3 things you would change/keep

[GammaZeta]

Thought an interesting discussion would be to talk about 3 things that you like or would keep the same with our frat and 3 things that you would change.

(not alot of activity lately on the boards to hopefully this will be interesting)

Keep:
1. Aggressive expansion plan - I like the fact that our new higher ups really want to focus on expansion.

2. Conferences - like the idea of limiting conferences to save $$$. Did we really need all those conferences in the past?

3. Risk Management - as a former chapter risk manager, I think that our program is pretty good, although I think HQ can take it too far once in while, the basic program I like.

Change:
1. Outsource - We should outsource as many chapter functions as possible to help save money. Also, with outsourcing some functions, then the HQ can focus more on FRATERNITY issues than other problems.

2. Cross and Crescent - I miss the old copy in the mail. I think it was worth it, maybe bring back mailing out a copy to 1 or 2 times a year.

3. Regional Support - I would like to see more regional specific programs, especially in recruiting.

[Tom Earp]

Originally posted by GammaZeta
Thought an interesting discussion would be to talk about 3 things that you like or would keep the same with our frat and 3 things that you would change.

(not alot of activity lately on the boards to hopefully this will be interesting)

Keep:
1. Aggressive expansion plan - I like the fact that our new higher ups really want to focus on expansion.

2. Conferences - like the idea of limiting conferences to save $$$. Did we really need all those conferences in the past?

3. Risk Management - as a former chapter risk manager, I think that our program is pretty good, although I think HQ can take it too far once in while, the basic program I like.

Change:
1. Outsource - We should outsource as many chapter functions as possible to help save money. Also, with outsourcing some functions, then the HQ can focus more on FRATERNITY issues than other problems.

2. Cross and Crescent - I miss the old copy in the mail. I think it was worth it, maybe bring back mailing out a copy to 1 or 2 times a year.

3. Regional Support - I would like to see more regional specific programs, especially in recruiting.

While this all sounds great, I think there is a lot more behind the scenes than many of us know.

Keep:
1. Expansion;
It is two fold. Expansion for Schools that fit and We are wanted.
There is also a program in place for re chartering dorment Zeta or near dorment such as LX Z, Mine.

2. Conferences are important in training New Members who will go back to Their Chapters with a bigger awareness.

3. Risk Management is a Prime Priority needless to say. While We have a Great Program in place, We still have Chapters who do not comply with Our Rules.

Change:

1. I am not realy sure what You mean by this? We have paid personel, maybe short handed, it is better to keep in house.

2. Cross and Cresent. I would much rather have a print version, but the cost is a drain.
A. How many Brothers do not keep IHQ updated on Move
Changes? That is the problem. A Money drain!
B. The Elctronic is working for now and a lot cheaper.

3. Regional support. The ELC Program is designed for this and while some do not feel it is enough, there too is a cost factor.

Many would be surprised at the cost factor of a Start Up Colony. @ $7-8,000. That was earlier reports.

I know how much it cost to Work With My Zeta LX to revitalize and I was astounded.

I also know of Zetas who are in trouble and no matter how much time is spent with them, they are making a change for the better. They will soon be closed as it cost time and money to LXA, and US as Brothers, Alums and Members to send people there to work with them.

There is no Greek Organization who has deep pockets and money is tight as We have seen.

The New Group of leaner and meaner fighting Machine IHQ is doing a hell of a job.

They are all interested in One Thing. Keeping LXA a viabable and growing International Fraternity!

[GammaZeta]

Yes Tom, but what are YOUR 3 things?

Looking for other peoples suggestions, not necessarily a comment on my own.

[GammaZeta]

Wow 50 views and NOBODY has any suggestions on how to make our fraternity better OR any compliments on what they are doing right???

[JoinerLxa]

Some ideas on conferences:

1. Smaller areas
The conclaves are too large. Even if a conference is in the
middle of the conclave, some chapters have to travel many
miles to get there.
I would suggest creating areas/conclaves where no one would
have to travel more than 100 miles. Of course where chapters
are sparse, this wouldn't work. But for most chapters I think
it would.

2. No fluff.
Have a chapter (in one of the small areas) host the meeting;
no need for fancy hotel conference rooms. Hopefully the
hosting chapter could "put up" some/many/most visiting
brothers, even if it meant sleeping bags in the formal room...
or cheap-cheap motels.

3. Focus on practical items, concerning problems in that local
area.

4. Encourage inter-chapter cooperation. For some reason,
this seems to have been a no-no in the past....without
'supervision' from someone at IHQ.

The chapters themselves, mostly the 'hosts', would have
to put in much of the work....not enough staff at IHQ to
handle so many local events. They could be planned to
occur while an ELC is in the area perhaps. Could be accomplished
by 'delegating' certain events/seminars to each chapter.

my 2cc

[GammaZeta]

Joiner,

Absolutely love #3 and 4. Great ideas!

[john1082]

This is what we used to do 30 years ago and it worked just fine.

Originally posted by JoinerLxa
Some ideas on conferences:

1. Smaller areas
The conclaves are too large. Even if a conference is in the
middle of the conclave, some chapters have to travel many
miles to get there.
I would suggest creating areas/conclaves where no one would
have to travel more than 100 miles. Of course where chapters
are sparse, this wouldn't work. But for most chapters I think
it would.

2. No fluff.
Have a chapter (in one of the small areas) host the meeting;
no need for fancy hotel conference rooms. Hopefully the
hosting chapter could "put up" some/many/most visiting
brothers, even if it meant sleeping bags in the formal room...
or cheap-cheap motels.

3. Focus on practical items, concerning problems in that local
area.

4. Encourage inter-chapter cooperation. For some reason,
this seems to have been a no-no in the past....without
'supervision' from someone at IHQ.

The chapters themselves, mostly the 'hosts', would have
to put in much of the work....not enough staff at IHQ to
handle so many local events. They could be planned to
occur while an ELC is in the area perhaps. Could be accomplished
by 'delegating' certain events/seminars to each chapter.

my 2cc

[Tom Earp]

Regionals would work Much Better.

I have always been against staying at High Profile Hotels!

2 Regionals In KC, it was cheaper for Me to stay at Hotel and not drive 30 Min. to attend. I dont know, but wondered what was wrong with that picture.



More Regionals that do not Need everyone from IHQ to attend would also cut some costs as Most Schools will accomodate with Meeting Facilities.

Example,: There are many Schools with a short Drive time to KC.

The one main Regional I remember is Chapters coming from Wy. while some in the Region went to other areas.

There is a need for Chapters who are close to drive time having closer relationships.

Drury-Theta-Sigma did Our Ritual this last weekend.

[john1082]

What I would keep:

1. Risk management. It is how the world works today and I would keep our program intact, but perhaps simplify the paper flow - do it on line and route electronically.

2. HQ and HQ building in Indianapolis. We own it, it works. What I might do is move LCAP off-site, and perhaps the Foundation as well, to free up some space, but this would be dependent on cost containment. We're running out of space and something has got to give.

3. Slow, steady, expansion.

What I would change:

1. The Constitution and Stat Code used to be two separate documents. I would un-merge them.

2. Fix the discipline section of the C & SC to make the process easier to understand and less cumbersome to administer. John C. Marshall, Brandeis, Earl Warren, Solomon, Moses, and Hammaraubi together could not correctly administer the discipline system as it is written.

3. I'd look at programming and see what needs to be tweaked. Although it is heresy, I'd take a look at Impact and see if the whole 4 step process is really getting us where we want to go. I understand that we have a financial committment to the program and some folks have a tremendous investment of emotional capital int he process, but I was the king, I'd look at the program now that we've been at it for a couple of undergraduate 'generations'.

[GammaZeta]

Hey John,

I'd agree with you on the Impact change. I personally don't see that much benefit from it, although I am sure others do. I just think the resources could be spent better.

[JoinerLxa]

In a defense of IMPACT, big-business types like such
things....it looks great on the resumes of new graduates
when applying for jobs in the corporate world.

And so its one reason to say fraternities are "worthwhile"
to the non-fraternity world....something valuable
students don't get in a normal college education at
most schools....that whole "Value Added" concept.

But "our" bang for the buck might be questionable...dunno.

[john1082]

The general feeling that I get is that to question Impact in any way whatsoever is heresy. It is simply not done. It is a given that it is good!

Putting on my MBA hat for a second, I know that programs must be assessed on a constant basis to determine if objectives are being met. Metrics have to be established.

What are the metrics for Impact? I suspect that one of them is the number of guys who go through the program, but that doesn't measure effectiveness or 'impact', rather, that is simply a measure of volume.

Are the numbers of chapters in disciplinary status up or down since Impact began? Are grades up? More chapters? More undergrads? Foundation gifts up? These are metrics that may or may not be touched by Impact. What we don't have is a method to measure the impact of Impact.

[GammaZeta]

John, great idea. I like the way you think. Yeah, a lot of times questioning HQ is considered "taboo", but that's never stopped me before. If people don't question things, then nothing ever changes. If nothing ever changes, people become complacent.

It is very important to evaluate programs along the way. That was one of the reasons for me starting this thread, to discuss what we think works, and what doesn't.

Personally, I never put the fact that I belonged to a fraternity on my resume. It's not that I'm ashamed or anything, simply there are too many prejudices out in the world today. Even in my chosen profession, it would probably be ok, but I never took the chance. If I ever noticed someone who did display the letters of a fraternity or sorority, I have no problem talking it up!

[EM1843]

I've been thinking about a response for a few days. Here it goes...

Things I'd keep...with small changes...

1) The Electronic C&C- The cost savings outweight the joy of holding a sheet of paper for me. I also really enjoy the podcast, though I think it should be more than just reading the C&C and be more of a real podcast from people working at IHQ.

2) Risk Managment- We can't get rid of it. In fact it's like women, can't live with 'em, can't procreate without them. However we should focus on the actual causes of the problems. Proactive education and aiding chapters that are engaged in "higher" risk activities. Reward chapters that are following risk managment techniques. Until most chapters really understand the risks to both a chapter and themselves, we'll continue to see Greeks in the headlines.

3) IMPACT- Though I agree that we need to quanitfy how IMPACT helps both chapters and the general fraternity, I do believe it is helpful to the individual. I think we need to make it more available. I'm not sure, but I don't think Alumni can participate. I've completed Levels I and II, but I've already graduated.

Things I'd change...

1) The ELC system- It should be more regionally based. Each ELC should visit less than 10 chapters and should work closely with each chapter. Visits should be monthly, not semesterly. Chapters that are in trouble should have their own ELC. I realize this would be a greater cost, but if we weren't paying for ELCs to be in INDY so much of the time, this might help off set the costs. This idea would need alot more fleshing out.

2) Member Education- We need a new member Education program. A standardized AM Education program would standardize the AM experience and hopefully limit the hazing etc. that some chapters practice. This would be similar to Sig Eps Balanced Man program. We aren't being successful with the 'no separation' ideal that IHQ seems to feel is right, nor do I think it is the appropriate goal.

3) The Constitution and Statutory Code- We need to make the entire thing easier to read. The discipline section primarily requires the help of an attorney to read, and even then it is poorly written. The entire work needs to be edited both for an updating and clarity.


Finally, not neccisarily something I'd keep or change, but rather something I would create. We need a network for alumni. Most other organizations have IHQ created or at least sponsored alumni associations. We need major groups in most metropolitian cities rather than chapter based alumni groups. This would increase alumni involvement with chapters. Currently if you move more than 20 miles from where you went to undergrad, a new alumni will not have an opportunity to remain involved.

[john1082]

There are some regional alumni groups; Dallas and San Diego come to mind. There is nothing to prohibit the formation of an alumni group, in fact, they can even be chartered, as I recall. In days past - like 1930 - there were a bunch of them.

I will be proposing some legislation at Orlando to clean up a portion of the disciplinary section. Stay tuned.

Why yes, I am a lawyer

And I don't understand portions of it.