As most Greeks know, communication is key in order to have a successful chapter. To keep communication strong, a significant number of chapters have chosen to use the notorious group texting app, GroupMe, for their everyday needs.
For the most part, this app does its job: it serves as a way for brothers to have an open discussion on controversial topics such as pairs, executive decisions, brothers' choices, academics, pledges, events and normal conversation.
When people take this app for granted, however, things get interesting. That being said, I compiled a list of the 5 reasons I truly believe GroupMe can destroy a chapter...Temporarily, at least.
5. You can't escape a "Troll."
It's been going on since the Internet has existed. People, especially fraternity men, love "trolling" their brothers. Urban Dictionary describes a troll as "One who posts a deliberately provocative message to a newsgroup or message board with the intention of causing maximum disruption and argument" - and they are absolutely correct. I don't know about you, but when I try to post something in a chat with the intentions of my post being taken seriously, only for someone to post something mockingly in order to cause disruption, I get annoyed with that brother and anyone aiding the disruption.
4. People post stupid things, most of which can cause a lot of trouble.
It never fails: A few brothers go out to the bars, they have a couple drinks too many, and before you know it, GroupMe is filled of pictures that could destroy someone's life.
Now, don't get me wrong, this stuff is hilarious. Most of it makes each brother laugh out loud and starts a cross-firing of jokes being shot back and forth, and it's very entertaining. In the long-run, though, the laugh isn't worth it.
Pictures at the bar or in a similar setting are never good, and could potentially threaten someone's career, internship, relationship or even threaten the whole chapter if the pictures get into the wrong hands. The morning after, someone is always pissed off and wants to take it out on anyone who contributed.
3. As much as you want to trust all your brothers, the risk isn't worth it.
Lets face it, we're college men. We make terrible decisions, we say stupid things, we make jokes that would only make a convict laugh, and sometimes when a brother finds something funny, he doesn't see much harm in letting someone else see or hear about what was mentioned in the GroupMe. This is terrible.
For most cases, if the wrong person sees or hears what was mentioned in a GroupMe, it taints your reputation and could even cost you your charter. And if someone finds out a member of the group has been disregarding the secrecy of GroupMe, the chapter does not take that lightly. Trust no one, and be careful what you post.
2. "Likes" are like a kick in the chest sometimes.
Arguing occurs a lot in GroupMe, which is good! Chapters with members that are not afraid to voice their opinion are successful chapters. To say you're not going to let someone hurt your feelings, however, is something that is hard to live up to. Multiple times I have seen brothers ridiculed for something they said and get very hurt over another brother's criticism.
The only thing worse than that is the fact that every time someone in the group "likes," the other brother's criticism they feel as if everyone is against them. With each "like," it's like a stab in the chest. It's especially worse when one of their best friends in the chapter likes the message ridiculing them and makes them utter, "Et tu, Brute?"
1. You can't read a message like you can hear someone talk.
Miscommunication is one of the biggest reasons GroupMe will destroy your chapter. Going back to the comment on us being college men, we are the most sarcastic people you will ever come across in your life. When a brother makes a sarcastic comment, the majority of the chapter is not aware that he is not being serious.
There is no sarcastic font, you cannot hear the tone of his voice and you cannot read his facial expressions. These are the worst. Someone always gets upset or hurt over sarcasm. Maybe sometime in the future we will be able to read texts as successfully as we can talk in person, but until then, texts cause large amounts of miscommunication and it is impossible to avoid.
Moving forward.
GroupMe may be the most notoriously used app among chapters, but it causes a lot of problems. If you want to pass on GroupMe, which is probably a great idea, do it! Communication is still attainable if you go to chapter, take notes and take time to find stuff out before crap hits the fan. If you can't stay away, however, do yourself and your chapter a favor and don't be a troll, be careful what you post, keep GroupMe between you and your chapter, don't like mean things that are attacking someone and avoid sarcasm.
