An Introductory Letter to the Associate Member


Dear Little Brother,
Congratulations on being chosen as an Associate Member of Lambda Chi Alpha. You have made an excellent choice by choosing Lambda Chi Alpha as your fraternity. We are the youngest of the twenty largest fraternities, yet are the third largest in total membership and number of chapters. To grow so strong in our young age, Lambda Chi Alpha has been a progressive leader within the fraternity world. one of those progressions came about in 1972 when we decided to do away with pledging.

DON'T PLEDGE US, JOIN US!

Lambda Chi Alpha did away with the archaic pledge system and instituted the Associate Member program. Lambda Chi wanted to end the second class stature of its new members and utilize the eagerness of all members to more useful endeavors than just "cleaning the house." An associate member is not on the same level as an initiated member, but he is far above a "pledge." To assist you in your orientation, you have been paired with an initiated member, your Big Brother.

To be rewarded this position in the Fraternity, your Big Brother has proven himself among the chapter to be one of the best Brothers. He has been awarded the right to help teach you about becoming a brother. Being a Big Brother to most members is the one of the best experiences of being in the Fraternity. It is the Big Brother's job to relate and learn with the associate member about all aspects of fraternity. His guidance and support will have an immense impact on you throughout your college years and beyond. You will also have a link to past and future brothers through your lineage.

Your Big Brother is responsible for sitting down with you weekly and going over that week's information with you. Take at least an hour and more to ask your Big Brother questions about what you have read and seen that week within the Fraternity. If you have any further questions or problems, come see me (High Kappa) or any other brother who you may think can help you. Remember, anything discussed that you want to keep in confidence, will be. We are willing to assist you in the journey from Associate Member to brother. What you learn and do during the Associate Member program will establish how you will act and perform in the chapter until you graduate and become an alumnus.

You are the future of our fraternity.

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