Letter to my National, tell me what you think?

[James]

Good Evening Brothers:

During Townsend University's recolonization a pledge (new colony member) died from spinal meningitis. There was much mention of this on the former listserv. Since that listserv is now dead, I am unable to look up his name. I apologize for that lack.

At the time I asked a DGM whether that person would be initiated posthumously with the chapter. He said NO. When it came time for their charter to be granted, I asked a DGM involved with Installation whether the poor man would be initiated, and he said NO also.

If he has been initiated please disregard this message and accept my apologies for wasting your time. If not please consider the following:

Simple human decency requires that we initiate this man. This is beyond any consideration of “Brotherhood,” I am talking about just living up to those qualities that we universally believe exemplifies a “good” human being. If there is no current mechanism to do this, we need to invent one.

I am a chapter founder (primary and original organizer) and I can say without hesitation that I would not have accepted membership in Kappa Sigma or any organization if they chose to deny membership to the least of my men, even if I hated him as an individual, that died in such a tragic manner while seeking entry into the Order. I would have immediately looked for another fraternity that would not have a callous disregard towards a youthful death.

This is the way I was taught to view the world both in terms of fairness and my responsibility as a leader of people that trust me. I make no criticism of the Leaders and Brothers at Townsend.

If this person has not been initiated yet, it reflects poorly on ALL of us as human beings. And we need to immediately rectify this. If the National Officers are worried about the cost, I will happily pay the dead man’s initiation fees myself. And I wager I could find volunteers to do the initiation.

We could do it in a very meaningful way at the leadership conference this summer. We could send a nice letter of respect from the fraternity, to his family, with a Framed certificate of initiation. Again, I would be glad to cover the costs.

I believe his parents would be touched. And I have no special knowledge as to what we experience after death, but if there is a part of us that survives and cares, I believe that part of him would be touched also, and perhaps those Kappa Sigs that have gone before us would welcome him.

I am interested in any feedback that leads to an immediate plan of action to get this man initiated, but I am proposing that we do it at the leadership academy that has Townsend in it this summer.
Brothers, the Universe is an unfair and uncaring place. That is why it is important for us do what we can to diminish that unfairness. This presents us with an easy step in that direction. I challenge all of US to do the right thing. Thank you for your time.

Semper,

James