Connections

Last Saturday, we hosted our annual fraternity chapter alumni tailgate at Texas State. It is always exciting to see who shows up and how the event grows year after year. Reconnecting with old friends that I have not seen in nearly forty years is an amazing experience. I love watching others reunite and being a part of bringing them together.

The event was tremendous fun and well attended. A couple of hundred people came through, including several dozen of the really old guys (i.e., anyone older than me). I enjoyed meeting the undergraduate members of the chapter and seeing my brothers sharing contact information with each other. Fraternity membership is for life, but it takes work to keep those relationships alive. Providing a forum for connection is a service, and these events are for the benefit of those who show up – whether it is ten or two hundred.

The founder of our fraternity established its guiding principle with his famous quote, “To do what ought to be done, but would not have been done unless I did it, I thought be my duty.” Sometimes doing what “ought to be done” is really difficult and requires tremendous sacrifice. At other times, it is as simple as sending out an invitation email, buying some sausage and beer, setting out some lawn chairs, and putting on a classic playlist.

Organizing this tailgate every year is an easy contribution I make to a community I value. The fraternity has been good to me. It provided me with my first leadership opportunities and helped me develop confidence early in my career. There is no way for me to put a value on that influence, and it would be impossible for me to discharge that debt directly. All I can do is to follow the teaching of the founders, continue to “do what ought to be done,” and hope that I can serve as an example for others to follow.

I know that we are all busy, but this is not that hard. Being a connector is one of the most rewarding roles you can play in life. When was the last time you called your college or high school friends? Organized a dinner party for new acquaintances? Or just introduced two people that you think are special to one another? Most of us live in little bubbles, and the least we can do is cause those bubbles to collide every once in a while. Think about it and commit yourself to “do what ought to be done.”  I promise that you will not regret it.