Throughout your fraternity experience, you can learn much to supplement the instruction you receive in the classroom. In addition to encouraging good scholarship, the Fraternity helps you understand more about human relations and about yourself. The practical learning experiences from participation in chapter and campus activities can benefit you for a lifetime.
The laws of the Fraternity provide that each chapter will carry out a course of education for prospective members. The Knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of Phi Gamma Delta's history, beliefs, and ideals are crucial in preparing men for membership. Only when these facets are clearly understood will a man fully grasp the true meaning and importance of initiation into Phi Gamma Delta.
The Phi Gam experience is an exercise in the brotherhood of mankind, specifically:
- Sharing and showing respect for each other
- Setting and achieving goals
- Accepting personal and group responsibility
- Challenging each member to achieve his full potential and serve others with all that is within themselves
The basic goal of pledge education is to prepare men for membership in Phi Gamma Delta. Called pledgeship, this period serves the following beneficial purposes for both the pledge and the members of the chapter.
- Educating the new member about the workings of the Fraternity
- Learning about the history, ideals, organization and operations of Phi Gamma Delta is an influential part of pledgeship
- Developing an understanding of the importance of personal values and an awareness and appreciation of the values upon which Phi Gamma Delta was founded
- Providing time for prospective members to become an integral part of the chapter before initiation
- Making the pledge aware of his responsibilities and obligations to the Fraternity and his chapter
- Creating an awareness of the many personal development opportunities available through the chapter and campus activities