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!