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04-16-2007, 11:47 PM
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GreekChat Member
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 4
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How does our Chapter deal with a Chapter Advisor?
I have a question for the boards...
My chapter is having some issues with our Chapter Advisor in the sense that on numerous occasions he has displayed actions that brothers not only disagree with, but also pose as a conflict of interest to the Chapter.
To list a few things, he has taken on positions as our Chapter Advisor, Chapter Advisory Board Chairmen, President of our Alumni Corporation, Regional Counselor, and also serves as a member of the National Standards and Risk Management Committee. He uses these titles to Suspend both local and national by-laws at will, and throws around interpretations of our by-laws that most brothers do not feel are correct. Not only that, but the Standars/RM Committee is one of the only groups that can reorganize a Chapter, and he has threated our Chapter with that notion on more than one occasion. (I would like to note that our Nationals really like our Chapter, and other Chapters look up to us and ask us for advice. It is extremely unlikely that we deserve even the thought of being reorganized)
The other major issue which some of the guys have expressed is that he sits in on every one of our Standards Board hearings and essentially tells the Board how to handle a situation, aka how to vote and sanction each person.
Is there any way to approach this situation repsectfully? Trying to talk to him directly has not worked because he dismisses any other opinion besides him own. The Board's suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Last edited by yabs; 04-17-2007 at 12:04 AM.
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04-17-2007, 08:51 AM
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GreekChat Member
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Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,508
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Quote:
Originally Posted by yabs
I have a question for the boards...
My chapter is having some issues with our Chapter Advisor in the sense that on numerous occasions he has displayed actions that brothers not only disagree with, but also pose as a conflict of interest to the Chapter.
To list a few things, he has taken on positions as our Chapter Advisor, Chapter Advisory Board Chairmen, President of our Alumni Corporation, Regional Counselor, and also serves as a member of the National Standards and Risk Management Committee. He uses these titles to Suspend both local and national by-laws at will, and throws around interpretations of our by-laws that most brothers do not feel are correct. Not only that, but the Standars/RM Committee is one of the only groups that can reorganize a Chapter, and he has threated our Chapter with that notion on more than one occasion. (I would like to note that our Nationals really like our Chapter, and other Chapters look up to us and ask us for advice. It is extremely unlikely that we deserve even the thought of being reorganized)
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How can one person hold ALL of those positions? It seems there is serious misconduct on his part and you may need to contact a national officer.
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04-17-2007, 09:56 AM
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Moderator
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Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Hotel Oceanview
Posts: 34,519
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You need to contact your nationals ASAP and tell them exactly what you told us. Unless he is doing some serious "method acting" preparation for the role of Adolf Hitler he is way out of line!!
__________________
It is all 33girl's fault. ~DrPhil
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04-17-2007, 12:51 PM
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Super Moderator
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Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: naples, florida
Posts: 18,652
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are there any other members of your advisory board or has this dictator run them all off? if there are any members remaining, you may need to enlist their help to build your case against this alumni.
as others have advised, contact your national headquarters, but make preparations before you do. have you facts before you, have phone numbers and email addresses of other brothers willing to share their opinions with your headquarters and list any alumni on your side of the issue.
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04-17-2007, 04:52 PM
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GreekChat Member
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Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Left Coast
Posts: 3,598
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Quote:
Originally Posted by yabs
I have a question for the boards...
My chapter is having some issues with our Chapter Advisor in the sense that on numerous occasions he has displayed actions that brothers not only disagree with, but also pose as a conflict of interest to the Chapter.
To list a few things, he has taken on positions as our Chapter Advisor, Chapter Advisory Board Chairmen, President of our Alumni Corporation, Regional Counselor, and also serves as a member of the National Standards and Risk Management Committee. He uses these titles to Suspend both local and national by-laws at will, and throws around interpretations of our by-laws that most brothers do not feel are correct. Not only that, but the Standars/RM Committee is one of the only groups that can reorganize a Chapter, and he has threated our Chapter with that notion on more than one occasion. (I would like to note that our Nationals really like our Chapter, and other Chapters look up to us and ask us for advice. It is extremely unlikely that we deserve even the thought of being reorganized)
The other major issue which some of the guys have expressed is that he sits in on every one of our Standards Board hearings and essentially tells the Board how to handle a situation, aka how to vote and sanction each person.
Is there any way to approach this situation repsectfully? Trying to talk to him directly has not worked because he dismisses any other opinion besides him own. The Board's suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
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From what you have written, it sounds like your advisor may be abusing his authority. However, in the eyes of your HQ, he may not. Which may be *why* your nationals like your chapter. They know it is in "good hands" as it were. Or maybe they don't know anything. As such, I would strongly suggest that you understand what are his duties and perhaps responsibilities. And once you have your facts, then contact HQ with any concerns you might still have.
I would like to point out that it may be that he is simply following directions from your HQ. I noticed from another post that you are a re-founding father of your chapter. So I am guessing here that at some point, your chapter was closed. Duh right? I mean closed for a period of time. Not knowing officially why, this is pure speculation on my part. Perhaps he is there to ensure that certain requirements that were set forth by your HQ, and maybe the university, for your return to campus is met. As an example, it may be that your HQ requires a chapter advisor to be present at Standards Board hearings due to past actions of the chapter. If so, it would make sense that he might also be a member of your National Standards and Risk Management Committee. This wouldn't be a conflict of interest by your HQ. Also, it is not unheard of the chapter advisor serving as chairman of your chapter's advisory board or even alumni corporation. He might have been selected to serve in these areas because he is a regional counselor. Again, these things all seem rather legit and perhaps not a conflict.
As such, (not saying this is the case, but again just speculating as to *why*), he may be coming off as hard handed simply because he has been entrusted by your HQ to ensure that the chapter does not revert to past unacceptable actions. Perhaps he hasn't communicated that to the chapter.
Now having said that, he may very well be abusing his authority. Frankly, I don't know of any situation where someone can suspend the national by-laws. Unless, perhaps, it is written *in* the by-laws. Are you sure he is suspending national by-laws? Again, be sure you have the facts.
In any case, as FSUZeta pointed out, do contact other members of the advisory board, the alumni corporation, and any other alumni to get a better understanding of what his duties might be. It may be that he is doing everything "by the book", but is a jerk about it. Or it may be that he doesn't have any authority to act the way he does at all. Once you know *for sure*, then contact your HQ for any action necessary.
One other suggestion if I may. You asked if there was a way to approach this situation repsectfully. If he does have the authority, then perhaps ask him to come to an E-board or general meeting to discusses his duties. And if that happens, don't be combative or question his motives per say. That isn't going to get you anywhere. Ask him what you - as a chapter - can do to help him, help the chapter.
Good luck.
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04-18-2007, 12:19 AM
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GreekChat Member
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 4
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I appreciate all your inputs. As of right now the eboard, and president specifically, have all had discussions with myself and other guys on our whole situation, and all of you that have given insight are at least partially correct... which leads me to believe your insight is completely valid.
Just to give an update I guess, I had contacted IHQ and am waiting on a response, and I plan to simply discuss with them what our Advisors powers and roles are... this way I can see if he is or is not acting out of line. After that I'll talk to the Eboard and share that new info with them. Again, like you guys said, I won't be combative about it when it comes to addressing our Advisor.
Like I said I appreciate your guys' help. It is nice to have the opinion of others who don't know who you are or have any biases. I'll be sure to let you all know how things progress.
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04-18-2007, 08:15 PM
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GreekChat Member
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Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Left Coast
Posts: 3,598
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Quote:
Originally Posted by yabs
I appreciate all your inputs. As of right now the eboard, and president specifically, have all had discussions with myself and other guys on our whole situation, and all of you that have given insight are at least partially correct... which leads me to believe your insight is completely valid.
Just to give an update I guess, I had contacted IHQ and am waiting on a response, and I plan to simply discuss with them what our Advisors powers and roles are... this way I can see if he is or is not acting out of line. After that I'll talk to the Eboard and share that new info with them. Again, like you guys said, I won't be combative about it when it comes to addressing our Advisor.
Like I said I appreciate your guys' help. It is nice to have the opinion of others who don't know who you are or have any biases. I'll be sure to let you all know how things progress.
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In an ideal situation, an advisor (alumni boards etc.) will be the chapter's friend. Someone the chapter (active members) can trust and know to have their best interests at heart. Someone who will give them good and sage advice regarding chapter operations and such. Not someone to dictate. Unfortunately, communications can and do break down and it may seem like they are dictating to the chapter. Perhaps they are or they need to as it were. They may be doing what is best for the chapter (members), yet the chapter may not know it or understand why. When that happens, frustration, uncertainty, even second guessing, can flourish. From all sides.
For what it is worth, I have know a few advisors who acted like pompous jerks. Some even worse. Yet they acted well within the rights and duties as entrusted to them by their HQ. But from what I could tell, they truly cared about the chapter. But in almost ever situation, they simply were not good communicators. They didn't take the time to (or perhaps think to) educate the chapter as to *why* they did (or were required to do) what they did. Think of the parent that just says: "No." And follows up with "Because I said so." That can be very frustrating for any child to hear. A better answer might be: "No. Because eating treats right before dinner may ruin your appetite etc." Frankly, the child doesn't really care for that answer either, but at least the second reply explains the reason behind the "no".
As such, I think it is good that you have contacted your IHQ on this. I would just suggest that you get a clear understanding as to not only what his duties should be, but why he needs to do them. And if applicable, for how long. And if something isn't clear, ask follow up questions until you are sure. Again, what you might interpret as acting out of line, may not be the case at all. But on the other hand, what you might think is fine or acceptable, may not be fine or acceptable with HQ.
Again, best of luck.
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