Voting on Potential New Members?

[1868]

[QUOTE=dekeguy;2118901]

Originally Posted by 1868

There are some controversial PNM's, which have led many brothers suggesting the implementation of the fairly common voting process, where the chapter votes on members before giving bids.


Am I understanding this correctly? You are expecting a herd of guys rushing and there are some undesirables already identified. Yet it appears that you have no quality control measures in place??? Does every warm body who comes through the door automatically get a bid???

In my experience just about all the chapters at my Uni NEVER bid anyone rushing unless and until they are 100% sure they want him and he wants them. Votes are taken after every event and some, but not much, leeway for 'further consideration' is allowed. Finally, before a bid is issued the entire chapter must concur. One ball - that's all. Some may consider this a harsh policy but we are talking about a lifelong brotherhood and we are interested in brothers, not random faces in a crowd.

I have heard about fraternities which have an open membership policy [anybody who wants in gets in] but I have never actually seen one which operates in that manner. I rather thought that was something like an urban legend.

In any event, I suggest you adopt some sort of screening procedure to apply at least basic quality control or your chapter will very likely be on the road to being seen as a stagnent pool of pond life bottom feeders.
My comment is meant as a wake up call not as an insult. PM me if you want to discuss further.

To clarify, it is not 'open.' In the fall, there were more rushees that didn't get bids than did. The screening involves the recruitment chair and his selected committee, and certain influential members like the President also have a say.

The problem this semester is there are a few guys (out of 100+) that our recruitment chair really likes. Many brothers, however, do not feel like these would be good additions to the Fraternity. We have a limited number of bids to give out so it is beginning to cause a bit of a stir.

Recruitment chair is an appointed position (by the President) for us. He is one of the most respected brothers, but the majority disagree with him on this one. After talking with some members of exec today, we decided it is too late to successfully implement this voting process (rush week begins on Monday; first day of bids is the following Monday.) However, we have decided something needs to be addressed, and we will do so at the next chapter meeting.

Would it be wrong to suggest voting on just the most controversial members at chapter, to really show the difference in opinion between the chapter and the chairman?