Associate Member Program

Introduction

The period of associate membership is the beginning of your quest for Theta Xi. As an associate member, you will be taught the ideals and traditions of our Fraternity before becoming qualified for full membership. Thus, the associate member period is really a period of orientation and education.

The Fraternity dedicates itself to the benefit of its members, and prohibits unproductive activities, believing them to be contrary to our belief in brotherhood.

There will be many opportunities to prove that you realize the primary purpose of college is to obtain an education. You will also have numerous chances to demonstrate that you can get along well with other people, working in friendship and harmony. You can take advantage of multiple opportunities to develop, improve and utilize your leadership skills within the chapter and in your campus community.

Fraternity membership can also assist in your own personal development. Only you can make the decisions concerning your future. Theta Xi assists in providing you with the experience, knowledge, and maturity needed for you to work at charting your life — your way.

Membership Education

Associate members are introduced to the responsibilities of membership in Theta Xi Fraternity through a 6-week program entitled Alpha Nine.

The essence of the program is that every member, whether an associate member or an initiated member, is regarded and treated with the same respect and dignity. The educational process is enhanced through an effective “Big Brother” program in which each new member is assigned an older chapter member, preferably an upperclassman, who assumes the role of advisor and guide for the associate member.

In Alpha Nine, the distinctions between an associate member and an initiated member are that an associate member does not have knowledge of the Ritual of Theta Xi, nor can he vote at chapter meetings.

There are no unique member duties; these are replaced by chapter duties assigned to all individuals, irrespective of member status. In all group activities, chapter unity is stressed rather than associate member unity. Associate members are included on chapter committees and have a voice in chapter affairs, although they cannot vote in chapter meetings.

Expectation

Theta Xi Fraternity believes strongly in an Associate Member education plan and period that enriches, unifies, and affirms the members of the Fraternity and their values. Through this education process, associates will be taught to live through the values of the Theta Xi Fraternity that we have identified as part of these young men’s characters. These values are broken down into ten categories:

  1. Brotherhood – Demonstrate a commitment to developing meaningful and lasting friendships.
  2. Responsibility – Accept accountability for one’ decisions, behavior, obligations, and commitments.
  3. Self-Esteem – Develop confidence in personal abilities and take pride in oneself.
  4. Integrity – Be honest and fair in conduct with oneself and others.
  5. Respect – Show appreciation and concern for the worth of others.
  6. Learning – Demonstrate a commitment to academic success and intellectual curiosity.
  7. Diversity – Recognize and appreciate the value of different ideas, opinions, and cultures.
  8. Compassion – Reach out actively to support those in need of assistance.
  9. Achievement – Accomplish tasks based on previously established goals.
  10. Leadership – Develop an ability to foster teamwork to mobilize efforts to achieve common fraternity, campus, and community goals.
There's a reason we've replaced the term "pledge" with associate member.

We strive to teach the associates what it truly means to be a part of a collaborative, brotherhood-based system in which individual and group goals are both targeted and prioritized. Creating these bonds utilizes work and effort by both parties in order to ensure that the associate member is receiving the most enriching education as possible, and that the values of this Fraternity are emphasized clearly.

Leadership Opportunities

The academies are comprised of TWO national leadership events.  The Vredenburgh Presidents Academy for newly elected chapter/colony presidents is the premiere officer training academy of the Fraternity.  Second, the Rising Stars Academy is a personal leadership development experience for newly initiated brothers.

Supported by Theta Xi Foundation, it promises to be an incredible weekend filled with motivating leadership activities designed to support the development of All True Men.

Rising Stars Academy

The Rising Stars Academy concentrates on providing attendees an opportunity to assess and develop their leadership styles and skills, in an interactive and experiential setting. New members from across the country gather ideas they can take back to strengthen their chapters in the areas of recruitment, membership education and overall operations. In addition, team building skills are strengthened by accomplishing outdoor leadership challenges.

Vredenburgh Presidents Academy

focuses on learning to apply a set of leadership competencies most needed by chapter presidents. These competencies include influencing followers to grasp a shared vision, motivating/empowering chapter members for engagement, and decision-making style/skills. The learning activities are designed to include significant time for Presidents to talk/work in small groups for common problem-solving, support, and the sharing of ideas.

This academy is for first-year initiates and coincides with the Presidents Academy. The Rising Stars Academy, concentrates on providing attendees a opportunity to assess and develop their leadership styles and skills, in an interactive and experiential setting. Along with meeting new members from across the country, they gather ideas they can take back to strengthen their chapters in the areas of recruitment, membership education and overall operations. Team building skills are strengthened by accomplishing tasks presented on an exciting outdoor leadership challenge course.

District Leadership Academy

has been carefully designed to focus on equipping and training chapter/colony officers. This Academy is for undergraduate officers and those who aspire to be officers. NDLA offers four tracks which prepares chapter leaders to excel in their specific positions. The track offerings include a Management & Leadership Track for Chapter Presidents and Vice-Presidents, an Operations Track for Treasurers and Secretaries, an Education Track for Scholarship Chairmen and Membership Educators, and a Growth Track for Recruitment Chairmen. Chapters and colonies must register and attend the location closest to them with a chapter leader attending each of the four tracks. Each NDLA location offers the same four track officer training experience, and participants from each chapter are all required to attend the same location.

SEE THE CHAPTER

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