Intake Activities and Hazing
Men of D.I.S.T.I.N.C., Incorporated strictly prohibits hazing in any form, whether physical or mental, as a term or condition of membership. Hazing is illegal and a crime in most jurisdictions. A candidate should participate only in the sanctioned membership process as described herein to obtain membership in the organization. Furthermore, no brother or chapter of the organization may require any additional or different terms or conditions for membership for any candidate or group of candidates. Candidates should immediately report any infraction of membership intake to the regional vice president, district director, and/ or the director of membership. Pledging has been officially abolished by the organization. Pledge “lines” have been officially abolished by the organization. “Underground” pledge activities are strictly prohibited and neither encouraged nor endorsed by the national organization in any way. Candidates shall not submit themselves or agree to submit themselves to any prohibited activities. No member of the organization is authorized to require any candidate to engage in any prohibited activities. No member of the organization is authorized to suggest or impose any term, condition, or requirement of membership upon a candidate in any manner.
For your information: “Hazing….is any action taken or situation created, however, communicated, involving or resulting in abusive physical contact or mental harassment to a prospective member—whether on or off the organization premises, campus or place where chapters or prospects meet—designed to, or the result of which is to, produce excessive mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment or harassment. Such activities and situations include but are not limited to paddling in any form, creation of excessive fatigue, physical and psychological shocks, morally degrading or humiliating activities, late work sessions that interfere with scholastic activities, and any other activities that are not consistent with either fraternal law or the regulations and policies of the educational institution or federal, state or local law. Such violations are expressly forbidden. Members or chapters who cause these infractions are subject to disciplinary action.”–The standing orders of Men of D.I.S.T.I.N.C., Incorporated. Review the Anti-Hazing Statement and sign the appropriate document.
Prospective Member Acknowledgement of Anti-Hazing Policy and Hold Harmless Agreement
The undersigned, a candidate for membership in Men of D.I.S.T.I.N.C., Incorporated (hereinafter referred to as “the Organization”), acknowledges that he understands and agrees as follows: GENERAL DEFINITION OF HAZING
“Any action is taken or situation created, intentionally, whether on or off Organization premises, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. Such activities may include but are not limited to the following: use of alcohol; paddling in any form; creation of excessive fatigue; physical and psychological shocks; quests, treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, road trips or any other such activities carried on outside or inside of the confines of the chapter house; wearing of public apparel which is conspicuous and not normally in good taste; engaging in public stunts and buffoonery; morally degrading or humiliating games and activities; and any other activities which are not consistent with fraternal law, ritual or policy or the regulations and policies of the educational institution.
Section 1 - Declaration of Purpose
· The purpose of this Agreement is to contractually state and declare Men of D. I.S.T.I.N.C.’s commitment to its constitutional Anti-Hazing Policy and its intent to obtain every assurance possible to prevent acts of hazing from occurring.
· The Organization will take every measure to hold a member accountable for any acts of hazing in which he allows himself to become involved alone or in the company of others who are members or claimed members and knowingly protects those who engage in acts of hazing. For purpose of knowledge in this content we mean anyone who knows or should have known.
· No applicant for membership in the Organization is required to subject himself to any form of hazing; the Prospective Member is specifically prohibited from tolerating or going along with any improper conduct during his Membership Intake Process in the form of hazing; and the Prospective Member is expected and requested to immediately contact a local, regional or national representative of the Organization by telephone, fax, e-mail or regular mail and notify him of said conduct.
Section II - Acknowledgement of Anti-Hazing
Policy The statements in this Section are to expressly acknowledge each Prospective Members’ understanding of the Organization’s Anti-Hazing and Anti-Pledging Policy as follows:
“No chapter of Men of D.I.S.T.I.N.C., Incorporated shall indulge in any physical abuse or undignified treatment (hazing) of its members or prospective members. Hazing is defined as: any action taken or situation created intentionally or unintentionally, whether on or off Organization premises, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. Such activities and situations include, but are not limited to: paddling in any form; creation of excessive fatigue; physical and psychological shocks; quests, treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, road trips or any other activities carried outside the confines of the campus or chapter house; wearing publicly apparel which is conspicuous and not normally in good taste; engaging in any public stunts and buffoonery; morally degrading or humiliating games and activities; late work sessions (past 12 Midnight) which interfere with scholastic activity; and any other activities which are not consistent with Fraternal Law, Ritual, or Policy or with Regulations and Policies of the educational institution. Hazing is forbidden by the Organization’s Constitution and by public laws of the various states.”
Section III – Acceptance of Responsibility
The undersigned Prospective Member understands that his involvement in any Membership Intake Process is of his own volition and strictly voluntary in nature. Participation in the process as a stated Member of the Organization does not and will not absolve the Member of any responsibilities and liabilities imposed by law and of duties owed by one human being to another to hold inviolate personal, human and civil rights and not engage in conduct injurious to the physical and mental well-being of another. Therefore, the undersigned Prospective Member understands that Men of D.I.S.T.I.N.C., Incorporated does not condone such activities or behavior defined as hazing and his failure to report any such activity against his person or that occurs in his presence, during the course of any meeting or encounter with a member of the Organization or during his Membership Intake Process, will result in appropriate disciplinary action against the Prospective Member, including , but not limited to dismissal of the Prospective Member from consideration for membership in the Organization and the forfeiture of all fees paid to date.
Section IV - Idemnity and Hold-Harmless Clause
The undersigned Prospective Member agrees that where he allows himself to be subjected to prohibited activity or unlawful conduct or other activity considered to be hazing, resulting in mental harm or physical injury, including death, he agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless Men of D.I.S.T.I.N.C., Incorporated and all of its Regional, State and Local Body, Entity, Organization, Chapter, Advisor, Officer or Member thereof, for any claim of injury and/or damages arising there from, including legal fees incurred to the Organization.
Section V - Severability
In the event that any clause of this Agreement is rendered void as against Public Policy or as against the laws of any particular jurisdiction, it is agreed that the remaining clauses of this Agreement, will remain in full force and effect.
Section VI - Membership Intake Fees
As a candidate, the undersigned understands that upon acceptance into the trial process he will be assessed membership intake fees and prospective deadlines. It is the sole responsibility of the undersigned to meet these obligations to proceed with the intake process. All fees are non-refundable, should an undersigned breach the agreement, or decide not to continue.
Section VII - Affirmation
The undersigned Prospective Member affirms that he has read this document, which includes the Men of D.I.S.T.I.N.C., Incorporated Organization Anti-Hazing and Anti-Pledging Policy and that he fully understands the contents thereof, and verifies that he has not in any way, form or fashion been coerced, forced or made any promises to sign this document and that he has signed the same voluntarily and of his own free will.