Alternatives to Hazing

Think there's no other way to bond than to haze? Think again. There are many creative ways to ensure that your organization remains a non-hazing organization. Below are examples of ways to eliminate hazing and make membership a challenging yet positive experience. 

Have you created a safe, positive alternative to hazing within your organization? Let us know and we will post your idea or story!

• Participate in a community service or campus improvement project.
• Plan a fundraiser on campus or for local charitable organizations.
• Have an organizational retreat.
• Visit a ropes course to work on group cohesiveness, communication and leadership skills.
• Have members work together to plan a social or athletic event with another student organization. 
• Have new member discuss organization weaknesses and plan solutions that the organization might then adopt.
• Encourage participation in school/campus activities outside of the organization.
• Encourage new members to get involved in organizational committees and/or leadership roles.
• Develop a peer mentor program within your group for leadership roles.
• Invite school/community/business leaders into the organization to share their experiences. 
• Attend a movie, festival, state fair, sporting event, or concert as an organization.
• Plan a "membership circle" where new and current members participate in a candlelight service in which each person has a chance to express what membership means to them.
• Take advantage of the University’s academic and tutoring services. 
• Invite university or community experts to discuss test-taking skills, study methods, time management etc.
• Invite an older member or alumnus to talk about the organization’s early days, its founding, special traditions, and prominent former members.
• Invite leaders of the councils to speak on organizational governance including their goals and expectations of the student involvement system.
• Use University resources for seminars on resume writing, job interview skills; various careers.
• Have a trivia night, including University and organizational history.
• Organize a 5k run/walk with the proceeds going to the charity of your choice.
• Plan a visit to the local dog shelter and walk the dogs.
• Attend an University sporting event.
• Create an anti-hazing workshop and present the content to other organizations.
• Plan a potluck dinner with new and active members.

More alternatives and information about anti-hazing can be found at http://www.stophazing.org