LCA fez on Ebay. Wow...

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Originally Posted by GammaZeta

That's just the thing Tom. We always felt leadership didn't come from HQ, but from within our Zeta. We always felt there was a disconnect between HQ and the chapters. Maybe it was because of the physical distance? Maybe we didn't get as much attention due to our size? We never really could afford as a chapter to go to all the conferences and meetings.

We just never thought HQ ever really understood our particular situation. And I wouldn't expect them to, especially with 100's of other zetas, they cannot be specific to each one.

Just remember, some zeta's had the ability and resources to grow close with HQ, while others never had that benefit.

I also think that at the time before email and electronic communication, there was a communications breakdown with HQ and the chapters. Some of you youngsters have to remember that back in 98 and 97, we didn't have the ability to email or electronically fill out forms.

Today it is so much easier to contact HQ and get the necessary resources.

A Zeta that is not close to HQ is not a bad Zeta. A Zeta that is close to HQ is not a good Zeta. We all adapt to what is available and what is best for our brotherhood, chapter and university.

I totally relate on many of those points and at one point did agree them all at some point, some I still do. I was raised to not entirely trust nationals because and I will swear to this, the first week I was an AM LCAP decided kick us out of our house. I know this is a touchy subject around here and I have elaborated previously. I was raised from the start after this very traumatizing event that nationals did not receive our chapter all that well.

Since becoming an officer and having a lot more contact with nationals, and by no means is this trying to contradict you, I have come to several conclusions:
1. If nationals isin't paying special attention you, you are doing something right, or you aren't doing anything all that bad.

2. You can't just expect nationals to telepathically know when you need help, you have to ask. Everyone at nationals so far that I have talked are all great brothers and really truly do want to help or they wouldn't be there.

3. In addition to above, HQ has a bunch of resources to help chapters out, many of which brothers don't take advantage of. Its amazing how much help you can get with a friendly email. Odds are the guys who are there at one point needed help themselves and can sympathize.

Commenting on the technology aspect, I happened to have personally talked to Jason Pearce on the phone a few weeks back about several things. He went into detail about the new website he is designing, and from the mental image I formed it will most likely revolutionize the way brothers, zetas, and HQ collaborates. And based on my knowledge of todays internet, this will be like nothing any other fraternity currently has, that I know of. Picture a world where there is a single website that all Zeta's and brothers will have appropriate access to LCA's database of 250,000+. Everything will be integrated and communication with alumni will be as easy as type, click, send.

He got me pretty excited about it, and you could tell from the way he was talking he was extremely excited about its potential.