A New Model to Build Courageous Leaders
Phi Gamma Delta is focused on the future. The future of our organization, the future of recruitment and the future of our members all start with a New Model to Build Courageous Leaders.
Phi Gamma Delta is moving away from the pledging model of joining in favor of a modern approach to recruitment, assimilation, and member development. The delegates to the 174th Ekklesia in August 2022 voted to eliminate pledging in Phi Gamma Delta, clearing the path for implementation of the New Model.
Why the New Model?
We recognized the need to find, pilot and deploy innovative ways to become a Phi Gam to eliminate hazing, strengthen the Fraternity with a smart-growth philosophy, and enhance the undergraduate experience for years to come.
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How We Build Courageous Leaders with the New Model?
The New Model is a product of two programs that complement each other in a holistic approach:
Growth System:
A continuous, values-based recruitment system that allows a chapter to make a full and honest evaluation of a prospect before extending him an invitation to join.
Built to Lead:
A multi-level member development experience beginning on the first day of affiliation and extending throughout the undergraduate experience. Built to Lead focuses on building and strengthening skills necessary for Courageous Leadership.
New Model Implementation & Programming Resources
What Are Our Results? Implementation Successes
2022-23 Academic Year
In the first year, over 40% of undergraduate chapters began implementation. Results and feedback from 2022-23 chapters have been generally positive. It can, and does, take chapters time to plan and adjust their recruitment and member development techniques. However, once they do, chapters are seeing success.
Preliminary Data Suggests Two Significant Themes:
- Chapters are initiating more men and retaining them at a greater rate than their historical four-year average and compared to chapter that have not adopted the New Model.
- Chapters are not always inviting more men to join; however, they are initiating more and being more selective about who they invite to join.
Chapters are sharing numerous anecdotal successes as well, suggesting they are attracting recruits who would not have been interested under the traditional pledging model. Also, new initiates are becoming engaged in their chapters more quickly. This leads to early successes in increasing retention – though data over time will be used to better measure these results.
2023-24 Academic Year
Through the fall 2023 academic term, an additional 45 chapters began implementation, meaning 73% of chapters have adopted the New Model as of November 2023.
The Fraternity anticipates additional chapters to begin implementation in late fall 2023 and early spring 2024 so more than 85% of chapters will implement before it is required on July 1, 2024.
