Liberal and creative alumni - is there a place at the table?
 

As a freshman, I didn't know what conservative and liberal were, and I sure didn't know that organizations leaned one way or the other. I knew how I grew up, how my parents raised me, and how my community was. I knew how to recognize good people... and I knew when I found a bunch of guys who were warm-hearted, fun, welcoming, and easy-going, that I felt comfortable with. So that's how I chose my fraternity.

I had a good experience. I have 2-3 good friends who will probably be friends for life. I have good memories, and my fraternity opened the door for me to involvement in Greek Life and meeting a whole lot of people. It helped me during my first teaching job where my assistant principal also was part of the same Greek system... not in the way of "this got me the job," but we had that common bond to talk about and that helped build our friendship.

But as an alumni, 10 years after graduation, I'm disillusioned. When I pick up the alumni magazine, I see pictures of people who value money, power, and prestige. The featured alumni seem to be chosen by how quickly they've risen in the ranks of corporations. I rarely see anyone who isn't wearing a suit on those pages.

I haven't yet seen a feature story on an eco-friendly alumni, or someone who's become a high school football coach, or on a 25-year old who's traveled to Australia and spent a year enjoying life and discovering more about himself.

It makes me wonder what this fraternity that I joined, what they really value. Is there anyone like me? Are there any members who started a community theatre, runs a small non-profit, teaches lower middle class kids, or plants trees as part of a weekend urban forestry project? Or has expanded their small pizza business after years of hard work? Or works a blue-collar job full-time so their teenagers can go to summer camp or play soccer in a summer league this year?

I haven't done those things specifically, but, these are things I relate to. I relate to people who are in "people jobs," giving generously of their time and whatever money they have. I want to celebrate those things with my brothers. But I never see them in the glossy publications or on the website.

I can't relate as well to someone who's driven with rising up the corporate and political ladder, showing off expensive cars and suits, or obsessed with having the picture-perfect McMansion, wife, and 2.5 kids. And these are the ONLY people who seem to reach our alumni publication. I'm sorry, I don't play golf. I don't have $1000 to spare to become a gold level donor this year.

Its not that I'm not building my life and my own success, but I'm doing it in a different way and at my own pace. But I feel like people who see things from my perspective aren't valued, wanted, or given a place in the landscape of my national alumni... and the same stereotype Type-A people are also usually the senders and sponsors of most of the emails and letters I get from the local chapter that I was part of.

Its disheartening to feel left out.

Its the one reason why I would not wholeheartedly recommend fraternity membership to a young person that I know. Its the reason why I do not get involved or feel affection or responsibility for the alumni association and their projects and events. Its the reason I do not give them money.

My question is, does anyone else feel this way? Has your fraternity, through their publications, events, and alumni association, both national and local, given you a valued place in their organization as a liberal, as a creative, as a plugger, or as a small businessman, or an educator? Have they given you an opportunity to participate the way you can contribute? Have they made you feel small, or have they valued you for who they are?

Are some fraternities more liberal than others? Is it too late to change my membership? :)

I was told when I joined that fraternity was for life, and that there would always be a place for me there. I sadly feel it isn't, and that when we don't make room at the table for everyone, that promise is broken.

You probably know the answer to your question.

As to your complaint, BE the change you want to see. Thank you, Jim Carey.

There are probably other members of your fraternity all sitting around lamenting the same things when they get their magazine, thinking they are the only ones. If you don't get out there and say you'd like to see some changes, then everyone will just assume that everyone is happy with things as they are. No one cares about fixing a system if no one tells them that it's broken.

This is an op/ed piece for an alumni magazine.

Really?

Like...freshman in high school?

I'm not sure that's even acceptable.

:):):)

ree-Xi, DSTRen13, DrPhil, and dreamseeker - Thanks.

Phil - Upon your reply I turned to the magazine and found that (1) there isn't a letters page, and (2) the editor is the same CEO/chairman that was in charge over 10 years ago when I was in school. :) I might revise my essay and see if they respond if I send it in. Thanks for giving me a push and a boost of confidence to consider that.

Elephant Walk - I was referring to freshman year in college, when I was choosing a fraternity. I didn't walk around labeling my peers or labeling college organizations as one or the other, or think that joining a more conservative national fraternity would lead to these feelings or outcomes, years later.

From my perspective, things were not as polarized in 1996 as they are now, and the liberal/conservative divide was not as pronounced, I don't think. And, if you're referring to my high school education, no one ever gave the public schools in my city any awards for doing an "acceptable" or above average job. Besides that, does anyone really expect an 18 year old to have lived enough to understand their personal political perspective?

As I think about this, I probably had a group of brothers in my local chapter during the years I was an undergraduate, that was really down-to-earth and didn't have any kind of agenda one way or the other... just typical college kids like I was.

However, if our national fraternity happens to be more conservative than most, and might be that way for some time, I guess I feel like I didn't exactly give my informed consent to that (i.e. I didn't know!), and I don't really buy-in to that set of values. That wasn't in the brochure. :) If the nationals only picture "adult success" one way, then it makes it more difficult for me to proudly support the national fraternity as an alumni... even though I want to be involved, and I care.

I suppose speaking up and seeing what happens, is the best way to go.

This is the dumbest thing I've read all day today.

NIC and NPC members-to-be, for the most part, choose their fraternity based on the people they interact with at their college's chapter. If you would have known that (random example) KDR was the most tree hugging, socially conscious fraternity out there, but you couldn't stand any of the KDR brothers at your campus, would you really have joined that group? By the same token, would you give up the good friends you did make through your fraternity because of what you believe your nationals think?

I say this and ask...have YOU contributed to your national magazine? Have YOU been a national volunteer? For the most part, the squeaky wheel gets the greasin. People in suits are the ones sending their pictures in, plain and simple. If you allow yourself to be intimidated or made to feel left out, that's a problem you have to work out with your own psyche.

Perhaps! I've joined other groups/organizations because of their national/global outlook. If fraternities differentiated themselves by what they offer... and made this known to new members, they really could start attracting the vibe of people that they want. In 1996-1997 when I joined, there was no differentiation between fraternities other than the people who happened to be in the chapter.

But for sure, I would still have joined one of the three fraternities where I felt most comfortable with the people. The thing is, I had no information to differentiate between the three nationals. It could have been my deciding factor, if one had stood out from the others. But at that time, they were all the same, or at least marketing themselves all the same way.

Being in my fraternity didn't preclude me from being close friends with people from other fraternities and non-Greeks. The friendships I have with my fraternity brothers are special because of who they are and the experiences we have had together, but, had I met them in daily life on campus there's a good chance we would have been friends anyway.

When your national fraternity doesn't seem to welcome written contributions to their magazine, doesn't have op-eds, doesn't have a forum on their website for alumni, doesn't have a letter page in their magazine, doesn't have a "suggestion box"... how many people are really going to feel comfortable contributing? My impression based on all the literature and email interactions that I've received from them in the past 2-3 years since I started paying attention to this, is that they are a top-down organization that doesn't really take much input or have many participative processes. I don't have a problem sending them correspondence, but in an organization that seems to be operated and organized that way, is it really going to do any good? It doesn't feel any more warm and welcoming than the national conglomerate I worked for last summer.

You're assuming a lot. For a lot of groups, the magazine is just assuming less and less importance as other forms of communication take over. Ditto an alumni forum on the "official" website. Are you part of your org's national Facebook group? Do you check it regularly and begin and participate in discussions? That's really where everything is nowadays.

I guess this would all make more sense to me if you were 60 or so and never used a computer, but you're young enough that your focusing so much on what goes in the magazine is just, well, odd to me.

I'm using the magazine as an example because it is the public/official "voice" of the organization.

I can participate all I want in informal routes of communication such as Facebook comments or wall posts, but, as an alumni, a "lifetime member", a stakeholder, I'm not given any official routes to participate in the shaping or the direction of the organization as time goes on. I haven't really seen any big "discussions" on those Facebook pages, either. Its basically just news and announcements from Nationals, and undergrads who comment and cheer them on.

Perhaps I have ideas about programs or policies, or see things in my line of work, or in reading, that could help my fraternity reach its goals. Maybe my ideas are good, maybe they're not. Maybe other alumni, and other undergrads have ideas as well. But no one in our national is soliciting ideas. The way things are set up, I don't have a voice, there isn't a participative process, and there are no routes for me to communicate with leadership other than sending a random letter and perhaps getting a response. Or going to a golf outing or drinking event (which seem to be the only two things that I ever get invites for) and maybe talking with someone who knows someone and passes my idea on.

In 12 years I haven't been sent a single survey asking my opinion or asking me to rate my experience as an undergraduate or as an alum. The leadership hasn't done a single Q&A or webinar. If you're asking me to expand my view to include technology, those are three things that could be done - that my national has not done. I've certainly never been asked to vote on anything.

I just don't feel this is a very democratic or participative organization as it stands right now. My chapter when I was in it, was run democratically. National isn't. Some group of executives in Indianapolis is deciding everything about the direction of the fraternity, and not formally asking anyone else for input, but still expecting me to "support the fraternity" no matter what they come up with. I don't know how they make decisions, and no one has really ever told me.

All I'm saying is that if you're a member of something... and fraternities lock you in for life, you can't change your fraternity membership ten years later... then every member should have an equal opportunity and an open door to share their input in some kind of appropriate way, and its the organization that has the responsibility for creating that door so it can have as much good quality interaction as possible with its stakeholders.

And, if there's going to be an official publication that depicts what the fraternity stands for, it should be more representative of all of its membership.

With these things maybe alumni of all kinds would be more motivated to stay involved, to contribute time, and contribute money... if they knew they were valued.

The whole point of having executives is to do the day to day running of the fraternity. Do you seriously expect them to put out the money to ask the opinion of every single Brother for every littler thing? Not to mention that fact that nothing would get done. If you feel strongly about a particular issue, then contact them, simple as that.

No, but I expect to be offered the opportunity for input every so often, even once a year or so. Most of the web companies I've done business with give me that opportunity. My U.S. representative sends a survey once in a while. My hospital just sent me a 30 question survey asking me how they could improve their services. I don't think its very expensive to send web surveys, especially if you have it on your own website.

If you asked me to support a non-profit in my community, I'd want to know how they make decisions and if they have public board meetings that I could attend, and how they allow their contributors to participate.

I guess I feel that if I don't agree with my national's executives' agenda, or if I don't understand their approach because they don't communicate very well about it, my only choice is to not participate/contribute, because they're not encouraging me to share my opinions.

Then I would be another statistic of the alumni who "don't care" and the statistic of alumni attrition would go up another percent.

Then they would wonder why their alumni attrition is so high. And I and other people could tell them why, except they've never asked us why.

Soooo instead of joining/starting an alumni association, advising a chapter, or writing/calling Nationals you are sitting on your a$$ waiting for nationals to call YOU ( some random living alum out of 20,000) and ask you how your life is going and what ideas you have? Wow.

I really don't see what the issue is. You had fun in college and made great friends. Why does the fact that they feature prominent alums and not kids "finding themselves" in Australia bother you so much ten years after graduating? Are you self conscious? Do you feel like a failure at life after reading the fraternity mag? Have you ever considered just tossing the magazine when it comes in the mail without reading it since it bothers you so much? Do you really believe that NIC fraternities are either liberal or conservative? Are you RUOXAlum/OptimistPrime cuz this is the same type of silly shit that comes out of his head.

I'm saying I don't like doing business with organizations that don't have some level of participative leadership. I can't wholeheartedly support organizations that are operated from a top-down perspective. The issue is I have trouble giving money or time to an organization that isn't seeking to improve based on input from its stakeholders, who are alumni and undergraduates. I'm not asking for them to come calling me personally, but I would be more willing to support them if they offered everyone that opportunity.

Being four hours away from the nearest chapter has been the only thing that has kept me from interacting in that way.

And because the magazine seems extremely conservative in who they write about, it makes me wonder if the organization itself is that conservative. I haven't seen that the organization has changed much in the last 10 years as far as their programs for undergraduates, and that concerns me. It seems pretty obvious that they're not progressive.

As far as your question about if some NIC fraternities are more liberal or more conservative than others, I don't know the answer to that one. Maybe someone here does. I haven't seen a list anywhere, but I would bet that some lean more one way or the other. I'd be curious to know.

I find it hard to believe that, in the internet age, you have the ability to be involved but can't find a way to do so.

I'm not sure what you want from us. You can get involved with your organization or not. If the powers that be don't see anything wrong and don't have anyone challenging them, nothing's going to change.

Well, committing to a night here reading responses and sorting out my thoughts, is a smaller investment than committing to getting involved with my organization and learning the hard way about how people would respond to my ideas.

I guess I came here to try to figure out if I want to get involved again, and if so, how...

or just to share my frustrations and see if anyone felt the same way and how they've dealt with it.

OK. Based on the length (I didn't read the entire post), it did seem like you were venting. That's cool.

Just be aware that a large chunk of our members are involved in our GLOs (even as alums), so you'll likely be encouraged to do that yourself. That's really the only way you'll be able to suggest any kind of change.

I don't think you should. You should invest your time with orgs that match your ideals.

Haha, thanks. What's that quote from St. Francis - something about the peace to accept what we can not change...?

Seriously, thanks to everyone that responded.

I guess I'll state the obvious...

You know who Alumni mags write about? People who send them articles/info about themselves. How is your fraternity supposed to know what you're up to if you don't TELL them? Why not write an article about a brother you know who's a bleeding heart, barefoot, tree hugging, granola eating, green company entrepreneurial Obama lover? You don't see those articles, because those kind of people don't write articles...it might kill a tree with that extra page of paper in the mag. The people who know how to network and self-promote are the people that WILL write articles in their Fraternity's magazine (or get their assistant to do it for them), so that's WHY those are the people you read about.

This sounds like a whole lot of bitching and not any desire to do anything about it. It reminds me of the people who would sit around complaining about this or that in the chapter but wouldn't lift a finger to plan an event or do anything to help.

There are 1,001 ways to be involved with your org that don't involve a collegiate chapter.

You are expecting them to come to you asking you to do something? Get off your butt and take the initiative yourself. Organizations are dying for more volunteers.

Also, your negativity towards your fellow brothers is going to be very off-putting to others in your org. You're going to have to deal with all walks of life.

Have you written to the editors of the magazine to see if they are interested in freelance or staff writers? Of course, this means you might write more than just "a letter to the editor" type things, but it's a start. I was asked, because of my writing history, to write for one of my national publications, and was asked for writing samples. Since I have been sick, I haven't been able to do that, but as soon as I am up to it, I will pursue it.

And yes, if you want a wilderness man, peace keeper, world adventurer to be featured - you or otherwise, suggest it to your magazine's editors. They might ask you to write something or give them more info so that they can contact the person of interest. Ten bucks the lack of stories you want to heat haven't been told because no one suggested them. 33 is correct, the stuff that talks about alumni are usually self-submitted. I know that the stuff in my college and (private) high school newsletters are, because I have personally submitted a few things.

Stop making up excuses and self-imposed barriers. Your org might not be as "bipolar" as you think. And talk to THEM, not us, about changes you want to see.

Personally, I think the leadership NOT doing a webinar is a good thing. Those are a complete waste of time.

Again, I'm a little amazed that you're younger than me and I'm telling you this, but MANY groups are using Facebook more and more in an official capacity. To say it's an "informal" communication route these days just shows that you're out of touch with what's going on. Many people are advisors, volunteers etc from a huge distance away. You don't have to live in the same time zone.

And even as far as those things are concerned...AlphaFrog can back me up on this. We were bitching one day on our sister forum about chapters closing and we didn't like the manner in which it was done (long story short). Several months later, I was contacted by one of our magazine's editors about a story on closed chapters. I was quoted (Jess, I forget, were you in it too?) along with a picture of our chapter, other women from closed chapers were as well, the editor wrote a wonderful piece, and many people said it was very healing and cathartic. So the moral of the story is, don't shut your big mouth.

As far as who's what, I can only tell you about my fellow alums (small public school in the northeast) from a very unscientific self-study on Facebook. Sigma Chis are moderate to liberal, Phi Sigma Kappas are mostly conservative, and the Crows are trending to the right of John Birch.

I don't think I was quoted in the Closed Chapters article, but I have been quoted before. Why? Because I use our sorority's social networking sites, and I'm VOCAL there.

I'm also applying for a grant through our foundation, and one of the requirements for the grant is including your picture and a bio for the magazine, should you be awarded the grant.

big donors are often featured in magazines
 

BrightBlue, sometimes big donors are recognized/rewarded by being featured in alumni magazines. I know that's the case at Wharton/UPenn. Also, sometimes if they want a big donation from someone they'll feature them in the magazine, ask them to be a speaker at the school, etc. So for your alumni magazine, maybe they're featuring the people who give the most $$$$....

By the way, the very people that you're complaining of are the ones that keep nonprofits open by donating and sitting on the board of directors to those nonprofits. They're also the ones that patronize the arts, donate money to your fraternity to keep it running, etc.

That's not true.

One of my chapter sisters has been a consistent and huge donor for 35+ years and I have yet to see her "featured" in our magazine. By the same token, the features we do have are often about people who are far from being big donors.

College magazines are different than fraternity and sorority magazines.

There is no list. NIC fraternities are not liberal or conservative. However, individual members of the GLO may be.

When I was an undergrad, we had brothers who were members of the Young Democrats and brothers who were members of College Republicans. And those that were Independents. Other chapters were the same. Politics aside, some chapter members went on to be employed in what may be viewed as “conservative” fields of work. While others went on to work in “liberal” fields. As an alumnus, I still see both “views” being represented within my fraternity and other GLOs as well.

I do understand your point of view and how it may be frustrating for you.

Between family and friends, I would guess I have read 10 to 15 different GLO magazines within the past year alone. (Not regularly, but picked it up while visiting etc.) And more than 15 when it comes to checking out websites for various reasons. Generally speaking, many of the articles and updates I have seen might fall within the “conservative” side of life. But that does not mean that the GLO – as a whole – is “conservative”. Just that the article might be of a "conservative" bent.

From what I have seen, at some point in the magazine there is some sort of solicitation by the GLO for updates by their members. Maybe “How ABC made me a better man”, or “What were your favorite brotherhood moment as an undergrad?” The point here is that it is now up to the individual members to decide if they want to submit something or not. If the only articles / replies being received are of a “conservative” nature, then that is all the fraternity has to work with.

So what to do?

To help ease some of your frustration, I would suggest that you contact your fraternity regarding your GLO’s publications to see what are the policies regarding submission of articles etc. Once you have this information, you may have a better idea as how you would like to continue – and at what level - your involvement with your fraternity. Maybe they are looking for other points of view. You may not know unless you ask.

Best of luck on this. Remember that there are other members out there that may have the same beliefs as you. But for the time being, it may be up to you to make that voice known. Don't wait for someone else to speak for you.

None of this has anything to do with conservative v. liberal (if you want to ascribe to that sort of neanderthal concept).

Stalin could be considered "liberal" yet wasn't too interested in "participative leadership" in any real terms.

These are just excuses. And pretty poor ones.

This is fascinating. I agree that most national fraternities don't think of themselves as politically liberal or conservative, but some do lean to the right and some to the left in terms of their overall policies regarding expansion, promotion of the Fraternity 'identity' and support for and defense of their chapters.
I actually read other fratenities' magazines and follow their expansion policies (some people collect stamps...). None of the magazines are overtly political - I think everyone realizes that no one wants that. If an alumnus is elected to Congress, for instance, that fact is reported with pride, regardless of the political party. Brighblue, I don't know which fraternity is yours, but I imagine that the problem is with the magazine rather than the Fraternity in general. Several posters have suggested using Facebook and that's a great idea. In fact, YOU can start a Facebook page for your chapter alumni and spotlight the exceptional individuals you feel deserve recognitiion. It will be appreciated by all.

But getting back to tendencies...33Girl mentioned several fraternities and their 'leans'. She said: "Sigma Chis are moderate to liberal, Phi Sigma Kappas are mostly conservative, and the Crows are trending to the right of John Birch." I agree about Sigma Chi. I don't know much about Phi Sig or Crow. But based on my reading of the magazines and associated news articles, the expansion protocols and the general 'feel', this is what I see...

VERY right/conservative: DKE, Zeta Psi.
LEAN right: KA, Pike, Phi Kappa Psi, FIJI, maybe Sigma Nu.
MODERATE: Sigma Chi, *SAE, ATO, **Sig Ep, Pi Kappa Phi, Delta Tau Delta.
LEAN left: Phi Delt (alcohol and insurance policies), maybe Kappa Sigma.
LEAN further left: Lambda Chi Apha, Beta Theta Pi (I'm surprised, but Beta has definitely moved that way), TKE.
VERY left: Psi Upsilon, Alpha Delta Phi.

*SAE is interesting. Their management and magazine lean moderate/liberal, but the chapters definitely lean right.
**Sig Ep sends mixed messages. They operate on a solid buisiness model, but lately they're moving toward an esoteric 'community of scholars' chapter concept. Call it a work in progress.

No insult intended to anyone left off the list. I'm just not familiar with their publications and operation.

Ha ha, Firehouse, that was at my school only. I certainly don't want to make a blanket/inter/national statement about those groups. And I also just want to say (similar to what Lorne Michaels said about Al Franken) that it's really interesting to see where people were in their youth, and where they are now.

Pretty good: "...it's really interesting to see where people were in their youth, and where they are now."

Hey!!!

The silly shit in my head is of a completely differenet nature and way better than this!

Dickhead.

Hey Firehouse, out of curiosity, why would you say Psi U leans way to the left?

:D TEE HEE HEE!

Re your question as to why I consider Psi Upsilon liberal/left, let me say that I have enormous respect for your Fraternity. I love the old songs ("Dear Old Shrine" might be the best fraternity song ever), and because of your individual chapter escutcheons, Psi Upsilon has the richest heraldry among all fraternities.
However, the fact that Psi Upsilon permits co-ed membership in some chapters places it to the left of other mainstream fraternities.

Somehow missed this thread last month.
If these are you example of liberal and conservative, I'd say you still don't know what liberals and conservatives are. I know many "eco-friendly" conservatives and many liberals who are interested in money and power.

That's Reinhold Niebuhr, not St. Franics:

God, grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference.

I'll agree with the others who say find ways to get involved and work for change if you think there needs to be change.

Another thought - If you want to make a difference join an alumni group where you are collectively given a vote for officers at the conventions and changes to your constitution, etc. Work for change. If there are policies you feel strongly about, talk to other alumni groups about your concerns. There may be regulations around lobbying, but there are ways to get the word out for proposed changes, etc.

I hope to return to this thread in 6-8 months and hear that you've done something to get involved in some way. The Fraternity works on a I/National level because people commit to it.