Improving Iota Phi - Part 2
I have to say, I’m a little disappointed by the results of my first “Improving Iota Phi” post. I know, I shouldn’t expect much considering my low readership and the poor timing between post and the chapter meeting, but I was hoping that the people that did read it would be there to talk, or even better, would talk to other people about it ahead of time, and that would get even more people to talk at the meeting. Basically, I just wish more actives would talk at meetings. Especially on big issues like requirements and budgets. The reason that we even postpone voting on that is to give everyone a chance to read up on the issues and come to the meeting prepared to discuss it. Actives need to learn that discourse is healthy, and not just to swallow everything ExComm shoves in their faces.
Anyway, on to today’s topic of how to improve Iota Phi - competitiveness. Don’t get me wrong… I think a little friendly comptetition is great, especially with a group as large as our chapter is. That’s the whole reason families were formed in the first place - to create closer bonds between brothers who may have otherwise felt lost in the crowd. That being said, I’ve been around for a while, and I’ve seen all sorts of competitions… actives versus pledges, class versus class, family versus family… and most of the time, it has been in good fun, and we as a chapter are better off for having it. However, there have been times when competition has gotten out of hand, and people’s desire to win, to dominate, or to sometimes, even to exact vengence, gets pushed into overdrive, and it can have lasting effects on the chapter… not just at that event, but for the rest of the term, or even through to subsequent terms.
This has been a great term so far, and I hope that in the weeks to come, everyone remembers that yes, your class or family is great. But that doesn’t mean you should be saying you are the greatest. At the end of the day, we are all brothers in Alpha Phi Omega first, and members of our families and classes second.
March 16th, 2007 at 14:19
yay found my way to Dinhternet. Anyways I totally agree about the budgets and requirements. Who do you think should speak up though? I mean yes we all have a voice but I feel that since I don’t have a position then I can only tell the President about it and hope that he will speak up about it. Otherwise, certain ppl/positions will get offended and drama brews.
March 16th, 2007 at 16:31
heh, the more I think about some of the issues our chapter has the more I think so much of it is based on a lack of communication between people in our chapter.
Jane’s comment shows part of the reason why it seems like communication has broken down. We can’t offend people to their face anymore. We still talk about their programs but either don’t feel that they can speak because disagreeing with someone would make them explode in rage or we just shit talk it to death outside of the meeting which to me is the same. How the freak are you, dinh, gonna say that you couldn’t speak up at meetings… a lack of leadership? that’s nonsense.
I wish people would just speak their minds. Be open and honest for god’s sake. You can still do it and be respectful, if that person still takes offense then you did the best you could do.
Conversely tho, people who get/give criticism need to be fricking open to listening to it and not just assuming they know exactly why so and so is saying what they are. That is just as damaging imo
as for competition.. i’ve always been a fan honestly.. I guess it can go too far but i think everything in moderation is good.. i mean people thought families were a problem so we stopped talking about them.. and now you’re practically stabbed if you mention TLC at a meeting…I take pride in my family, as much pride as I do in my brothers and this fraternity. To hide it is only to invite people to wonder why, to ask about the drama, and for people who love to talk about it, to bring up shit from 8 terms ago. Why can’t we just be open.
Hey Dinh, i realized that i only tangentially answered your topic. my bad!
March 16th, 2007 at 18:14
Wow, I didn’t realize people felt like Jane did. I think this deserves a post of its own. Stay tuned!
March 20th, 2007 at 1:08
Ooh, I agree with the 3 of you guys. About competition, I’m of the belief that it’s quite fun but occassionally gets extreme… leading to a backlash that also gets extreme in the other direction. I think most of the group competitions stem from our social circles (ok, “cliques”) and I don’t think they are inherently a problem. I think most of the time when people are like “FuUuUuU Claaaaaaaaaasss” or “TIIIIIIIIIIIGHT” they’re overemphasizing their own pride for the sake of making fun of themselves. But some people take it too seriously and I’m not sure how to remedy that. Also, competition in service hours has been another issue constantly brought up… not sure how to help that either. I think what I’m trying to say is that I think Aphio handles these matters fine as far as it can go, but the rest is up to the individuals not to go into extreme vengeance-seeking rivalries themselves.
Btw I’m a huge fan of our last Assassins game in which teams were trifamily. Now that’s a great way to have fun competition while at the same time blending in families.
Ok in conclusion I’m not helpful. haha