How to earn points for the FIRST PEARL
Pledge Lesson Number 4

With this lesson we want to begin tabulating the points you receive for the First Pearl award. You will be asked to tally for points only because it will teach you about the ways to receive recognition in ESA. Keep in mind that keeping your points is purely optional as a member of ESA. Some of our members are not interested in doing this and that is perfectly okay. However, we want you to know the mechanics of the awards system so you know how in the event it is something you are interested in doing. So what you have to do to complete lesson four is to keep track of your points for the rest of the year or until the pledge training stops for you. Don’t worry its easy and sometimes it is fun to watch your points accumulate. We hope you achieve your FIRST PEARL this year but don't worry if you don't.  This is an exercise in learning how to keep points. 

Turn to the section in “The IDEALS of ESA” called “First year Achievement Award” on page 12. Read the short section on the First Pearl Award.

As a pledge – you are the only group that can receive this award. It is called the FIRST PEARL AWARD. It has to occur within the first 12 months of your membership in ESA. The time starts with your pledge date. (If you don’t get the 1000 point to qualify – don’t worry what points you do have will be counted toward the first degree in the Pallas Athene Program, however the points must be recalculated according to Pallas Athene rules.) If you achieve the First Pearl by accumulating 1000 points in the first 12 months the points then begin at 0 again to start working on the First Degree.
Let your chapter president know that you are working toward your First Pearl Points so she can help you. Sometimes the President can give members the opportunity to earn points by making leadership appointments.
The First Pearl Award
  • The first 1000 points within the first 12 months of membership
  • Double points for philanthropic and ways & means hours. Active members (or Pallas Athene points) only get to count 5 points per hour – a pledge (or FIRST PEARL points) gets 10 points per hour)
What you receive for this Award:
  • First Pearl Certificate
  • A gold charm filled with a cultured pearl
  • If you pledge a member to ESA in the first year - A raised numeral “I” with the distinguishing 1+1 on the back of the charm.
  • The recognition of your chapter for your achievement to this high honor as an active member of your chapter and ESA.
Click the button graphic, print the chart and keep it in your yearbook. Be sure to tell your Awards Chairman if you get 1000 points. Your chapter will help you work toward this honor if you tell them of your goal.
You will report to the pledge master the total number of 1st Pearl point earned at the end of the year when you complete the lessons.

As you continue to work on your points, proceed to Lesson Number 5.

An opportunity
If you would rather do your lesson on paper and send it by snail mail is provided for you at the left.   Also if you chapter wishes to take charge of your pledge lessons this will provide the necessary paper work for that activity.