Opening remarks

A couple weeks back, who knows how many fraternities ended up getting new guys (or duders as I prefer to call them). And of course, they're just getting their feet wet as they embark on an adventure of an indefinite duration, one of the transforming experiences most of these men will go through during their 4 or so years at college.

That's right. It's pledgeship.

Not only is it a time to make new friends & new connections along the way. It's also a time to put one's leadership skills to the test, skills that could work wonders once one is fully initiated into, say, Sigs or SAE. If you're up for hosting parties & are great at planning them accordingly/formulating where to hold your pledge bashes, sign up for social chair. If you're a pretty good leader who'll see to it that your fellow pledges are on the same page when it comes to getting things done, you'd do awesome as president. If you feel you & your fellow pledges should keep themselves accountable in terms of paying their pledgeship dues & other whatnot, give it a go as treasurer. At any rate, pledgeship is the springboard for who knows how many duders to step up, get involved any way they can...in short, build on their leadership, communication & networking skills, skills which are going to be beneficial not only after initiation but also in the real world as well.

There are those men who'll state the obvious, i.e. "Greek life isn't really for me after all," & this is understandable to a certain point. Seeing the obligations which their pledge programs entail, some are taken aback at demands which in a sense cramp their style or demands which they're just not up to. Some fold early when their grades take a hit. Others leave out of pressure from their fams. Some get kicked out of the pledge program for some of the pettiest stuff...& yet I'll guarantee you, 9 times out of 10 it'll be because of conduct unbecoming. But for the majority who stay on & are busting their tails to make their pledging experiences not just meaningful but some of the best days of their lives...Greek life & all of its benefits grow by a thousandfold!!

If there is something to be said about pledgeship, it might seem like a long road with lots of signs & obstacles to clear every now & then, not to forget plenty of twists & turns. But once the end of the road - initiation - has been reached, the meaning of one's quest to be a man of good character, a man of integrity, etc. become fully clear. Pledgeship is the one way to become each of the above & much more. In fact, it's the start of something big for every duder who feels that Greek life shouldn't be taken for granted.