Why do sororities give out paddles?

The fraternity and sorority paddle is most commonly used today as a decorative keepsake representing brotherhood or sisterhood and is given as a gift according to a local chapter's traditions. The history of the paddle, however, is rooted in violence and remains both a tool and symbol of hazing in Greek organizations.

What is the paddle used for in hazing?

A spanking paddle is an implement used to strike a person on the buttocks. The act of spanking a person with a paddle is known as "paddling". A paddling may be for punishment (normally of a student at school in the United States), or as an initiation or hazing ritual.

Do pledges get paddled?

Did pledges really get paddled in sororities? Yes. Getting a spanking with a paddle was part of the process of becoming a sister. Sororities also spank the sisters for rule violations.

What do you put on a sorority paddle?

The paddle should be personalized to your big sister, but also your sorority. Commonly, a paddle will have the greek letters of your sorority on it somewhere. It is important to give recognition to the sorority that brought you and your big sister together.

What is a paddle pledge?

At its core, a paddle raise is a live fundraising auction where attendees pledge donations by raising their designated paddles to a specific amount or giving levels. It's an interactive and immediate way for donors to show their support, and it's incredibly effective at rallying enthusiasm.

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What does paddles up mean?

Paddles Up – Term used to prepare the team to start paddling. Paddlers raise their paddles in front of them in the ready position with the paddle blade an inch above water, and wait for the 'Take it Away' command to start paddling. Take it Away – Command used to start paddling during practice or warm up.

What is a paddle bid?

During a paddle raise, the auctioneer asks for different donations in varying amounts from the crowd for raffle items. Guests raise their paddles or bid numbers to commit to a gift of that size. The gifts you choose and the timing of your paddle raise is up to you.

Do sororities still do paddles?

The sorority paddle is most commonly used today as a decorative keepsake representing sisterhood and is given as a gift according to a local chapter's traditions.

How big should a sorority paddle be?

These are the ideal dimensions: 22-3/4" inches Long, 5" inches Wide, 5/8" inches thick (22-3/4" × 5" × 5/8").

How do you make a Greek life paddle?

Do students still get paddled?

Corporal punishment is still used in schools to a significant (though declining) extent in some public schools in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas. The most recent state to outlaw public school corporal punishment was Idaho in July 2023.

Why is pledging illegal?

The Risk of Hazing Activities

If a pledge feels they, or another student, were likely to experience bodily harm in the initiation process, this is grounds to file criminal charges in California.

What type of hazing is paddling?

Paddles are traditionally seen as a form of hazing and punishment, tracing their roots back to English sailors who used them as a form of punishment for those who left their post, according to FraternalLaw.com, a law firm dedicated to legal issues that impact fraternities and sororities.

What are sorority hazing rituals?

Hazing is a ritual that involves risk, pain, or harm, typically as part of initiation into a group. College hazing often entails forced alcohol consumption, humiliation, isolation, sleep deprivation, and sex acts.

What is hazing drinking?

According to Cornell University's Campus Code of Conduct, any consumption of alcohol, other drugs, or another substance that is “an explicit or implicit condition for initiation to, admission into, affiliation with, or continued membership in a group or organization” constitutes hazing.

What are the hazing rituals for students?

Violent hazing includes harmful behaviours such as coerced consumption of alcohol, drugs, or nonfood items; forced or degrading sexual acts; physical abuse; exposure to extreme weather; and other dangerous or illegal activities. Hazing rituals can have harmful and even tragic consequences.

How big is a Greek paddle?

Versatile Sizes: Our wood paddle collection offers an array of shapes and sizes, from compact 12-inch to large 48-inch paddle options, ensuring a good fit for your Greek life events and personal preferences.

What should go on a fraternity paddle?

Fraternity paddles are traditionally very plain. Whereas sororities will use bright colors, pictures and glitter to decorate theirs, fraternities only use the most basic supplies on their paddles. It is important to have the fraternity's Greek letters, your name and the recipient's name.

How do I know my paddle size?

Quick Measuring:

An easy way to measure in the field is to place the grip of the paddle between your legs while sitting. Mark where the shoulder of the blade hits you. The shoulder on a straight shaft should be at your forehead; the shoulder on a bent shaft should be at your nose.

Do sororities look at your Instagram?

Just like a hiring manager, most sorority recruiters stalk all your social profiles before admitting you to speak to a member. Before you submit your application to your college or university's primary sorority recruitment and embark on the journey of rush, take a minute and clean up your social media accounts!

Why do sororities wear pins?

There are countless other sororities, and they all use custom pins as a sign of their identity and the values they stand for. The pins are not only worn by members but are also a fundamental part of the rush, the application, and the selection process for fraternity and sorority membership.

Are sororities based on looks?

According to Moore, the ideal candidate for her sorority was wealthy, sociable and adhered to societal beauty standards. Girls were chosen based on their looks as much as their personality, and were not allowed to wear the sorority's branding or colors unless they were "presentable."

Why is bid peddling unethical?

Bid shopping is unfair and unethical for different reasons. The only party to really benefit from bid shopping is the general contractor. Playing bidders against one another negatively inhibits a contractors' ability to offer quality work at the best price.

Is bid peddling unethical?

Like bid shopping, bid peddling is legal but considered unethical. Yet another related (and legal) practice is bid chiseling. Bid chiseling occurs when there are post-bid negotiations with the low bidder aimed at decreasing the amount of the bid without changing the scope of work.

How does a paddle party work?

Guests wanting to bid on the auction item will put the designated number of tokens in their table jar and raise their paddle. Once the auction for that item is closed, a winning number will be randomly selected. If the winning paddle, matching the winning number, is raised in the air, that person is the winner.