Pledge pin

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A pledge pin is a common custom of United States fraternities and sororities in which a pin is worn by pledges for the duration of the pledging period, usually during all times not considered dangerous to do so (during sports, etc.). In the context of fraternities and sorrities, the Phi Beta Kappa society founded on December 5th of 1776 was the first. This organization's earliest emblem of recognition was a silver square medal with the initials S.P. and the date December 5th, 1776 engraved on the one side, with the Greek letters F, B, and K (Phi Beta Kappa) engraved on the other side. This emblem from the first "American Greek" organization would be the first use of an emblem in identifying a member of the organization.

[edit] Exceptions

Some newer fraternities and sororities have done away with the pledging process. Some examples are the Sigma Phi Epsilon and Lambda Chi Alpha fraternities. These fraternities offer member development programs instead traditional pledging processes. New members are generally still endowed with a pin. In an effort to break traditional fraternity stereotypes, these pins are often referred to as new member pins instead of Pledge pins.

[edit] References