[23289] in APO-L
[APO-L] Happy Endings...
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Section 48 Chair)
Fri Dec 13 03:38:59 2002
Date: Fri, 13 Dec 2002 02:38:49 -0600
Reply-To: section.48.chair@apo.org
From: Section 48 Chair <ctracy.apo@insightbb.com>
To: APO-L@LISTSERV.IUPUI.EDU
Well,
How about a break in the "great debate" for some happy news? Many of
you probably read about the Alpha Alpha paddles that were auctioned on
eBay a couple of weeks ago. And thanks again to a certain member of
this list who acted quickly to alert us to the fact, we were able to
contact the seller and long story short we won the auction for $49.00!
But it didn't end there. One of my staff (who is also the advisory
chair at Alpha Alpha) went to pick up the paddles last night. He called
me to report that not only were the paddles in excellent condition, but
that the seller GAVE them to us! Apparently after receiving several
messages from concerned Brothers and speaking with me and the advisory
chair, she understood just how special they were and decided that she
couldn't make us pay for something that meant so much to so many people.
It's times like this when I remember just how good people really are.
Even though she's not a Brother in APO, she understood the importance of
Brotherhood and our deep connection to our traditions and heritage. And
when I say "our" traditions and heritage I mean Our. Many points of
view have been presented regarding the issue of "A-Phi-O" vs. "A-Phi-Q"
etc., etc., yadda yadda yadda. But the simple and plain truth is that
we all are here having this debate because one man had a vision and more
than that he had the courage and conviction to see his vision become
reality.
I have no interest in trying to convince someone else, particularly
another Brother, that his or her Fraternal belief system is wrong or
right. Brotherhood means different things to different people and as
such that "sense of Fraternal Brotherhood" varies from place to place.
Two of the major reasons for this is simple geographic separation and
lack of communication. And yet when a method of communication such as
this list is presented as a way for Brothers to reach out to each other
and to share ideas be positive, it turns into a forum where everyone
complains about what's wrong with the way things are.
So, here's a thought for your Christmas stockings (yes, I'm a Christian
and I'm tired of hearing Happy Holidays all the time, so Merry
Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Blessed Kwanzaa, etc.) How about NOT
focusing on the disagreements and petty arguments that in the grand
scheme of life really don't mean much and instead FOCUS on what we as
the greatest Fraternity in the world CAN DO and BE for each other, our
schools, our communities, and our Nations as participating citizens.
Why waste the energy arguing folks?
If a stranger can understand how much we mean to each other, why can't
we?
Sincerely in Friendship, Leadership, and Service,
Chris Tracy
Section 48 Chair
