With the holiday's now here, and 2010 a week or so away from fading into memory, I was reminded that this Fraternity was struggling to create an identity — trying to figure out what to do. A "playbook" was needed, and suggestions on how to move the agenda forward — or even have an agenda. Bad as that is, there seems to be a pulse now — be it a faint one — while the organization remains on life support.
Though this is supposed to be year 20 in the history of Pi Sigma Chi, it somehow feels more like year -1. Yes — that is 'negative' one.
The Fall 2010 semester is over, and still there seems to be a lack of consistency — a lack of knowledge and information coming through to the entire organization — not just alumni, but the entire Pi Sigma Chi family. I was reminded of this during a dinner I had with a very good friend and mentor.
My friend is a straight up entrepreneur. A bottom line kind of man who has seen life at its ultimate lows — and upper most of highs. Born in the 1940s in Hollis, Queens, my friend grew up in a wonderful supporting family. When he went to college in the South, his eyes and mind opened to some harsh realities. As an African American who came of age in the midst of civil unrest Milt saw some real depravities. As he likes to say — he faced the dogs. After college, his bottom line business acumen and experience of civil rights served him well — becoming one one of the first African Amercian senior executives at J.C. Penny. He translated his success with Pennys to a variety of entreprenurial successes. I met him during my time in politics, and he taught me things about people and how to view and hear things, in a manner I had never considerd before. Of course for him, the highest point is now — with the election of this nations first African American President.
I relate this to you, because during our chat on Friday night, we were discussing the nature of his fraternity, of which he remains active as an alumni, and I relayed to him our fraternities issues. Interestingly he said much of the same things that I said to him. The harsh truth, gentlemen — there is feeling that perhaps we as alumni don't 'get it.' That we don't know what it's like to have so much work to do, or how difficult everything may be. I have news for you — we absolutely get it. He even gave me identical stories of tardiness, last minute and tired excuses.
That began to turn my wheels — because I can't believe that this fraternity has to be locked into the mentality of self destruction, laziness and inaction. So when is 'NOW' a good time to begin to move forward — to prepare for the Spring Semester? Unless I am mistaken, Pratt is off for the next several weeks between semesters. And I remain with some questions.
1) Were any new brothers crossed over during the Fall semester? If so, can we learn about them, hear about them?
2) Was anything done to look into obtaining insurance for the organization? This has been a topic for 3 years — three. I continue to wonder how hard could it be for actives to call an agent to visit with them and offer some plans that fit the schools needs?
3) Have meetings been more productive, started on time and with proper documents? The "playbook" that was put out for you should have resulted in there beeing meeting minutes each week, a treasurers report and more. I would love to know if the materials were helpful. I offered the in Design files to be used as templates but never heard from anyone!
4) Has anyone scheduled a time where we can gather to discuss what our next best steps might be? Again — there has been whispers about gathering in beween semester, but nothing has seemed to happen.
5) Are there any pledge prospects for the coming Spring Semester?
I guarantee full and complete failure if this organization waits until February to hold its first meeting of the Spring campaign. If you have not learned it yet, things don't happen at the last few days before you want to do 'something.' You should know by now that if you wait until the day before a project is due, you may get it 'done' but if you look long and hard in the mirror, you can most likely admit that it is half assed. The same holds true in planning a rush event, pledge program, party, charity event or your homework. And guess what — it is even more so when you enter the real working world.
My friend is successful because of his mindset. The thought process is 'bottom line' thinking. And it is something you should all have if you want to be successful. Bottom line as in business. If you do "x," "y" and "z" what is the yield — or the value you are creating for yourself and for others?
It is also the Mindset of a Champion. If you go into something believe you will fail, guess what — you will. But if you believe you can accomplish the goals and tasks you put forth, you may surprise yourself and see that with the right mindset — the belief you can win, you can succeed - you will!
But it is also more — much more then just deciding to take that next step. It is actually doing it. I'll put it in a simple way. If you have 10 birds on a wire, and 5 decide to fly off — how many are left on the wire? If you answered 5 — you're wrong. the correct answer is 10. the birds only decided to fly off. I did not say they decided to fly off and then left the wire. I only said they decided to do something. That does not mean they did it. I sometimes refer to this as the "say/do" list. Saying you will do it, does not mean you "did it."
All of this is the midset that seems to be missing from the fraternity. All of this equals things that can and should be happening — discussed in a formal setting. A mini quo vadis to get the Spring term set up. I have been told that the actives are unsure — perhaps lack the knowledge or confidence of what to do.
If that is the case, you have become paralized by fear — which equals death. But there are incredible resources available to you! Every brother who has been through the fraternities active ranks and are now alumni can be a wealth of knowledge. But you have to take the first step — you next best step — in order to start. We as alumni can't be the catalysts. It is on the actives.
Ultimately — you need to scedule the time and location to make a quo vadis happen. I highly recommend and urge you to act as quickly as possible. Set a date and time. I recommend holding the event at Pratt in early January on a Saturday. It should be an all day event.
You can choose to do nothing — choose to believe that "you've got this..." But what I am seeing from where I am is a group that is foundering — teetering on the edge of non-existence and fading from existence with the 2010 calendar.
So I ask again — when is NOW a good time to start?
I conclude with one last thought — if the fraternity is dead and I am the only one who gives a shit— someone let me know so I can send some flowers and move on with life. I don't want to continue to wonder and waste time!
Though this is supposed to be year 20 in the history of Pi Sigma Chi, it somehow feels more like year -1. Yes — that is 'negative' one.
The Fall 2010 semester is over, and still there seems to be a lack of consistency — a lack of knowledge and information coming through to the entire organization — not just alumni, but the entire Pi Sigma Chi family. I was reminded of this during a dinner I had with a very good friend and mentor.
My friend is a straight up entrepreneur. A bottom line kind of man who has seen life at its ultimate lows — and upper most of highs. Born in the 1940s in Hollis, Queens, my friend grew up in a wonderful supporting family. When he went to college in the South, his eyes and mind opened to some harsh realities. As an African American who came of age in the midst of civil unrest Milt saw some real depravities. As he likes to say — he faced the dogs. After college, his bottom line business acumen and experience of civil rights served him well — becoming one one of the first African Amercian senior executives at J.C. Penny. He translated his success with Pennys to a variety of entreprenurial successes. I met him during my time in politics, and he taught me things about people and how to view and hear things, in a manner I had never considerd before. Of course for him, the highest point is now — with the election of this nations first African American President.
I relate this to you, because during our chat on Friday night, we were discussing the nature of his fraternity, of which he remains active as an alumni, and I relayed to him our fraternities issues. Interestingly he said much of the same things that I said to him. The harsh truth, gentlemen — there is feeling that perhaps we as alumni don't 'get it.' That we don't know what it's like to have so much work to do, or how difficult everything may be. I have news for you — we absolutely get it. He even gave me identical stories of tardiness, last minute and tired excuses.
That began to turn my wheels — because I can't believe that this fraternity has to be locked into the mentality of self destruction, laziness and inaction. So when is 'NOW' a good time to begin to move forward — to prepare for the Spring Semester? Unless I am mistaken, Pratt is off for the next several weeks between semesters. And I remain with some questions.
1) Were any new brothers crossed over during the Fall semester? If so, can we learn about them, hear about them?
2) Was anything done to look into obtaining insurance for the organization? This has been a topic for 3 years — three. I continue to wonder how hard could it be for actives to call an agent to visit with them and offer some plans that fit the schools needs?
3) Have meetings been more productive, started on time and with proper documents? The "playbook" that was put out for you should have resulted in there beeing meeting minutes each week, a treasurers report and more. I would love to know if the materials were helpful. I offered the in Design files to be used as templates but never heard from anyone!
4) Has anyone scheduled a time where we can gather to discuss what our next best steps might be? Again — there has been whispers about gathering in beween semester, but nothing has seemed to happen.
5) Are there any pledge prospects for the coming Spring Semester?
I guarantee full and complete failure if this organization waits until February to hold its first meeting of the Spring campaign. If you have not learned it yet, things don't happen at the last few days before you want to do 'something.' You should know by now that if you wait until the day before a project is due, you may get it 'done' but if you look long and hard in the mirror, you can most likely admit that it is half assed. The same holds true in planning a rush event, pledge program, party, charity event or your homework. And guess what — it is even more so when you enter the real working world.
My friend is successful because of his mindset. The thought process is 'bottom line' thinking. And it is something you should all have if you want to be successful. Bottom line as in business. If you do "x," "y" and "z" what is the yield — or the value you are creating for yourself and for others?
It is also the Mindset of a Champion. If you go into something believe you will fail, guess what — you will. But if you believe you can accomplish the goals and tasks you put forth, you may surprise yourself and see that with the right mindset — the belief you can win, you can succeed - you will!
But it is also more — much more then just deciding to take that next step. It is actually doing it. I'll put it in a simple way. If you have 10 birds on a wire, and 5 decide to fly off — how many are left on the wire? If you answered 5 — you're wrong. the correct answer is 10. the birds only decided to fly off. I did not say they decided to fly off and then left the wire. I only said they decided to do something. That does not mean they did it. I sometimes refer to this as the "say/do" list. Saying you will do it, does not mean you "did it."
All of this is the midset that seems to be missing from the fraternity. All of this equals things that can and should be happening — discussed in a formal setting. A mini quo vadis to get the Spring term set up. I have been told that the actives are unsure — perhaps lack the knowledge or confidence of what to do.
If that is the case, you have become paralized by fear — which equals death. But there are incredible resources available to you! Every brother who has been through the fraternities active ranks and are now alumni can be a wealth of knowledge. But you have to take the first step — you next best step — in order to start. We as alumni can't be the catalysts. It is on the actives.
Ultimately — you need to scedule the time and location to make a quo vadis happen. I highly recommend and urge you to act as quickly as possible. Set a date and time. I recommend holding the event at Pratt in early January on a Saturday. It should be an all day event.
You can choose to do nothing — choose to believe that "you've got this..." But what I am seeing from where I am is a group that is foundering — teetering on the edge of non-existence and fading from existence with the 2010 calendar.
So I ask again — when is NOW a good time to start?
I conclude with one last thought — if the fraternity is dead and I am the only one who gives a shit— someone let me know so I can send some flowers and move on with life. I don't want to continue to wonder and waste time!
23 days ago
