Pledging Guide

I.  PURPOSE OF PLEDGE EDUCATION
The purpose of pledge education is to formally present fraternity history and information to our potential members of Delta Sigma Pi.  In addition, the pledges will learn the business operational requirements of the fraternity through the planning and participation in various projects described in this program.  The pledges will become familiar with the opportunities and obligations available and expected through membership.

The course is eight weeks and is coordinated with the academic calendar of DePaul University.  This is a time for pledges to get an in-depth preview of membership and make a final decision on their pursuit of membership.  Likewise, the evaluation method(s) described in this program will implemented by the members of the chapter to determine which candidates will best represent the Fraternity and uphold its professional objectives.  The pledge education program consists solely of the Manual for Pledge Education and this document of instructions.   

II.  NATIONAL PLEDGING REQUIREMENTS

A. Manual- The chapter will provide each pledge with a personal copy of the Manual for Pledge Education. 

1.  Each pledge must read the manual in its entirety and have a thorough understanding of all the information
2.  Each pledge must have thorough knowledge and understanding of the Risk Management Policy as presented in the front of the manual.  
3.  Six quizzes will be administered at regularly scheduled pledge meetings.  Questions for the quizzes will be assigned in advance.  Each pledge will be required to take a comprehensive written exam on the questions listed in the Manual for Pledge Education.  
4.  A grading scale will be implemented by the Vice President for Pledge Education (VPPE) to utilize in reviewing weekly quizzes and the final pledge education exam.  Passing scores on weekly quizzes will be stated by the VPPE.  The final comprehensive written exam requires a score of 80%. 
5.  The answers to questions that are not found in the manual that changes occur requently will be provided by the VPPE with current answers. 

B. Finances- Each pledge is required to pay all initiation fees in full prior to initiation day.  
1.  The total initiation fee of this chapter is $126.00 per collegiate and it includes the following: 
                a.  The national initiation fee of $65.00 per collegiate.
                b.  The badge lease of $50.00 per collegiate.
                c.  The local initiation fee of $11.00 per collegiate.
2. In the event that a pledge in not initiated for any reason, “a” and “b” above, will be refunded in full.  Any portion of “c” to be refunded is at the discretion of the chapter pending length of pledge time completed and supplies, etc. used.  A breakdown of any refund from “c” shall be provided showing the distribution of funds previously used. 
3.  As pledges are not yet members, they may not conduct legal business under the name of Delta Sigma Pi, and the pledge class should not open a separate account due to additional charges and risk involved.  The pledge class treasurer should coordinate all payments of pledge fees and fund raising revenues through the chapter’s Treasurer. 

C.  Pledge Pin- Each pledge will be presented with a pin at the pledging ceremony that they must wear until initiation.  The pledge pin identifies the pledge as a potential member and is a reminder of the endeavor to become a member.  It should be worn to all pledge meetings and activities on casual of business attire.  The pin should be worn on the individual’s left chest on the shirt, blouse, dress, etc. and should not be worn on ties, scarves, or other accessories.  Any lost pledge pin will be charged to the pledge at an $8.50 replacement cost. 

D. Attendance- Pledges are required to attend certain events unless formally excused in advance by the Vice President for Pledge Education.

    1. Pledges must attend all scheduled pledge meetings.

    2. All pledges must attend professional, service, and fund raising event planned by the pledge class.

    3. Pledges must attend one chapter business meeting.

    4. Pledges must attend one of the professional and one of the service events   planned by the chapter during the length of the pledge education program. 

     5. Attendance at initiation is mandatory pending successful completion of the pledge education program.  Specific instructions or an invitation will be provided to those who met all of the criteria.

E. Professional Event- The pledge class as a whole will coordinate one professional event (speaker, tour, film, etc.) of their choice.  All collegiate and faculty Brothers are to be invited to the event.  At the discretion of the pledge class, the entire student body or other guests may also be invited.

F. Community or College/University Service- The pledge class as a whole will plan a service project of their choice that will benefit their campus, fellow peers, faculty, administration, or community.  The project may be as simple as planting a tree, placing an additional trash can on campus, or visiting a nursing home, yet may be extensive as hosting an alcohol awareness seminar for the entire student body or coordinating a service event that will benefit a charity of the community at large. 

G. Fund Raising Event- The pledge class as a whole will plan one fund raising event of their choice.  Profits will be used at the discretion of the pledge class for expenses related to the pledge professional event, service project, or approved social activity.  A portion of the profits may be evenly distributed toward initiation fees of the pledges.  Any profits remaining at the end of the pledge program may be donated to the general operating fund of the chapter of contributed to a chapter scholarship or investment account or the Delta Sigma Pi Leadership Foundation at the discretion of the pledge class.

H. Evaluate Recruiting- Each pledge will be asked to evaluate the recruiting events they attended prior to being invited to pledge.  The Vice President for Pledge Education will collect all evaluations and deliver them to the Senior Vice President. 

I.  Resume- Each pledge will prepare his/her personal resume and the Vice President for Pledge Education will check to see that each pledge has a resume available before the end of pledging. 

III.  LOCAL CHAPTER REQUIREMENTS  
1. Brief interview of acquaintance from twenty brothers in the Alpha Omega chapter.  A signature from the Brother can be required to show that the interview took place. 
2. Creation of mementos (scrapbook and a skit).
3. Plan a cookout, game or other social event.
4. Designate Thursday as professional dress day.
5. Require a regular meeting with Big Brother.

IV. PLEDGE EVALUATION METHODS
A. Quiz and Exam Grades- The pledges knowledge of fraternity history and general operations will be determined through satisfactory scores on weekly quizzes and the final exam.  The final written exam requires a score of 80%. 

B. Attendance- Attendance of each pledge will be kept by the pledge Secretary and the VPPE at all require meeting and functions.

C. Conduct- Honesty, sincerity, ambition, a positive attitude, and other similar traits represent an individual’s good moral ethics and character that will reflect the image and reputation the fraternity desires of its members.

D. Big brother Program- Each pledge will be matched, one on one, with members of the chapter.  The member (Big Brother) will meet with the pledge (Little Brother) throughout the pledge education program.  The Big Brother acts in many roles similar to a coach, trainer, aide, guide, host, or mentor and assists the pledge wherever necessary by answering questions, helping study, providing encouragement, and most importantly, demonstrating true friendship.   Each pledge is given this personal opportunity to have a reliable source of assistance with any pledge requirement, academic strains, conflicts, or concerns that may develop.  The Big Brother speaks on behalf of the pledge when the chapter makes its final decision on those who will be invited to initiation.  

V. GENERAL INFORMATION
A. Bylaws- A personal copy of the chapter bylaws may be provided to each pledge.  A circulation copy of the Fraternity bylaws is to be available to the pledge class.

B. Pledge Officers- The pledge class will elect at least four officers, which include: 1) President; 2) Pledge Operations; 3) Treasurer; 4) Activities Chair.

C. Chapter Officer Speakers- Each chapter officer will attend at least one pledge meeting as a speaker, and each will give a brief review of their duties so the pledges get a clearer understanding of how the chapter operates and how teamwork plays a major role in the success of the chapter.

D. Liability Statement- ANYTHING NOT WRITTEN IN THIS STANDARD PROGRAM OR ITS APPROVED ATTACHMENTS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED DURING THE PLEDGING PROCESS.

This is not limited to, but includes such things as: dress codes, oral ceremonies, carrying of certain objects, specific pen colors, planning pledge happy hours, memorizing initiate numbers, and votes of confidence.

ANY ACTIVITY MUST COMPLY WITH THE DELTA SIGMA PI RISK MANAGEMENT POLICY, BYLAWS, RITUAL, UNIVERSITY POLICIES, AND APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LAWS. Any matter that arises that is not covered in this program should be directed to the respective Regional Director and the Director of Chapter & Expansion Services.   

VI. SCHEDULE AND AGENDAS
Tentative Pledging Schedule
Sept. 30- Pinning Ceremony, 1^st Pledge meeting
Oct. 14- 2^nd Pledge meeting
Oct. 21- 3^rd Pledge meeting
Oct. 28- 4^th Pledge meeting
Nov. 4- 5^th Pledge meeting
Nov. 11- 6^th Pledge meeting
Jan. 6^th – 7^th Pledge meeting
Jan. 13 - 8^th Pledge meeting
Feb. 2– Initiation for Pledges

Agendas
Week 1
Pledging Ceremony

·         Roll Call 

·         Distribute Manual and Program for Pledge Education

·         Review Pledge Education program

·         Assign Questions #1-5

·         Election of Pledge officers (President, Pledge Operations, Treasurer, Activities Chair)

·         Discussion of activity places (Professional, Community/University, Fundraising, Social)

·         Big brother/ little brother assigned

·         Ensure that all Form 19’s and F/H have been submitted to the Central office

·         Question and answer period

·         Pledge activity

·         Adjourn

·         Call anyone not present

**Notice**

Weekly Quizzes will also include one additional question from previous quiz

Week 2

·         Assemble and Call to order

·         Roll call

·         Orally Recite the Purpose of Delta Sigma Pi as a group

·         Written Quiz #1-5

·         Minutes from last pledge meeting

·         Officer/committee Reports

·         Old Business Followed by new Business

·         Collect Installments on Initiation Fee ($125)

·         Assign Questions #5-10

·         Pledge Activity

·         Comments for Good and Welfare

·         Adjourn

 **Notice**

Weekly Quizzes will also include one additional question from previous quiz

Week 3

·         Assemble and Call to Order

·         Roll Call

·         Orally Recite the Purpose of Delta Sigma Pi as a group

·         Written Quiz #5-10

·         Minutes from last pledge meeting

·         Officer/Committee Reports

·         Old Business Followed by New Business

·         Collect Installments on Initiation Fee ($125)

·         Assign Questions #10-15

·         Guest Speaker- Historian

·         Comments for Good and Welfare

·         Adjourn

Week 4

·         Assemble and Call to Order Roll

·         Roll Call

·         Orally Recite the Purpose of Delta Sigma Pi as a group

·         Written Quiz 10-15

·         Minutes From Last Pledge Meeting

·         Officer/Committee Reports

·         Old Business Followed by New Business

·         Collect Installments on Initiation Fee ($125)

·         Assign Questions 15-20

·         Guest Speaker- Social Chair, Chancellor

·         Comments for Good and Welfare

·         Adjourn

Week 5

·         Assemble and Call to Order

·         Roll Call

·         Orally Recite the Purpose of Delta Sigma Pi as a group

·         Written Quiz 15-20

·         Minutes from Last Pledge Meeting

·         Officer/ Committee Reports

·         Old Business Followed by New Business

·         Collect Installments on Initiation Fee ($125)

·         Assign Questions 20-25

·         Guest Speaker- VP of Professional Activities, VP Alumni Benefits, PR

·         Comments for Good and Welfare

·         Adjourn

 **Notice**

Weekly quizzes will also include one additional question from previous quiz

Week 6

·         Assemble and call to order

·         Roll Call

·         Orally Recite the Purpose of Delta Sigma Pi as a group

·         Written Quiz 20-25

·         Minutes From Last Pledge Meeting

·         Officer/Committee Reports

·         Old Business

·         Followed by new Business

·         Collect Installments on Initiation Fee ($125)

·         Assign Questions 25-30

·         Pledge Activity

·         Guest Speaker- VPPE, Vice President-Chapter Operations

·         Comments for Good and Welfare

·         Adjourn

·         Attend Chapter Meeting

Week 7

·         Assemble and call to order

·         Roll Call

·         Orally Recite the Purpose of Delta Sigma Pi as a group

·         Written Quiz 25-30

·         Minutes from last pledge meeting

·         Officer/Committee Reports

·         Old Business Followed by new Business

·         Collect Installments on Initiation Fee ($125)

·         Final Exam next week

·         Pledge Activity

·         Guest Speakers- President, Senior Vice President

·         Comments for Good and Welfare

·         Adjourn

·         Resume & Mementos Due (Scrapbook and skit presented)

Week 8

Assemble and Call to Order
Roll Call
Evaluate Recruiting and Pledge Program
Orally Recite the Purpose of Delta Sigma Pi as a group
Final Comprehensive Pledge Exam on Questions #1-30
Minutes From Last Pledge Meeting
Officer/committee Reports
Old Business Followed by New Business
Collect FINAL Installments on Initiation Fee ($125)
Comments for Good and Welfare
Adjourn

Week 9 (Professional Dress: Wear Pledge Pin)
Welcome and Registration- 1pm
Initiation-Approximately 2pm to 4:30pm

VII.  ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS NOT FOUND
IN THE MANUAL FOR PLEDGE EDUCATION
9.             Grand President: Kathy Jahnke
                Past Grand President: Norman Kromberg
                Vice President for Alumni Benefits& Services: Velvet Simmons
                National Collegian of the Year: ’00 Melissa K. Ekern, ’01 Brandon Trease
10.           Provincial Vice President: Pete Bjelan
                Regional Director:  Katie Walicki
11.           Mid American Province, Great Lakes Region
                AW-DePaul University
                D-Marquette University
                GP-Loyola University
                ZX-Lewis University
                HM-Northern Illinois University
                HP-University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
                Chicago Alumni
                Milwaukee Alumni
                NBF Colony-University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee

                Inactive Chapters: (not required to know)
                B-Northwestern University-Chicago
                Z-Northwestern University-Evanston
                Y-University of Wisconsin-Madison
                AY-University of Chicago
                QX-University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

12.  District Director: Alison Spring
21. Delta Psi Beta Colony-4/14/1999
Alpha Omega Chapter Reactivation- 2/3/2001
Original Alpha Omega Installation- 6/2/1928
22.  See Faculty Attachment
31. Founding Fathers
Charmaine Bautista
Julian Bregu
Lynnette Colburn
Brian Conti
Mehul Desai
Stacey Furco
Jean Gueco
Kheang Heng
Joseph Kim
Daniell Kiss
Alice Lau
Tom Lucid
Dennis Lyskawa
Brook McConnaughhay
Shirin Meherally
Josh Morales
Neera Patel
Justin Proctor
Dennis Protasio
Jason Quan
John Ridgeway
Vincent Riechers
Chris Sacharczuk
Heidy Santizo
Kevin Sheehan
Nicole Smith
Ryan Sulda
Lisa Tabion
Tighe Williams