[17694] in APO-L
Re: BSA discrimination (WAS Addition to Alcohol Discussion)
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Daniel Roberts)
Thu Nov 20 23:58:01 1997
Date: Thu, 20 Nov 1997 23:51:44 -0500
Reply-To: "danr@netwalk.com" <danr@netwalk.com>
From: Daniel Roberts <danr@netwalk.com>
To: Multiple recipients of list APO-L <APO-L@VM.CC.PURDUE.EDU>
On Wednesday, November 19, 1997 1:41 AM, CharlieZ@aol.com
[SMTP:CharlieZ@aol.com] wrote:
> >If anybody cares I'll comment on APHIO membership policies but I'll pass
> >for the moment. BSA membership policies are better discussed in another
> >forum.
> >
> >Dan Roberts
>
> Dan -
>
> Please elaborate on this for me -- with what do you take issue in our
> membership policies?
>
> Fraternally,
>
> Charlie Zimmerman
> National Membership and Extension Director
> Alpha Phi Omega
> charliez@aol.com
>
I probably shouldn't have said anything as I was not prepared to articulate
a clear answer. I am not familiar with the exact current membership
policies. Unless things have changed significantly I don't have any issues
with basic national policies.
My concerns are basically philosophical and usually my concerns are with
how those policies are implemented on a chapter level. From a philosophical
stand point I think that APHIO chapters should have clear and concise
membership requirements and any person who meets those requirements should
be admitted to membership. I am opposed to voting on prospective members
unless the only question is did they meet the requirements. Obviously
standards as objective as possible are desirable BUT 100% objective
standards in human affairs are impossible.
Where I have noted this kind of issue arise here on APO-L recently was in a
discussion of transfer membership policies. I did not read the thread
closely so I apologize if I misunderstood it. It seemed to me that the
issue involved was tests and requirements for transfer members. This really
strikes me as inappropriate. Again this is just my humble opinion and I
respect that others can have honest differing opinions but you asked.(G) I
think that a student who transfers to a new school and meets the membership
requirements (student status &tc.) should not be subjected to additional
tests and requirements but should be welcomed.
I generally have philosophical objections to the obsession I see in some
chapters and individuals with counting points. I practice law for a living,
so this next comment may surprise you, but I think that people often get
two obsessed with the rules, regulations, and minutia of procedure and miss
the real dynamics of a group.
Sorry if I've offended anyone but I was asked.(G) I certainly respect the
right of individual chapters to set point based membership programs and
requirements as long as they comply with national rules. I just don't think
this approach is a good idea.
Dan Roberts
