How do you create a culture in your "house"?
 

How do you establish a set of clear expectations, mutual respect, and dedication or a "culture" in a new colony. This has been especially hard as there are no positive examples, ie big brothers, or even just older pledge classes to look up to. How do you communicate these goals to guys who are at different places than you, in terms of campus involvement, leadership skill, initiative, etc to perform? Any suggestions?

Do you have a chapter adviser, local/regional rep, or anyone from your nhq to talk to? What about brothers from other chapters that you know?

Have chapter members answer this question (without the "different places than you" part) on a sheet of paper and submit it to the chapter president. Then have a meeting to discuss, iron out some issues, and take it from there.

Thanks for the reply, IHQ has been really good and our consultants who set us up still check in. As much as they and grads can help. It's a 7-day a week job to keep them motivated even when I'm worn out. The suggestion on having submissions is a good idea. I want the members to be the impetus and have buy-in in it. Perhaps I'll try this one at meeting next week

A few things:

• People want to be a part of something they help to create. This isn't about what you think is best for the the colony, it's about what the colony wants to promote and thinks their place is in your Greek Community. Never forget this.

• In terms of motivation, I believe a "lack of motivation" is more often really a chapter/colony that is not meeting it's members needs. I would survey the membership to find out their interests and analyze commonalities to find programs the colony can implement to actively engage members. If you provide an outlet for things they enjoy doing they will put more into the operation of the colony.

• How long ago were you colonized, and how close are you with your consultants? Reach out to them for help and resources - they've been trained to help you succeed. In terms of other alumni, think about what you can do to reach out for them. I know firsthand that it can be hard to get participation because they are probably not alumni from your university, but getting input from them on what their chapter's did is a great assets colonies' can utilize. They won't help if you don't ask.

• Finally, remember recruitment. Recruit the types of guys you want this colony and eventually chapter to be. Think about placing yourselves in situation to meet these types of men. For example, if you want to attract leaders, have your members get involved in Student Gov. If you want athletes, have your members hang out at the campus gym, and so on.

Good luck!

I joined my organization it our third pledge class when we were still a colony. I had the honor to serve as colony/chapter president when we received our charter.

In terms of the survey, yes I mean a real survey. Delta Chi's needs assessment survey has the following questions:

1. What are your hobbies/leisure time activities?
2. What kinds of parties/social activities do you like best?
3. What sports do you enjoy participating in?
4. What sports do you enjoy as a spectator?
5. What are some subject areas/discussion topics you find interesting? (You don't already have to know much about them)
6. What kinds of cultural activities do you enjoy, either as a participant or spectator?
7. What are your major academic concerns?
8. What are several major personal hassles you have had in the past few years?

Basically you hand this out two weeks before a retreat and have them work on it and turn it in at the next colony meeting. Then at the retreat compile a list of this the colony does on a weekly basis. The distribute the results of the survey. Most likely the things the colony does weekly are not the things that are on the survey results. The degree to which the lists do not correlate is an indication of the colony's failure to meet its members needs. Work with the colony to develop ways to meet these needs.

For example if half of your members enjoy camping, why not plan a semesterly camping trip. If many of your members enjoy playing football, have your brotherhood chair organize a weekly pick up football game on campus. If a large portion enjoy reading, start up a book club, and so on.

The reason I warned against becoming to "me-centric" is because one of my greatest failures as colony/chapter president was failing to realize that I was supporting my fraternity's want and needs and not my own. It definitely kept me from being more successful in the position, and I don't want this to happen to you.