WHAT
IS PLEDGING?
When most of us began looking at Alpha
Phi Omega, one of the first questions we asked ourselves was
what is pledging all about? What does it mean to be a prospective
member; what's the difference between being prospective and
being a pledge? The difference is quite simple between these
two. Potential or prospective members are those who join us
for events and service projects during rush those who come
to meet the brothers and get to know us. Pledging members
are those who decide to stay and dedicate themselves to our
ideals of Leadership, Friendship, and Service. You are not
officially a pledge until after attending our pledge retreat.
The pledge retreat is a weekend event
where the brothers of Alpha Phi Omega get to know the pledging
brothers better, and the pledging brothers begin to build
bonds. It usually involves camping out at a remote location
(Usually U-Camp but not always) and playing games, telling
stories, and getting to know each individual person better.
To become a pledge you must attend this retreat. After the
retreat you are officially a pledge of Alpha Phi Omega Nu
Gamma and are expected to complete the expectations put forth
by our chapter.
Next question, how much will this experience
set me back? Yes a question we have all asked. To answer your
question, the cost of pledging Alpha Phi Omega is $140.00
for your pledging semester. While this cost is not cheap,
when compared to other organizations, it is not very expensive
either. Knowing we are all college students our organization
is more than willing to work out payment plans as well as
help with some of the cost. While we frown on the idea of
doing favors for brothers, we are more than willing to help
pay your pledging fees for your time and efforts. If you need
help affording pledging fees you may speak to an active brother.
The brother may ask you to do something for them like mowing
their yard or helping them move some furniture, for this help
from you the brother will pay an agreed upon amount of your
pledging fees. We see this as a fair trade and not a favor.
This leads us to the next question
we all asked ourselves. What is it exactly you expect us to
do? To start let us make something very clear, we DO NOT allow
any type of hazing! We pride ourselves on accepting everyone
for who they are and respecting each person as individuals.
That being said what we expect from our pledges is dedication,
involvement, and responsibility. We ask that every pledge
complete at least 45 hours of community service throughout
their pledging semester. We ask that at least 30 of these
hours be completed with the brothers of the chapter allowing
15 hours to be completed outside of our planned events. The
15 hours can be completed with the brothers of Nu Gamma but,
if you volunteer at your church, school, community center
or anything else like that, the 15 hours can be those. While
45 hours are all we ask you to complete, there will always
be far more available to you. Because pledging is an opportunity
for you to get to know Alpha Phi Omega and vice-versa, we
ask that you attend at least 8 of our social events planned
during your pledging semester. Alpha Phi Omega is dedicated
to service, but we are also very dedicated to making lifelong
friends. Our social events include dinners at Cafe on the
Square after our meetings, bowling, movie nights, game nights.
We have played Blazer Tag in the past as well as capture the
flag on the quad. These are ideas brought in by other pledges
just like you.
So when am I officially a member of
Alpha Phi Omega? You become a brother of Nu Gamma at the end
of your pledging semester if you have completed all minimum
hours, social events, and full pledging dues
TELL
ME ABOUT PLEDGE CLASSES.
Your pledge class will be made up of
the people who attend pledge retreat during your pledging
semester. Each class has a unique name. The Spring semester
pledge class namesake is a class name nominated and voted
on by the chapter, while the fall pledge class namesake is
one designated by the national fraternity. The namesake is
an individual who has done something significant for the organization.
A short biography of your pledge class namesake is provided
with your pledge materials. Every pledge class has requirements
they must fulfill as a class.
As you have read above Alpha Phi Omega
has expectations of each individual. As important as it is
to grow as an individual, it is just as important to grow
as a team. Every pledge class will have nominations for officers,
much like the active brothers of our chapter. Pledge class
officers include, President - VP Service - VP Fellowship -
Secretary. The officers are nominated and elected by the pledge
class only. Part of the reason you must attend pledge retreat
is to get to know each other better so this process is easy.
The point of having these officer positions is to introduce
you to the responsibilities and leadership we expect of all
our brothers.
As a pledge class you must plan, confirm,
and execute one service event, and one fellowship or social
event before the end of your pledge semester. Your pledge
master is there to guide you, help you get the resources you
need, but it is not their responsibility to plan or execute
these events. The pledge master is a guide in your class,
an instructor during quizzes, but your pledge class runs your
meetings and events. A pledge class is required to have weekly
meetings, which you will set up as a class. These meetings
are in addition to the chapter meetings which are held every
Monday in LBJ at 7 pm. Beginning the second week of pledging
everyone in a pledge class is given a quiz weekly. These quizzes
are given to help you learn our history. Each pledge must
pass all quizzes and if necessary a final overall quiz.
