome the fear of being alone. While the "little brothers" are alone, they are close enough and know where the camp fire and the rest of the fraternity brothers are. The next morning, each "little brother" reveals his fears and if he has overcome them (with no judgments or ridicule if they haven't yet been accomplished.) It is at this time in the journey that the "big brother" teaches his "little brother" his lineage. This starts with information about him (the "big brother"): birthday, initiation date, home town, major/minor, sports activities and other interesting information. He adds to this list information about his "big brother", and his and his, back as far as the information is available. If brothers have graduated, the graduation date is added and the information is updated as to where the graduated brother now lives and what he is doing. Photo copies of pictures (from initiation to the present) of these brothers are a powerful addition. Step 6: Initiation - The Ceremony of welcome as a brother and as an adult: the initiate shares his new name, his visions about his life and where he wants support to take life in his chosen direction. "Big brother" gives a gift - an important hand-me-down from his "big brother". Ideally, the "big brother's" "big brother" returns for this ceremony. Involving the alumni is always important. A celebration ensues. Step 7 - Responsibility as an Active - You shall lead. Each "little brother" is given a valuable position within the fraternity, he could assist his "big brother", or a "mentor" or could take over a committee or position by himself. It is also a time when feedback is given the fraternity on the pledging/initiation system - very honest and open with a guarantee of no retribution. A written evaluation will also be offered as an option for a concerned initiate. As you can see, changing the system doesn't lose any of the fun, the discipline, the group effort, etc. In fact, by eliminating hazing, we build stronger camaraderie within the pledge class, build a sense and anticipation of belonging to the fraternity, and build a way that, when initiated, the individual pledge becomes integrated as a brother rather than remaining part of a tight-knit pledge class that stays separate from the rest of the active chapter after initiation. Male Trashing As we're seeing the negative reaction to "male bonding" in our culture today, with the reaction to "men beating drums or chests", I truly believe we have a major segment of our culture that doesn't want men to change. How else can it keep the economic machine that gets its fuel off of men's strength and lives, eating them up and disposing of them in the process. How else can it keep men shackled in the provider role and at the same time keep them away from their children. If men change, maybe everyone will have to start taking responsibility for their own lives. Nowhere in the country are there already so many young men looking for healthy guidance. The fraternity system is a old and well developed system that is begging for guidance in this new direction. Programs like "Strengthening the Bonds~" are needed to give fraternities something to build on. It will also take the dedication of individual fraternity alumni who are willing to step forward and mentor their fraternity through the changes. I can't envision a more beautiful service to our future and the future of our planet. I know Dan would be proud. Summary If you're interested in having some help, we'll work with your own rituals and assist you in developing appropriate programs that have proven successful for each aspect of this initiatory process, to insure that the most effective program is created to build pledge class unity while integrating the pledge into the brotherhood as the process moves along. We also want to insure a reverence to the process while maintaining personal dignity throughout. © First Printing, September, 1986, Revised and Refined: June, 1989, 1992, 1995 Gordon Clay *    *    * One of the characteristics of the modern world is the disappearance of any meaningful rites of initiation. - Mircea Eliade *    *    * Contact Us | Disclaimer | Privacy Statement Menstuff® Directory Menstuff® is a registered trademark of Gordon Clay ©1996-2023, Gordon Clay