[b]It is one thing to make mistakes while learning the Market, it enhances knowledge and creativity, its another to screw up balancing your checkbook because no one took a few minutes to teach you effectively and follow up with you. [b]
I question the
levels of failure, and the
mechanism that a chapter uses to increase its learning curve.
To use your examples: Yes a treasurer will learn from failure to budget, but often will not be treasurer the following year. People generally improve the second semester but improvement is relative. Also, because the treasurer's training tends to be inferior he starts with very small knowledge base and no experience. The same is going to apply to the pledge program etc.
Most chapter's don't even use officer notebooks and the ones that do are far from thorough. In order to be a true record of the semester it would almost have to be a
journal that teaches the personal experiences and observations of the previous officer. If only filled out periodically. Then a pretty thorough briefing between officers . . . most transitions suck.
The answer is easy: Better manuals (almost like workbooks), better training (specific to your chapter), Better programs (direct action orientated instead of vague and wishy washy), thorough officer notebooks, and better transition.
Sororities recognize these problems and try to counter them by micromanaging. I agree its not the best answer, but in lieu of doing he above, which would require training the alum officers also, it works.
ITs not brain surgery, it just requires, knowledge, effort and will. Is that so hard?
Quote:
Originally posted by hoosier
A great benefit of fraternity membership is the opportunity to fail, and hopefully learn from it.
If the chapter and treasurer fail to budget and spend correctly, there may not be $$ left at the end of the year for the big dance or food. It's assessment time. Hopefully they'll learn, and do better next year.
Similarly, the pledge program can be planned, adjusted, and evaluated. If it fails, hopefully the pledge trainer/chapter will learn and do better.
The sororities - with their stifling rules, Pan Hel, alumnae guardians, etc. - miss this great benefit.
Of course, their rules and alumnae guardians result in must prettier houses, financial stability, etc.
I'd rather be in a bunch that is learning and getting better, even if that occasionally includes a failure and an assessment.
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