Materials available for diversity?

[GammaZeta]

In our ever changing society, our brotherhood "should" become more diverse with it.

Growing up in Massachusetts, being the progressive and forward thinking state that we are, I was taught to embrace and respect people different from myself. We all have something to contribute regardless of age, sex, race, gender, sexuality, color or religion and that we are all equals.

College campuses are also changing in their makeup.

What steps are being taken to better inform our chapters of how to handle diversity? Do we have any specific materials or literature? I remember the VOLUMES of books and papers that we had from HQ but never could remember one embracing diversity.

For example, if a brother or pledge came out of the closet and stated he was homosexual. Many people in the chapter may be hesitant or not sure how to act in that situation because they may not have been exposed to people of different sexualities before. Ideally, we should treat him like anyone else, but that may not be the case across other chapters.

So, does HQ offer any type of materials or training in such situations?

Is there any programs offered to help a chapter embrace someone different from the majority of brothers?

[Tom Earp]

Originally Posted by GammaZeta

In our ever changing society, our brotherhood "should" become more diverse with it.

Growing up in Massachusetts, being the progressive and forward thinking state that we are, I was taught to embrace and respect people different from myself. We all have something to contribute regardless of age, sex, race, gender, sexuality, color or religion and that we are all equals.

College campuses are also changing in their makeup.

What steps are being taken to better inform our chapters of how to handle diversity? Do we have any specific materials or literature? I remember the VOLUMES of books and papers that we had from HQ but never could remember one embracing diversity.

For example, if a brother or pledge came out of the closet and stated he was homosexual. Many people in the chapter may be hesitant or not sure how to act in that situation because they may not have been exposed to people of different sexualities before. Ideally, we should treat him like anyone else, but that may not be the case across other chapters.

So, does HQ offer any type of materials or training in such situations?

Is there any programs offered to help a chapter embrace someone different from the majority of brothers?

You have valid questions! Tread lightly!

But, this seems to be a reiteration of a previous post!

[Ottor 246]

If you believe you need help relating to people of other cultures or backgrounds, you should seek professional help. Not from IHQ, but from a counselor or psychologist. The rest of us are doing fine. The way to relate to people is one person at a time. Sure, brothers of different racial or ethnic backgrounds have had different experiences in getting to where they are. That's what maks us unique. It's what makes the world interesting. Get to know people as people, and not as part of a racial stereotype.

If a brother comes out of the closet, you treat him as a brother. To do anything different would be to forsake the values of our fraternity. "Every Man a Man," for God's sake.

So stop preaching to us about everything we're doing wrong. Get help with your problem and stop trying to project it onto the rest of us.

[GammaZeta]

Well, I guess this is an off-shoot of another thread.

Again, this is just out of curiosity.

I guess, more in general, does HQ offer other materials, programs or literature other than the regular risk management, ritual stuff?

Let's broaden it a bit. What about dealing with death in a chapter? What about becoming disabled or making a chapter house more disabled friendly?

To what extent does HQ help with the non-risk management, ritual, money aspects of daily chapter life?

[GammaZeta]

"If a brother comes out of the closet, you treat him as a brother. To do anything different would be to forsake the values of our fraternity. "Every Man a Man," for God's sake."

Sorry Ottor, I forgot that we live in a perfect world where everyone is color blind and accepts everyone for who they are. My bad. I'm also sorry for forcing you to read my posts.

Also sorry for questioning anything. We should all be so fortunate to follow blindly without questioning where we are going, who we are or where we were.

[Ottor 246]

Since you said you're sorry, I forgive you. Just don't let it happen again.

[GammaZeta]

[EM1843]

The horse is dead. Let it rest.

[GammaZeta]

Nothing is dead because nothing has been answered.

I asked what materials were available to chapters to help deal with certain situations, or if there was anything at all.

If an active brother dies, what happens? If an active brother comes out of the closet, what is available? If an active brother commits a crime, what programs are available to aid him?

I don't see what is objectionable about my questions.

Sure, we can discuss what brand of toilet paper Mason liked to wipe his rear-end with in 1937, but a question about HQ is off limits?

[Ottor 246]

From the Constitution and Statutory Code:

Resolution Approved by the 32nd General Assembly—Grand Bahama Island, 1970 as Amended at the 49th General Assembly—Denver, CO, 2002
A Mandatory Resolution Regarding Discrimination

Be It Resolved that membership selection on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, or disability has no place within Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. The Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, therefore, condemns all discrimination and will actively seek to prevent it in all of its Chapters.

+++++++++++++++++++

Resolution Approved by the 44th General Assembly—Orlando, FL, 1992
A Mandatory Resolution to Adopt Basic Membership Expectations (EXTRACT)

2. I will respect and abide by all Fraternity Laws, regulations, and policies.

3. I will respect the dignity of all persons; therefore, I will not physically, mentally, psychologically, or sexually abuse or haze any human being.


These are the rules of our fraternity and we are all sworn to uphold them.

Also, here's a link to the Lambda Chi Alpha materials that are avialable online: http://www.fraternitymanuals.com/index.php?title=Lambda_Chi_Alpha

If you review that information and still haven't found what you're looking for, try contacting John Holloway, Director of Chapter Services. His email is jholloway@lambdachi.org

[HONKY660]

Originally Posted by GammaZeta

Nothing is dead because nothing has been answered.

I asked what materials were available to chapters to help deal with certain situations, or if there was anything at all.

If an active brother dies, what happens? If an active brother comes out of the closet, what is available? If an active brother commits a crime, what programs are available to aid him?

I don't see what is objectionable about my questions.

Sure, we can discuss what brand of toilet paper Mason liked to wipe his rear-end with in 1937, but a question about HQ is off limits?

Its not the fraternities job do any of these things, its called life, GET ONE!!!

[lambdaindenver]

The Advisors training courses offered at the summer meetings have included materials and discussions on how to handle the situation when a member announces his sexual preference. Additionally, the advisors involved in teaching that training also provide advice and support on how to deal with our very New Testament based ritual in a chapter with members of other faiths.

[GammaZeta]

THANK YOU LAMBDAINDENVER!!!

That is exactly what I was looking for.

Does anyone know if there is a link available online for the materials, I'd like to view them.

Also, I am VERY interested in the New Testament section that you mentioned.

We never had to deal with it in my chapter. Is it possible you could send me a PM LinDen with more info?

And Honkey, it IS the fraternities job to do ALL of that.

[lambdaindenver]

Unfortunately the materials for Advisors College are not available on line. Those change every year and are available to the participants in the Advisors College that year. Additionally, the discussion about the relationship of the New Testament concepts in the ritual to other faiths is something that a number of senior advisors have each developed over time to use as part of ZAX sessions.

[Tom Earp]

GammaZeta, I suggest that you take this to IHQ and email them.

Your postings are still getting very outdated!