The Program of ESA
Pledge Lesson Number 7
(Read pages 5 & 6 in “The ideals of ESA” book for this lesson.)
This lesson emphasizes the holistic approach to membership in ESA. This means that each member is encouraged to get a balanced portion of the three objectives of ESA – EDUCATION – SERVICE AND ASSOCIATION.
What you find in ESA is a variety of chapters with a variety of perceptions of how they want to run their chapter activities. This is perfectly fine; however what we find in successful chapters is more a balance of activities in each of these areas. For example, a chapter that operates with the purpose of being social only may continue to exist over prolonged periods of time but lacks the enrichment of self-improvement and service. Typically, these chapters will lose members over time.
This is not to say that ESA members don’t believe in a lot of FUN! (Quite the contrary) Where you find ESA members you find FUN – no matter what their task at hand.
The ESA year runs from June 1 to May 31. Each chapter typically will start their year with a plan (or program) for the year ahead. Some chapters will call a “planning meeting” early in the year to set the program in place and then follow it. Sometimes this is done by only a president planning the program. Some typical types of plans made are:
This lesson emphasizes the holistic approach to membership in ESA. This means that each member is encouraged to get a balanced portion of the three objectives of ESA – EDUCATION – SERVICE AND ASSOCIATION.
What you find in ESA is a variety of chapters with a variety of perceptions of how they want to run their chapter activities. This is perfectly fine; however what we find in successful chapters is more a balance of activities in each of these areas. For example, a chapter that operates with the purpose of being social only may continue to exist over prolonged periods of time but lacks the enrichment of self-improvement and service. Typically, these chapters will lose members over time.
This is not to say that ESA members don’t believe in a lot of FUN! (Quite the contrary) Where you find ESA members you find FUN – no matter what their task at hand.
The ESA year runs from June 1 to May 31. Each chapter typically will start their year with a plan (or program) for the year ahead. Some chapters will call a “planning meeting” early in the year to set the program in place and then follow it. Sometimes this is done by only a president planning the program. Some typical types of plans made are:
- Club Meetings once a month with educational (0r)
- Club meetings twice a month – one business meeting – one social
- Noon hour – or Internet meetings are sometimes planned now as well.
- Deciding to meet during June – July & August (summer months) or not.
- Planning their educational programs
- Planning their rush season
- Planning their socials (when – where – what)
- Planning how they will make their money to support the chapter and the programs they want to support.
- Planning which ESA projects (or others) that they want to support for the year.
- Deciding on a chapter theme for the year sometimes based upon the State or International Theme.
Response question #1. From the list of Elements of Success you find in ‘The ideals of ESA” on page 5, list the two elements that YOU THINK are the TWO most important aspects from the given list. Why did you select these two elements as the most important?
Response question #2. Assess your own chapter. What percentage of the chapter’s time is spent on each of the elements of ESA? Give a percentage based on 100 possible. This doesn’t have to be absolutely correct – just a perception of the balance of your chapter. (For example: Epsilon Pi spends 22% of its time on Education – 28% of its time on Service and 50% of its time on social. If you would like you could ask the chapter to give you the balance that they think is present for the chapter.) Is there anything you would like to change about the balance of your chapter?
WHAT SETS ESA APART FROM OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
One of the things that will set our organization apart from other organization with like objectives is our efforts to support and help each other as well as give charitable help to others who are in need. Although we cannot count the time we spend helping our own members in philanthropic hours or money we donate to charitable projects, we still feel the need to help each other in times of extreme need.
There are two programs I want to bring to your attention. The International Disaster Fund is a fund provided to support ESA Members in times of personal tragedy and loss. Up to $5000 can be applied for through this fund. It starts with a request from your chapter president which goes to the International Council Disaster Fund Chairman (Jr. Past President of the International Council). This fund is for extreme situations a member faces beyond their control and it is a one-time gift.
Some states have their own "love" funds. For example: The Kansas State Council has its own ESA member fund called: Kansas Care and Share Fund. Up to $3000 can be applied for starting with the Chapter President to the Care & Share Fund Chairman. This fund is for extreme situations a member faces beyond their control and it is a one-time gift.
Read “ESA’s Care Connection” on page 5 of “The Ideals of ESA” book. Answer these questions:
3. What are the 4 ways members can participate in the Care connection? (Not including - Hope for heroes, hats for hope, and warm welcome)
4. What is Hope for Heroes program?
5. What is Hats for Hope program?
6. What is the Warm Welcome program?
7. Who can participate in ESA’s Care Connection program?
One of the things that will set our organization apart from other organization with like objectives is our efforts to support and help each other as well as give charitable help to others who are in need. Although we cannot count the time we spend helping our own members in philanthropic hours or money we donate to charitable projects, we still feel the need to help each other in times of extreme need.
There are two programs I want to bring to your attention. The International Disaster Fund is a fund provided to support ESA Members in times of personal tragedy and loss. Up to $5000 can be applied for through this fund. It starts with a request from your chapter president which goes to the International Council Disaster Fund Chairman (Jr. Past President of the International Council). This fund is for extreme situations a member faces beyond their control and it is a one-time gift.
Some states have their own "love" funds. For example: The Kansas State Council has its own ESA member fund called: Kansas Care and Share Fund. Up to $3000 can be applied for starting with the Chapter President to the Care & Share Fund Chairman. This fund is for extreme situations a member faces beyond their control and it is a one-time gift.
Read “ESA’s Care Connection” on page 5 of “The Ideals of ESA” book. Answer these questions:
3. What are the 4 ways members can participate in the Care connection? (Not including - Hope for heroes, hats for hope, and warm welcome)
4. What is Hope for Heroes program?
5. What is Hats for Hope program?
6. What is the Warm Welcome program?
7. Who can participate in ESA’s Care Connection program?
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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. |