A Question For Everybody
 

So I've a discuss with a certain GCers. We've concluded that many chapter that failed did not have a 4 years or 5 years plan. I personally believed that chapters that have these plans have a better chance to succeed. This way, the chapter are able to predict shift memberships etc.

With these plans, the e-board can also show leadership and direction. So, I encouraged everyone to talk to their chapter and start discussing ideas for a 4 years plan. Then, implement it. It is no good if you just put it in paper and not doing anything about it.

what kinda plan are u talking about? like goals that are to be met at 5 years etc

Sorry, should have been clearer. a 5 years strategic plan.

In my opinion, 4+ year plans should come from chapter alumni, with undergraduate input. Undergraduates lack the wisdom, that comes from both life experience and institutional memory, to make an iron-clad long range plan.

It shouldn't be primariy(sp?) done by the alumnis. Alumni should have an input and give the actives wisdom and guidence. However, the undergrad should be the primary driving force as they know the current situation.

I think that active members should have input, especially in younger chapters. When you have middle-aged women who are in charge of alumnae/i it is different than having 25 year old women as you top age range. Yes they've graduated, but still are too connected to let go of what they wanted to see for something more neutral. Maybe this is different in men's orgs, but I think chapter age is a factor.

Undergraduates who start a 5 year plan, won't be there to finish it. The only way that it can succeed is through the work of alumni. One of the reasons why alumni are so important is because they are the only effective way to preserve institutional memory.

Practically speaking, it has to be primarily guided by alumni. Undergrads can do the work, but they can't credibly maintain the long range planning and policy adjustments that will be needed.

I can see having something loose but nothing concrete....

People get too hung up on "THE PLAN" and forget that they are supposed to be enjoying their experience as it happens, not just working toward a goal. Not to mention the amount of variables that can occur.

I guess I'm old fashioned but I liked when Greek life wasn't so darned business-like. :(

I agree. Any long range plan that lacks flexibility will break in the winds of change.

But in making a "plan" doesn't that in itself limit your flexibility?

It may, but lacking a plan dooms a GLO to mediocrity, or worse.

Well then maybe this is my problem...

I've seen so much emphasis on making 5 year/long range/whatever plans that people forget that they have to actually DO something. They think that since they've made a plan, they're done. My point is that it creates a false sense of security.

Also, I think an important component of any plan's success is the support of the organization. If the planners make goals that the "rank and file" do not agree with, the plan won't get very far. Plus the goals have to be concrete. Not "we will empower our membership" or some of the garbage I've seen passed off as planning.

LOL I just realized that I contradicted myself. What I have been meaning to say is that if you can show me a long range plan that works, maybe I'll get on board with it, but the majority I've seen are useless crap. :p

That's poor management, not an intrinsic problem with planning. This is why alumni guidance is needed, and also why it has to be effective alumni who are helping.
That is simply ineffective planning. Any quality long range planning for an organization, that is supposedly based on democratic principles, needs to include democratic mechanisms when constructing and executing that policy.

Fun
 

Something that can torpedo any long range plan, is if that plan doesn't allow the organization's members to have fun. Failing to do this is just setting the chapter up for division and infighting.

On of the problems is that the people with the experience to recomend to five year plan are not usually the ones that are writing it or implmenting it.

Go tell your 6 year old the value of doing somrhing that you know is important but takes long term committment.