Nationals and what they do or dont do for us...

[ThetaxiUW]

I thought I would put this here becuase this way more people will read it. But who here is getting fed up with their nationals. Come on raise your hands. Its almost as if they are controlling us through negative reinforcment. Actually in our case it is.

We have just been "convicted" of hazing and being wet. We are a strictly dry and will still be even though we will be paying a higher insurance rate as well as probably getting a fine. It sucks when nationals makes a decision which greatly affects your house and doesn't even have the common decency to come to your house and see for themselves. Instead they call the people involved. What the hell is that? It is a little difficult to get into details but at no time did our house buy alcohol, or rent the place that people drank in, or made the freshamn drink, or made him do what he did.

So this is what I say to Theta Xi nationals...

Thanks a lot. See you guys at the Western Regional Conference here at our house in February, and hell bring your scotch cause you guys say were wet. We'll go to the bars.

U1016

[Betarulz!]

I find that a lot of houses have this issue, and luckily I'd say that right now we don't have any problems with our General Fraternity. However, that does not mean that we haven't had issues in the past and that we wont in the future.

However, I must say that I'm often surprised at the type of "support" that some General/national/international(I think that covers all possibilities) fraternities give to their chapters. My second cousin is in Kappa Sig and they've had some issues with people dropping out of the house, losing pledges and they've asked for help from their headquarters only to be told to wait, that help will come in two weeks, and then three weeks, and then two months. I can't imagine this b/c I often feel that if we were to ask for help from our GF the help would be nearly immediate.

I think that there are two factors that help maintain more positive relationships between Beta chapters and the GF. One is that our fraternity's highest authority is the General Convention: Undergrads run Beta and serve as the final word on the granting, revocation, and suspending of charters. The highest full time position in Beta is that of administrative secretary...not president or something of that sort. The adminstrative secretary is to serve only as a steward of the fraternity in between sessions of the General Convention. I think that is a vital difference as it prevents chapters from having to appease General Fraternity officers, and makes them accountable to their peers of undergrads.
The other thing that helps is the Men of Principle initiative which focuses on chapters identifying their own needs to become a better house in 9 different areas that have been identified as pillars of a successful chapter.

The combination provides for members to ultimately take responsibility and recognize their power, while minimizing that task of "fitting nationals' ideals" and prevents nationals from saying that their not doing this thing or that b/c their is documentation and help from GF in the establishing chapter goals.

[DeltaSig]

I love my organization, but we really need nationals to step up and take control. I feel nationals has fallen behind on the simplest things as far as running a national fraternity, they can't even keep up with publishing the semester magazine. It's only fall and spring for christ's sake. I like the direction we are going as an organization, but actions speak louder than words. I have had a many brothers say outright during meeting they are displeased with nationals.

[RUgreek]

Yea, I'm with DeltaSig,

Our national hasn't published the fraternity magazine since last winter, and the support is all talk. I guess it's just a judgment call, they choose the ones to help that need it the most and ignore the rest. I have no idea what they are spending the money on or who are those lucky chapters getting the support, but i'm sure they are doing something.

I can't imagine anyone who isn't fed up in one way or another with their national, but at least they all equally suck

[Tom Earp]

While I and many other Brothers of LXA know there are problems with our International, I can proudly say we as a Greek Organization do more for the Chapters than any other!

Our Web Site is screwed up, well for members, anyone can get on and see what we are about! The only problem is the Brother Site only. That is being worked on!

Many of us have had issues with our Headquarters as I am sure that you all have!

Remember, the Risk Management Insurance is costing not only you and I but the Internationals $$$$$$$$$$$!

I know how most Greek Organizatons work, much of it is on a volutary basis, ours are paid to work with the chapters. Do we have a major staff at HDQ. yes, but not enough because, many Organizations are running on teh ruff edge money wise just as each Chapter is doing.

Let me ask a ?, do you pay your bills, does your other members pay their bills? If THEY DO NOT PAY THEIR BILLS, then who does? Well guess what people it is a trickle down cacphony of who is getting hurt the most.

Think about it! Collect money, pay the bills and maybe your Organization may be as Good as LXA!

Yes, we have the same problem as you do, but we are doing more for our members than any that I know of. Am I braging, DA, Yes!

Work for your Org and it will become better, with out you, it wont!

i am still working after 45 years!