Out of Touch

[skylark]

I think that as an advisor, you play a significant communication role between HQ and a chapter. I'll share with you this story from my past:

I remember when I was an active that we had a lawyer/advisor who continually harped on us about what the rules were (not just big rules, but minor ones, too) and often her interpretation of the rules was even more strict than what they were on paper. There was one rule, in particular, that was really hurting our PR and the intent of the rule didn't make sense on our campus (I don't want to go into details, here, but the rule served no point on our campus other than to hurt the chapter). The advisor was so adament about the rule, though, that no one questioned whether it had to be followed. Fast forward to my senior year at convention. I serendipitously am seated next to a pretty important figure in the HQ leadership who asks me what it is that HQ could do to help my chapter. I bring up this rule as an example of one that may make sense on other campuses but end up hurting us on our small campus with few GLOs. HQ lady looks confused and asks why we never asked for an exemption because they are regularly given to chapters in our situation.

As a now current advisor I think it is my job to be the one to go to HQ in such situations. HQ doesn't want to hurt your chapter and they may not have yet considered the pros and cons of their policy in a Canadian setting. In American courts, there is a potential liability difference for kegs v. beer cans. It might not be so under Canadian law, or the risk minimal, and your HQ might consider a revision so long as certain other rules are followed to minimize liability for overconsumption.

My point is: if all you are doing is standing up for HQ and the chapter doesn't see you raising the chapter's legitimate concerns to HQ, they rightfully perceive you as being out of touch with the chapter. You have to find kind of a happy medium (you're not their buddy, but you're not there to be the HQ scapegoat either). I think it might go a long way with the chapter if you at least show them that you're willing to raise the issue with HQ, even if the answer you get turns out to be "no."