[13160] in APO-L
Random Thoughts
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (John R. Anderson)
Thu Nov 2 07:24:47 1995
Date: Thu, 2 Nov 1995 07:24:06 -0500
Reply-To: "John R. Anderson" <cl089@cleveland.Freenet.Edu>
From: "John R. Anderson" <cl089@cleveland.Freenet.Edu>
To: Multiple recipients of list APO-L <APO-L@VM.CC.PURDUE.EDU>
Normally, I respond individually to posts but in this case I thought I would post to the system.
Recently, there have been some posts here about pledges and
related activities. Questions have been raised about the oath of
active membership and other items. I thought I would share some
thoughts with you.
First, we use the term "Brother" rather freely in some cases
and in others rather restrictively. The term is used in the
ritual but where is it actually defined???? The National by-laws
talks about several classes of MEMBERSHIP within our fraternity.
Among these is Pledge Membership. Remember, a Pledge is a type
of member of APO. As such, they are entitled to the rights and privledges of membership while they are in training to become an Active Member of APO. Most of the exceptions here are related to voting or participating at a chapter meeting. One brother posted that he felt that a a Pledge Member is the same thing as a Pledge Brother. I personnally like that that of attitude. More on these lines would be found in the T&T Article that I wrote earlier this year.
Second, within your pledge periods, I would hope that Pledge Masters are taking the time to show our Pledge Members the National Pledging Standards as well as the National Bylaws, and Chapter Bylaws.These are not some cosmic documents on display at the archives in Washington, D.C. but apply to all of us.
As far as the stealing or hiding of Pledge Members' property, chapters doing so may be walking a fine line here between instilling a sense of unity and teamwork among the Pledge Members and driving them away. I would advise that you think about what you are doing.
To any of the Pledge Members who may read this, some day you will hopefully be an Active Member. It will then be your turn to help in the Pledge Member training program. Reflect upon what you are doing now and if there is anything you feel is lacking in your program, i.e., questions not answered, etc., remember them and ask. When you become an Active, work positively to make any enhancements you need to to improve the program.
The future of APO rests on our Membership Programs. If our training periods do not instill the true spirit of our brotherhood centering around LFS, then we weaken the fraternity. Respect, love and honor all of your brothers.
In Brotherhood,
John R.Anderson, Membership And Extension Chair
