Torn Between Studying Abroad and Leading Recruitment.

[pfg2010]

Hey all,

I've been a casual viewer of the board for a while now, but lately I've felt like I need some advice that only current and former Greek college students could help me with. I'm a junior active in my fraternity and have been a big supporter and contributer to the chapter through the good and the bad. Several years back our fraternity got put on probation and we are finally on the upswing in the past few years in terms of quality recruitment, which has really helped improve all aspects of the chapter.

Like I said already, I am a junior planning on graduating on time and kind of saw myself on my way out of fraternity involvement other than attending meetings and going to social events. Last year, I served as a chair and stayed involved in other ways of the fraternity.

Well recently we did nominations for our new executive positions and most of the people running for positions seem like viable candidates. However, I'm really worried about our position of Vice President of Recruitment. A brother ran unopposed to the position because honestly no one really seems to want to do it. However, I, and others firmly believe he just isn't well suited for the job. He held a smaller exec position and did nothing more than the bare minimum. As much as I consider him a brother and good friend, I'm very concerned about his ability and devotion to working hard through the spring and summer to produce a good pledge class to help keep the chapter sustainable. His track record and personal things I know about him, all indicate it isn't a recipe for success.

I've talked to a few guys from my pledge class and they strongly encouraged me to run because they think I could do a good job and honestly I belive I could too. I'm not trying to sound arrogant, but I know I am a good "rusher" because I enjoy talking with people and am good with making connections. Several guys I helped rush right before recruitment ended signed with us.

Without realing my affiliation, I will say I am very passionate about my fraternity and have even talked to a few of our national representatives about future employment. However, it has been my plan practically my entire college career to study abroad and I planned to do it this summer. Unfortunately but logically it is not allowed to study abroad during the summer and be in charge of recruitment. It's something I have really wanted to do and I'm worried if I ran for the position of being in charge of Recruitment I might grow to really regret skipping out on studying abroad...but then again I think I would also be mad at myself if we pull in a disappointing pledge class while I was off in Europe for a month, knowing I could be leading the effort.

I know there is a definite chance I could travel after I graduate and when I'm older, but you never know. However, I know I deeply care about our fraternity recruiting excellent new members, and there really is only ONE opportunity to be VP. I'm feeling really torn and worried that whatever I choose I will regret the other.

And just fyi - we have a week to add new nominations before voting in our next meeting.

I guess I just need some outside perspective and advice grounded in reality, because I will admit I'm more of an idealist.