[RACooper]

Originally posted by GammaZeta
Being in a small chapter means alot more experience than normal. Yes, you have held many official positions. However, my experience, although I too have held many official positions, is more about the nitty gritty of chapter functions. Waking up at 4 am becaue the heater broke or the oil ran out. Dealing with nazi-like health and building inspectors just waiting to shut you down for any violation. Dealing with the town to help schedule the repayment of thousands of dollars of back taxes. Dealing with a stabbing that was non-fraternal related and random on the chapters front lawn. Dealing with non-brother tenants that violate rules or don't pay their rent. Dealing with contractors to bring the house up to code so we can get a occupation certificate. Those are just the normal circumstances I've dealt with. I can't even begin to tell you the absolutely, weird, unusual, difficult, stupid things that I've dealt with. Unlike many chapters, we never had the comfort of having a strong alumni base or alumni experience to guide us through. Our chapter existed on the hard work of a bunch of 19 and 20 year olds with no life experience. We learned as we went along because we had to, there was no one there telling us we were getting ripped off for the price of oil for our furnace. There was no one there telling us the contractor was taking advantage of us. There was no one there telling us our legal rights when it came to house inspection. It was actually pretty damn unfair to have house leadership and members deal with full time college, financial difficulties, normal frat problems, and a house (like other Umass frats) constantly being threatened for health violations. That's why I say I have more experience than most other people in actually "running" a chapter. Our chapter meetings didn't deal with frat problems, they dealt with where we were going to get the money for heat, or how to pay the water bill.

Hmmm... sounds shockingly familiar - almost anyone from a smaller chapter in the North East or Canada could say pretty much the same thing.... your experience is unfortunately in no way unique - anyone from a smaller chapter will recognize the issues brought up by fewer people to shoulder the load and responsibility - you just work through it though.

As far as the ritual, I know that damn thing inside out. I have most of it memorized. Go ahead, quiz me.

Again a common trait in the smaller chapters - again because less people are there to shoulder the responsibility and workload.

No I joined at the right school. My best friends were met there. But you are right, it does suck being in any frat up here. Frats in the northeast are not what they used to be, most are struggling to survive. That puts alot of added pressure on everyone.

Sorry for the red-neck comment, uncalled for.

Yeah... the North East while the heart and soul of most GLOs in the early days are on "hard times" now... partly because of changing attitudes towards greeks, and partly because of the actions (or inactions) of greeks themselves... It'll take alot of work and effort to turn it around, or in some regain what has been lost.

I personally feel that those from this region have alot to contribute to the growth of the Fraternity - their mettle has been tested a little more frequently... and as such some great leaders can be produced - the problem is finding leaders that haven't become jaded or burnt-out by the pressure, but inpsired and hopeful for the future...

Now here's two questions for you:

1. How many of your brothers ever thanked you for spending your own significant amount of money to buy building materials so the chapter wouldn't lose its residency permit?

2. How many of your brothers ever thanked you for risking your academic standing because the chapter needed you?

Yeah, that's what I thought.

Again not unique... I can answer both of these in the affirmative and state that the numbers are both around a dozen actives and a dozen alumni...

Stop thinking that your experiences are unique as many, many other Brothers have experienced "hard-times" and difficulties as both active and alum while in the service of the Fraterinty.


PS> If you want to disparage the Fraternity or Brothers on thi board - please pursue it in a less public form, or temper your remarks so that they fall within the bounds of constructive debate...