Virginia Chapter
Welcome to our Zoom Pledge Meeting TAKE 4! Today the pledges are going to be surprised by their new “Big”. One by one the “Bigs” will come on to the screen and announce the name of their little. Even though this is online, this is their official big in the Fraternity. The brothers are here to help guide the new pledges through this process and answer any questions they have. This year it is even more important to have them to lean on. My goal is to connect them with another AZ brother that can fill in the missing blanks in regards to missing those in-person moments. Creating that valuable one on one connection so that no one has to feel alone.
I decided that one best friend wasn’t enough, so as well as getting an active brother as a Big, I pulled in some awesome Alpha Zeta Alumni. Alumni Buddies will be part two of this process. The pledges this semester will have two amazing people in their lives. I want them to learn our traditions, values, and our passions for agriculture and the environment.
This has been an unexpected challenging semester but while it has been difficult it has also allowed me to create special situations for the pledges that would never have occurred before. For the first time, ever Alumni are able to actively help in this process. Some chose to be buddies and others can simply sign on during our zoom meetings and get to know some cool people. Zoom meetings create a safe space for everyone to collaborate and connect our lives together.
-Arlyn Smith, Pledge Chair