If you’re like me, the main reason we joined a fraternity was for the sorority. Each fraternity and each chapter has a different type of sorority. No matter what level of sorority your fraternity is at, it is important to maintain it and grow it.
So what happens when the brotherhood begins to fade? I’ve seen this happen in my own chapter and I know it can destroy a fraternity. If there is no brotherhood, what is a brotherhood?
Nothing.
That is why we must constantly work to maintain and build the fraternity.
Here are five ways to build brotherhood that have worked for my fraternity, and I’m sure they will work for yours, too.
1. Congratulate your siblings for a good job
Receiving a genuine congratulations or thank you can mean a lot to someone, especially when it’s sincere. Not only will they appreciate that you go out of your way to say that, but it creates an image of you as a leader in their eyes.
According to this great leadership book called Gung Ho! Giving “REAL” congratulations has been shown to keep employees motivated. The same tactics work for fraternities and their brothers.
“TRUE” congratulations mean timely, receptive, unconditional and enthusiastic.
When you thank someone, make sure they have all four of the above qualities for maximum effect.
Even if a brother is doing exactly what he’s supposed to do, or what his position says he should do, thank him and “cheer him up.” When your soccer team is supposed to win, we still cheer on their first tries and the team’s progress on the field.
2. Make a retreat with brothers
Plan a weekend during a school break to have a mini vacation with your siblings. This will help to substantially improve the guild with the bonding experience.
During these retreats, you can do whatever you want. Depending on where you decide to go, it could be camping, swimming at the beach/lake or having a campfire next to a cabin on the mountain. It is up to you to plan the activities during the retreat.
I would only invite active brethren to attend to focus the union only among their chapter. If alumni or brothers from other chapters attend, you are simply allowing “distractions” to keep you from maximizing the brotherhood benefits of a retreat.
3. Hang out together
It doesn’t have to be a frat event to spend time with your brothers. Spontaneously calling up a few brothers to come kick it up one night is a great way to build on those friendships. This is how we build friendships that last a lifetime.
It’s so simple, but I still hear from people who don’t do this. Maybe you can find a way to encourage these hangouts by offering attendance points if your attendance policy allows it.
4. Go out to eat after meetings
Everyone is already together, so it’s easy to have dinner with all your siblings at once.
Go to places that can accommodate large groups. Here in Southern California, we go to BJ’s and TGI Fridays often.
In addition to eating, you can also schedule parties or other quick events while everyone is together.
5. Play the game “Murderer?”
When I was first initiated into my fraternity, Delta Sigma Pi, everyone was playing this game I’d never heard of before called “assassins.”
To put it simply, everyone who participates is a killer and the winner is the last killer standing, so you have to kill everyone else.
To do this, he uses creative methods to fool people when they least expect it. Look, this game is ongoing and it can go on for months depending on how good the people are.
For example, if you make someone step on a yellow note with the word “bomb” written on it, they are dead and out of the game.
If this sounds fun and interesting, look up the rules using Google search or find them on Wikipedia.
