Associate Member Education
Our standardized Associate Member Education Program prepares members for a meaningful DU experience
Delta Upsilon's Associate Member Education Program is an eight-week program that introduces associate members to the Fraternity, providing information on DU's history, Four Founding Principles, operations, local history, team building, leadership success and more. Beginning after the Pledging Ceremony and culminating with Initiation, the program is designed to create an engaging and dynamic experience for all associate members. Every DU chapter is expected to fully implement this program.
The Associate Member Education Program is a proven success story. Data from DU's Membership Outcomes Assessment shows it develops associate members in a number of key ares, including self-esteem, openness to diversity, ethical decision making and more. In fact, the program received a 2018 Laurel Wreath Award from the North-American Interfraternity Conference for its effectiveness.
Program Facilitator Guides and Workbooks lead the associate members through an organized and interactive associate member experience that fosters healthy relationships and affinity for Delta Upsilon.
Virtual Associate Member Education
As campuses have shifted to online instruction due to COVID-19, many chapters have had to abruptly interrupt their Associate Member Education processes. Even though you may not be on campus, there are still ways to continue the Associate Member Education Program virtually. As brothers in Delta Upsilon, now is the time for us to continue to build a support network and encourage continued engagement.
Each chapter will need to create its own calendar and plans based on member needs and where the chapter is in the associate member process. However, the Fraternity recommends keeping the program on a weekly calendar using the Associate Member Education Facilitation Guide and Associate Member Education Workbook as a guide.
Virtually, your chapter's Associate Member Education Program can include a growth activity, a brotherhood activity and a virtual associate member meeting each week. These three types of activities will keep your members learning and engaged. See below for information about each activity and download our Member Engagement Resources and Ideas.
Growth Activity – This would be an activity or task members are assigned to complete during the week that will be oriented toward learning and development.
Brotherhood Activity – This could be something done virtually in a small group, a large group or individual formats that help members connect. The primary objective is to maintain fraternal connections and provide a social outlet.
Virtual Educational Session – During a weekly meeting, members can check in with each other, share updates and announcements, share the tasks they completed that week, and hear from other chapter members and alumni who can join to add their thoughts on DU membership. In addition, this is where the Associate Member Educator should lead the educational session for that week. While the delivery, and some of the activities may have to be altered to work in a virtual format, the core of the educational sessions should be retained.
If you have questions or need assistance in developing a program and schedule to meet your chapter needs, contact Senior Director of Educational Program Noah Borton at borton@deltau.org.
Engaging Associate Members Remotely Member Engagement Resources and Ideas Adapting Associate Member Education Webinar
To further help you conduct Associate Member Education virtually, staff have created PowerPoint slides you can use for each session of the program. Download each below.
Initiation Options
It is unlikely that returning to campus for Initiation this spring will be an option for many chapters. So, there are a couple options chapters could pursue.
- Schedule Initiation to take place at a summer retreat or immediately upon returning to campus in the fall (within the first two weekend back on campus).
- Conduct a virtual Initiation at the conclusion of the Associate Member Education process. This can include the readings, response and even a Charge Address. The chapter can hold a follow-up ceremony over the summer or in the fall where members can sign the Roll Book, take pictures, and hold a dinner or reception to celebrate.
- Note: For a Charge Address, if you are unable to find a speaker to deliver the address virtually, we have several options available from previous Model Initiations at Leadership Institute. They can be accessed at on DU's YouTube channel.
Associate Member to Initiate Timeline
From recruitment through holding the Initiation Ceremony, there are a number of things that need to happen, and the Associate Member Education Program is just one of them.
Several Executive Board officers and the associate members themselves have tasks regarding reporting and payments. These tasks are critical to onboarding your associate members and making sure they are set up to have the best DU experience. Receiving Cornerstones, Badges, member certificates and more hinge on having reports and fees sent in a timely manner.
Download this handy graphic designed to help you follow each step of the process.
ASSOCIATE MEMBER EDUCATION PACKS
Chapters are able to download PDF versions of the Associate Member Education Program Facilitator Guide and Workbook and print them at a local print shop for use. These books can also be purchased from Delta Upsilon International Headquarters as part of an Associate Member Education Program Pack.
Packs include:
- 1 Associate Member Education Workbook
- 1 Associate Member Pin
- 1 Initiation Ribbon
- Packs are $10 each plus shipping.
To purchase email ihq@deltau.org or call 317.875.8900.
