Biggest Rush Mistakes at any institution

[gtdxeric]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

So what's up with actives not remembering basic things from their pledgeship like the founding values and purpose of their organization? Is that something that isn't frowned upon in many GLOs?

Frowned or not, these sorts of things happen. I think it comes partially from the NPC/NIC tradition of joining your first semester/year of college. People change a lot over college, so the things that were hammered into them as being "really important" when they joined their freshman year may, like so much else that was really important freshman year, seem not as vital by the time they reach their later years. I'm not justifying this, but it happens.

Also, many fraternities, in particular, are very different beasts now than their original founded form. Many members may not associate or connect their fraternity/sorority experience, as they personally experience it, with the things that some guys sat down in the 1840's and thought up.

Besides, suppose someone reaches their senior year and can't remember (or pretends not to remember, to seem cool and tough) their founding principles. What are you going to do, grill them? Kick them out? How would you even find out that they can't remember all 15 founders' first, middle and last names? Remembering and treasuring the traditions of an organization can be encouraged, but the decision eventually comes down to the individual, sooner or later.

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As to why people like sasquatch don't really identify as strongly with their national fraternity as their own chapter: many fraternity men disagree deeply with the current policies of their national organization, and the way that the national organization chooses to interpret their founding values. I could go into details, (mostly from other organizations besides my own, for the record) but I'll refrain.

Also, on a more personal note, it may sometimes be easier to feel proud of your undergrad chapter than the national fraternity. National fraternities (and sororities) are such great sprawling organizations that someone's bound to do something stupid while associated with your letters, like encouraging their brother to drink himself to death on his 21st birthday, or sexually assaulting a stripper (although they were later exonerated... kind of), or getting liquored up and trashing a hotel room in Colorado.

Now, how about those biggest rush mistakes?

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by gtdxeric

Besides, suppose someone reaches their senior year and can't remember (or pretends not to remember, to seem cool and tough) their founding principles. What are you going to do, grill them?

Yes.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by gtdxeric

As to why people like sasquatch don't really identify as strongly with their national fraternity as their own chapter: many fraternity men disagree deeply with the current policies of their national organization, and the way that the national organization chooses to interpret their founding values. I could go into details, (mostly from other organizations besides my own, for the record) but I'll refrain.

I don't think that's an exclusively male thing...or an exclusively NIC thing, by a long shot. However, I think that you can state it that way without saying "my only brothers are those from my chapter." That's kind of like saying the only Americans are the ones with the same political views as you.

A person might be displeased by some of the things their current national board is doing, or bylaws that were passed, but the more you distance yourself from it, the less likely you will be able to turn it back around to where you think it should be.

The implementing of standard pledge programs and the like is due to two things: 1) our litigious society and 2) there are just plain fewer people volunteering full time. You can't vet everyone's pledge program when you don't have the man/womanpower to look them all over. It's just easier to tell everyone to do the same thing. We used to be local diners, now we're McDonald's.

[PhiGam]

Originally Posted by gtdxeric

Now, how about those biggest rush mistakes?

What? Oh yeah.

[nittanyalum]

Originally Posted by PhiGam

What? Oh yeah.

LOL.

Ummm, don't wear plaid and stripes together?

[VandalSquirrel]

Originally Posted by SECdomination

Anyone remember this guy from a few pages back? I've got an update.



So we ended up bidding this guy and he accepted, so he's one of our fine pledges. I have purposely avoided him all semester because he's a flaming liberal, and I guessed that we wouldn't get along.

I had my first run-in with him last night. Three of us were in our (quiet) conference room working on a project. This guy walks in talking our ears off about how he's going to ace his pledge test later that night. Cool, I don't really care because I have a project due in the morning. I glanced up from my work and he has on a Barack Obama TIE. I know what you're thinking- there are tackier ties- YOU ARE WRONG! This one has Obama's face on a postage stamp, his name written in red white and blue, pictures of Obama on the White House lawn, etc. It was terrible. I wanted to punch him in the face, but asked him to leave instead. A lot of people like him though, so it's not worth it to do anything.

I wonder if he knows it bothers you and does it on purpose to rile you (and others?) up. I know plenty of people who say or do provocative or irritating things because they love getting a reaction out of someone.

[SWTXBelle]

And good for you, SECdomination, for being able to support your brothers who like the Obama guy. Don't let him get to you!