The Greatest Gift

If you've ever been around Josh Orendi during a Phired Up program, you've no doubt heard him say something along the lines of, "Love your organization enough to give it away." He's constantly spouting off that line, and for good reason.

We hear stories all the time of men and women who say their fraternity/sorority literally changed their lives... in some cases, saved their lives. At least half of the Greeks we talk to tell us that they love their organization -- that it means the world to them. So, we like to ask, "What gifts of appreciation have you given to your organization." Immediately the responses will flow in about time, passion, energy, heart and soul, hard work, and creativity. These gifts are a wonderful way to "repay" your organization for what it has given you, but there is something that would make an even better gift.

"If you truly love me, you'll let me go," you might hear a Hollywood damsel overdramatically state in some sappy chick flick. It's a stretch I know, but imagine your organization saying that to you. That's what it really wants, ya know. To be given away. If you truly love your organization, give it the gift it deserves... give it away to others.

Fraternity/sorority professionals (like us) talk all the time about the values in our organizations' rituals. We talk about "living your ritual," and that's what will make the organization strong. I agree with that, but I think we sometimes forget that somewhere in our ritualistic materials (even if it isn't written in secret esoteric language on your badge or pledge pin), our rituals tell us to not only live our PURPOSE, but also to GROW the organization.

Think about that for a second...

Even the best of our chapters around the country -- those that teach their members to live their values -- don't bother teaching them the most important thing about being a member: how to recruit other members. The ONE thing that keeps your organization alive, and the ONE thing that your founders truly ask of you is to recruit and recruit well.

Love your organization enough to give it away. If you're not recruiting really well, and working hard to improve your ability to do so, you're not living up to the commitment you've made to your founders, and you're keeping the ultimate gift from the organization that has given you so much.