Initiation Program Resources

The primary purpose of the Initiation Program is to prepare Initiates for active membership in Phi Sigma Pi. The Initiation Program is a time of learning for the Initiate, as well as an opportunity to gather information about what each Initiate may contribute as part of the Chapter once a Member.

As Initiate Advisor, the successful implementation of the Initiation Program is your responsibility. The success of each Initiate who enters the program will depend largely upon how well you impart the information they must know to succeed as an Initiate, pass the National Exam and become a contributing Member of your Chapter. It goes without saying that your role is one of great importance that directly impacts the future of your Chapter and the Fraternity.

Thank you for being here. This is your place for resources, guidance and for full support through your Chapter's Initiation Program. Click on the boxes below to get started.

Check out what's going on in the Recruitment/Initiation Leaders Community!

Latest Discussions List

Log in to see this information

Either the content you're seeking doesn't exist or it requires proper authentication before viewing.

Set Up a Call With Your Initiate Advisor Expert

The Chapter Services Team is one of your biggest resources. Connect with your Initiate Advisor Expert to set up a time to chat more about the Initiation Program.

Email chapterservices@phisigmapi.org

Getting Started

The best places to start are to review the Initiate Advisor Training Manual and the Initiation Program Curriculum Guide. These Manuals have a step-by-step process for everything you need to know for your role.

Initiation Program Requirements in the National Constitution

The National Constitution (Article IX: Collegiate Chapters, Section 5: Recruitment and Initiation Requirements) states that it is the Chapter's responsibility to make sure every Phi Sigma Pi Initiate completes the following.

Hold an Initiation Program that does not span more than one academic semester or quarter;
Hold a minimum of five Initiate Meetings;
Require the Initiate class to complete at least one event that represents the ideals of Phi Sigma Pi as outlined in Article II, Section 2;
Require each Initiate to attend at least one collegiate Chapter Meeting at the sheltering institution;
Assign each Initiate to one or more Collegiate Members or Active Alumni Members of a Collegiate Chapter. The Collegiate Members or Active Alumni Members shall serve as examples and sources of guidance to their assigned Initiate throughout the Initiation Program;
Issue copies of, and educate the Initiate on content contained in, the Scholar's Province, the governing documents of the National Fraternity, and the governing documents of the Collegiate Chapter;
Require all Initiates to learn the Fraternity Songs;
Require all Initiates to learn the Fraternity’s history and the Collegiate Chapter's history;
Require all Initiates to achieve an individual score of at least 80% correct in order to pass the Phi Sigma Pi National Membership Exam.
Ensure each Initiate is provided feedback in person at least once on the Initiate's progress on the requirements of the Chapter Initiation Program.

Let's break down some of your requirements as the Initiate Advisor below. You can use this sheet to lay out expectations for each Initiate.

Hold an Initiation Program that does not span more than one academic semester or quarter;

The Initiation period begins with the Ritual Pinning Ceremony and ends with the Ritual Induction Ceremony. Prior to the Ritual Pinning Ceremony, your Chapter will offer bids to students that are interested in joining Phi Sigma Pi. Learn about ways to offer Bids in the video and find examples here.

Hold a minimum of five Initiate Meetings;

Issue copies of, and educate the Initiate on content contained in, the Scholar's Province, the governing documents of the National Fraternity, and the governing documents of the Collegiate Chapter;

Require all Initiates to learn the Fraternity Songs;

Require all Initiates to learn the Fraternity’s history and the Collegiate Chapter's history;

Require all Initiates to achieve an individual score of at least 80% correct in order to pass the Phi Sigma Pi National Membership Exam.

There are two methods you have to complete these requirements.

"Teaching Method"- The Initiate Advisor (or other positions depending on the week) will walk the Initiates through the learning aspects of the program. Almost like a teacher leading a classroom. You use The Scholar’s Province and the Initiation Program PowerPoints to teach the Initiates everything they need to know for the National Exam.
"Activity Method"- An Online Initiation Program has been designed through the CORE E-Learning Center filled with interactive learning pieces that align with the Initiate Advisor Curriculum Guide. This allows for Initiates to complete the learning objectives/requirements online, allowing you to use your five required meetings to work with Initiates on the other requirements. This will allow you to make better and more connections with the Initiates instead of it feeling like a class.

Learn more about each method by watching the videos.

Teaching Method Resources

Activity Method Resources

Require the Initiate class to complete at least one event that represents the ideals of Phi Sigma Pi as outlined in Article II, Section 2;

As Initiate Advisor, it is your role to assist the Initiates every step of the way, including giving them ideas on an Initiate event to plan, leaving time for them to plan the event and getting the Chapter involved and motivated to attend. Find a list of event ideas here.

Assign each Initiate to one or more Collegiate Members or Active Alumni Members of a Collegiate Chapter. The Collegiate Members or Active Alumni Members shall serve as examples and sources of guidance to their assigned Initiate throughout the Initiation Program;

The most effective way to orient the Initiate to the Chapter is through contact with the "Big Brother." This personal relationship breaks down the class and Chapter status barriers that naturally develop. It is much easier for newcomers to relate their concerns and frustrations to somebody who cares about them as individuals. Also, there is a much deeper commitment to help the new individuals when a person-to-person relationship exists rather than simply an Initiate-Chapter relationship.

The role of the Big Brother is threefold:

Responsible for acclimating the Initiate to Chapter life and other active Members.
Responsible for ensuring that the Initiate learns about Phi Sigma Pi and your Chapter through The Scholar's Province.
The Big Brother should assist the Initiate Advisor. The Big Brother should be your prime liaison between you and each individual Initiate. You should always be able to fall back on a Big Brother for counsel as to the Initiate's attitude, feelings, etc.

Big/Little assignments can be made by having both Bigs and Littles rate/give their top three preferences and matching each Initiate to a Member.

Click the resources below to learn more about the Big/Little program.

Ensure each Initiate is provided feedback in person at least once on the Initiate's progress on the requirements of the Chapter Initiation Program.

Each Initiate must receive feedback on their progress at least once during the Initiation Program as required by the National Constitution. This should occur around the midway point of the program to provide Initiates an opportunity to make improvements. Making decisions about whether or not an Initiate should continue in the program at this point is a violation of their due process rights.

During the course of the term, it is important that the Initiate Advisor keeps the Chapter up-to-date on the progress of each Initiate in the Initiate Class. Members may have an opportunity to share their feedback regarding Initiates at a midway review Chapter discussion. This
feedback could include observations of an Initiate gleaned through interactions at events or in one-on-one meetings.

After gathering information about Initiate performance, the Initiate Advisor should hold individual conversations with each Initiate to provide feedback in a private setting. In some cases, the Initiate Advisor may choose to include the Big or other trusted Chapter leaders in these conversations so that the Initiate feels supported in making the necessary changes.

In order to ensure due process, Initiates must get feedback on their progress. Feedback may include acknowledging:

Strengths the Initiate has
The Initiates progress in the Initiation Program
Favorite/Least favorite parts of the Initiation Program
Challenging parts of the Initiation Program and how the Chapter can be more accommodating

Final Vote & Induction Ceremony

According to the National Constitution, Article IV, Section 7: Nominating and Voting: Phi Sigma Pi Members in good standing may nominate qualified individuals to become Collegiate or Honorary Members. Voting shall be by ballot and shall be completed at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the scheduled Ritual Induction Ceremony at a prior called meeting with quorum and with notice of voting on the meeting agenda. No less than forty-eight (48) hours notice shall be given for this meeting. At least a three-fourths (3/4) vote of the Active Collegiate Members in good standing present and eligible to vote at the meeting with quorum shall be required for confirmation.

Here is the process for voting on Initiates based on Robert’s Rules of Order:

Create a slide that lists all Initiates from the Initiate Class. Share it with all Members.
Initiate Advisor makes a motion as follows: “I move that the [CHAPTER NAME] Chapter votes to confirm all Initiates from the [INITIATE CLASS NAME] Class for membership once conferred through The Ritual Induction Ceremony.”
If a Member believes that more discussion should be had regarding an individual Initiate, they may choose to amend the motion during debate as follows: “I move to amend the motion to allow for debate on Initiate [INITIATE FULL NAME] following the vote to confirm all other Initiates from the [INITIATE CLASS NAME] Class.”

Find more tips when it comes to final vote in the Curriculum Guide.

Induction Ceremony
You may hold the Ritual: Formal Induction Ceremony in-person or virtually. If you do not have access to The Ceremonies and Ritual Book, you can download a copy of the ceremony here. This ceremony is confidential information and should be shredded or fully deleted from all devices immediately after use. This is the only way we can control our sacred materials and Rituals.