Be careful about "hunts"...these type of events can be labled as hazing.
Going on the assumption that the purpose of the new member period is essentially to learn about the organization, get to know the members, and get to know your fellow new members/classmates, here are some suggestions.
*Some of these have been modified to fit modern-day hazing regulations
- Make a banner for the current seasons' sport's team that says "ABC Loves the Bulldogs" or whatever your team name is. Use a big sheet and poster paint. The activity is a bonding experience, as is going to a game with the sisters and sitting together and holding up the banner.
- Write a pledge class song. Choose an easy melody that everyone is familiar with and change the words. Serenade, then teach the sisters at the end of the pledge period.
- Make a scrapbook for Big Sisters. Each week, maybe at the pledge meeting, work on a different page. After 6-8 weeks, you can have a cute little book. And it can be a surprise that the chapter has never done before.
- Once a week, have a BUDDY day. Each pledge/new member is paired up with another one, and they spend the day together, walking to class, have lunch, etc. The point is to get to know others in the pledge class, kind of "a day in the life" type thing.
- Write up a short survey to pass out to the active members. Ask questions about things you might not necessarily know, like - do you have siblings, do play a musical instrument, what kind of pets have you had, have you ever won an award, what was your childhood nickname, etc. See who shares common interests or who does something really cool.
- Make dinner for the active members. Spaghetti/salad/garlic bread is the easiest. Make placecards and use clues from the above suggestions for the sisters to guess who sits where.
- Write down your org's history on index cards and play "jeapordy". Do it just with the pledge class or pair up with a sister who you can "call on" to help, like in "Who Wants to be a Millionaire." If it's in your budget, buy a few "prizes" to hand out to the winners.
Make the events fun and meaningful. Start new traditions that both new and active members can look forward to. I hope that some of these suggestions are helpful!
