In the headlines are the poor choices young fraternity men make in regards to alcohol overconsumption, misogynistic treatment of women, and degrading practices for new members. Behind the scenes are the men (and women) proactively working to eradicate those headlines.
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I’m a fraternity man.
I’m currently in New Orleans, staying just blocks from Bourbon Street.
Later today, nearly 700 additional fraternity men will join me in the Big Easy.
But it’s not the headline you would expect.
You see, these 700 men are gathering for a week of leadership development, organizational improvement, and fellowship. And prior to their arrival, on Monday and Tuesday, a room full of good men … of great men … of great fraternity men … of elected volunteer men, gathered to discuss the future of the organization.
So what did we talk about if we didn’t discuss keg quantities and goat health?
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When I mention my Greek volunteer involvement to others, the common response is cynical. “So you’re choosing how many kegs to order? Checking the health of the goats?”
Well, actually, I’m in the board room with three media experts, two respected lawyers, a successful HR consultant, an technical whiz working for a large food company, a dynamic real estate agent, a devoted non-profit strategist, and an eloquently spoken non-profit executive serving young leaders. We are joined by a multi-talented professional staff who have decided to devote their vocation to the betterment of young men. Not to mention undergraduate men who are volunteering their time to travel from their summer plans to sit in a board room and discuss the future of their organization.
So what did we talk about if we didn’t discuss keg quantities and goat health?
- We established our newest path for how the organization will seek to eradicate the plague of hazing within our chapters.
- We suspended and expelled members not upholding the standards and values of the organization.
- We reviewed the details of a new comprehensive life skills and values-based education program, grounded in educational and social emotional theory and practice.
- We discussed efforts to improve our commitment, both in service and in philanthropic donations, to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
- We endorsed a recommendation for legislation that increases the minimum Grade Point Average for membership exceeding the male average on campus.
The list goes on.
Up front, in the headlines, are the poor choices young fraternity men make in regards to alcohol overconsumption, misogynistic treatment of women, and degrading practices for new members.
Behind the scenes are the men (and women) proactively working to eradicate those headlines. Working to produce experiences that encourage the development of good men. Good men we hope will go on to become great men.
I am a fraternity man, and I’d like to think I’m a pretty darn good one. And I am that, due in large part, to the great fraternity men around me.
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Image credit: Caitlinator/flickr