Adventures of a New High Pi — Commitment
October 2nd, 2006 by Art Hebbeler. Popularity: 5%.The year began simply enough, even with the early concerns about the dues and budget and all that. But, i should have known that it wouldn’t stay that quiet.
The “vocal minority” has appeared in full force the past couple of weeks. This small band of initiates–I admit that I hesitate to call them brothers–has declared it open season on the officers of the chapter, especially those who, in the opinion of the small band, are trying to make the chapter something that it is not, or at least shouldn’t be in the opinion of the small band.
Of course, none of these vocal ones will be vocal in a chapter meeting, or even one-on-one. No, the accusations must take place behind the backs of the officers concerned or, worse still, over email lists. I am beginning to believe that email is something that was created by the Evil One in order to foster dissention in the ranks!
“Who cares about following the Constitution and By-Laws, let alone some stupid book of rules no one understands? I like the old days, when the meetings ran 4 or 5 hours, and we talked about whatever we wanted to talk about, and then went out drinking. That’s the way it should be!” Attempts to make the meetings run quickly and efficiently, allowing time afterwards for brotherhood events, have been declared to be taking the power away from the chapter and giving it all to the officers. “It’s all about fun. To heck with the Ritual.” Other than election night, I can’t remember a chapter meeting running more than 90 minutes or so. We wanted to get business done and then get on to the other events of the evening–sleeping, studying, or a trip to Denny’s (usually the last of the 3). We worked hard, and we played hard, too. As I grow older, I hate long meetings even more.
But what bothers me most about the recent rash of complaining is that (a) it’s a minority who are doing it, (b) the complainers won’t show up for meetings or events, and (c) the “preferred” method of operation of the chapter stands in direct opposition to the obligations we took in our Initiation.
As brothers of Lambda Chi Alpha, we are committed to the upholding of the laws and regulations of our Fraternity. We are also committed to supporting our brothers and working for the good and welfare of the Fraternity as a whole. Lambda Chi Alpha is more than our own little (or not so little) Zeta. Over 250,000 men have called themselves Lambda Chi Alpha, and we who are the 140,000 or so still alive are responsible and accountable to those who have gone before us, just as we are responsible and accountable to each other.
The time is ripe for a resurgance in fraternity life. We in Lambda Chi Alpha have something that a lot of men want, yet they just don’t know where to find it. Are we committed to the principles, ideals, and teachings of our Ritual? If so, then we have the responsibility to be committed to the furthering of the same, and to bringing good men to come into our circle of brothers.
At the same time, if we lack the commitment to that which we have made our obligations, we should have the integrity to resign from the Fraternity and move on, rather than failing to live up to our commitment to each other.
October 3rd, 2006 at 4:35 pm
Have these “vocal minority” been repremanded or even exposed to criticism themselves? Have fines and/or punishments been levied for not attending or disrupting meetings?… Speaking as someone who knows very little about your situation, even in my short time as a brother (just under 3 years) i’ve seen members come and go who don’t embody what the fraternity holds true and who don’t respect what our chapter represents. After a time, rather than try to “rehabilitate” these trouble-makers we decided (as a brotherhood) that it was in the chapter’s best interest to just cut our losses and try to move ahead productively. Thus, we suspended or expelled the bad apples and we’ve had relative bliss ever since. This semester our rush was better than ever and we’ve recruited more solid men than ever before. I understand ostracizing anybody is not what a chapter WANTS to do, but sometimes for the betterment of the house it’s what you NEED to do…
March 4th, 2007 at 8:11 pm
At the same time, I was once a member of the vocal minority, and I was mistgreated by the minority. Being in LXA does not meen that the majority view should always hold. I believe that some of these complainers may have a legitimate greivance. They are “brothers in the bond” even if you disagree with them.
I feel you, as the High Pi is helping to ostracize these men.