Pledge Program Procedures of the Beta Phi Chapter of Sigma Chi
Pledge Orientation Packet Components:
- Magister’s role and expectations
- Pledge’s role and expectations
- Financial Obligations
- Code of Conduct
- Contact List
- Chapter bylaws
- Risk Management Policy
- Calendar of events
Assistant Magisters
Assistant Magisters will be chosen based on the application process that is already been put to use. They are to be chosen by the Magister himself after careful reflection of the actives that have applied. The assistants should represent all actives in the fraternity. They are to aid in the education of pledges, study hours, pledge activities, and other decisions.
Pledge Committee
A pledge committee should be assembled that consists of the Assistant Magisters and other actives. The pledge committee will be responsible for helping set up pledge activities and with decisions such as the big brother selections.
Word of the Week
Each week, the pledge class will be given a word that reflects on the values upon which Sigma Chi was founded. Each week the pledge class must write an essay on how that word applies to their life. The seven words to be written about will be wisdom, control, courage, integrity, courtesy, fidelity, and ambition.
Week 0:
Meeting
Purpose:
To inform the prospective pledges of the expectations and obligations of pledging the Sigma Chi fraternity BEFORE they enter formal pledgeship. It is imperative that each prospective pledge understands, otherwise retention levels could potentially drop.
Agenda:
The Week 0 meeting is to occur the Sunday following the acceptance of the bids. It is strictly an informational meeting in which the Pledge Orientation Packets will be given and extensively discussed. The Quaestor is required to attend and give a presentation on the financial obligations that the Beta Phi chapter requires of a pledge seeking the brotherhood as well as the financial obligations of being an active member of the Beta Phi chapter. The Risk Management Chairman and the Housing Director are required to attend and give a presentation on the Beta Phi chapter’s Risk Management policy. Following the presentations, it will be noted that the Beta Phi chapter of Sigma Chi requires each pledge to adhere to a Code of Conduct. If this is not signed, prospective pledges cannot experience the Formal Pledging Ceremony nor begin formal pledgeship.
Membership Commitment Statement
Presentation of the Statement is mandatory. It must be used as follows:
It is to be read to each pledge by the Chapter Advisor, Co-Advisor, Magister or Assistant Magister at the start of the pledge period, and before the pledge signs the pledge form.
It is to be read privately and separately in an atmosphere conducive to the fullest thought, understanding and consideration of beliefs. It is to be covered point by point, with opportunity for comments or questions after each.
The definitive point footnoted at the end of point (7) in the Statement may be used to clarify any confusion on the part of the pledge(s).
CONFIDENTIAL
Membership in Sigma Chi is a lifelong commitment. You can be expelled for reason; you cannot resign.
The Ritual of the Fraternity is secret but it has equal force and validity with the Constitution, a non-secret document. Although the Ritual is secret, the commitments of the Fraternity to its initiates and of the initiates to Sigma Chi are so deep and binding that Sigma Chi believes that every man proposed for membership should have a real understanding of the nature and scope of these commitments, so that no man shall enter into his lifelong relationship unknowingly or with reservations. To bring about such understanding and acceptance is the purpose of this dialogue on the principles and requirements of Sigma Chi.
The Badge of Sigma Chi reflects the Christian faith of the Founders. The White Cross is the Badge of a college fraternity; not the symbol of a religious order.
If you are to wear the Badge of Sigma Chi, you must be prepared for and welcome the natural assumption of the world at large—that Sigma Chi has Christian foundations. The assumption is and will be valid.
Sigma Chi draws reverently upon Christian ideals. These teachings were implicit in the minds of the men who founded Sigma Chi. Our principles and commitments are set within this framework. Do you find any conflict between your own personal convictions and Sigma Chi, a lifelong commitment?
During your pledgeship, you will be asked if you believe in the existence of an ever-living God, the Creator and Preserver of all things. Your answer to this question must be an unqualified “yes.” Later there will be no opportunity for debate or discussion. What will be your answer to this question?
During progress toward becoming a Sigma Chi you will be charged to conduct yourself throughout life as a man of honor and a gentleman; a warm, trusted and dependable friend, with deep respect for the needs of your brothers and the interests of all in the preservation of the fraternal bonds and the reputation of the Fraternity; to maintain the secrecy of the Ritual and to obey the laws of the Fraternity and your chapter; to perpetuate the interests of the Fraternity and your brothers in all honorable ways; and to realize a responsibility to not only your own chapter mates, but to all Sigma Chis. Will you be able to bind yourself to such an obligation?
*NOTE: The following may be used if further explanation is necessary:
The concept of the divinity of Christ was, we believe, implicit in the minds of the Founders;
however, the obligations to which we and those who are to follow, commit ourselves do not
expressly affirm this divinity or the existence of the Trinity, and the Fraternity does not require express affirmation of belief in these concepts as a condition of membership.
Formal Pledging Ceremony
RECRUITMENT CHAIRMAN: (addresses the Consul and assembled brothers):
“Brothers, it is with great pleasure that I announce the pledging to the Sigma Chi Fraternity of ...(reads each name)...I present them to you for the ceremonies of formal pledging.”
CONSUL:
“We are about to place upon you the pledge pin of our Fraternity, which is a token of the high esteem in which you are held by the Chapter of Sigma Chi. Our pledge pin is a Norman Shield of blue, bearing a White Sigma Chi Cross, and is a symbol of the pure and lofty ideals which you will find in Sigma Chi.
“The fundamental purpose of our Fraternity is to develop character and personality, to maintain high ideals, to preserve high academic standards, and to instill responsibility and brotherhood. We, as a Fraternity, by our association and our example, are committed to that purpose for your benefit.”
“Pledging Sigma Chi is a process of learning, inspiration and attainment, by which you must come fully to understand that membership in our fraternity is dependent upon your willingness to search within yourself for those values which form the basis of our brotherhood, and to adopt them as your lifelong binding obligation. We shall assist you in every positive and constructive way. Ultimately, however, your eligibility for Initiation in Sigma Chi will be determined by the strength of your own character and of your commitment to the ideals of our white cross.”
“In wearing this pledge pin you will be known to all as one of those who Sigma Chi has favored in its selection of men to perpetuate and exemplify our standards, which are stated in the pledge oath you are now called upon to take. Raise your right hand and repeat after me:
*I (each pledge brother repeats his name),
*OF MY OWN FREE WILL AND ACCORD,
*BEFORE GOD AND THE MEMBERS OF THE SIGMA CHI FRATERNITY HERE ASSEMBLED,
*HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGE MYSELF AS A PLEDGE
*OF THE BETA PHI CHAPTER OF SIGMA CHI.
*AS SUCH, I WILL WEAR WITH PRIDE
*THE PLEDGE PIN GIVEN ME
*UNLESS RELEASED BY THE CHAPTER FOR GOOD CAUSE.
*I WILL ADVANCE THE INTERESTS OF THE FRATERNITY
*AND OF ITS INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS
*IN EVERY HONORABLE WAY AT ALL TIMES.
*I WILL ACCEPT THE RESPONSIBILITIES ASSIGNED ME,
*AND WILL MAKE EVERY HONORABLE EFFORT TO BE
*A MAN OF GOOD CHARACTER*A STUDENT OF FAIR ABILITY
*WITH AMBITIOUS PURPOSES
*A CONGENIAL DISPOSITION
*POSSESSED OF GOOD MORALS
*HAVING A HIGH SENSE OF HONOR
*AND A DEEP SENSE OF PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY.
* I WILL DO NOTHING TO BRING DISCREDIT UPON THE FRATERNITY
*WHOSE BADGE IT IS MY HOPE TO WEAR.
*I PROMISE THESE THINGS
*REALIZING THAT MY PLEDGESHIP
*IS A TIME OF PREPARATION FOR BROTHERHOOD IN SIGMA CHI
*DURING WHICH THE STRENGTH OF MY COMMITMENT
*TO THE VALUES WHICH ARE THE FOUNDATION OF SIGMA CHI
*WILL DETERMINE MY WORTHINESS FOR INITIATION.
*I WILL STRICTLY OBEY THE RULES OF THE CHAPTER AND FRATERNITY
*AND WILL CONDUCT MYSELF ALWAYS
*AS A HIGH-MINDED MAN AND A GENTLEMAN.
*THESE PROMISES I MAKE IN ALL SINCERITY
*AND ON MY HONOR AS A PLEDGE.
“You have taken this oath as the first step in becoming a member of the Fraternity. You are the men who we hope will become the future leaders of Sigma Chi, and who will in college and throughout life exemplify the high standards recited in the oath you have just taken. Your experience in pledging will help determine the type of student and alumnus member of Sigma Chi you will be. In like manner, the strength and positive contribution of our chapter on this campus and in our community during the coming years will rest with you.
“The chapter has placed its wholehearted confidence in its Magister, Brother ______. He will be your guide and your friend. I will now ask him to assist me in placing the pledge pin of Sigma Chi upon you.”
The Consul, Magister (and other officers if desired) place a pledge pin from a pin board on each of the pledges, and then extend to each a regular handshake and a brief word of congratulations, such as, “Our chapter takes great pleasure in placing upon you the pledge pin of Sigma Chi and wishes you well. Congratulations.”
Week 1:
Meeting
Agenda:
The Founding
The Purpose
The Jordan Standard
Word of the Week: Courage
Activity
Six Foot Rope
The purpose of this exercise is to be a team building exercise leading into a discussion about unattainable goals. The pledges should be in no way harassed about their inability to complete this task. While they should not be told that it is impossible before and during their attempt to go over the rope, the Magister should be completely transparent about this facet of this exercise during the followup discussion.
Execution
Have a length of rope at least six feet long raised on two stands to the height of six feet and three inches. The rope should be taught across the stands, and the two stands should be of even height. The pledge class should be brought to the location at which this activity is occurring and placed on one side of the rope. They should then be told that they have forty-five minutes to get from one side of the rope to the other, without going under or around the rope. Effectively, they should be told to treat the space under the rope like an invisible wall, and nothing should pass underneath the rope. If this is done indoors then there should be a mattress or some other form of matting on the far side of the rope from the pledges.
Pledges should be aloud to talk for this exercise. After forty-five minutes they should be stopped, regardless of progress, and the Magister should enter a discussion with them about unattainable goals.
Materials
Rope
2 6’ 3” stands
A mattress
Week 2:
Meeting
Agenda:
Turn in assignment
Guest Speaker: Courage
Quiz on Founding, Purpose, Jordan Standard
Constantine
Benjamin Piatt Runkle
Big Brother Essays assigned
Word of the Week: Wisdom
Activity
The Purpose of Sigma Chi
Goal: To increase communication between the members of the pledge class while presenting the purpose of Sigma Chi in an experiential lesson.
Execution: Each word of the Purpose as stated in the Sigma Chi Constitution is written on a balloon. Each balloon is placed randomly in the courtyard. In small groups, members of the pledge class must put the words of the purpose in order. The groups should have 4-5 members each. In these groups, only one member may physically move the words into the correct order but he is blindfolded. Another member acts as a director for the member that is blindfolded. The director is the only person allowed to speak during the arrangement of the words. His back is turned to the balloons. It is the job of the remaining members to gesture to the director where the blindfolded member should go to retrieve each balloon and bring it to its respective place in the order of the words.
Once the activity has been completed, the Magister should lead a discussion on why friendship, justice and learning are key components to the Sigma Chi fraternity.
Week 3:
Meeting
Agenda:
Turn in assignment
Guest Speaker: Wisdom
Quiz on Constantine & Benjamin Piatt Runkle
Review Jordan Standard
Thomas Cowan Bell
William Lewis Lockwood
Spirit of Sigma Chi
Word of the Week: Integrity
Activity
The Jordan Trail
PURPOSE/FOCUS:Evaluation of what each tenet of the Jordan Standard means.
# OF BROTHERS:14-21
MATERIALS:Candles, flashlights, list of passages and quotes.
PREPARATION:Print up attached document. Find a suitable location (hiking trails are great, especially ones that go in a circle). Set groups of brothers (2-3) at specific points along the way, eight groups total. Each station will need candles (1 per brother). Each station will be assigned one point of the Jordan Standard. Have matches/lighter and a flashlight as well, in case the wind picks up and the candles cannot stay lit. The final station will consist of the Consul or the Magister and perhaps the big brother.
EXECUTION:Each pledge will be brought to 8 different stations. At the first 7 stations, he will be told to recite the Jordan Standard. He will be stopped at different times, depending on the station. Then, one brother will read a short passage to the pledge. The second brother will then read the appropriate inspirational quote. The conclusion should be read by the either the Magister or the Consul. Ideally, the activity should be done outdoors along a real trail, with torches marking each station.
FOLLOW-UP:Give the pledges copies of the quotes and passages if they have not gotten them along the trail. A discussion of the event is appropriate, and the pledges can also be instructed to write about each quote and passage, what it means, what it makes them think about, and how they now view the tenets individually and collectively.
ADDT’L NOTES:The Jordan Trail should be presented as a thought-provoking activity. Any yelling, degrading, or cursing will just detract from its meaning. This is not a quiz, but an opportunity for the pledges (and actives) to think about the Jordan Standard. The atmosphere surrounding this event should be quiet and serious. The pledges are on a trail, a path, during this event, symbolic of the path of their life and Sigma Chi.
When a pledge approaches a group of brothers, the exchange of words should be minimal: pledge states tenet, active reads quote to pledge, pledge listens to quote, active tells pledge “proceed to the next station,” pledge takes quote and moves along.
A MAN OF GOOD CHARACTER…
The word character is derived from the Greek word karatos, meaning strength and friendship. Your character is your own qualities and traits that distinguish you from the rest of the world. A man of good character displays honesty and integrity. He is true to himself, his family, and his friends. He is loyal to the people that are important in his life, and never wrongs or is devious in his action towards them. He strives for a good image, but also wants to live that image. He seeks others for friendship but not for his own personal gain or glory. Today, the strength of gold is measured in karats, derived from the same Greek word karatos. Like karats to gold, your character will judge your strength as a man along your trail of life.
“I have often thought that the best way to define a man’s character would be to seek out the particular mental or moral attitude in which, when it came upon him, he felt himself most deeply and intensely active and alive. At such moments there is a voice inside which speaks and says: ‘This is the real me!’”
-William James
A STUDENT OF FAIR ABILITY…
A student is a man seeking knowledge. A student of fair ability strives for the highest possible grade on every task. He is dedicated and resourceful to accomplish such a high goal. He never procrastinates or slacks off in his work. His number one priority is not an organization or person or activity, but is his education. Moreover, he is a student for life. He is always learning and gaining knowledge. Through wisdom, he strives to be the best possible man. Your quest for knowledge should not stop with a degree or a graduation ceremony. A true student realizes that he is ignorant and will remain ignorant till the day he dies, for understanding of all knowledge is impossible. On your trail, may you be a student for life.