True Brother Initiative

HONKY660 · #1 07-31-2007, 01:28 PM

I spoke to my chapters high alpha yesterday, and he seems very excited with the new programs and its prospects for our chapter. It should give our fraternity a competative advantage over other fraternities.

Tom Earp · #2 07-31-2007, 01:38 PM

I hope this will be added to a very future C & C so all of us can get an idea of what it is all about.

Sounds very interesting as I have commented a lot about keeping Alums in the total loop.

boz130 · #3 07-31-2007, 04:45 PM

From the UGs I spoke with, there may be a correlation between the amount of emphasis they placed on Impact and how well TBI is received. In other words, if you didn't really urge members to go through Impact I-IV, there's a chance the new program's not gonna grab you, either.

Don't get me wrong, these programs (including SAE's True Gentleman & SigEp's Balanced Man in the mix) are outstanding. However, if you've got just a small percentage of Zetas implementing the program, it may lead to resentment on the part of the "lesser chapters" (a.k.a. those who haven't "bought in" fully).

It will take a while for this program to be fully in place - IMHO, we alums s/b actively urging our chapters to work w/TBI.

In ZAX,
BF

JonoBN41 · #4 07-31-2007, 07:33 PM

What IS the True Brother Initiative?

Yes, something will come out in the next C&C in a couple days, but it's so much nonspeak, meaningless to me, along the lines of an email I got from the Florida Tech Alumni Association about where our dues will go. "The funds received from memberships in the Alumni Association help to continue the progress being made on behalf of the university, its students and graduates."

I HATE nebulous statements like that.

Can someone explain how (of if) this new initiative will affect me, as a 54 year-old alumnus? Or is it just for the young kids?

I want to know, but no one is telling the alumni - just adorning a select few of them with lavish pendants and collars.

Tom Earp · #5 07-31-2007, 09:29 PM

Point very well stated!

Like You and others, the wondering goes on.

dever860 · #6 07-31-2007, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonoBN41

Can someone explain how (of if) this new initiative will affect me, as a 54 year-old alumnus? Or is it just for the young kids?

I want to know, but no one is telling the alumni - just adorning a select few of them with lavish pendants and collars.

'

I wasn't there but I have read a good portion of the 7+ packets they brought back, in addition to trying to understand what the ELC told me about it months ago. I was very disappointed when they didn't bring back info about the Inner Circle program that was supposed to be accompanying it. Supposedly THAT was what was for the alumni and the active brothers. Some kind of incentive program.

I was told the program wasn't finished in time for LC.

Quote:

What IS the True Brother Initiative?

Yes, something will come out in the next C&C in a couple days, but it's so much nonspeak, meaningless to me, along the lines of an email I got from the Florida Tech Alumni Association about where our dues will go. "The funds received from memberships in the Alumni Association help to continue the progress being made on behalf of the university, its students and graduates."

I HATE nebulous statements like that.

Totally agree. I am working on that on my own front, tough going though.

dever860 · #7 07-31-2007, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boz130

From the UGs I spoke with, there may be a correlation between the amount of emphasis they placed on Impact and how well TBI is received. In other words, if you didn't really urge members to go through Impact I-IV, there's a chance the new program's not gonna grab you, either.

Don't get me wrong, these programs (including SAE's True Gentleman & SigEp's Balanced Man in the mix) are outstanding. However, if you've got just a small percentage of Zetas implementing the program, it may lead to resentment on the part of the "lesser chapters" (a.k.a. those who haven't "bought in" fully).

It will take a while for this program to be fully in place - IMHO, we alums s/b actively urging our chapters to work w/TBI.

In ZAX,
BF

I read the manuals and I was impressed with the thoroughness that went into the packets. I need to look into them more. I am going to do so once they post everything online, which I hope they do soon. I am hoping the program will go over well here. It seems like one of those everyone has to get involved or it will fail miserably, meaning not just a few people doing all of the work.

GammaZeta · #8 08-01-2007, 09:00 AM

Hate to be a downer, hell, I only can tell the basics about this "True Brother" program.

Is this just more b.s. where HQ and alumni get to go around using buzzwords, print some new manuals, give some catchy names and stroke their egos for being "proactive"? (God I hate business buzzwords.)

There have been so many other failed initiatives. I've been through Impact Leadership, put 100% into it, and it still felt like one of those company ice breaker, team building exercise that everyone hates.

Maybe someone could tell me how this differs from previous programs? Give me some assurances that this is a good thing.

Is this of substance where we can see results, or will we be better off spending the money and man hours on recruitment or fundraising?

dever860 · #9 08-01-2007, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GammaZeta

Hate to be a downer, hell, I only can tell the basics about this "True Brother" program.

Is this just more b.s. where HQ and alumni get to go around using buzzwords, print some new manuals, give some catchy names and stroke their egos for being "proactive"? (God I hate business buzzwords.)

There have been so many other failed initiatives. I've been through Impact Leadership, put 100% into it, and it still felt like one of those company ice breaker, team building exercise that everyone hates.

Maybe someone could tell me how this differs from previous programs? Give me some assurances that this is a good thing.

Is this of substance where we can see results, or will we be better off spending the money and man hours on recruitment or fundraising?

I don't want to judge just yet before giving it a try, I know what you mean though.

Personally, whichever the case, I was getting tired of referring to a kappa manual from 1992 that still talked about the USSR and the cold war as talking points... New manuals were necessary, and are welcomed.

boz130 · #10 08-01-2007, 12:50 PM

As explained by various Master Stewards during the week, TBI is designed for E-V-E-R-Y-B-O-D-Y. Impact Leadership was created for...well, the leaders of the chapter. However, the tenets of TBI are something that every member can work with.

LCA has had various programs (LEAP, Impact, The Great Passage), but they all focused on the honchos. TBI was developed because we need to have men who'll become True Brothers first so that they can become leaders later.

Some of our best and brightest have been involved in this implementation, so I'm a believer in the ideas behind the program. Of course, while I'm not from Missouri, I'm also waiting and seeing how things go at this stage.

Yes, the manuals have all been redesigned. However, part of the reason this was done is because it's difficult to get people to read 300+pp. manuals these days (unless it's the ops manual for their iPod). They're all down to a manageable size - the manuals handed out last week were 60pp. or less. Odds are you'll be more apt to read this size manual than wade through Standards...

In ZAX,
BF