Adventures of a New High Pi — The End of an Adventure
January 30th, 2007 by Art Hebbeler. Popularity: 9%.Author’s Note: On January 22, I wrote a very celebratory note about completing a year as a High Pi. I even said that it would be a mockery of my obligation if I were to resign earlier in my term, when things were rough. The reality hit last night at a chapter meeting that I hadn’t seen the full picture, at least not clearly. Phi-Delta Zeta has some good men who will grow to be even better–maybe even great–men. Because of circumstances in the chapter and, to a lesser extent, in my personal life, I have stepped down as High Pi. What follows are my thoughts about that action. When I began this blog series on being a new High Pi, I expected to write for about a year on the issues and rewards and lessons learned, and then turn to blogging about what I love the most–building the brotherhood.
Unfortunately, I am ending this series on being a new High Pi with a heavy heart. Last night (1/29/07), I submitted my resignation as High Pi at Phi-Delta Zeta (Maryland Baltimore County). I was blessed to serve for a year in this position, and I thank the Grand High Pi, Lynn Chipperfield, for the trust he and the Grand High Zeta reposed in me.
My brothers, I bleed “purple, green, and gold.” I love Lambda Chi Alpha as much as one can love any organization. I’m not trying to be boastful, but I think I have a lot to share with this Fraternity and especially our undergraduate brothers and associates. Heck, I have three 20-something sons of my own (none Lambda Chis, unfortunately), so I even know a little bit about working with men in this age group.
But the truth is, I was never really welcomed by the chapter. Oh sure, some of the brothers welcomed me and made me feel like I was part of the Bond, but frankly, far too many–active and alumni–saw me as representing something that they felt wasn’t part of being a Lambda Chi. These brothers didn’t like the idea of being held accountable, or being asked to act like gentlemen–at least for an hour or so for a chapter meeting. These brothers believe that the be-all, end-all of being a Lambda Chi is to have fun, and if everything isn’t fun (read: filled with laughter, disrespect, speaking out of turn, etc). Having fun is a part of being a Lambda Chi, but it is not the pinnacle of our fraternal life.
So, I’m moving on. Oh, I’m not planning to leave Lambda Chi Alpha, that’s for sure. I’ve been involved in the True Brother Initiative, and I hope that I can remain a part of that work, as I believe it is indeed the “tonic” for what “ailes” the Fraternity. I pray that others will learn from my experiences, and that those who read these words will reflect on their own chapters and experiences, and especially how brothers from other Zetas are treated when they appear on the chapter’s doorstep. There are some 130,000 living alumni out here, and the vast majority of us are not involved in the Fraternity, yet we would be happy to be involved if we were asked and welcomed.
Yep, I’m pretty sad this morning. Yet I have faith in Lambda Chi Alpha, and hope for its future, too.
February 3rd, 2007 at 8:26 pm
Art,
Your note of January 22, 2007 is not lost on anyone. I stumbled upon it on the Internet, reprinted on the unofficial blog of Sigma Phi Epsilon. Perhaps Phi-Delta Zeta didn’t understand you, but other fraternities do. They liked it very much, and so did I. Your efforts are much appreciated.
Here’s what the Sig Eps wrote.
Adventures in Volunteering - a Lambda Chi view
“Our fellow Greeks at Lambda Chi Alpha have a group blog where members, alumni and leaders all share their experience. This recent entry by one of their “High-Pi” volunteers (similar to a Chapter Counselor) caught our attention. It speaks to areas that anyone who has been a volunteer can relate to.
‘It has been an interesting year, to be sure. Thankfully, no one has been injured, there have been no late night calls from the university authorities, and so far, no calls from the local law enforcement agencies. In that regard, I’d call it a pretty successful year.
But there have been some bumps along the way. We’ve had some pretty serious conversations about brotherhood and what it means to be a brother of this great Bond. Some of our younger alumni just didn’t get a well-rounded education during their associate period or after initiation, either. Their opinions of Lambda Chi Alpha is that is first and foremost about fun (read: having parties all the time) and they felt that accountability and responsibility are off limits. It was pretty ugly early on, as I was working with the High Zeta in particular to set a new tone for the chapter. The attacks got pretty personal, and I was ready to toss in the towel–even recommend closing the chapter and starting over in a few years. At the least, I was ready to resign and let someone else deal with the problem.
[…]I’m glad I didn’t, because these last couple of months, I’ve really begun to see the changes in the undergraduate leaders. The biggest change has been an openness and willingness to say, “I don’t know how to do X, Art. Can you teach me?” Wow! Can I? Please?! That is what I think is the coolest part of being a High Pi–to teach and help guys grow. The officers weren’t real happy to have ideas challenged or to be asked, “Have you considered…?” in the first months, but as we began to work together, and especially to talk about living out our Rituals (though I’m not sure that most of the officers saw that’s what we were talking about!), there was a growing openness to learning and growing.’
Good stuff. We can all learn from each other, and sharing challenges and successes shows that maybe our situations are not as unique as we thought.”
I would only add that this is the best stuff since Banta’s Greek Exchange.
In ZAX,
Jono
Florida Tech ‘75