Starting a fraternity chapter, looking for advice part 2

[DZsis&mom]

"Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer but wish we didn't!" ` Erica Jong

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Aside from the ridiculosity of asking questions on a public forum and then giving (futile) instructions on who can and can't respond and how they should and shouldn't respond, you realize, don't you, that you got very pertinent advice in the "out of hand" thread from someone with a great deal of personal experience about fraternity chapter operations generally and starting a chapter specificially, and you blew him and his very good advice off?

Holy run-on sentence, Batman!

Originally Posted by supahotboi

Your reported.

You're.

He thinks he is reporting to the moderators. Ha.

Originally Posted by supahotboi

I'm curious, but 33girl, are you a girl? No offense but I am not interested in the woman's perspective of fraternity life. That's like asking me to give you advice on the perspective of sorority life from my point of view, it's not going to make any sense.

I guess saying "girl" is fitting for a "supahotboi."

I certainly hope there are no women in the Office of Greek Life or elsewhere in the life of your potential fraternity. God forbid you need their advice since they know so much more than you do and have resources that you may not have access to.

Originally Posted by supahotboi

Like I said, I've been in talks with a guy who is part of the national fraternity. He is an alumni, he is a volunteer, he is NOT part of the expansion team. We haven't reached out to much alumni and maybe that would be a good idea. Again, this is more things I'm going to have to talk to the office about.

I know a few members of the current greek community that I have met through other means, but I don't expect much out of them. I never at a point in this stage were interested in getting involved with them since there isn't much they can really do for us.

Out of the people I've talked to, they are all very interested in Greek life expanding. I've talked to founders of another fraternity that was founded last year at their school and their process was the HQ coming down, drafting up an organization and going from there. My situation seems to be really unusual compared to how others got started. At this point I am looking to see what fraternities are coming here and looking to start something up since it doesn't seem like its the other way around.

The fraternities that come to my school is not because of the students wanted them to come. The last 3 organizations that have came in the last 3 years was not because a bunch of students were interested in a fraternity and got together and tried to start one, but because the HQ is doing expansion this way.



But the issue is of constructing relationships completely based on this. Are you telling me that I should go out there, find random joes or people I hardly know, and hang out with them just to start a fraternity? Since many people I have talked to that are interested are just waiting just like me and my other 2 friends. One of my friends I met was through the idea of trying to start this and I barely have any relationship with it and to be honest it is kind of awkward. He is interested in the idea, yet doesn't understand too much of what goes into it or has a clue (which honestly I don't blame him) and I feel like lots of people are going to get that vibe unless they see something that's official and something that is real and not just some underground mock idea. I just don't see people who are going to commit a lot of time and effort into something that they have no idea of what it's really about or what's to come. Just think, its insane if someone actually does follow through on something they are completely cluess about.

All of this and you still thought you needed Greekchat information. You're a waste.

Originally Posted by supahotboi

I'm not going to explain everything here because it's just leading to trolls. Really, it won't matter to anyone on here why I am doing what I am doing and nobody really flat up cares, so I save myself the efforts for people who can actually do something for me. It's bad enough half the posts here are by grown ups that still talk like they are in elementary school. God help them for how they act in real life.

Hello cliche`.

Hello flounce.

[AZTheta]

Originally Posted by supahotboi

I deleted the 1st thread since things were getting out of hand. If you plan to post in one of my threads, be relevant or get out. I'm not interested in wasting any time arguing in circles about nothing. Also please no ladies posting, this is for fraternities, completely different realm here. Lastly, if you haven't started a chapter or have a real idea of how one starts, do not post. Starting verses. maintaining a chapter are two completely different concepts and I don't want advice for something that's not relevant. This isn't something I'm looking to argue about. And please be mature (like spending 5 posts commenting about my screen name, like really are you 4 years old?) since if not the mods will take care of you, thank you.

So again in the last thread I mentioned about how me and 2 of my friends (and possibly another guy I know) wanted to start a fraternity. However, we have not really had much help with the process of going about it and after a year we haven't went anywhere. If anything, we got involved with a bunch of sketchy people that have given us headaches along the way that just wasted time that we spent that could have been used a lot more wisely.

Again, not really looking to explain my entire situation since it's not really important, theres just too many things about myself, my friends and many other factors that are too much to talk about and since we are on the internet, there is barely a lot many of you aren't going to know about me regardless. Do not ask me why I want to do this or why haven't I rushed another fraternity or why haven't I talked to real people about this since these are very personal questions that don't need to be shared and that I know I have legitament reasons backing this.

We been in contacts with a National fraternity and they haven't done much. We met with them once and they want us to find 15-20 guys to start a colony. The expansion team has recommended me to an adviser (who was a guy that actually helped started another chapter out in the Mid-West) and he works a full-time job and doesn't have much time to do much. We have had barely any talks with the expansion team about anything outside of 2 phone calls at best. The adviser wants me to go out, find a bunch of guys, take them to him (which is an hour drive away from me), meet the guys, and then make a move. Again, theres no guaranteed from the headquarters right now about anything. They want to meet us, see if they are worth their time and then move forward. While it's understandable to some degree, it just is easier said than done since all we have is their word.

At this point it would be very awkward to move forward IMO. My friends are a little confused about the whole process as well and not even sure if this is real or if anything is going to happen. Me personally I know a lot about the fraternity process and about the system more than they do so I know more about whats expected. To find a bunch of guys that other fraternities haven't found and to convince them to buy something that has no security is just not good. It does not seem like we will get the people we are looking with this process.

Thing is, I'm a guy who is not just about one thing. I have a bunch of hobbies and have a lot of connections to different things. However, not too many people I know are interested in Greek Life since the rep it has at my school is not a high one. The percentage is below 4%, outside of seeing letters everywhere and some events here and there, Greek Life is just nothing that is really that great at my school. Organizations are constantly getting put on probation and coming and going. There isn't really any stability in the system. Then again I go to a commuter/up and coming university that basically helps just pass students to get their money, so in a way the attitude of the university is something that is reflected in the Greek system.

Because of this factor, me and my friends feel we have a great advantage with our idea since we look to make a great positive impact on the system that needs this. However, it is just an idea. To communicate this idea, it's rough at our stage because we lack any credibility. We are just a bunch of students who go to the school looking to get by, hopefully be successful some day, do things that regular college students do, and are decent people who just want to have a good time and learn some new things. We don't have any real marketing or are officials or really are any sort of credible leaders in this area.

The real question here is, how do fraternity chapters start up? What is the typical process? I tried googling "starting fraternity chapter stories" and nothing. It seems difficult for students themselves to start this up and I can see why. I plan to talk to the university this week and figure out their future plans for Greek Life and see what I can get involved with, but right now, everything seems very vague. The Greek Office has not been that helpful for the most part and even thinking of reaching out to other organizations at this point. The thing I am really seeing is what is there to expect (other than the time commitment, the work, the money, and many of the givens). It's already been a difficult process and I can see it getting harder. However, it's not just me facing issues, but the people that are in it with me are 100x more confused than I am.

rejectment.

[knight_shadow]

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

[PSKsilver]

I get off the computer for two hours, and miss stuff.

Originally Posted by supahotboi

I deleted the 1st thread since things were getting out of hand. If you plan to post in one of my threads, be relevant or get out. I'm not interested in wasting any time arguing in circles about nothing. Also please no ladies posting, this is for fraternities, completely different realm here. Lastly, if you haven't started a chapter or have a real idea of how one starts, do not post. Starting verses. maintaining a chapter are two completely different concepts and I don't want advice for something that's not relevant. This isn't something I'm looking to argue about. And please be mature (like spending 5 posts commenting about my screen name, like really are you 4 years old?) since if not the mods will take care of you, thank you.

Why yes, starting stanzas and poems are quite different than maintaining a chapter.

Originally Posted by supahotboi

So again in the last thread I mentioned about how me and 2 of my friends (and possibly another guy I know) wanted to start a fraternity.

Congrats on getting 1 more guy and increasing your total to 4.

Originally Posted by supahotboi

However, we have not really had much help with the process of going about it and after a year we haven't went anywhere. If anything, we got involved with a bunch of sketchy people that have given us headaches along the way that just wasted time that we spent that could have been used a lot more wisely.

Ok, I'll bite. Define sketchy. What kind of behavior do you not want in your fraternity?

Originally Posted by supahotboi

Again, not really looking to explain my entire situation since it's not really important, theres just too many things about myself, my friends and many other factors that are too much to talk about and since we are on the internet, there is barely a lot many of you aren't going to know about me regardless. Do not ask me why I want to do this or why haven't I rushed another fraternity or why haven't I talked to real people about this since these are very personal questions that don't need to be shared and that I know I have legitament reasons backing this.

Too bad. You wanted help, you need to answer those. Why? Because I'm pretty sure that you'll be asked these questions at your college.

And....legitament?

Originally Posted by supahotboi

We been in contacts with a National fraternity and they haven't done much. We met with them once and they want us to find 15-20 guys to start a colony. The expansion team has recommended me to an adviser (who was a guy that actually helped started another chapter out in the Mid-West) and he works a full-time job and doesn't have much time to do much. We have had barely any talks with the expansion team about anything outside of 2 phone calls at best. The adviser wants me to go out, find a bunch of guys, take them to him (which is an hour drive away from me), meet the guys, and then make a move. Again, theres no guaranteed from the headquarters right now about anything. They want to meet us, see if they are worth their time and then move forward. While it's understandable to some degree, it just is easier said than done since all we have is their word.

Well, tough luck I'm afraid. If this is hard to do for you, imagine rush.

Originally Posted by supahotboi

At this point it would be very awkward to move forward IMO. My friends are a little confused about the whole process as well and not even sure if this is real or if anything is going to happen. Me personally I know a lot about the fraternity process and about the system more than they do so I know more about whats expected. To find a bunch of guys that other fraternities haven't found and to convince them to buy something that has no security is just not good. It does not seem like we will get the people we are looking with this process.

Thing is, I'm a guy who is not just about one thing. I have a bunch of hobbies and have a lot of connections to different things. However, not too many people I know are interested in Greek Life since the rep it has at my school is not a high one. The percentage is below 4%, outside of seeing letters everywhere and some events here and there, Greek Life is just nothing that is really that great at my school. Organizations are constantly getting put on probation and coming and going. There isn't really any stability in the system. Then again I go to a commuter/up and coming university that basically helps just pass students to get their money, so in a way the attitude of the university is something that is reflected in the Greek system.

Because of this factor, me and my friends feel we have a great advantage with our idea since we look to make a great positive impact on the system that needs this. However, it is just an idea. To communicate this idea, it's rough at our stage because we lack any credibility. We are just a bunch of students who go to the school looking to get by, hopefully be successful some day, do things that regular college students do, and are decent people who just want to have a good time and learn some new things. We don't have any real marketing or are officials or really are any sort of credible leaders in this area.

The real question here is, how do fraternity chapters start up? What is the typical process? I tried googling "starting fraternity chapter stories" and nothing. It seems difficult for students themselves to start this up and I can see why. I plan to talk to the university this week and figure out their future plans for Greek Life and see what I can get involved with, but right now, everything seems very vague. The Greek Office has not been that helpful for the most part and even thinking of reaching out to other organizations at this point. The thing I am really seeing is what is there to expect (other than the time commitment, the work, the money, and many of the givens). It's already been a difficult process and I can see it getting harder. However, it's not just me facing issues, but the people that are in it with me are 100x more confused than I am.

Originally Posted by supahotboi

While there are quite a few commonalities, its still two different things. It's like if you were to learn how to play basketball from a girl instead of a guy. You might learn the fundamentals, but theres just so much more that makes it different.

Listen to what every other poster has posted. That includes the ladies. Going by your shitty basketball example, you seem to lack the fundamentals to begin with, so the ladies here could help you with a thing or two.

[PSKsilver]

You know what, now that Psi U MC Vito brought up that last quote of his, supahotboi said that girls cannot give him advice because they don't know about running a fraternity, what a fraternity does, etc., yet he seems to know a lot about how sororities run?

[Gusteau]

Clearly I need to check GC more often...

So is this hating or mess?

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by Gusteau

Clearly I need to check GC more often...

So is this hating or mess?

I missed the original thread, but I think it's both.

IT'S A HATIN' MESS, Y'ALL...BLESS YOUR HEARTS!

[amIblue?]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

I missed the original thread, but I think it's both.

IT'S A HATIN' MESS, Y'ALL...BLESS YOUR HEARTS!

This thread is much like the original one, except he's getting less advice this time because it was given the first time and disregarded.

[WCsweet<3]

Look at what happens when I don't take my laptop to class. Tisk tisk tisk.

As far as scaring off newbies looking for advice. I came on asking for advice, however, I was much more polite and understood that these people had much more information than I would have for years. Even though I was asking for advice on sorority recruitment I also took advice from men. I realized my mistakes in posts and apologized as well as made a mental note so I wouldn't do the same thing again. You have now made this thread twice and done the same mistakes. Learn.

[Psi U MC Vito]

And there are fraternities that women can join. Not even talking about "just" professional or service oriented ones.

[lucgreek]

What's that saying about insanity? Posting the same thread on Greek Chat and expecting different advice?

He can't take the GOOD advice that he should be busting his ass in the summer so he can get the ball rolling in the Fall. Earth to OP, you're choosing to ignore good advice from people who are actually in fraternities (and sororities). A lot of these people have helped found chapters or served in leadership roles in their chapters.

The fact that you disagree with their advice will doom you to failure. The end.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by lucgreek

The fact that you disagree with their advice will doom you to failure. The end.

I don't even think that's his biggest problem. The organization he's recruiting for either doesn't take him seriously or is just awful at expansion efforts. This group has made a lot of bad decisions. Summer rush is just one of them.

That said, early on in our colonization process, we did have some pretty piss poor numbers and lacked the institutional knowledge to recruit throughout the summer. We're doing pretty well today.

It's conceivable he could pull things off, but he's going to need either more organizational support or some sort of something to be able to retain membership once it's been recruited. Rush is only part of the picture. Without some means to retain members, you're just spinning your wheels.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by Kevin

I don't even think that's his biggest problem. The organization he's recruiting for either doesn't take him seriously or is just awful at expansion efforts. This group has made a lot of bad decisions. Summer rush is just one of them.

That said, early on in our colonization process, we did have some pretty piss poor numbers and lacked the institutional knowledge to recruit throughout the summer. We're doing pretty well today.

It's conceivable he could pull things off, but he's going to need either more organizational support or some sort of something to be able to retain membership once it's been recruited. Rush is only part of the picture. Without some means to retain members, you're just spinning your wheels.

How many did you start with? My gut feeling is that you need to start with at least five. I have seen five guys do it. Three is not five.