The Five Orders Section A
INTRODUCTION
Fraternity is nothing if it doesn't recognize the fact that its Brothers are growing and changing people, especially during the formative years of college. Fraternity fails when it provides no more stimulation for juniors or seniors than it provides freshmen or sophomores. Fraternity succeeds when it provides increasingly new and different challenges and opportunities for its Brothers as they advance chronologically, academically, and in their maturing and aspirations. Resultingly, the Brotherhood Program finds it essential to have membership programming that goes beyond simply the introductory level. One of the weaknesses of pledging was that the process stopped at initiation.
THE ONGOING EXPERIENCE
Inevitably, non-achievers or slow achievers resist programs that honor achievement greater than their own. They categorize such honor as elitism, undemocratic and unfraternal. Fraternity, a Brotherhood of special men committed to live their lives in accordance with special ideals and special behavior toward their fellow men is, by its definition, a cut above the norm. While it is true that no man is less a Brother because he is not a Companion of the Order, Brothers - men deeply committed to doing the best for each other - will also strive to be the best that they can be. Brothers should honor such achievement. That honor is the purpose of the Five Orders.
THE CERTIFICATION AND APPLICATION PROCESS
Chapter Responsibilities: Each Chapter is responsible for properly initiating each new Brother according to the procedures found in the "New Brothers" Section of this Manual. In addition, each Chapter is responsible to conduct Semiannual Brotherhood Votes each academic period and report any expulsions in writing to the AΓP Headquarters; the Chapter VNR-Planning with the help of the other appropriate Chapter officers and chairmen, is responsible to monitor and record compliance with Basic Expectations & Chapter Minimum Membership Standards, and the meeting of criteria. A strongly suggested tool for this process is to conduct a Review of the Orders meeting, to be held once a month, in which the VNR-Membership Development, VNR-Planning and Chaplain meet to review the progress and good standing of each Brother. Their results are then reported to the Brothers, individually, who then can take action as needed to meet the criteria that he needs to progress to the next higher Order. Every Chapter also should offer its Brothers frequent opportunities to meet the criteria for the Order that they seek.
Programs the Chapter can conduct to help Brothers reach Orders include:
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1.
Academic Assistance:
Sessions on time management, study skills, etc., to help Brothers to be academically successful. 2. Alumni Events: Homecoming, dinners, etc. 3. Brotherhood Night: Dedicate one evening a week to a Brother's Only session that would include a bonding exercise, group and individual fraternity education sessions, and an opportunity to study for and take exams required for the Five Orders. 4. Committees: Have an extensive and functioning committee system. 5. Community Service and Philanthropy Events: Fund attendance for delegates, over and above the required minimum, to AΓP Convention and Leadership Seminars based on some objective measure of superior achievement in the Chapter. 6. Peer Counseling Training: Sponsor training sessions. 7. Program Development: Encourage Brothers to develop new or improved Chapter programs, and implement them. 8. Tutoring Program: Set up a formal program for Brothers to tutor Brothers in areas of personal expertise. 9. Work days: Chapters can hold workdays to bring their house "up to par".
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Unhoused Chapters can hold workdays to allow Brothers to provide logistical support to the Chapter, such as putting up recruitment posters, cleaning up the Chapter files, etc., etc.
Chapters will provide the AΓP Headquarters with each application for certification, written verification of the completion of criteria, signed by the Chapter Noble Ruler, VNR-Planning and Chapter Adviser. This must be received no later than 45 days prior to a planned conducting of the Ritual of the Five Orders, to allow the AΓP Headquarters time to properly process the applications and send the Chapter the insignia for Brothers to be inducted into various Orders. At that time, the Chapter also should purchase from AΓP the appropriate regalia. The Chapter, finally, conducts the Ritual of the Five Orders. Brothers' Responsibilities: After a Brother is initiated, it is expected that he will continue to meet Basic Expectations & Chapter Minimum Membership Standards, and sustain each Semiannual Brotherhood Vote conducted since his initiation.
At that point, Brothers will begin to work toward meeting criteria for the Five Orders. Upon completing any of the criteria, a brother should provide to the Chapter VNR-Planning, a copy of any verification of non AΓP activities, as well as confirming with the VNR-Planning his meeting criteria for AΓP activities.
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Proof of meeting criteria includes: 1. Chapter Activity:
A statement signed by Chapter Noble Ruler, VNR-Planning and Chapter Adviser. This statement can be of the overall achievements of a single Brother, or a single achievement by a group of Brothers (e.g. "The following Brothers have completed 40 hours of work on the house...")
2.
GPA: Transcripts or grade reports.
3.
Community Service and Philanthropy: A letter from the charity, or, if a Chapter event, a statement as described above.
4.
Campus Participation: A letter signed by the Chapter Adviser or Noble Ruler (or other officer if the Brother is Noble Ruler) of the group, stating that the Brother has been a member in good standing since____________.
Applications that are found to be intentionally false will be disqualified and that Brother subject to disciplinary action.
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The National Fraternity's Responsibilities: Upon receipt of a fee and form from a new initiate, the Fraternity will enter that Brother on the permanent records of the Fraternity and prepare and send to the new initiate his membership credentials. The Fraternity will also maintain records of expulsions as provided by each Chapter, and keep a record of Regional Leadership Seminar and Convention attendance. Upon receiving one or more complete applications for an Order (or Orders) from a Chapter, the Fraternity will confirm the provided documentation, and certify the Brother(s) as a Companion of the Order(s). The Fraternity will then note and maintain a list of the Orders achieved by a Brother and all those Brothers who are Companions of that Order, and send to the Chapter the appropriate insignia as purchased by the Chapter.
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Criteria For Induction Into And Benefits Of The Five Orders
The Order of the Shield To be eligible for the Order of the Shield, a Brother must sustain each Semiannual Brotherhood Vote since the time of his initiation, be in compliance with the Basic Expectations and Chapter minimum membership standards, and complete four of the following six items: Scholarships: 1. Cumulative GPA is equal to or higher than 2.2/4.0 scale;
Chapter Leadership: 2. Serve as an active member of at least one Chapter committee; 3. Complete at least 20 accumulative hours of work on the Chapter house or it's grounds, or, if not housed, 20 hours of work on a project benefiting the Chapter and in addition to the items noted under other categories;
Fraternalism: 4. Attend a workshop on values of the Fraternity, behavior and respect for the ritual, and complete the ritual study manual; Campus Leadership: 5. Participate actively in at least one campus ag club or club related to your major field of study;
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Personal Development: 6. Attend a presentation on alcohol and drug awareness.
The benefits of the Order of the Shield include: 1. The right to wear the insignia of the Order;
2. Eligibility for service on National Fraternity committees and as a delegate at a National Convention; 3. 4. The right to serve as chairman of a Chapter committee; Eligible for appointment to the Quality Committee.
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Criteria For Induction Into And Benefits Of The Five Orders
The Order of the Lamp and Tree To be eligible for the Order of the Lamp and Tree, a Brother must sustain each Semiannual Brotherhood Vote since the time of his initiation, be in compliance with the Basic Expectations and Chapter minimum membership standards, be a Companion of the Order of the Shield and complete five of the following nine items: Chapter Leadership: 1. Serve or have served as an active member of at least two Chapter committees, and chairman of at least one; 2. Complete at least 60 accumulative hours of work on the Chapter house or its grounds, or, if not housed, 40 hours of work on a project benefiting the Chapter and in addition to the items noted under other categories;
Campus Leadership: 3. Participate actively in at least one campus ag club or club related to your field of study; 4. Attend a meeting of the Student Government, IFC, Alumni Corporation Board and an Ag Council; Scholarship: 5. Maintain a grade point cumulative average to date of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent;
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Philanthropy: 6. Participate in at least one volunteer campus/community service organization or volunteer regular time to a health or public service institution, in addition to #3 above;
Alumni Interaction: 7. 8. Write an article on an alumnus for the Chapter Crescent. Recruit at least one alumnus to attend an alumni event that he didn't attend the previous year;
Fraternalism: 9. Teach a course in the Chapter's Brotherhood Program.
The Benefits of the Order of The Lamp and Tree include: 1. 2. The right to wear the insignia of the Order; Eligibility for service on National Fraternity committees and as a delegate at a National Convention; The right to serve as chairman of a Chapter committee; Eligibility for Scholarships sponsored by the Educational Foundation of AΓP; Eligibility to run for election to Chapter office except Noble Ruler; Eligible for appointment to the Quality Committee.
3. 4.
5.
6.
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Criteria For Induction Into And Benefits Of The Five Orders
The Order of the Wreath To be eligible for the Order of the Wreath, a Brother must sustain each Semiannual Brotherhood Vote since the time of his initiation, be in compliance with the Basic Expectations and Chapter minimum membership standards, be a Companion of the Order of the Lamp and Tree, and complete six of the following nine items: Chapter Leadership: 1. 2. Serve as an active member of at least one Chapter committee; Chair at least one Chapter committee or serve as an elected Chapter officer; Complete at least 60 accumulative hours of work on the Chapter house or its grounds, or, if not housed, 60 hours of work on a project benefiting the Chapter and in addition to the items noted under other categories;
3.
Campus Leadership: 4. Participate actively in at least one campus organization outside your major; Be a member of a campus honorary, recognition, or professional society;
5.
Scholarship: 6. Maintain a grade point cumulative average to date of a least 2.8 on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent;
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Fraternalism: 7. Teach a course in the Chapter's Brotherhood Program;
National Fraternity Involvement: 8. Attend either an AΓP Leadership Seminar or a Convention or the National Fraternity's Recruitment School or Chicago Career Days;
Alumni Interaction: 9. Recruit at least one alumnus to attend an alumni event that he didn't attend the previous year.
The benefits of the Order of the Wreath include: 1. The right to wear the insignia of the Order;
2. Eligibility for service on National Fraternity committees and as a delegate at a National Convention; 3. The right to serve as a chairman of a Chapter committee;
4. Eligibility for Scholarships sponsored by the Educational Foundation of AΓP; 5. 6. Ruler; 7. Eligible for appointment to the Quality Committee. Eligibility to serve as a big brother; Eligibility to run for election to chapter office except Noble
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Criteria For Induction Into And Benefits Of The Five Orders
The Order of the Sickle and Sheaf To be eligible for the Order of the Sickle and Sheaf, a Brother must sustain each Semiannual Brotherhood Vote since the time of his initiation, be in compliance with the Basic Expectations and Chapter minimum membership standards, be a Companion of the Order of the Wreath, and complete eight of the following eleven items; Chapter Leadership: 1. 2. Serve as an active member of at least two Chapter committees; Complete at least 100 accumulative hours of work on the Chapter house or its grounds, or, if not housed, 100 hours of work on a project benefiting the Chapter and in addition to the items noted under other categories;
3. Chair at least one Chapter committee or serve as an elected Chapter officer; 4. Successfully recruit five men into AΓP.
Campus Leadership: 5. Scholarship: 6. Maintain a grade point cumulative average to date of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent; Participate actively in at least one campus organization;
Fraternalism:
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7.
Teach a course in the Chapter's Brotherhood Program;
8. Tutor one or more Brothers in an academic area of personal expertise;
Alumni Interaction: 9. Recruit at least three alumni to attend an alumni event that they didn't attend the previous year; 10. Write an article on an alumnus and submit to the SICKLE & SHEAF Editor;
National Fraternity Involvement: 11. Attend an AΓP Leadership Seminar or National Convention.
The benefits of the Order of the Sickle and Sheaf include: 1. 2. The right to wear the insignia of the Order; Eligibility for service on National Fraternity committees and as delegate at a National Convention; The right to serve as a chairman of a Chapter committee;
3.
4. Eligibility for Scholarships sponsored by the Educational Foundation of AΓP; 5. Eligibility to run for election to Chapter office including Noble Ruler; 6. Eligibility to serve as a Big Brother.
7. Eligibility to serve on the Chapter's Judicial Board/Standards Committee.
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8.
Eligible for appointment to the Quality Committee.
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Criteria For Induction Into And Benefits Of The Five Orders
The Order of The Crescent and Stars To be eligible for the Order of The Crescent and Stars, a Brother must sustain each Semiannual Brotherhood Vote since the time of his initiation, be in compliance with the Basic Expectations and Chapter minimum membership standards, be a Companion of the Order of The Sickle and Sheaf and complete nine of the following eleven items: Chapter Leadership: 1. Serve as a Chairman of at least one of the Chapter's regular standing committee and/or participate on one committee and one elected office; Complete at least 120 accumulative hours of work on the Chapter house or its grounds, or, if not housed, 120 hours of work on a project benefiting the Chapter and in addition to the items noted under other categories;
2.
Campus Leadership: 3. Participate as an elected officer of at least one campus organization and participate as an active member of at least one additional campus organization; Scholarship: 4. Maintain a grade point cumulative average to date of at least 3.25 on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent;
Fraternalism:
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5.
Complete a recognized Peer Counseling Certification Program and serve as a Peer Counselor in the Chapter and in the campus community; Develop and implement a new program for the Chapter that ensures the Chapter's public goodwill as supported by actual statistics or letters of reference;
6.
7. Tutor one or more Brothers in an academic area of personal expertise; 8. Teach a course in the Chapter's Brotherhood Program;
Philanthropy: 9. Participate in a philanthropic fundraising event or activity, in addition to other such participation noted herein; Alumni Interaction: 10. Recruit at least three alumni to attend an alumni event who did not attend the previous year;
National Fraternity Involvement: 11. Attend either an AΓP Leadership Seminar or National Convention.
The benefits of the Order of The Crescent and Stars include: 1. 2. The right to wear the insignia of the Order; Eligibility for service on National Fraternity committees and as a delegate at a National Convention; The right to serve as chairman of a Chapter Committee;
3.
4. Eligibility for Scholarships sponsored by the Educational Foundation of AΓP;
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5.
Eligibility to serve on the Chapter's Judicial Board/Standards Committee; Eligibility to run for election to Chapter office, including Noble Ruler;
6.
7.
Election to the Fraternity's new lifelong membership entity which will serve as a sounding board for issues affecting the Fraternity; Eligible for appointment to the Quality Committee.
8.
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