New Model Implementation Is on Track
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s published in the fall 2022 edition of The Phi Gamma Delta magazine, delegates to the 174th (2022) Ekklesia voted to eliminate pledging, effective July 1, 2024, and to immediately allow chapters to initiate new members without the probationary period known as pledging. When provided with the background related to decades-long challenges related to hazing, research which points to hazing concerns as a prominent reason men do not join fraternities, and recent and expected trends related to male college enrollment, they understood the need for a different approach to welcoming new members. With the decisions of the 174th Ekklesia, the Fraternity began implementation of the New Model – which puts a greater emphasis on quality recruitment, reduces the power dynamic inherent in pledging and at the heart of fraternity hazing, and aims to provide a more fulfilling undergraduate experience.
programs that complement each other in a holistic approach:
Phi Gamma Delta becomes the 7th men’s fraternity to implement a no-pledging model. Others include Alpha Gamma Rho, Alpha Kappa Lambda, Lambda Chi Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Phi Epsilon and Zeta Beta Tau.
The Growth System is a continuous, modern, values‐based recruitment approach that allows a chapter to make a full and honest evaluation of a prospective member before extending him an invitation to join. It leverages technology, education to build recruitment skills, and advisor support to help chapters work toward a continuous recruitment model, not relying solely on the traditional “rush” period and developing values‐based criteria to identify prospects and ensure quality prior to initiation.
Built to Lead is a multi‐level development experience that begins on day one of affiliation and extends throughout the undergraduate experience, focused on building and strengthening skills necessary for Courageous Leadership. Through a framework designed to match the variety of layers of the undergraduThe New Model, the framework ate experience, it seeks to enhance of which has been in developbonding and commitment from the ment for several years prior to the start and provides continued learn174th Ekklesia, is a product of two ing throughout a man’s undergraduate years. Less than 10% of undergraduate men join fraternities. Of By elonthose who consider joining but do not, 35% cite a poor gating the impression/hazing as a concern and 26% do not consider recruitment joining due to hazing concerns. Of men who considered process and but did not join, 9% cited they “didn’t know how to sign intentionally up,” indicating a gap in our current recruitment processes.
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THE PHI GAMMA DELTA | SPRING 2023
educating and providing developmental opportunities throughout the undergraduate experience, Phi Gamma Delta will see success in both the retention and recruitment of undergraduate members.
Early Adopters All chapters are required to implement a no‐pledging joining process by July 1, 2024. Those who do so before are implementing the New Model as Early Adopters – supported by Fraternity staff and a coach who assists them in developing their own unique implementation plan. Fifty-seven chapters have done so thus far – with 30 chapters joining in fall 2022 and 27 joining in spring 2023 (listed on page 25). In its first year, more than 40% of chapters have implemented the New Model, and we expect more than 65% of chapters to implement by the end of fall 2023. These chapters represent a wide range of sizes and campus characteristics, helping the Fraternity adjust and shape implementation for all chapters in the future. Results and feedback from 2022-23 Early Adopters have been generally
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