Motivate or punish?

[sandiego_DUde]

We didn't actually get a pledge class this spring, which definitely disappointed a lot of guys. I think it's fair to say that us "workhorses" are the ones who see that this is time to work harder, not give up. Though it's been explained, I'm not sure everyone understands that there are certain minimum standards in order for us to keep our charter, even when things look bleak - especially at such a time, really.

A lot of hope is put into each rush, but usually too much: people expect that the new guys will take over each semester and use it as an excuse to give up, as though they've "done their time" now that they're initiated. Even if people are, for any reason, filled with this newfound drive to fulfill their fraternal expectations (to which they are sworn by oath), what's to keep them from giving up when faced with others' apathy? Many of us "workhorses" are third years and we want to leave something in place for when we graduate next year, so that we don't leave with "Good luck" but with "You know what to do and I believe in you." It scares me to think what will happen when we go since so many new members' drives are dampened by the pessimism of the actives above them and they feel that it's ok to give up since so many others have. There aren't currently enough younger guys who want to learn how to replace us and you can't teach what someone doesn't want to learn.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by sandiego_DUde

A lot of hope is put into each rush, but usually too much: people expect that the new guys will take over each semester and use it as an excuse to give up, as though they've "done their time" now that they're initiated.

If the majority of your members think like that, then you're bidding the wrong people. Usually it's the other way around - there are guys that you have to pull teeth to get them OUT of exec board positions.

Talk with your nationals and your school, tell your school you are destroying the fraternity to save it (sororities do this all the time and don't get derecognized), and terminate the dickwads. Seriously. They're destroying the group internally and externally. BAG THEM. NOW.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by sandiego_DUde

Lastly, as mentioned above in my plan, partying will not be affected (now). In all fairness, I don't believe sororities are allowed to host parties so unless I'm wrong, I'm not understanding your stance on it. I know on my campus, every sorority has a certain number of community service hours required per member. Feel free to disagree but reputation is built (positively) by doing community service with sororities, in which they see a better side of us and are in a non-threatening situation.

What do sororities' requirements or their ability to throw parties have to do with ANYTHING? And you said:

Originally Posted by sandiego_DUde

The reason our social schedule is lacking is because it's the one thing we have to hold over people. We don't typically have parties unless we (the execs) feel that the house earned it, which only requires getting 50% of the house to 2 events a week. When people aren't willing to put in that little effort, there's no reason they should get to party.

I don't get it - do you see parties as a threatening situation? That's a whole lot of effed up thinking right there.

And I don't care how much the sororities say "oh, DU is such a great group, they showed up to help us at our cat-grooming philanthropy" to their guy friends - the guy friends' next question is going to be "what is their social schedule like?" You can be the darling of your HQ, the sororities and the administration, but if the GUYS RUSHING don't see that they will get something from membership in your group as well as giving something back, they're not going to join.