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 JJ’s Letter about Gamma Lambda Chapter at DU
May 5, 2008
Brothers,
Sorry I did not get back to you last week with a report on the visit to the Gamma Lambda Chapter at the University of Denver on Wednesday 4/23/08, as I had hoped I would.
"The best laid plans of mice and men..."
In any event, the undergraduate members of the Chapter assembled on Wednesday in one of the classroom buildings at the appointed time. Unfortunately, I was running late from my prior meeting that day and notified the Chapter President, Tim Brecton, via cell phone that I would be running a little late. Happily, Bob Wolper and Tim Schroeder were there on time. By the time I got there, they were assembled on the lawn, as their time for the use of the classroom had expired.
Bob and Tim had them engaged as I walked up to join the meeting. There was a good dialogue going on, and I was content to observe. Eventually, I began to participate as well.
Let me say first, this is a good bunch of young men. They understand they are the stewards of Theta Chi Fraternity on the DU campus and hold it in a sacred trust for those who have preceded them, (viz. us) and those who will follow. They have a cumulative 3.5 GPA and each of them is involved in at least one other campus activity or organization, often in a leadership role. You would be proud to call them Brothers.
The problem, as Bob, Tim and I later analyzed it over beer and pizza, is that they do not know what to do or how to do it, vis-à-vis rush/recruitment, and just being a fraternity. They keep on saying that they are not a "traditional fraternity." I pointed out that they are, if you look at fraternity on the 4 legged stool model: Leadership, Academics, Community Service and Lifelong Friendships. They do that in spades. I think when they say that, what they are saying is that they are not a large chapter with a house and throwing big parties. I pointed out that after we came back on the DU campus in 1996-1997, we did have a large Chapter, a house and there was social activity. (By the way, it was the parties and the party types who later joined the Chapter that eventually lead to its demise, because that is all they wanted to do and not work for the Chapter.)
I think that they want to be back the way the Chapter was in the early 2000's, over 50 members, a Chapter house, leaders on campus, involved in the campus and community, a 3.5 cumulative GPA and a social calendar. But the excuses are that they all study hard, are involved with other campus organizations, prioritizing time for fraternity is difficult, etc. The long and short response to those laments is that Theta Chi has to be the priority, next to studies. I think some of them got it, but not all, or perhaps their other activities are to remain their priorities.
Nevertheless, we spent a lot of time talking about Rush/Recruitment and that they make it seem like "rocket-science" when it is so simple. All of them said they know someone from a class or another campus organization who would be a great Theta Chi. The just did not know the basics about getting the guy to come over to a meeting, event or activity. "Hey! You invite him." "What if he says 'No'?" Find out why, maybe he has another engagement, ask him again, keep asking until he tells you that absolutely under no circumstances would he ever join a fraternity, let alone Theta Chi. Then smile and ask him to come to an event the following week.
We talked about what they have to sell. Correct, it is a small Chapter, no house, restricted in what they can do financially, etc. But, what an opportunity to give young men leadership opportunities in this small Chapter and you want to recruit men who want the challenge of leadership opportunities. We also talked about lots of Brotherhood things they could do that do not cost much, if any, money. You want guys to join the Chapter for the guys that are in the Chapter or thinking of joining. You do not want the guys who only are interested in going to the parties. I think that was an eye-opening statement for some of them.
I could go on, but I think you are getting the picture.
We just need to work with the under grads to get them focused on Theta Chi as a priority, the leadership opportunities present, the pride and Brotherhood they will experience in building the Chapter together, making lifelong friendships.
I am committed to getting involved with them in the fall and I am sure Bob and Tim will put in time as well. Jim Murphy was out of town, but we know he was the architect of the Rush program that took us from 7 initiated Brothers in the fall of 1965 to 85 brothers in June of 1969.
Bottom line - These are good young men. They are worthy of our support: be it mentoring, participating or extending the financial Helping Hand. I will be encouraging the Chapter officers and the Gamma Lambda Alumni Corporation Alumni Brothers to work on a plan over the summer for Rush/Recruitment, getting a budget put together, etc. I hope you will support this effort in any way you can. And again, these young men are worth it - period.
On another note, I do not know if you have all seen the current edition of The Rattle, (Spring 2008), but Gamma Lambda Chapter shined in terms of our financial commitment to the National Fraternity:
- Chapters by Percentage of Participation - 1st - 9.73%
- Chapters by Number of Contributors - 2nd - 50
- Chapters by Amount of Contributions - 10th - $5,020
Thank you, Brothers!
Fraternally,
Jim
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