What is pledging a.k.a. "New
Member Education?"
New Member
Education (NME) is a period of time before becoming a full active member of a
society.
What do you
do during New Member Education?
During NME, candidates learn the values and traditions of the society.
They also develops skills to help them function as actives
within the society. Finally, new candidate members get to know their “pledge
sisters” and the current actives better during this special
time. The bond of sisterhood among all Palmers grows and is reinforced
through the shared experiences of NME. Many of the skills learned
during NME are valuable in real world work situations after graduation. The
friendships that form during this time last a lifetime and span many
generations.
Someone told me I shouldn't pledge until I am a sophomore.
Is this true?
When you decide to pledge is completely up to you and is limited
only by your academic eligibility and standing with Whittier College. No
one can tell you when the right time to
pledge for you is except for yourself.
An important thought: Many
members find that “pledging” as an underclassman is a
valuable experience because they had time to grow as an individual with
every experience society life presented. As these members learned more about
themselves and what they could do as society members, they were able to
accomplish even more within the Society. Furthermore, while NME teaches
candidate members a great deal about being a society member, there is still a
lot to learn from your sisters about the society and how it works, especially
in the first year. More often than not, members who
delayed joining the society wished they had more opportunity to realize their
full potential as an active.
While these individuals have few
regrets, many do wish they had pledged sooner.
Is hazing a
part of New Member Education?
NO! The Palmer Society values and teaches the
importance of respecting the individual
and each other above all else. This includes appreciating each person's
background and experiences while helping one other become the best person each
of us can be.
Does New
Member Education take a lot of time?
One of the many skills
taught during pledging is time management. There are many
things to learn and do in during pledging but Palmers learn to manage all the
things they do with the help and cooperation of their Palmer Sisters.
It
is important to be very honest with yourself about your time commitments
before deciding to pledge. You need to be fair to your pledge sisters and the
Palmers in following through with your obligations to the entire group both
during and after NME.
Can I work
during New Member Education?
We hope that NME is a top
priority for you during the pledging period, but we are willing to work
reasonably around class and
work schedules.
What about my school work?
The Palmer Society values
Scholarship as one of its finest traditions.
Study hours are scheduled during
pledging and extra time can be arranged through your Pledge Mistress and Study
Mistresses as necessary for the academic success of a new candidate member.
Does New Member Education cost a lot of money?
The costs of NME are dependent
on the activities and projects each NME class decides to do. Pledge classes
are encouraged to arrange for fundraisers to support their projects just like
active members do the same to support their activities.
Why should I pledge a Society when there are so many
clubs at Whittier College?
Whittier College societies are one of the oldest traditions on campus
and have stood the test of time when other groups have faded with the
changing needs of students at Whittier. This fact is a testament to ability of
societies to continue to adjust and meet the needs of so many individuals as
the times change. While the reasons individuals join a society are diverse,
here are some common benefits cited by members for joining a Society:
-
Desire to be a part of a lasting organization at
the College that is rich in history and tradition.
-
Social opportunities throughout the school year
and beyond.
-
Opportunities to meet and develop friendships in
an area which is not limited to extraordinarily specific activities, skills,
goals, or demographics.
-
To enrich college experiences beyond the
classroom.
-
Chances to meet and be involved with other
members of the Whittier College
community who can help me to grow in both the personal and the professional
arena.
-
Genuinely unlimited opportunities to plan
interesting activities and events that span a variety of areas, from
community service to cultural and intellectual pursuits to personal
entertainment.
I didn't attend Open House, Rush or any of the other
Prospective Events. Can I still pledge?
Open House and Rush Events are designed to give
potential members and the individual societies the opportunity to get know one
another. The Palmer Society requires prospective members to attend at least
one event for potential members the semester before pledging. Individuals
unable to make these events should approach the President or Pledge Mistress
to discuss additional opportunities and eligibility to join the Palmer Society
with careful consideration to time commitments given. Furthermore, potential
members are welcome to approach any Society member to find out more about
joining a society at any time of year.
How do I indicate that I want to go through New
Member Education?
Potential
members indicate that they want to pledge by submitting a bid card filled out
for the Palmer Society. Once a bid card is voted on and approved by the
Active Members, you are notified. You then accept the bid by picking the bid
up. In order to join, you must also meet certain eligibility
requirements with Whittier College. For more information, visit
"How to Join the Palmer Society."
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