[23455] in APO-L
Re: [APO-L] Toast Song Issues
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Rich Quodomine)
Fri Jan 17 22:42:42 2003
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 22:40:23 -0500
Reply-To: Rich Quodomine <aposatan@hotmail.com>
From: Rich Quodomine <aposatan@hotmail.com>
To: APO-L@LISTSERV.IUPUI.EDU
For the last 11 years or so, I have watched this rage on and on. Men of,
true to, third verse, ad nauseam.
Here's my take:
It won't make a damn bit of difference, because, as one brother points out,
chapters with PC (or whatever you want to call it) issues will sing "true
to", UMD will sing its third verse, and more traditional chapters will sing
"men of."
If Nationals were to finally vote for the change to "True To", what's to
prevent the traditionals from singing "men of"? the answer: nothing.
Every year, we bring up the argument that our toast song prevents potential
brothers from joining. After revieweing a number of membership and brother
retention programs in the northeast, adn I am sure many others will agree, a
chapter's numbers have a lot more to do with its program than its toast
song. I have been membership Program Director in two regions, done workshops
in 3 regions, and enjoyed APO in a number of areas. Outside of this debate,
no brother has ever mentioned to me that the toast song is a deterrent to
pledging. not in one workshop over 7 years. Where's the issue? Answer: It's
more in our hearts and emotions than in the real facts of membership.
I like the fact that this debate occurs, and we have a forum for it.
However, I think substantive change in our toast song will not lead to
substantive change in our membership. For one reason or another, the appeal
is emotional, but the effect will likely be minimal. There are a number of
more germaine issues that we can discuss to improve membership such as
targeted rush, strong membership programs, advertising to new "markets" and
developing leadership for new ideas.
The Toast Song, a legitimate casue for lack of numbers? not in my
experience.
-- Rich Q
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