Students rush greek organizations during the fall term.
College and university campuses offering greek organizations experience the annual tradition of rush, when prospective members visit the different organizations. Those who want to join an organization are called pledges in the period before they become full members. Tasks are often assigned to the pledges during this period. Hazing is a concern on some campuses. Safe tasks that help prepare the pledges for entrance into the greek community are available.
Getting Acquainted Tasks
Getting the pledges to learn about each other and the existing members of the greek society they are pledging is a key element for a good pledging season. Organize a scavenger hunt. Let the task committee go over the applications of the pledges and basic information about the current members. Write out a scavenger hunt where, for example, the pledges have to find the person who spent Christmas in India; who has two sets of twins for siblings; and who broke his leg skiing.
Visit Other Chapters
Some fraternities and sororities require pledges to visit other chapters of the same greek organization during the pledge period. This gives the pledges a sense of the overarching structure of the organization and reminds them the organization is more than just the chapter they are pledging. Rent a van and send the pledges to other chapters in driving distance. Once there, require them to meet a certain number of members. Have them compare notes on the pledge process with the other chapter's prospective members.
Game Show Night
Require the pledges to research the history of the greek organization, its charter and its organizational chart. Write questions about the material in the style of a favorite game show. On a designated night, set up the props to host the game show. Break the pledges up into groups. Let the winner of each group proceed into the next round, ending with a final game between the best players. Arrange some small prize for the winner of the tournament.
Community Service
Establish a community service requirement for each pledge. A two-fold approach can often be effective. The pledges should be responsible for performing a set number of hours on their own. Have them report back to the group about where they did their community service and their experiences. This will let the pledges (and current members) learn about new volunteer opportunities. Also set up two or three days during the pledge period where all the pledges and the current members volunteer together. Soup kitchens and Habitat for Humanity builds often need large groups of volunteers.
Tags: current members, during pledge, during pledge period, game show, greek organization, greek organizations, Have them