True Brother Initiative

Ottor 246 · #1 07-31-2007, 11:47 AM

For those who were at Leadership (or should I say, LDRSHIP

) Seminar, what do you think of this program? Please be both general and specific.

JConleyWCU · #2 07-31-2007, 01:19 PM

Our Zeta's High Pi and Myself spoke with our ELC about the TBI. This is an essential program for the fraternity. I know our chapter experienced that let down after being initiated. I believe that as our colony is working to get re-chartered and become the dominant organization at WCU again True Brother is a great structure to complete our goals. It gives set short term check points in a pathway to your long term goals. It takes you from an Associate to an active Alumnus.

HONKY660 · #3 07-31-2007, 01:28 PM

I spoke to my chapters high alpha yesterday, and he seems very excited with the new programs and its prospects for our chapter. It should give our fraternity a competative advantage over other fraternities.

Tom Earp · #4 07-31-2007, 01:38 PM

I hope this will be added to a very future C & C so all of us can get an idea of what it is all about.

Sounds very interesting as I have commented a lot about keeping Alums in the total loop.

boz130 · #5 07-31-2007, 04:45 PM

From the UGs I spoke with, there may be a correlation between the amount of emphasis they placed on Impact and how well TBI is received. In other words, if you didn't really urge members to go through Impact I-IV, there's a chance the new program's not gonna grab you, either.

Don't get me wrong, these programs (including SAE's True Gentleman & SigEp's Balanced Man in the mix) are outstanding. However, if you've got just a small percentage of Zetas implementing the program, it may lead to resentment on the part of the "lesser chapters" (a.k.a. those who haven't "bought in" fully).

It will take a while for this program to be fully in place - IMHO, we alums s/b actively urging our chapters to work w/TBI.

In ZAX,
BF

JonoBN41 · #6 07-31-2007, 07:33 PM

What IS the True Brother Initiative?

Yes, something will come out in the next C&C in a couple days, but it's so much nonspeak, meaningless to me, along the lines of an email I got from the Florida Tech Alumni Association about where our dues will go. "The funds received from memberships in the Alumni Association help to continue the progress being made on behalf of the university, its students and graduates."

I HATE nebulous statements like that.

Can someone explain how (of if) this new initiative will affect me, as a 54 year-old alumnus? Or is it just for the young kids?

I want to know, but no one is telling the alumni - just adorning a select few of them with lavish pendants and collars.

dever860 · #7 07-31-2007, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boz130

From the UGs I spoke with, there may be a correlation between the amount of emphasis they placed on Impact and how well TBI is received. In other words, if you didn't really urge members to go through Impact I-IV, there's a chance the new program's not gonna grab you, either.

Don't get me wrong, these programs (including SAE's True Gentleman & SigEp's Balanced Man in the mix) are outstanding. However, if you've got just a small percentage of Zetas implementing the program, it may lead to resentment on the part of the "lesser chapters" (a.k.a. those who haven't "bought in" fully).

It will take a while for this program to be fully in place - IMHO, we alums s/b actively urging our chapters to work w/TBI.

In ZAX,
BF

I read the manuals and I was impressed with the thoroughness that went into the packets. I need to look into them more. I am going to do so once they post everything online, which I hope they do soon. I am hoping the program will go over well here. It seems like one of those everyone has to get involved or it will fail miserably, meaning not just a few people doing all of the work.

EM1843 · #8 08-02-2007, 07:37 AM

Having heard about TBI last year and after reading the C&C article today I am both excited and disappointed. I always thought that the "fraternity education" concept was a failure because AMs and older brothers had different needs. AMs needed to learn the basics about the fraterntiy and what brotherhood was and we were the only fraternity that did not have a 'pledge' education program. I am excited to see that we will have a new program for AM education. Additionally anything that works to keep older brothers involved is good, so the brotherhood education seems like a good idea to me.
I am dissappointed by the focus on recuitment. Almost all of the recruitment plans from IHQ have been failures because what works for one chapter or in one region will not work for every one. Also the three tiered program to which IHQ controls access seems to be just too much BS to me. If I paid my dues then I should have access to everything IHQ offers, even if I choose not to exploit it.

I hope that TBI can become succesful and at least it will give us something to use.

Ottor 246 · #9 08-02-2007, 07:55 AM

Now I feel like I'm defending TBI. I don't want to do that, because I haven't seen it work yet. All I can tell you is that I was very impressed with the brothers presenting the material at Leadership Seminar. They were knowledgeable, they were intelligent, they were dedicated, they were honest, and most of them had many years experience advising undergraduate chapters. Based on the feeling I got from them, I trust their judgment. And they believe in TBI.

If I were in the market for a blender, and a friend who is a bartender said, "I use this blender, and it works great," I would give it a try. Well, my chapter needs something, and the High Pi and I have agreed that TBI is at least worthy of an honest effort.

GammaZeta · #10 08-02-2007, 08:40 AM

But what if your friend who is a bartender happens to have a boss that owned share in the blender company?

"I am dissappointed by the focus on recuitment. Almost all of the recruitment plans from IHQ have been failures because what works for one chapter or in one region will not work for every one. Also the three tiered program to which IHQ controls access seems to be just too much BS to me. If I paid my dues then I should have access to everything IHQ offers, even if I choose not to exploit it."

EXACTLY!

Tom Earp · #11 08-02-2007, 02:28 PM

Well, in reading the synopsis on the C & C I can say that with all of the rhetoric I for one am left totaly frigid and still unknowing what the whole thing means?

I do not understand how this program will change anything that was not set up years ago and seemed to work so very well then.

Old school thinking, no, just reality.

As others have said, I guess time will tell. But I wonder if the time in man hours and money spent was well worth it?

GammaZeta · #12 08-02-2007, 03:40 PM

I think one of the most important things any organization can do when implementing a new project is to win support from the public right away. Once there is skepticism or doubt, it is almost impossible to win back support for an initiative.

In this case, I think HQ dropped the ball and failed. So far, no one knows anything, everone is hearing buzzwords and rhetoric, and nothing of substance is out for our consumption.

If HQ wanted to start this right with support from the general fraternity, they should have provided more information, in an easily accessible format and really show how this will help all parts of our organization.

So far this is sounding more and more like the same old program that always fails and never gets any interest outside of a select few.

It may very well be an excellent program, but HQ has to SPIN it that way. Support and positive outlook should be their #1 goal.

GammaZeta · #13 08-02-2007, 03:54 PM

I just reread the article in C and C, and all I have to say is WHAT?

"True Brother is a strategically-aligned system that focuses on individual member development."

Oh God. This sounds like it came from one of the corporate development programs that are shown nationwide in those commercial office parks where everyone is in a cubicle 9 hours a day.

HQ LISTEN UP!!!! You don't sell the steak, you sell the SIZZLE! There is no sizzle to this. It's dry. Loyalty, honor, respect, integrity????? Guys come on! We aren't US Marine recruiters here. We're recruiting 18 and 19 year old college freshman.

The message should have been this simple: Lambda Chi Alpha will help to develop your individuality and help you to succeed in academics, socially and in your future career.

I'm sick of all this brainwashing language. Let's start keeping this simple. Tell the brothers that we are here to help build an organization, as well as help the individual brothers in life's tasks and obstacles.

There is no need for acronyms. No need for labels. No need for mysterious outer or inner circles of servitude. No need for fancy symbols of lions and tigers and bears. Oh my.

K.I.S.S. Keep It Simple Stupid.