[HPU PIKE]

Stan, first of all I just want to reaffirm to you that this is not a problem unique to your chapter. It is a huge problem with many GLOs. My chapter of Pike for instance, was in a position of having 11 active members. This was before I joined, but I think you may be able to relate to our situation. A year later, through some hard work, our chapter has 21 actives and NOT ONE brother leaving next year. Our only senior is going to become a super senior and hang on for one more year.

As with your chapter, there are a select handful of men who are willing to put forth any sort of effort. This was apparent when I became a brother in Spring 03. Along with my pledge class, most of whom all share my motivation for our chapter, and a few upperclassmen, we have started the change that will turn our chapter around. Like yours, our chapter was the one who used to be great, but became the do-nothing, bad rep fraternity. And with only 4 frat. on campus, image is everything.

There is a theory called the 20/80 ratio. 20% of the people do 80% of the work in most organizations. It has been my effort to disprove this theory. While it was definitely true in my chapter, we began the year with a very serious first chapter meeting. The 7 or 8 of us who had taken leadership postitions basically addressed the chapter in this manner : our way or the high way. We told them what our plan was for the year, presented a well-organized calendar and budget, and setforth guidelines for what our chapter would be this year. Those that objected were asked to leave the chapter room and subsequently go inactive. This was harsh, but the lazy, "in it for the parties" brothers actually got our message and responded.

After years of having no philanthropy or community service projects, we decided to start small. We began the year with our Adopt-a-Highway project and made attendance mandatory. The result was a huge surge in morale for chapter. Just that one event sparked a fire in many of the brothers. Next, we set out to gain a little campus recognition by winning the annual Derby Day(like a field day at the beginning of every year). Although the contest is pretty much a joke (tug-o-war, dizzy bat, mattress races, etc...) we still took first place and instantly the incoming freshman males heard the President anounce "Pi Kappa Alpha" as the winner. That was HUGE. Not only good PR, but it also caused another wave of good morale in the chapter.

My conclusion to this novel: Heed the good advice of the people on here. Take the one's who are willing to show their love for Delta Sigma Phi and use them as examples. Give the remaining guys the ultamatim. *corny metaphor coming up* A good example: Your chapter will become a train next semester. You already have a handful of men who are on board, those that chose not to, will be left behind at their own discretion. No regrets. You take the initiative and make things right. Best of luck to you and your chapter.