Negativity
 

Brothers,

I have been pondering whether I should post this or just stop checking greekchat, but in an effort to return to what we once had on these message boards, I think it's about time that we end the negativity.

Obviously Gammazeta hates LCAP, Tom has angered people, etc. so there is no need to continue these discussions that focus on the negative.

Within 24 hours of the roll out of our new website there were post suggesting that the whole thing be scrapped. It is one thing to have a discussion about how things can be improved, but we seem to only want to focus on what is wrong, not what is right.

I don't know if we need to return to the Daily Lambda Chi Trivia or what, but this needs to end. We have all had plenty of time to complain, so lets turn the corner and get back to talking about something positive or at least ways to change for the better.

I hope there is something positive involving the brotherhood that we can talk about, because otherwise we are doomed to sprial downward.

IN ZAX
EM1843

EM, I too wish we could go back to a more positive tone, but unfortunately, there isn't much to be positive about right now.

Just in the last few months, we had problems with the True Brother program. Then HQ screwed up rolling out our 100th anniversary. Then hundreds of brothers have lost their homes and LCAP has made it impossible for them to regain them. Then HQ rolls out a sub-par website that is not even complete yet. It goes on and on.

We need to debate and discuss ideas and concerns no matter what they are, either positive or negative. We can't run away from our problems.

Our 100th anniversary should be a joyous occassion, instead we have brothers looking for homes!!!! We have had a decade of a portion of HQ (LCAP) running a multi-million dollar operation into the ground.

Right now, myself and a lot of others are not feeling too "positive" about our fraternity.

Hate to say it, but I feel our fraternity has been run like it would be by George W. Bush.

But in the spirit of positivity, I will say something positive:

At least we're not bankrupt.....






......yet

I feel like things are actually getting better....its all a matter of perspective.

Lets look at some of these things:

WEBSITE: for months we have complained about needing a new site, and now we have one. It may not be perfect, but at least something new was presented and the people behind the scenes are looking for input and suggestions or else they wouldnt have posted the email addresses to get in touch with the IT guys, so it appears as though that would be a move in the positive direction.

TRUE BROTHER: I agree that this too was presented poorly, but from the reports ive heard it is actually helping with recruitment and that too is a positive step

NEW MANUALS: lord knows we have needed some updated materials for ages, guess what, now we have some....again positive.

Not only have these things been improved on, but the situation regarding zeta relations seems to have improved a bit as well. Remember how awhile back the story was IHQ was never going to recolonize Gamma Zeta, but in recent inquisitons, it seems there is some interest to bring back our 2nd chapter. Also, i thought the whole issue with SDSU was handled decently, it could have ended up alot worse that what it did.

I guess everyone who works at IHQ must be gods, because otherwise how do you expect them to deal with all of the updates (manuals, website, etc), centennial planning, bad publicity, the LCAP fiasco, which probably involved none of the current High Zeta, and still maintain normal operations like supervising the active chapters.

Seems to me like theyve been doing a helluva job in Indy, and things would continue to get better if we even spent half as much time working as we do complaining.

2nd chapter? Not sure who you are talking about.

Our 2nd chapter is up and running I believe in Boston.

I think our focus should be on our 1ST chapter; Gamma Zeta.

"I guess everyone who works at IHQ must be gods, because otherwise how do you expect them to deal with all of the updates (manuals, website, etc), centennial planning, bad publicity, the LCAP fiasco, which probably involved none of the current High Zeta, and still maintain normal operations like supervising the active chapters."

That's just the thing, I don't expect them to be gods or be perfect. I do expect them to do their due diligence.

The LCAP fiasco could have been totally avoided. I don't have to go into the laundry list of how it went wrong. That's what gets me worked up.

It grew, and grew, and grew, and grew, and grew into finally it exploded. Did anyone hear any problems about LCAP 3 or 4 years ago (besides from me)? Did anyone hear of any problems 1 year ago? Nope.

That's what worries me. For 10 years there wasn't ANYONE looking at the books and saying "Um, yeah, hey guys, we're losing our asses on this every month. Maybe we should think about what we are doing?"

As a fraternity, we NEVER hear about problems until it is TOO LATE. By the time something reaches the general fraternity, it has already exploded.

That's why we need to force our HQ to be more open, and the first step is opening the financial books.

Ah Matt, I may have angered a few, but only some of the swells!:D

GammaZeta as I mentioned before, IHQ has made inroads at UMass about returning in 2010 I beleive.

They are the list for that date and I hd been in contact with the Greek Adviser about the histoical background of the Zeta.

Now that there is a date set, I think it would behoove you and fellow alums to start laying the ground work for the future.

We all know how you feel about LCAP as many of us do. It was a fiasco but hopefully things will soon change for the better.

I like everyone else here do not want to lose chapter houses and maybe even alumni, Bothers, and future Brothers. But what is done is done and none of us can change it.

As many pointed out, while you do not like the new web site, it is better than what we had and a whole lot easier to navagate as that was always a major problem.

I am not sure what your major problem is with the new site? is it the graphics or what. You expound how you do not like it and never answer why, so please tell us!

Actually, we have more information on our site than any I have seen and I look at a lot!

Sure some Zetas have great sites but they do not have to put all of the information on thiers as IHQ does for all of us!

I just want to point out since most of you are proturbed by GZ, and perhaps others comments that you view as negative. If you particularly dont like what a certain poster or posters are saying, go to USER CP (control panel) and go to the ignore function list, and just place the user on "ignore".

That way you can customize your experience on here to the people you want to hear from, and not others. GZ should be free to rail on LCAP, the website, and nationals. And if you dont want to hear it, his silence is a click and a few keystrokes away.

But Lenoxxx, that would't be any FUN now, would it?

Is there a blog on this site? Perhaps if one could be set up, we could all go there and rant as much as we want - let 'er rip!

A good idea, only it would be constantly censored by HQ.

Do you really think HQ would let that happen without their approval of every post?

No... nor would any Corporate entity though, particularly if it is a publically viewable medium.

I have him on ignore, but the negative comments (including those by other posters, not just gammazeta) tend to bring down the entire board as well as derail otherwise productive converstaions.

EM;

I would say the best thing to do is to start up and comtinue other threads that may have gotten forgotten over time to start or continue things that you felt were more beneficial to the board.

Right, because talking about which famous LXA ate eggs at Al's Diner in North Carolina in 1953 with Warren Cole is much more important than talking about the severe financial mess or lack of organization for our fraternity.

Even though I know that was sarcasm, both are important. One builds good comaraderie, and the other builds good business.

Best post on this thread!

But, I do not want to anger anyone anymore!:rolleyes:

If discussion is part of this thread then that is what is called for.

Some need to be careful about the white steeds they ride as when fall off, it can be a long way to the ground!

While I may not agree with every "Brother" who posts here, I respect them!

It's appropriate to share this on Bastille Day...in the words of Voltaire:

"Monsieur...I detest what you write, but I would give my life to make it possible for you to continue to write."

First Amendment, baby...

In ZAX,
BF

Yeah, but no one detests what I write. In fact, judging by the amount of PM's I receive, most people agree with me.

Seriously, I'm batting 1000% here. If you could cotain and process just a little bit of my awesomeness, it would be enough to power the entire east coast for 5 years.

Unfortunately, my body is the only container known to man to be able to withstand the incredible power of my awesomeness.

It is obvious to me, everyone who posts here has great Pride in Lambda Chi Alpha. If you did not, you would have walked away and written it off...I have seen far too much of that when I was an undergrad. So, my applause to everyone who is letting their flame burn bright.

I have been volunteering my efforts to HQ for some time now. The people I have worked with at HQ are very dedicated employees (and Brothers) who do the amount of work which would be done by multiple people in a "standard" corporate environment.

They are dedicated to the betterment of our Order, make no mistake. And as the old adage goes, you can't please all the people all of the time.

My suggestions for anyone who would like to see things happen in a different direction on a national level, 1) Get involved. 2) Call HQ and offer any skills you have. 3) Patience is key. We all get frustrated in times of change, the evolution of an organization of nearly 1/4 Million members is not a quick process. Patience.

1. I tried several times. Me and my fellow Gamma Zeta alumni have just received the standard "thank you for your interest, but..." form letter. I had over 300 alumni who signed a petition willing to donate time, effort and MONEY to getting Gamma Zeta recolonized. I submitted the petition and we received a letter saying HQ would be contacting us. That was 4 years ago. Still waiting on that reply guys...

Tried again this year. Told HQ I could still get 200 guys on board to recolonize. Not one of us has been contected. Only a polite email here and there.

I specifically asked "What can WE do RIGHT NOW to get GZ recolonized? Do you need money? Do you need bodies? Do you need political connections at the University? Do you need a lobbying effort?" Nothing.

So if HQ doesn't want our help on a local level, why bother nationally?

2. See 1.

3. I agree, patience is key. But I also think HQ needs to do a better job at getting the progress that has occured out to the brothers.

For instance, I've been whining and moaning about HQ opening up their books. Turns out, at GA this year there is legislation proposed dealing with that! I HAD NO IDEA!

That is progress that I normally wouldn't have known about. Good job HQ on the concept, bad job on the communication.

What sems to be the over all rub is that while we are a secret Society, there needs to be things open to us as members.

In spite of what may be posted here, as an Alumni, a Life Member, I have always felt that things were kept from us and while I hoped is was for a betterment of not over burdening us, I was always a second class Brother.

Everything was pointed towards the Active Members which are in the X amount and the Alumni which are in the XYZ Amounts who are able to finally donate money to LXA!

Dues do not pay for all of the things that we as LXA Brothers have available to us and our newer and future Brothers.

The new leaders have taken heed and have been in the process of changing this and hope they never forget it.

While we are the past, we are also the future with our time and money to work with and build our Fraternity at not only the local level, but the International level.

So, I hope no one ever tells me I cannot be negative if there is a problem when I have been so positive for 42 years.

Does GammaZeta have a valid point, I would say yes!

But, are there changes in the wind, I would again say yes.

The Executive Director Bill Farkas and the Office Staff do make the over all decissions, not the Grand High Zeta.

They impliment the rules and regulations that are voted on at G A's.

So, do I as a Brother have the right to complain about certain situations, I feel I do!

Agree or not, that is mine and your choce.:cool:

OMG! We're a secret society? I've been telling people I'm a member of Lambda Chi Alpha for more than 36 years. Uh oh, I'm in trouble now. :)

We are an organization based on our members. Without us, there is nothing.

Now the internet has given us the freedom to express ourselves to thousands of other brothers on a daily basis to discuss whatever topics we like with others across this country.

The different regions, ages, chapters, experiences, etc., would never be able to come together to have a conversation like we do every day, not even at one of our conferences.

So we have to take the bad with the good.

Quite funny or do you tell our secrets?:)

I guess in that way, were are secretive but not hidden.:rolleyes:

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"We are an organization based on our members. Without us, there is nothing.

Now the internet has given us the freedom to express ourselves to thousands of other brothers on a daily basis to discuss whatever topics we like with others across this country.

The different regions, ages, chapters, experiences, etc., would never be able to come together to have a conversation like we do every day, not even at one of our conferences.

So we have to take the bad with the good. " Thank you GammaZeta, nicely stated!

I'm out of the loop as far as college things. Has any large, national fraternity gone bankrupt recently?

I'm not aware of any, no. And this is something that I suspect would show up on the various LISTSERVs that I subscribe to.

If it were to happen, it would be a harsh lesson to those chapters who frequently let their members slide and run a tab on their dues. In the real world that leads to financial problems and eventual closure.