Who does the work in your chapter?
Jim Lawson | 11/20/2003 This is part two of an article on chapter operations and culture. Part one was published in the Fall 2003 issue.So, what’s the real issue? In a nutshell, too many brothers assume their responsibilities end after the election of officers. If they aren’t officers, some brothers believe they have nothing to do but pay dues and attend chapter meetings. Too many chapters are content to let the Number I and a few officers or brothers do the work. If this describes your chapter, you may say, “So what! It’s always been this way and we’ve got a good chapter. We’re the best on campus!”
This may be true, but can you imagine how good you could be if brothers collectively decided to support the Number I and the officers by becoming “doers.” This is a no lose situation for individual members and the chapter.
Remember, none of us is as good as all of us!
Then, there’s the “We’re different” argument (excuse). “It just won’t work with our chapter. Once someone is initiated, unless he’s an officer or committee head, it’s all we can do to get some of these guys to come to chapter meetings!”
This is a separate but related issue with a simple answer: You’ve allowed a chapter culture to develop that is counter productive to the mission and core beliefs of Kappa Alpha Order. How did this happen? Three basic behaviors are usually the root of this issue:
- The chapter has done an ineffective job of selecting new members (pledged the wrong guys) who are willing to commit long-term (beyond pledging) to the Order’s core beliefs and individual member responsibilities.
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The brothers have failed to commit long-term (beyond pledging) to the Order’s core beliefs and have failed to accept their individual responsibilities; therefore they have failed to teach and to role model the core beliefs and member responsibilities in their day-to-day activities. The pledge class becomes a mirror image of the active members.
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If you attract new members by focusing primarily on having the “best parties on campus,” they will join KA for that reason. Don’t be surprised if those same men struggle making grades, participate inconsistently in chapter activities (other than parties), and contribute very little to the chapter after initiation. Why? They expect KA to be one big party; after all, that’s how we attracted them.
Now is the time to change your chapter’s culture! It will not change overnight, but it will change.
Action steps:
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Conduct a chapter meeting and discuss ways to increase individual commitment and participation.
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As a group, decide how the chapter would look if it were your personal vision of the best chapter possible.
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Agree brothers will become involved by volunteering, proactively seeking job assignments.
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When the chapter is faced with things to do, simply ask, “How can I help?” or “Will you give me something to do?”
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When you see your Number I doing something that is not his job, step up, volunteer and ask for the opportunity to do it
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When you are assigned a task, complete it in a timely manner. Do your best work for your brothers and your chapter. Everyone benefits, including you.
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As a group, determine the type new member that can help you achieve your vision of the best chapter possible. Develop a new member profile, and conduct targeted recruitment all year long. Aggressively go after men who fit the criteria.
Do these things and you will end the tradition of the Number I and/or just a few brothers doing all the work. You will create an environment that expects and fosters member commitment and involvement.
Member duties and responsibilities are no different than the duties and responsibilities in the world outside the confines of academia. The habits you form today prepare you for your chosen profession and career.
It’s never too early to form good work habits, and to distinguish yourself as a “doer,” someone who can make a difference. It’s the first step to becoming a leader. Don’t overlook this opportunity on your road to excellence.
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