What truly makes or breaks the fraternity experience is the brotherhood. They are the people you see day in and day out, the people you work with and the people you party with. Hanging out with your brothers and helping out society during community service and philanthropy events is what I like about being in a fraternity. Yet, it can get difficult living with some people for long periods of time. 

Conflict is bound to happen. Luckily, I am aware of and observe other houses putting together brotherhood events, and I want to share some ideas for good brotherhood events for this fall season. 

Paintball

This is especially fun when you want to vent some steam. Not only does it engage brothers physically, it gets everyone to work together. Just one rule when it comes to playing paintball: no crotch shots.

Thanksgiving dinner

Every year, our chef prepares a thanksgiving dinner the Sunday before the break. He cooks up turkey, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie, along with other tasty food. We put all the tables together and each take a turn to say something we are grateful for. The house really looks forward to this evening, not just for the delicious food, but it's also a time of reflection. It’s a time to give value to those things we usually don’t give value to during the year. A lot of stories are shared and enjoyed.

Alumni cookouts

When it comes to Purdue football games, boilermakers always find ways to make the day fun, given our inevitable thrashing. We found that inviting our alumni to a post game cookout is a great way to meet the men that kept our house alive, and also meet their families. I have learned one huge thing from these gatherings: the 80s guys knew how to party. Crazy, fun and even sad stories are shared. Plus, you can see how Greek life has changed over the years.

Brotherhood is very special and, if fostered correctly, will last long past your college years. Keep this in mind, especially when you are hanging out with your brothers, getting to meet the new members of the fraternity or guys on the street who are interested in rushing: “Brotherhood is not just a Bible word. Out of comradeship can come and will come the happy life for all.”