The solution to all our problems (a complete change in LXA)

[GammaZeta]

Hidden agendas, cronyism, financial interests, power plays, missing documents, ineptitude, bankruptcy, cooked books...

Let's face it, this LCAP problem is starting to shape up into Lambda Chi Alpha's own little "Enron". This is on top of the financial problems we had in the late 90's early 00's.

This is a quick, simple fix that will allow our membership to have true control over their fraternity while providing safegaurds against many of the problems I mentioned earlier in this post.

Lambda Chi Alpha will now be turned into the Lambda Chi Alpha Corporation. (Yes, I realize we are incorporated already, but this is a much more efficient model)

Here is what I propose:

Lambda Chi Alpha will now be a (real) corporation.

Each living member will have exactly 1 (one) share of the LXA Corp. When that member dies, that share reverts back into the corporation.

Each year, a vote of all the shareholders will be taken to elect a 13 member board of directors (new High Alpha).

That board of directors will be responsible for appoint the CEO, CFO, and other officers.

Those officers will be responsible for the daily operations of the fraternity.

On a semi-annual basis, the corporation will make available to each shareholder a complete financial accounting of the last six months; travel expenses, salaries, office expenses, donations, insurance, membership dues, EVERYTHING.

Every year, we will have our annual shareholders meeting (GC).

With this setup, the fraternity and it's officers will be responsbile, both LEGALLY and as a fraternity to it's shareholders (living membership), and not vice-versa.

This gives each shareholder a voice and a vote in the fraternity/corporation.

This also imposes legal restrictions on the fraternity and most importantly, it's financial accounting.

This is the basic outline of what it would be like. The details of a true corporation are much too cumbersome to post right now as an initial post.

Something needs to be done. I did say this keeps happening and that it also happens to other fraternities. WELL LET'S FIX IT! Why do we have to use the same structure and model as all other fraternities.

It's time to give each brother a REAL piece and owership of this organization.

When will we stop allowing ourselves to be screwed over by the very people that are supposed to have our interests at heart?

[Tom Earp]

Give it a rest.

[GammaZeta]

"Give it a rest"

Sure Tom, because between LCAP and the 90's our fraternity is doing GREAT! No reason to change anything at all. Yup, years of mismanagement and millions of dollars at risk is no reason to ask for better disclosure and input from the membership.

[Tom Earp]

I just wonder if you are giving your cause a better step to be standing on?

You do have many people who are with you behind the scenes and trying to work for changes.

I guess you have changed your phone as would not go through?

So, does everything you say worry many of us? YES!

Do many of us want to see a change? Yes!

You know I have always been on your side.

But I am saying ranting may not help!

That is why I say "try" to be more positive and yet you do not seem to want to.

That is your perogative.

[GammaZeta]

I would be more positive Tom, but when you try to fix a longstanding problem, it will most likely come off as negative.

I don't mean to be "negative", but offer an idea and a solution.

Unfortunately, the reality of the situation is that it is negative.

Maybe some brother will read my post and use that idea to start real change.

There very well may be people woking for a similar idea on the "inside", but I don't hear anything about it.

That's one of my biggest problems: Communicatin/Information.

ALL of our financial records should be easily accessible to ALL brothers on the website. Everything.

Money is the lifeblood of our fraternity, it is also one of our biggest problems and usually the "root of all evil".

We need more transparency.

[DSTCHAOS]

Not to be swerving in your forum but is there a brothers-only site you all can have this discussion in?

[Senusret I]

I didn't want to co-swerve, but I just wanted to say I totally understand where GammaZeta is coming from (slightly disagree with corporatizing, but agree with using best practices) but I hope people can see what he's saying and be inspired to work in whatever way is necessary to solve the issues.

A strong fraternity -- any fraternity -- is good for all of Greek life and society at large.

I know GZ hates my guts, so I'm swerving away now. Just remember who gave you a compliment, dammit.

[Tom Earp]

I do not beleive this would be available on GC!

But, you bring up a good pont!

But I also beleive we try to be open.

Maybe on an other area of posting?

Thank you for your posting and suggestion!

[GammaZeta]

I don't believe in "restricting" one's public speech for the sake of public appearance, even if that means being critical of our own fraternity.

The internet has provided an opportunity to our society to do just that. Without the internet and GC, I would have no idea who ANY of these brothers posting online are.

My only recourse, or way to get my opinion out to our fraternity would be to hack into our database, steal every brother's address, and cough up $50,000 to do a mass mailing.

I am never ashamed at what I say. If I see something wrong, I will be the first to speak up. If I see something right, I will be the first to compliment.

The internet is the new street corner, and forums are the new soapbox.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by GammaZeta

I don't believe in "restricting" one's public speech for the sake of public appearance, even if that means being critical of our own fraternity.

The internet has provided an opportunity to our society to do just that. Without the internet and GC, I would have no idea who ANY of these brothers posting online are.

My only recourse, or way to get my opinion out to our fraternity would be to hack into our database, steal every brother's address, and cough up $50,000 to do a mass mailing.

I am never ashamed at what I say. If I see something wrong, I will be the first to speak up. If I see something right, I will be the first to compliment.

The internet is the new street corner, and forums are the new soapbox.

I'm sure you really don't believe this 100%. If you did, we'd be reading a lot more of your personal and organizational business.

But continue about the "hidden agendas, cronyism, financial interests, power plays, missing documents, ineptitude, bankruptcy, cooked books...let's face it, this LCAP problem is starting to shape up into Lambda Chi Alpha's own little 'Enron'"

Intriguing stuff there.

[GammaZeta]

Intriguing stuff, absolutely.

Unfortunately, our HQ will never allow the books to be available to the general fraternity.

All we have are stories of different incidents throughout the country involving different chapters. You have to piece it together.

Back in 02 or 03 (forget at this moment), LCAP used some pretty shady practices on Gamma Zeta.

All summer, they said "don't worry about the contracts and leases, we will have time to review them the first month, after all, we're all brothers".

On move in day, LCAP was there.

We had 20 something brothers waiting to move in, only LCAP would't allow it. They marched us into the basement, threw some contracts in front of each brother and told us "if we don't sign them RIGHT NOW,we will not be able to move in that semester."

So we signed them. Turns out, all their "promises" (tell you about that at another time", and the contracts were mostly ILLEGAL in the state of Massachusetts. They violated DOZENS of state laws regarding contracts, landlord/tenant, warranty of habitability, and on and on.

We took them to court and they settled.

Funny thing is, HQ doesn't realize that the Gamma Zeta house was transferred illegally. At any moment, I could file a petition with the land court declaring any right that LCAP has on the house void and that it is still in possession of the Housing Corp.

Of course, if LCAP even bothered to take 10 minutes to consult a lawyer, they would have known that.

[Tom Earp]

If what you say is true, then file the suit and be done with it!

See what a court says and then go from there.

[boz130]

After having reviewed the legislative workbook that's been prepped for next week, I found nothing re: LCAP. Since the issues up for discussion have already been set in stone, no amount of hue and cry from the masses will bring this subject the property problem to the assembly floor.

At the risk of sounding trite (if I do, oh well...it won't be the first time), somewhere in my deep, dark Lamb Chop past the following phrase was uttered in my presence: "It's easier to effect change from within than without." I suppose the idea of "it's easier to curse the darkness than light a candle" comes into play, too.

From my limited experience attending GA's (this will only be #4), I know that a lot of discussion on various issues occurs outside of the legislative sessions. This issue will undoubtedly be a biggie. My guess is that various people involved w/the revised LCAP will be around the premises. It's a great opportunity to chat w/these folks, plead a case, etc.

[GammaZeta]

That's interesting....

Why is nothing official going to be done?

[Tom Earp]

?? How do you know nothing is being done let alone all of the usurpers who want to tell us how to do it on this Thread?

Just whom have you contacted for a senisble discussion?

I have given you an opening for contacts but then I wonder why you don't?

You have My Phone #! You can call or not!

I am like many! Tired of your Bitching!

Get off of your dead ass and do something!

In regards to other posters if you want to do something positive that is fine!

If not, then leave off!

Go back to your own little life

Amazing how many people want try put thier noses in other people sites/threads!

Ah well, that is normal anymore for GC!