[xtc]

first of all, greetings.

now, as for the toast song, i think that it should stay as is. i also feel like whoever challenges the toast song has the right to do so. whether or not i will sing it other than the way it was originally written is another question.

i too feel like some traditions need to die, but those sentiments are mostly aimed at bad and morally defunct traditions, not rich traditions that are simply outdated and and inapplicable due to a change in demographics. of course that happens to some traditions, but isnt that what makes them worth a damn in the first place? isnt that what its about? remembering and observing the simple and humble existence from which we have come? being able to sing the same song that H. Roe Bartle sang and sharing the same grip that Frank Reed Horton gave to other brothers in our past and being able to connect with the past?

anyways, as far as it turning off a perspective member. there are lots of things that turn off perspective members, i dont think that we should change those things. there are lots of men that are turned off on the frat because we are co-ed, does that mean being co-ed is an outdated tradition?!

i also feel that there is too much emphasis being placed on quantity as opposed to quality in regards to membership. why would we place so much time in effort in trying to make the frat more appealing to non-members vs. making our current membership comfortable and proud to be a part of it? we are already "the largest fraternity in the world" but what difference does it make when no one knows who we are? what about the majority of the membership that is gonna have the rug pulled from under them if the song is changed? what do you expect them to do? i can gaurantee that some will not want membership in the frat to be a family tradition. it sounds to me like members will be lost either way, i would rather cater to those who are already here, working hard as he!! for the frat.

as always, i appreciate the dialogue and respect everybody's opinion.

x