Stick to the map!

Sometimes the easiest solution is right in front of you.  I call it the map.  It gets you from point A to point Z.  Are there different ways of getting there? Sure.  Can there be short cuts? Sometimes.  Sometimes though the easiest way is to simply follow the path already blazed.  Here are a few examples.

Example #1: Your members are not paying their dues on time and now the chapter is behind on bills.  Here are your options:

• Path #1: You hold them accountable.  You don’t let them participate.  You send them to collections.  You expel them if need be.

• Path #2: You fundraise.  You make members that have already paid their dues work to help pay off the chapter debt.  You fine guys for not helping…ironically the same guys that owe money.

• Path #3: You try to come up with a creative payment plan for the guys that owe you money and with the people the chapter owes money to/

Example #2: You have a chapter officer that is not doing his job and has been given plenty of opportunities.  Here are your options:

• Path #1: You remove him from his position and appoint someone that you think will try to do it.

• Path #2: You or others cover for the officer by doing his job.

• Path #3: You wait him out hoping he will quit or the chapter can fix the problems he creates after the next election.

Example #3: Recruitment numbers are not what you had hoped for.  Here are your options:

• Path #1: The chapter reviews what they have done already and adjusts its plan.  It then continues recruitment.

• Path #2: The chapter tells all concerned parties (alumni, HQ and University) that they recruited quality versus quantity this semester.

• Path #3: The chapter removes the recruitment chair and appoints someone new to “do better” next semester.

In all three examples it is possible that anyone of those paths might work.  The reality though is there is a “best path” in each example.  For those of you looking for the answer is is Path #1 in each.  Sometimes the first path is not the most comfortable but if you look at the other paths and truly consider all that is involved you should feel even more uncomfortable with them.

Why should members that pay their bills be asked to do extra work for those who haven’t?  Why should people or entities that provide you services be asked to hold off on getting paid because your members, that are taking advantage of those services, aren’t ready to pay?  Why should a guy that is not doing his job be allowed to keep his position or have others cover for him?  What if the other guys get burnt out for doing two jobs?  Why is one guy in charge of recruitment for the chapter?  Why is the chapter content to let itself shrink on the false premise of “quality”?  When is the last time anyone looked highly on a Quality Chapter of Only One Man?

The point of all of this is that sometimes when you have a problem you start looking for a bunch of different solutions when in reality the easiest and in many cases the simplest solution is already known.  Your chapter is in debt…and has members that still owe money…make those members pay.  If recruitment didn’t go well simply fix what you did and keep recruiting.  If guys in the chapter aren’t doing their job you just replace them.

Its not rocket science and in most cases you don’t need rocket science to solve a problem.