To better serve your role as Chapter Membership Orientation Officer, this document is to serve as a guide for you along the way. Look to this for any questions you may have, if there is not an answer to your question, simply refer to your Chapter Services Consultant for an answer.
The Membership Orientation Officer (MOO) will oversee the implementation of the Mark of Distinction Program given to all new associate members of the chapter. The MOO will also oversee the Big Brother program for the chapter.
•Learn About your Role. Take the time to review this manual. This will allow you to have a clear understanding of the role and what you will be working on during the year.
•Plan Ahead. Failing to stay organized and not planning ahead is the biggest cause for challenges. Take the time to review the “Semester To-Do List” items in your manual and map out what you need to accomplish your goals for the semester. This will allow you to be successful in your role while creating different levels of change within your chapter.
•Ask for help. Reach out to your Board of Governors, Chapter Services Consultant, and past officers if you are struggling. Being a chapter officer is hard work and you aren’t expected to do it alone. Utilize this manual as a resource but if you need additional support, don’t be afraid to reach out for help.
•Form a Committee. Your role requires a lot of time, a committee can be a useful tool to help you manage your workload and complete tasks.
•Model the Way. Holding a position in your chapter means you are a role model for your chapter brothers. You are expected to model the way for your brothers and they will mirror the behavior you model. At times, you have to make difficult decisions that might not be popular. Serving in this role means your brothers have trusted you to make those decisions for the chapter. Don’t be afraid to make the hard decisions and to challenge your brothers to be better.
•Set Expectations. As a leader, make sure your chapter has very clear expectations for membership. This will allow your chapter to thrive and allow you to be able to better support your brothers who are not meeting these expectations.
Mark of Distinction Program- Use the MOD program provided to you by the Executive Offices to help plan and execute your six-week Associate Member program for the semester. This program will help associate members to learn Phi Kappa Tau history while allowing them to get to know each other and initiated brothers.
Mark of Distinction Modification Form- Fill out this form if your chapter is doing things not included within the Mark of Distinction Program (IE Local history, different learning concepts, bonding activities, strategies, etc.)
Big Brother Program- Use the provided materials on the Big Brother Program to help you implement a successful Big Brother mentorship program. This program should be utilized to provide leadership, mentorship, and guidance to Associate Members.
Semester Calendar- Get all Associate Member Meetings, Associate Member Ceremony, and Initiation onto the chapter calendar so that everyone is aware. Also, make sure you are reaching out to any speakers, guest, or suggested brothers who you would like to attend associate member meetings promptly so that they can plan their calendars accordingly.
Associate Member Parent Letter- Work with your chapter Secretary to create this letter. The letter should be an introduction to Phi Kappa Tau and your specific chapter for parents. You should include the timeframe for the semester and important dates such as Initiation. This is a way for the parents of your associate members to get to know your chapter so include all the amazing things your chapter does.
January
· Review Mark of Distinction (MOD) program before beginning of the semester.
· Identify logistical needs to properly run a new member meeting including securing any room reservations needed to have meetings or special events during the process.
· Execute the Associate Member Informational Meeting before the first Associate Member Meeting of the semester.
· Execute week 1 of the MOD program.
· Work with the President to record all new associates into the Phi Kappa Tau Portal.
· Schedule out guest speakers, guest facilitators, etc. for all the weeks of the MOD program.
February
· Execute weeks 2-5 of the MOD program, utilizing the program to help plan out guest speakers, specific brothers and when they should attend meetings.
· Execute the Big Brother/Little Brother Program
March
· Execute week 6 of the MOD program, utilizing the MOD to help plan out guest speakers, specific brothers and when they should attend meetings.
· Administer the Phi Kappa Tau associate member exam.
· Submit the request to initiate in the Phi Kappa Tau Portal by changing the new members status from ‘Associate’ to ‘Undergraduate.’
April
· Review the process and outcomes from the MOD program.
· Begin to strategize for next semester and develop some positive additions to productively educate future Associate members.
Summer
· Review Mark of Distinction program before beginning of the school year.
· Identify logistical needs to properly run a new member meeting.
· Schedule out guest speakers, guest facilitators, etc. for all the weeks of the MOD program.
August
· Review all logistical information you planned over the summer to ensure that you are prepared for the semester.
· Work with the Chapter President to record all new associates into the Phi Kappa Tau Portal.
September
· Execute the Associate Member Informational Meeting before the first Associate Member Meeting of the semester.
· Execute week 1 of the MOD program, utilizing the program to help plan out guest speakers, specific brothers and when they should attend meetings.
· Execute weeks 2-5 of the MOD program, utilizing the program to help plan out guest speakers, specific brothers and when they should attend meetings.
· Execute the Big Brother/Little Brother Program
October
· Execute week 6 of the MOD program, utilizing the program to help plan out guest speakers, specific brothers and when they should attend meetings.
· Administer the Phi Kappa Tau Associate Member exam.
· Submit the request to initiate in the Phi Kappa Tau Portal by changing the new members status from ‘Associate’ to ‘Undergraduate’
November
· Review the process and outcomes from the MOD program.
· Begin to strategize for next semester and develop some positive additions to educate future Associate members.
· Help with transitions of the new MOO and provide best practices for implementation of the MOD program.
The Borradaile Challenge is the fundamental way that chapters have their performance evaluated over the course of a calendar year. Encapsulating 10 categories, chapters can fall into one of three standings for each: Meets Expectations, Exceeds Expectations, or Outstanding.
See a breakdown of the metrics below and more information on the Borradaile Challenge here: àhttps://www.phikappatau.org/borradailechallenge
Voluntary or Coercive?
· What if someone agrees to participate in an activity and later claims to have been hazed? That cannot possibly be hazing can it?
o As a matter of fact, courts have stated that the willingness of a participant in a hazing activity does not make it OK. Due to the coercive nature and high level of peer pressure of most hazing activities, the courts say that it is impossible to say whether someone actually WANTS to participate or if they feel like they HAVE TO participate, thus making the activity hazing!
Who is a Hazer?
· According to legal precedent, everyone who knows about (but doesn't object to), participates in, or approves a hazing activity is guilty of hazing and can be found liable for any damages resulting from the activity. This can include other new members, associates, or pledges. By allowing it to take place and not reporting it, you are just as guilty as the person doing it.
What Happens to Hazers?
· A wide variety of consequences await individuals found guilty of hazing. Specific sanctions and consequences vary greatly on a case-by-case basis. The following are just some of the possible consequences:
o Expulsion from college
o Jail time
o Lawsuits
o Fines
o Probation
o Revocation of diploma if found guilty after graduation
o Chapter may lose charter
o National fraternity or sorority may pass expense on to other chapters
How Do I Make it Stop?
· EDUCATE your members on what hazing is, why it is not consistent with the values and mission of the fraternity and how you can reach the same objective through constructive new member activities.
· CONFRONT any behavior by members that are considered hazing – no matter how big or how small. Furthermore, when AMs say that they “want to be hazed,” “like the hazing,” or “don’t think it is that big of a deal,” they need to be confronted
· Institute a culture of ACCOUNTABILITY. The confrontation piece is the start to stopping hazing. However, if the confrontation is not heeded and/or hazing is still occurring, you MUST hold those individuals accountable. Via a standards hearing, you should institute appropriate sanctions that are both educational and punitive in nature. (Please refer to your standards/judicial procedures or consult your chapter advisor for assistance.)
· REPORT the situation and your plan for addressing the violation immediately to your chapter advisor. It is important to be honest about the situation and for them to hear it from you first.
*Feel free to utilize this space to take notes for yourself or the next officer to share your ideas and experiences with them.