A common answer I heard during rush was: “it’s just something you have to experience to understand.” I probably said that to recruits as well.
As I’ve moved along in my fraternity journey, I think it’s becoming easier for me to define. Brotherhood is not as vague and intangible as it once was for me.
At this point, if someone were to ask me to define brotherhood in the fraternity sense, this would be my reply:
To read the rest of this essay, as well as many others, order your copy of Forever Fraternity: Essays to Challenge, Celebrate and Advance the College Fraternity
My first attempt at a definition: Brotherhood starts with committing to and caring about, no matter what, a family you've chosen to join and which has accepted you, each for a lifetime, and then sharing the adventure ahead.
ReplyDeleteYou have captured this well. Thank you for sharing this vision.
ReplyDeleteI believe this is an excellent article with many great explanations as to what Brotherhood is. Just as you said, Sisterhood is not easily explained either. Some people who are outside of the fraternity or sorority see it as an "obligation" whereas those who are apart of it see the bond as a privilege. I also agree that it is through our personal efforts that either creates or keeps the bond of brotherhood and sisterhood strong. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteBecca Wharton
University of Louisiana at Lafayette- Greek Community
Brotherhood is some but not all of things. In fact, brotherhood is almost none of these listed.
ReplyDeleteBrotherhood is fighting a war not only because you love your country, but because you love your fellow soldiers. That is brotherhood.
While reading this post I can fully relate with trying to figure out the definition of a brotherhood, I had an idea of what it might be but not a clear idea. Spending the time I have in the fraternity that I am a part of I have come tro experience many things. These things are both good and bad but in the end it made me realize the full definition of a brotherhood. Going through things both big and small with your fellow brothers and creating a bond that will last a life time is what I have come to realize is the definition of a brotherhood.
ReplyDeleteAustin Delaney
University of Louisiana at Lafayette- Greek Community
This really helped my friend told me if I wannted to join and now I understand what it mean and I know what to do.
ReplyDeleteBeing a part of a Greek organization is not an easy decision to make as it can be expensive and time-consuming. But for those that bridge the gap to become a part of something greater than themselves the rewards are lifelong friendships, a broad networking community, and thousands of unforgettable memories. At least that has been my experience with the Beta Sigma Psi fraternity and that is the story I try to convey to others. I always like to start conversations with new recruits by telling them some of my favorite memories of Beta Sig like how I was tricked into joining.
ReplyDeleteOne of my best friends, freshman year in the dorms ended up joining Beta Sig and convinced me to start hanging out with their recruitment chair Taylor. He invited me to lots of small events like study groups, dinner parties, and intramural games. Then during winter break, he invited me to come along on a ski trip and had me sign a paper when I came over to the house. I thought this paper was a liability form for the ski trip but it turns out it was a bid card that officially made me a pledge. This mishap came to be because of a miscommunication in interest and me not reading the papers I signed. I ended up learning that I signed a bid card after coming back from the holiday break and frankly I was pissed. I was charged with all of these monthly fees and ended up having to resolve these bills with the treasurer. It turns out that it was really easy and pleasant to get my bills dissolved and everyone in Beta Sig understood my situation. As a result, all of my hesitation and regret from the ordeal disappeared because although I first felt shocked I soon realized that I had bonded with my fellow Beta Sig boys and become their brother. Quite honestly, I do not know if I would have joined if Tayler had not “tricked” me into becoming a pledge as I did not see myself as a traditional fraternity guy. Now because of that story, I am closer to Tayler and the rest of my brothers than I ever thought possible. I like to tell this story to show that I came to be a part of Greek life in a very unconventional way and that there should be no standard to compare yourself to when trying to join a fraternity or sorority. From this point, I like to lead to some of my other stories about how joining my fraternity has been an amazing experience. Such as the time at my fraternity’s national conference where we all received beautiful scarfs as a surprise clothing gift and then proceeded to use them to devise a Ruth Goldberg device in the hotel lobby. We were like little kids playing with Legos and I usually show plenty of pictures that depict the sheer excitement and energy that were in the lobby that day.
Finally, I like to wrap up my little speech about drawing it all back together and leading to the conclusion that joining a fraternity is like joining a storyline. In that, there are hundreds or even thousands of members that came before us and that we are adding to the long history of Beta Sigma Psi by simply sharing in the exciting experiences and telling our stories. This same principle applies to all Greek organizations and gives anyone the nostalgia of joining a family and community that will stand together for all of eternity. In my opinion, this lifelong connection is the best part of joining a fraternity or sorority and that all of the crazy adventures, leadership development, career networking, faith strengthening, and story-telling along the way are just icing on the cake. Again, there will always be reasons to not become a part of Greek life put for those that join, however bizarre that may be, a memorable, exciting, delightful, and nostalgic college career and life await them.